Loi Krathong, sensory overload
Trip Start
Nov 08, 2008
1
2
20
Trip End
Jan 17, 2009
Chiang Mai,
Thailand
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
This is one of those entries in which neither words nor photos do justice to the experience. So, I'll keep it short.
Chiang Mai is one of the prime places to be a part of Loi Krathong, and that's the main reason I'm here now.
As I posted earlier, the anticipation has been building around town since I arrived (and probably before). People have been out decorating gates and doorways with banana leaves, flowers and lanterns. Vendors are selling all sorts of food and knick-knacks. Stage shows around town are going on. Parades happen each night for three nights. People -- both Thai and farang (foreigners) are buying fireworks and materials to make their own krathong (little flower-decorated, candle-lit rafts).
My friend Jim and I were invited to the apartment of our friends Nine and Mick to make our own krathong yesterday. Nine (Suphanan), from Northern Thailand, was our teacher. In the evening, Mick, Nine and I went to the riverbank to release our creations, setting our wishes afloat. Getting to the riverbank was a bit tricky, given the number of people who wanted to do the same.
All along the river, people were releasing candle-powered lanterns into the night sky, creating constantly moving constellations of lights around the full moon. Fireworks exploded in the air and on the street. Moving from place to place was difficult due to the crowds, but everyone was in good spirits.
Eventually, things started to wind down, and we decamped to a music club I'd been to on my last visit to Thailand to listen to a zydeco band and greet some people I'd met last time I was there. Strange to know and be known by people in a club halfway around the world. Strange, but wonderful.
