"It would never happen in Korea", said Stephanie, my colleague who taught there, "the Koreans are way too serious".
I can't imagine it in the US, either. A day when everyone in the country plays.
I can't imagine it in the US, either. A day when everyone in the country plays.
Sometimes it was a gentle bathing and cleansing, a trickle administered gently. But most of the time, it was tossed, flung, squirted out of massive water guns or hoses, or dumped gleefully from buckets or trash cans, soaking every square inch of anybody nearby.
Bangkok got in the Guinness Book of World Records this year for 3,471 people engaged in 10 minutes of squirt gun fighting (thanks Blake).
Bangkok got in the Guinness Book of World Records this year for 3,471 people engaged in 10 minutes of squirt gun fighting (thanks Blake).
It is said that the throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people by capturing the water after it had been poured over the Buddhas for cleansing to begin the New Year. Then this "blessed" water was saved and used to give good fortune to others. It is said to wash away the bad stuff.
Stephanie and I did start the first day of the Thai New Year, Songkran, at the temple, crowded with people making offerings and saying prayers. We did bathe the Buddha images in water with flower petals.
And then we walked the streets of Kamala and joined in.
The land of smiles was living up to its name on Wednesday.
Thai people are fun-loving and playful.
The land of smiles was living up to its name on Wednesday.
We went to Popeye's restaurant for some food (above), watching the staff and customers play as we ate from their free buffet.
 |
| Gais, first grade student, took great delight in throwing water on her teacher. |
Sa wa dee bpee mai (Happy New Year)!