Add to Technorati Favorites expat Abu Dhabi Dispatches: Songkran

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Songkran

I have been in kind of a mental slump lately. Maybe it is the return of the heat to this region, or maybe it is fatigue due to my brutal work schedule.All I know is that I have had a severe case of dont-give-a-shit-itis in the past couple of months. A possible cure for this condition presented itself in the form of an invitation to join a colleague and his Thai wife and 4 year old son to Thailand last month for Songkran.

Songkran is the Thai New Year' Celebration. In the old days it was held when certain astrological conditions were met that closely coincided with the vernal equinox. Elders and monks were visited and water was sprinkled on the shoulders of family and friends as gestures of good luck for the coming year. Faces of those  blessed by Buddhist monks bore a chalk marking, also a symbol of good luck.  Seems like no matter where you are there is some sort of vernal equinox celebration.It seems a universal human need to welcome the time when the Sun is aligned with the equator and daytime and nightime are equal. Christianity's Easter is an example.

In modern times Songkran has been pegged around the middle of April. Different regions of the country celebrate at different times but mostly it is observed between the 13th and the 19th. The gentle sprinkles of water have given way to water bazookas and 5 liter buckets recharged from giant bins of ice cold water. Motorists on certain streets have to run a gauntlet of revelers armed to the teeth with diabolical water dispensing devices. No one can expect to stay dry. My mobile phone was a casualty of an errant splash.


A Direct Hit on a Mobile Dreadnaught



Couple of the Valiant Troops



Waiting for the Taxis

These Guys are not to be Screwed With


Looking for Trouble



Logistics Kept us full of Beer



Thailand, Land of Smiles!

Howling at the Moon

You Fill in the Blanks! No Magnums?  Dammit!!!


This is Weird on Different Levels..What's with the Bow Tie? Formal Night?

After 3 Days of Songkran, I can Relate with these Thai Pups!
At first I was I was skeptical. How much fun can I have being squirted with ice water constantly for 3 days? Come to find out, it was a blast! I felt I was 10 years old again. It was like an aquatic Mardi Gras. What's better than the sanctioned, unlimited use of a water bazooka against others?

Everyone was in a good mood and I never saw even the hint of a conflict. I love Thailand and its people. The Land of Smiles! They know something about happiness in life that us Westerners have yet to discover.

Go to Thailand during Sangkran (or anytime), you will not regret it!

14 comments:

Ms. Mharya said...

Oh!it was a nice experienced.i love thailand so much and hope to visit again one of this days. nice post, i remember those time that i was in bkk for vacation and that was exactly the week theyre celbrating Songkran festival and i had fun. nice post and blog..

Chuck said...

Looks like a cool time to visit, glad you had fun!

Bloghead said...

Your series of blogs are really good and I am sorry I have not commented on any of them earlier. Someday we should team up for a trip to Thailand. The liquor license post was so typical I was laughing. And WHERE did you get that bottle of booze with the big cat?

Ace said...

@Ms.M- Thanks for your comment...Thailand is indeed a special place!

@Neil-Mate, you would have really enjoyed yourself!

@Chuck-Yes it is more fun to visit places when it is not "business as usual".

@Bloghead-Thanks for reading my scrawls. I am ready for a trip back to the Land of Smiles anytime. Let me know when are ready. The liquor licence quest was so typical of life over here when one needs to get something done. I am easily frustrated and I think I reached my limit that day. The bottle with the leopard fur is a South African liquor similar to Bailey's Irish Cream. The next day, my tongue felt as hairy as the bottle covering.

Call Girls In Dubai said...

Feel free and to call us at whenever every minute of every day and take your young lady to your most loved place. see this Muscat Escorts

Call Girls In Dubai said...

Muscat Escorts is the best place to carry on with your life calmly and make the most of your occasions.

Call and whatsapp number +971561616995
http://www.escortsdubai110.com/muscatescorts.html
https://www.scoop.it/t/dubai-escorts-by-anjalimodel9
https://vk.com/dubaiescorts.verified

Call Girls In Dubai said...

Simply get in touch with us and enlighten us regarding your requests that what kind of young CALL GIRLS IN ABU DUBAI you are searching for. We will settle a specific date for you with the young lady of your request.

Call and whatsapp number 00971522909500
http://dubaimodels.co/callgirlsindubai.html
https://www.scoop.it/t/dubai-escorts-by-anjalimodel9
https://vk.com/dubaiescorts.verified

Call Girls In Dubai said...

On the off chance that you are energized and looking for the best stage that gives you the best grown-up amusement then you are at the perfect place where you can get the appeal of our horny administrations. Checkout CALL GIRLS IN ABU DUBAI

Call and whatsapp number +971561616995
http://escort19.com/
https://www.scoop.it/t/dubai-escorts-by-anjalimodel9
https://vk.com/dubaiescorts.verified

Call Girls In Dubai said...

You can likewise go through a vital night with our Pakistani CALL GIRLS IN DUBAI since they are prepared and professionally prepared to give you each kind of fun that you require for your Physical and mental relaxation.

Call and whatsapp number +971561616995
http://www.dubaihighescorts.com/
https://www.scoop.it/t/dubai-escorts-by-anjalimodel9
https://vk.com/dubaiescorts.verified

Call Girls In Dubai said...

Our everything young ladies are extremely youthful and are exceptionally dedicated to their work. So scan for your most loved CALL GIRLS IN DUBAI here and afterward call us at the given numbers.

Call and whatsapp number +971561616995
http://independent-escorts-girls.com/
https://www.scoop.it/t/dubai-escorts-by-anjalimodel9
https://vk.com/dubaiescorts.verified

Call Girls In Dubai said...

Additionally, on the off chance that you think about cost, Indian CALL GIRLS IN ABU DUBAI come at a small amount of cost when contrasted with different nationalities, and they give you additional time in that lesser cost to appreciate.
Call and whatsapp number +971561616995
http://dubaiescorts110.com/callgirlsindubai.html
https://www.scoop.it/t/dubai-escorts-by-anjalimodel9
https://vk.com/dubaiescorts.verified

Call Girls In Dubai said...

Indian CALL GIRLS IN DUBAI are superior to different nationals as a result of the reality they are shabby or more that slick and clean.

Call and whatsapp number +971561616995
http://dubaiescorts-verified.com/callgirlsindubai.html
https://www.scoop.it/t/dubai-escorts-by-anjalimodel9
https://vk.com/dubaiescorts.verified

Call Girls In Dubai said...

We have instructed and a high society group of CALL GIRLS IN ABU DUBAI who are professionally prepared and particularly gifted to be the principal decision as Indian escort in Dubai.

Call and whatsapp number +971561616995
http://dubaiescort-verified.com/callgirlsindubai.html
https://www.scoop.it/t/dubai-escorts-by-anjalimodel9
https://vk.com/dubaiescorts.verified

Call Girls In Dubai said...

You can without much of a stretch contact our supporting staff and reveal to them your necessities and they will organize the best young CALL GIRLS IN DUBAI for you at the best place where you can experience your most joyful minutes together.

Call and whatsapp number +971561616995
http://dubai-peaches.com/callgirlsindubai.html
https://www.scoop.it/t/dubai-escorts-by-anjalimodel9
https://vk.com/dubaiescorts.verified