Bo Sang Umbrella Festival

This week was the Bo Sang Umbrella Festival.  Bo Sang is a small village area just about 10 kms out of Chiang Mai.  We were told that Friday night was a parade and ceremony.  Since we had a half day of school because of Teacher Appreciation Day (which is a whole other story), we decided to head out to celebrate!

We went with friends a little information about what to expect other than umbrellas!! We were not even that sure how to get there or where it was.... adventure right!?! We found a sign that said we needed to turn and when we got up to the intersection we found out we could not turn because it was right there! We found a great parking spot and let the adventure begin.

This is the entrance.... beautifully covered in umbrellas!

We walked in and were instantly confused!  There was a crowd formed with people sitting on both sides of the road, however seated very differently.  On one side was 'normal' people sitting on the sidewalk or on small stools, chatting away, with little groups all over.  On the other side was elevated stage with couches and chairs and special people sitting. We still dont know who those people were but they were special.  They had only pink, yellow, or blue shirts. Representing/honoring the royalty is our assumption because I think those are their colors.  There were podiums on one side and speakers making announcements.  Occasionally something was said in English but it was hard to hear so we really had no idea what was happening!

We decided to keep walking because it looked like the action was up ahead.  As we walked we past lots of umbrellas, lining restaurants and shops. Sometimes they were set up in fun things like this heart where you could go behind and take your picture!  It was very popular.

As we kept walking we finally ran into the parade! It was so cool.  We could hear the marching band before we could see them.  Yes it was night time but still a very lively parade. And escorted by a car nonetheless.

It really was an all out marching band! It was so fun. They played familiar tunes and we were dancing along like we would at home.

After them was a group of women dressed in white with white umbrellas.  Sorry for the blurriness but you get the idea.

Then there were pageant girls.  The girl in the middle was so so so so tall. Let me rephrase. She was TALL for Thailand!  We think she was about 6-4 with her 3-4 inch heels on.... Here that is very tall! The girls were beautiful though.

We were then surprised to see this beauty drive past!

Different pageant girls and boys!  As you can see they were holding banners similar to parades in the States, though we could only read the numbers.

More beauties being escorted on samlaws - three wheeled bicycles. 

As you might have guessed by now there were lots and lots and lots of what seemed like beauty pageant girls, all dressed differently and escorted semi-differently.  We are now on to being escorted, rather carried, by men.

More girls being carried by men.  As you can see people were still walking around and sometimes through the parade.  The atmosphere was very different.  Still lively but different.  People would run up, put there kids next to the person and take their photo, or just take photos of the people in the parade.  It was interesting!

 There were also lots of people playing music, which kept things loud! All kinds of different instruments were used, though mostly percussion.

Now we are entering the float like section of the parade.  These trucks were covered in umbrellas and lights. Each of them had a picture of the king or the queen and a girl, sometimes very young, sitting on a throne of sorts.  They did not wave or anything but sit and sometimes smile.

Oh also there were groups of people in between wearing matching clothing and carrying matching umbrellas. Sadly again we are uncertain of who they were or why they were there.

This is the turning point of our night right here! Suddenly the processional stopped.  We waiting where we were standing for about 5 minutes and still no movement. So we decided to keep walking.  We walked all the way to the end, which seemed to be forever, and back before it started moving again.  This seemed to not be standard as everyone was confused, tired, and restless.  We felt so bad for those wearing heels or uncomfortable costumes, and for the men carrying the women! It was so bizarre.

More elaborate floats

People dressed up as llamas.  They danced a little too.

 Another beautiful float

Umbrellas everywhere. Being carried, hanging, and acting as lights. It was beautiful.  Oh also you can notice the 30s everywhere. This was the 30th anniversary of this festival so again big celebrations.

 Standing in front of a wall of umbrellas!

We walked back to a section that advertised watching people make the umbrellas, but when we got back there no one was doing it.  It was sad but we still got to see beautifully hand made umbrellas.

They varied in size and design.  This one is probably 6ft in diameter.  There were some with elephants and people and scenery and everything you can imagine! Gorgeous.  The colors are amazing.

As soon as we walked out from there we saw fireworks.  No Thai celebration is complete without them! They were very fun though short.

Here is the umbrella that we bought.  It is about 3ft in diameter and cost us 50baht which is less than 2 dollars! We love the addition of color to our very white house!

