THE ULTIMATE
Welcome To My Life Is An Adventure - by Dawitt Abraha SONGKRAN WATER FESTIVAL in NORTHERN THAILAND: Saturday, April 12, .2014 I had an hilarious SONGKRAN FEST (scheduled to last from April 12-15) in downtown Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. This is rated as one of the most important festivals in Chiang Mai. Crowds gather downtown from the town, from all over Northern Thailand and international tourists, including some Africans and Black Americans. I had brought my jumbo water gun to this event. I soon realized that I was outgunned by some other water gun models that had far more power shooting range and amount of water fire power; some had double barrels. I was on my motor bike riding down one of the main roads called: Huan Kaew Road, from Maya Shopping Plaza down to Thapae Gate and around the old town moat. All along the way there were a cross section of Chiang Mai residents who showed up ready for the occasion. Mostly in groups for extra fun and action throwing water and ice water on to the revelers walking, riding or driving around the moat. Friendly water fights were everywhere from small squirts to buckets of splashes hurled on to each other.The cutest were the Little Men and Little Misses getting acculturation. Everyone got wet and so did the streets and side walks --in some instances puddles. Music,dancing and food was in plenty supply. In late afternoon; the winds started to roar. Everybody had played so hard and had so much fun that the skies opened up with downpours of themselves. I felt a little chill due to sudden change in temperature and the crowd started to disperse. Time for me and my group to have something to eat and take shelter from the thunderstorms. After treating myself to TOM Yum (Thai style soup) and hot tea to warm up my body, I headed on home. By this time it was around 7:00 pm. It had stopped raining and was getting dark already. End of party. I am always glad to note how friendly and hospitable the host culture is. I did not witness any form of violent clash or alcohol abuse. END OF PARTY FOR TODAY !! Officially the Songkran Festival or Water Fest in Thailand is from April 13 to 15 2015. In practice it could last longer than that. This is my second Songkran in Northern Thailand. Both times I have had my water gun out ready to do the water fight. I was with a friend on a motor bike cruising around and making frequent stops at Thapae Gate, Chiang Mai Gate and Kad Suan Kaew and by the Park. The parades into and out nd around Thapae Gate and processions to the temples are phenomenally splendidly decorated. Those are magnificent events not to be missed. My water gun is a medium size; some of the guys and the girls had jumbo guns and could send out water greater distances and with greater volume of intensity. It was and is fun so far. I especially enjoy looking at children aim their water gun timidly at adults. CHIANG MAI UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF ARTS Saturday, MARCH 22, 2014 I was invited by the enthusiastic, culturally aware and knowledgeable; NOI; who is the events coordinator for The Faculty. About noontime some students of The Faculty of Arts, Noi and myself got into the chartered mini bus to begin our commute heading on to the Party of Ajaarn Masaman 's family Party. After completing our visit to the family home and enjoying the feast, we were to join THE PARADE and make a GRAND ENTRANCE to THE TEMPLE grounds. NOTE: In Thai version of Theraveda Buddhism, it is customary for the faithful to actively engage themselves in the patronage of the Temples by raising funds and contributing in several other ways to that objective of attaining "merit". THE FAMILY HOME. I was in Lamphun, Northern Thailand on Saturday March 22, all day. We arrived at our destination at around 2:00pm I was at Ajaan MANASAM 's family home in Lamphun. The compound had three separate houses suggesting multiple residents households. There was also a large warehouse garage style area towards the back and some rooms here and there. He teaches at Faculty of Fine Arts, CM University. They were having an annual fund raising party at their home with his immediate and extended families participating. The funds were to help the Temple at the renowned Wat MOOENTON in Lamphun. They had a lavish feast party and friends and family showed up each bearing an envelope with some contributions. Buffet style tables were setup with some of the traditional dishes. Water and other beverages were also available. They had two KUATAN (Offering Collection Table with a box as a base) setup and decorated like a money tree. They also had another silver bowl on one of the porches of the family houses. This one was separate, friends and family walked up the porch greeted and handed an envelope to a small group of three or four matriarchs who solemnly guarded and received the envelopes and exchanged greetings with the folks who handed them their "Merit" offerings/contributions, so it seems. After enjoying the feast it was time to get ready for the start of the main event. THE PARADE WAS THE MAIN EVENT OF THE DAY. The proceeds were to be carried over in a Parade with the procession accompanied by dances and a band playing music. This reminded me of MARDI GRAS in New Orleans. I was part of the Parade walking and dancing to Lanna two step. I was part of the Parade. It was a Jazzy experience for me. Students from The Faculty of Arts of CM University led the procession with dances and obliged gently to curiosity seekers and photography enthusiasts. They were adorned in heavy make-up; elaborate LANNA costumes and accompanied by a loud band of drummers, percussion instruments and a loud trumpet/flute. Ajaarn Masaman coordinated the choreography and acted as alternate MC . These students seem like 'drag queens; the local population refers to them as lady boys. THE GRAND ENTRANCE TO THE MOOENTON TEMPLE: Yes; by all means. I have taken several pictures of the PARADE, THE PROCESSION AND THE GRAND ENTRANCES OF THE DIFFERENT "MERIT" based FUNDS HANDING OFF THE OFFERINGS to the enchanted monks receiving the bounty. The POY LUANG (Pagoda renewal) ceremony was an elaborate event with dances, a couple of musical bands and planned to last from Friday to Sunday, (I was only observing the Saturday part of it) complete with stages for performances. There was also food; arts and crafts vendors. The whole village was decorated with TUNG (decorative hanging banner) of different colours and horoscope based designs. Ajaarn Manasam was like home boy hero returning to his old neighbourhood with bystanders gleefully and respectfully greeting him and expressing their affections. At times some of the bystanders also joined in. Some of the students at Faculty of Arts led the Parade originating from the family home of Ajaarm Manasam to the WAT MOOEUNTON. They were dressed up in Lanna traditional costumes, wigs and heavy make-up. The students and everybody else in the processions inside and outside THE TEMPLE danced so much from the heart with dedication and excitement that we, including myself; forced or summoned that the rains come down in downpours. What a relief that was! BACK TO CHIANG MAI: : On our way back to Chiang Mai it kept on raining all the way. I noticed a couple of trucks skid and end up in a ditch and another hit a roadside tree. We got back at around sevenish in the evening. Everybody in the Parade, in the Temple and in our group was orderly and respectful. To my surprise I did not observe any alcohol abuse; although alcohol was served in moderation. Everybody seemed to have had a good time. Webmaster: Dawitt Abraha - Email: [email protected] - Copyright © Protected - All Rights Reserved 2021
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