Like the western world, this season is the holiday season in Thailand. Except well, the holidays are different.
Starting with the 27th of November. This day is Loy Krathong day, which literally means float banana leaf basket candle holder thingy. Yes, literally. This holiday is to "make merit". Basically to say sorry for everything bad you have done in the past- repent your sins, and to wish for luck next year. You celebrate this holiday by making/buying a krathong and candles and giving them to the river or you can also release floating lanterns into the air. I did both! My family took me to the river temple by my house where my released out lit Krathongs into the river and then we went to the roof top of the condo and watched some fireworks. The fireworks were indeed pretty but nothing like the firework shows in the US. Fireworks aren't a big deal here because they are so regularly used so the shows aren't as elaborate. I really enjoyed Loy Krathong because it's just so darn beautiful. There are lights in the water, lights in the sky and lights on houses. And not cold, florescent blue lights, they are warm candle lights. It's not like anything in the US and I think next year I will try to celebrate it in the US.
The next holiday is on December 5 at 7:13ish. Why is the time so specific? Because it's the King's Birthday of course! Yes, for this day my host parents took my to the huge celebration in the middle of Bangkok. This is was not completely prepared for. See the King's favorite color is yellow, just like mine actually. So everyone- EVERYONE wears yellow on this day. Sadly though, I didn't bring anything yellow with me to Thailand. But it was ok because there were other farang that weren't wearing yellow there too. I'm just glad I didn't wear red, because that is the color of the protest group against the King. Everyone gathers in the center of a huge field and has yellow candles. You light them around 7:10 and wait until 7:13 where everyone raises their candle up into the sky, sings the King's song and fireworks are lit for the the King. People also light floating lanterns too in honor of the King. It was so amazing to see so many people, so many people all gather for the love of one man. Just one man. They love, honor and respect their King so much. The King, or at the least the idea of the King, brings so many people together and that is so powerful to witness.
Besides the Thai holidays. It's been a struggle to get through these past few weeks. Every mall or busy area will have some sort of "Christmas" decoration. The Christmas decorations remind me of those you would find in a nursing home or sold at a gas station. Some of the displaces are huge and look expensive but aren't what any westerner would call pretty....
But the best way to celebrate these holidays I find, is to spent them with other exchange students. Not only do they know what you're going through but together you can figure out the best unconventional ways to celebrate.
Book: Page 40 or so of Childhood's End, so far it's good. A lot of Sci-fy but I like it.
Thai: loo ku gai...........................................................................................shuttlecock