After our adventures we were very hungry.  We went out to a true Italian restaurant and enjoyed ourselves. It was lovely.  Another wonderful night. 

Elephant Camp!!

Today we went to Maesa Elephant Camp.  We chose this camp from the many others because these elephants PAINT!!!!  That was truly the main thing that we wanted to see and buy, an elephant painted picture.  

We got to watch the elephant show.  The show included elephants helping owners onto them, playing soccer, painting, moving logs, playing harmonicas, bowing, screeching, and other things. It was so fun.  We got to pet them and get pictures taken.  Moe and I both got hats put on us by the elephants! Below are some pictures and videos of our events.  We were thrilled, though we did not spend more than 2 hours there!  We will spend more time when we go with our visitors......

The painting Matt chose

The painting I chose :]

On the way to the camp we saw a strawberry picking patch!

Our New Favorite Restaurant

As a Facebook status mentioned earlier, we have found a new delightful place right down the road from us.  It is Thai styled with Thai and some international foods.  It is good priced and the English is great! Always a bonus for me, though Moe uses his Thai as much as possible.

The first day I ordered fried omelette with shrimp over rice.  It was very very tasty.  The rice came shaped like a heart! The next time I ordered beef in oyster sauce over rice.  Again, very very delicious.  We got fried shrimp as an appetizer! mmm mmmm gooood!

Here are some pictures of the place:

Moe looking at the menu.  River in the background

Water feature, very pretty

View of restaurant. 

View of River - Or Corona commercial?

Pretty lights

Moe studying his dictionary - like he does at most restaurants :[

My food. Beef in oyster sauce with rice and our appetizer

In other news, Moe is teaching me how to ride the scooter.  I am terrified but it was quite fun.  I have had two lessons.  This is my first lesson.

We are also in the market for a bike of our own so please pray that goes smoothly and we find the perfect one!  Hope you are enjoying your holidays.  We are definitely enjoying ours.  We might go to the movies today or go shopping... or both!

Christmas Day festivities

Christmas Day started like many other days and I forsee many days to come.  I woke up and did some reading while Moe slept in.  I played with Chico and took some pictures of our Christmas tree.

Then, I put a bow on Chico and went to wake up "Daddy".  He wasn't too happy to say the least.

But Chico is very cute!!

We then skyped with Moe's family as they opened presents.  And this was captured which I love.  I wish we  would have and could have had the actual picture as well.  

After skyping with them, Moe went back to sleep and so did I..... I mean I watched Home Alone with Chico. 

We then went out to lunch at an western place.  I had French Toast, banana, and bacon.  Moe had ham and cheese sandwich with french fries.  Then we went shopping.  I got some new clothes. We got some treats for  Chico. Moe got something but I forget what! We came home and relaxed together, enjoying our care free day. 

For dinner, we made it fancy.  Moe made stir fry pork, potatoes, and onions.  We had corn and bread to go along. I set the table up nice as well.  Please ignore the giant piece of bread on my plate... I like my bread, what can a girl do?

Finally we ended the night by skyping with my family and watching them open gifts.  They got our package yesterday so it was quite perfect to get to watch them open it on Christmas day.  

Overall a very different but great day.  We are so blessed!

Christmas time in Thailand

Its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!!

Moe and I are officially on Christmas break and have been since Thursday!! We have two full weeks off, which is apparently more than some schools in America :))  We are going to enjoy every minute of it.

Christmas has taken over Chiang Mai, however I hear that Christmas day will not be the same.  People will still work.  Schools maybe have the day off but only one.  Grocery stores are blaring Christmas music and cashiers are wearing Santa hats (they have been since Thanksgiving!)  Gaudy gold signs and decorations are everywhere.  The mall has a GIANT tree that is literally 4 floors.  Huge.  Here is my attempt at the picture:

We bought a small tree of own for the house.  It has only a few decorations but it makes us happy!!  It is perfect.  

I tried to be a little crafty.  I put tape on cardstock.  Painted over it.  Glitterized it a little :)  Only sad thing is I havent hung it up anywhere!  Please, tell me you know what it says... Moe had no idea :(

At school we were a little crafty too!! Pinterest is beautiful and inspired us to do some crafts.  We made strings of lights with colored paper and string.  On the back we wrote adjectives about the person whose name was written on the lights.  Here is mine: 

Here are half of the kids ones hanging up in the class.  It was possibly more fun for me than for the kids...

