April 13 - Water Festival                                                                                                      

Not sure what it is all about but it is quite a day for Thailand.
The day starts by 7 AM with the people gathering in the school yard.  They are all dressed in their best.  I can not say Sunday best as Sunday is just like any other day to them.  They are carrying pans, dishes, baskets of food to be given to the monks.  When you get there the monks and others are gathered to hear something they are being told, prayers etc.  Then the monks come out with their kettles and walk down the line of people to get their offerings, the older ones and the young ones there for the summer. (Teaching them to beg right away.)  They can only eat what has been given to them.  If no one gives then they do not eat.   All the ladies are in dresses below their knees and longer.  The men are in their best clothes.  As the monks walk by you are to take your shoes off in reverence to them.  You are not to touch their clothing, skin, or the container they are carrying.  They do not smile, nod or say thank you.  All in silence.

 

The people lined up waiting for the monks.

 

The monks are starting to come down the line.

 

Batty had bought some treats for them and divided

them into several dishes for us to give them.  I did not

want to do it but hated to dissappoint her so gave out some.

These people do need to eat.  They can not eat any meat

as they are not to eat anything that gave its life so they

could have food and live.  They are strict vegetarians.

 

This little guy was so serious about what he was doing.

 

 

After this the fun began.  Everyone was throwing water on everyone else.  Buckets, hoses, containers of all sizes.  When the pickups went buy they had water barrels in the back.  Some had red food coloring in the water.  They also take talcum powder and mix with the water and rub on each other.  The neighbors came over and carefullt and nicely poured water on me and put this powder paste on my face.  All in all it was a lot of fun.  Of course beer was involved so by mid afternoon many were staggering. No beer thrown at least in our area but a lot drank.

 

 

Batty's aunt, Toon's sister with Brian.

This shows how people dressed to go to the monks.

 

The water fights beginning

 

The talc gets put on thick

 

A lot of eating was done

Brian really gets into his sticky rice

 

Watching the fun

 

The 3 B's

 

The group of dancers that Bert and Batty sponsored

 

Up closer

 

Bert and the neighbor kids

We do get quite wet

 

After this goes on for awhile the parade starts.  There is also a beauty contest.  A float is made for each contestant.  As they go down the street a pickup with loud speakers (turned up HIGH) and a group of dancers goes ahead.  They really put the work into the floats.

 

 

 

 

A group of dancers in front of a float

 

The float behind the dancers

 

Some dancers are in regular clothes and some in a uniform

 

Can you imagine walking a parade route in these?

 

The marchers do get drenced but the floats stay dry.

 

In the evening there are speaches, music and the crowning of the prettiest girl.