Chapter 23: Thailand

Loy Loy Krathong, Loy Loy Krathong…my students sang this to me last Wednesday, November 12^th in honor of one of the most popular festivals in Thailand.  It takes place on the full moon day of the 12^th lunar month.  The festival was not complete without kids dressed in elaborate, authentic Thai attire dancing and singing on stage, my matium 2/1 girls (six grade) taking my hand as soon as I arrived to play games, and stuffing my face with sticky rice and ice cream (2 scoops of ice cream in a hotdog bun with sweet corn and beans). I ended the night by lighting a candle, making a wish, and floating (loy) a lotus shaped vessel made of banana leaves (krathong).  Dozens of krathongs floated in the fountain, candles lit, incense burnt, each with its own significance.  Students, teachers, and all the residents Uthaithani were there for the celebration.  I also felt a bit famous as kids continuously came up to me asking for pictures (as I was the only westerner there). November full of cheer, Loy Krathong is here…

The next night our school’s head master set up a “pot luck” dinner for a few teachers and students…the 15 or so that live in campus apartments.  As you can guess, my dish was grilled cheese.  I thought since a.  I cannot cook, and b. I found American cheese at 7-11, that this would be the perfect dish.  No one had heard of it before, but after slight hesitation, it seemed to be a hit because by the end of the night they were gone.  Other dishes included Tom Yom (vegetable and seafood soup), curry, Thai style omelet, fish and vegetables fried, tofu pad thai, Chinese vegetables, and Thai style shiskabobs (they got a kick out of the English word for them) – basically balls of pork and chicken grilled on a stick…it was yet another night of coming together and celebration outside on a perfect evening and a full moon.

 Since I’ve arrived I’ve found many comforts here that have eased the homesickness a bit.  I rescued a turtle from the market that was being sold (most Thai people believe it is bad luck to eat them, but some Thai men think turtle meat brings them sexual good fortune).  I have adopted her and named her Josie (Jr.).  I have potted several plants and hung them outside my room.  The pots are made from coconuts my neighbor gave me to use.  Each week I gather fresh flowers from the garden for my kitchen.  The colors are brilliant and I find a new species each time I collect them.  I also finally made it to “Big C” (a mall with a Kmart type shopping center about 45 minutes from our school).  Although I love Thai food, sweets, and fruit, there is something about finding Kellogs Cornflakes, Nutella, Timtams, and spaghetti that makes my heart skip a beat. 

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