Palaquin with flowers instead of floats
Gongs, drums and flutes instead of marching bands
Thai beauties instead of cheerleadersToday I was at another Songkran Procession (Parade) and I suddenly realized I was crying I was enjoying myself so much. I was so overcome with gratitude and pleasure of being able to do what I am doing that my emotions just kicked in and there I was in the middle of the sidewalk in Chiang Mai with tears running down my face. Thankfully I had on big sunglasses.
I lost the newspaper which explained the purpose of today's procession but I remember that it had something to do with presenting thanks to the city leaders of Chiang Mai. Instead of trucks with crepe covered beds there were palaquin with huge flower arrangements and the marching bands were made up of drums, gongs, cymbals and flutes. It was such an "I don't think we're in Kansas" moment that it brought about my above emotional reaction.
You may remember me saying the Tet celebration on 14 February in Saigon was one of the best days of my life. I can add today to that short list. Tonight the festivities continue until midnight and I hope the water sports abate after the sun goes down, but whatever happens I want to go out after a little rest and spend the rest of Songkran with these crazy Thais and farangs. Tomorrow I will leave by bus at 0900 for Chiang Rai, one point of the Golden Triangle, the other two being Chung Khun Laos and Tha Ton Myanmar (Burma). My passport is running out of pages and I hope I have enough space left for the necessary visas.
I lost the newspaper which explained the purpose of today's procession but I remember that it had something to do with presenting thanks to the city leaders of Chiang Mai. Instead of trucks with crepe covered beds there were palaquin with huge flower arrangements and the marching bands were made up of drums, gongs, cymbals and flutes. It was such an "I don't think we're in Kansas" moment that it brought about my above emotional reaction.
You may remember me saying the Tet celebration on 14 February in Saigon was one of the best days of my life. I can add today to that short list. Tonight the festivities continue until midnight and I hope the water sports abate after the sun goes down, but whatever happens I want to go out after a little rest and spend the rest of Songkran with these crazy Thais and farangs. Tomorrow I will leave by bus at 0900 for Chiang Rai, one point of the Golden Triangle, the other two being Chung Khun Laos and Tha Ton Myanmar (Burma). My passport is running out of pages and I hope I have enough space left for the necessary visas.
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