We also made button ornaments.  The school provided the materials!  Mine is the one on the left.... I was going for a random look.  I was then showed up by a kid who made the one on the right... very Christmasy

Another teacher donated this tree to us, so we decorated it with our button wreaths.  Some girls made the snowflakes for me so I put them on the tree too!  

Christmas is upon us.  Moe and I are very happy to be together. We are very happy for Skype. It has saved us and brought us closer to many people.  We are happy to be in Thailand for this holiday season.  May the holidays be just as good for you wherever you may find yourselves this year!

Honestly

For once I do not feel bad about not blogging. I didn't even want to blog today, but there is no point in hiding from you.  You all love me no matter what...right!?!?  So here is some honest blogging time! Which means keep the prayers coming!

We were warned before coming that there were different levels of living and traveling abroad.  First the exciting level.  Every new thing done or experienced is exciting and fun.  Every day is a new adventure. The exciting level lasted a long time for us and still has its moments.   I hope that we do not lose this level completely ever!!

Another level is feeling comfortable and settled where things become somewhat normal and you are adjusted.  We have definitely felt these days as well.  We come home and sit, just like we did in America.  We nap like we used to and do other things like normal people do.  There are most certainly areas that we are adjusted and settled.

Then the last area is the frustration level.  This where everything about the new land is frustrating and bothersome.  This is precisely where I was this week.  The goal is to move back into the adjusted and exciting levels this coming week and remainder of the time here.... here's to hoping right!

I'm not going to go into details of why everything was frustrating, but it was.  I cried almost daily.  I was frustrated with my class, my teachers, policies and procedures at school, food, the bugs, and so much more. Don't get me wrong, I love being here. I am enjoying it, but this week, I did not.

I have been missing home so much. Mainly because of the holiday seasons.  Being away from the norm is hard.  Plus, our friends here are either leaving during the holiday break or have family in town that they will be with.  I have been trying my hardest not to think about it, but when other things are down it is so much easier to be down about everything.

Well that is all I can say or I will start crying again.  But Moe has been great.  Today we went out to breakfast and talked the whole time about our goals and desires for being here and what not.  Then we walked through the junk market together enjoying the day.  We napped and played with Chico.  It has been a good day.  And things will get better, I am positive about that.

Please feel free to skype us this holiday season or send us an email to update us on your lives.  We want to know what is happening with you too!  Know we miss you greatly and hope you enjoy your holiday time together.

Loy Kratong

This Wednesday was the full moon of 12th month of Thai lunar calendar which means the celebration of Loy Kratong.  I am told it is not generally on a Wednesday and thus some interesting events happened.  Basically all week was a celebration.

Loy means floating and kratong describe the floats that are created.  Loy Kratong is known as the festival of lights. Which means fireworks, lanterns, candles, and all sorts of things happening all the time.

In Thai class all of the elementary students made kratongs.  I was very intrigued by this whole process and asked the Thai teachers if I could come along with the students.  They graciously accepted me! Kratongs are made out of natural resources such as banana stalk, banana leaves, flowers, and candles and/or incense.  I did not get the details of why things are they way they are but here is my kratong!  The leaves had a specific process but for the flowers and candles I could do what I wanted!  These kratongs are then supposed to be lit and placed in the river.  I did this outside off our deck area.  It was very cool! Kratongs filled the river for days!

Just realized some of my leaves are the wrong way.  The angles were all supposed to face the same direction.  

Every night after the Yee Peng Festival I blogged about last week, the khom loys have been filling the sky.  It has been beautiful to see.

Fireworks have also been going non-stop.  Our restaurant neighbor across the river has had quite the display of fireworks.  Here is a video of a section of fireworks.  I was standing on our roof when I shot this.  They were literally right across from me.  There were a few that literally exploded right above me! It was sooo cool.  The sound is loud so be careful but it is worth hearing for a few seconds to really feel there!

On Thursday we had a little party of our own.  Food and festivities.  The weather was not on our side so it was a shorter event than we had thought. But it was fun.  We watched a few fireworks and let off some of our own.  Here is one of the really cool ones that a friend brought over.  The base of this is a clay pot.

Bottom line. If you can ever visit Thailand, consider coming during this holiday.  It was by far one of the coolest things we have done here.  It was such a cultural experience that is so unique and exciting.