Round and round Songkran we go

Looking at cultural celebrations as an outsider is a learning experience.  We don’t know how to act or what to expect in a lot of cases and to top that, we don’t speak the language, so we can’t read a lot of the signage and need to just kind of roll with it.  That forces us to stand back a bit.  Observe.  See it for what it is and how the people respond and act in the moments.

We started Songkran slowly.  A lazy morning by the pool for the ladies and I got a coffee and wrote a previous blog.  Lunch.  Nap.  Dressing and getting ready.  Off to Asiatique and one of Bangkok’s largest Songkran celebrations.  

It was dead!

Not barren, but we expected a sea of people.  It was a smattering.  But, that’s cool.  We got to ride the largest Ferris wheel in Bangkok.  Maybe it’s all Thailand.  It’s on the signage, but who takes pics of signage.  It was a nice ride.  And air conditioned.  It gave us a view of the entire grounds.  Then, we wandered.  Just saw it.  Shops and stalls.  We got Indian for dinner since most of the street food stalls were just getting running.  So, butter chicken and naan for the table and Kiddo did work on some naan and butter chicken.  It was ok.  Very run of the mill Indian; South East Asian style, so a lot better than run of the mill Indian found in The States, just with the people, culture, and spices of the region being a little more common.  They also had panipuri.  My ex, Bena, introduced me to this, as it was her favorite and it’s become one of mine.  This, for me, was worth the total price of the meal.  It was above average.  Really solid.  Not top 5 or anything, but I’d go there and have the panipuri again.

The hour was getting later and more started to open, crowds started increasing, and things seem to get popping.  But, we did ride the carousel and do a Haunted Ride.  She hated the haunted ride, it was too loud.  She jumped, but it’s lights and screams.  Not scary at all, just jump scares and stuff like that.  She held my hand and said it was too loud and dark and then bright and loud and scary.  

Again, we made the American mistake.  People show up late.  Closing is a bigger deal than opening.

Thursday was a repeat of the morning, only this time I came along to the pool and got some vid of the cutest little fish girl I’ve ever seen.  Plus the tan lines on the back!!!!

We had a lazy day.  Making sure we were in holiday and relax mode.  

We did have plans to get to the Green Day Night Market and have dinner with some friends from the building and that J works with.  For reasons unknown, the market was closed.  It was open the day previous at night.  So, who knows.  But, we headed back home and figured we could just go across the street and have some food and BBQ there, have a beer, and then it’s an easy cross the street end of night.  

Well, Songkran was just starting.  A couple that we’ve seen around but not really gotten to talk with was there.  They have a small child.  Age 2 and a half.  Her and Kiddo started playing a bit, using squirt guns and toys near and around each other.  Then the adults started to get involved.  Off and on squirting and water guns and play.  We all were soaked to the point of needing to change completely.  And it was 85 out last night, so it actually felt good.  But, we all had some fun.  Got wet.  Got to split three beers with J.  Got to laugh and smile and play.  Got squirted and hit on by strangers.  Ate traditional food that was made for the event.  Got some lotion of some sort smeared on my face, because… Songkran, I guess.  I just smiled and rolled with it and got sprayed and played and sprayed back.  

And so far today, it’s lazy again.  

In fact, today is going to be a lazy day.  We’ve been so busy.  So much celebrating and seeing and doing.  So, tonight, for Big Girl Friday Fun Night, instead of going out, we’re staying in.  It’s going to be a night in.  Dinner and a movie.  Kiddo really really wants to show Mumma Turning Red so we’re just going to do that.  A night in.  Kebabs and fries for dinner.  Ice cream after.  A movie.  Maybe we’re even going to play a level or two of video games tonight as well.  

Then tomorrow becomes Bday prep and cooking.  Sunday is going to be the birthday of all birthdays, as someone is excited.  It’ll be nice to have a lazy night before life gets to be a billion miles per hour again.

Before I go, I just wanted to share.

J and I were talking in our bedroom yesterday.  Just talking about the day and night and plans and all that.  As we finished talking, I give J a hug and smooch.  So, being playful and cute, she gives me a hug and smooch back.  Suddenly, we hear a four year old fist rapping on the door.

Yes….J called out.

I’m hearing love in there!  Hurumph!!!!!!

We open the door to lil miss sitting on the floor, right in front of our bedroom door with a grumpy look on her face frowning up at us.  We both just lost it.