Chaing Mai,
Thailand
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
So, as I explained the Loy Krathong festival in the earlier posting, it is a festival celebrated once a year to 'cleanse' the soul and bring good fortune for the coming year. Besides the Krathongs, (floating flowers and candles on the river) they have these large tissue paper balloons, about 3 1/2 feet tall, 2ft wide, that have a wax ring in the center of the bottom. You light the wax ring on fire, while trying to hold all the sides of the balloon out so they don't catch fire, and wait for the heat to fill the balloon and it takes off... As it takes off you make your wish for the next year. Well, easier said than done. As mom and I were struggling to hold out the balloon sides and light the wax, we were obviously seen as novices! 3 or 4 locals ran over to help, including an 80ish year old woman with a fierce lighter, no teeth and a funny cackle. 5 minutes later, while standing on a flower lined bridge over the Ping River, under a full moon, our balloon sucessfully took off. I thanked the old woman, pressed my hands together (as they do) and nodded my head in appreciation. She slapped me on the rear, laughed and said no problem as she walked away. :) You never know what to expect!
