Emily on Songkran
In 2006 we arrived just after the Songkran festival, so we missed it! In 2007 we had to return to New Zealand over the Songkran Festival, so we missed it! In 2008 we were here!!!! YAY!
I have been waiting to join in with Songkran for a long time now. The thought of having a massive water fight, everyone out on the streets throwing water at everyone else, no matter who they are, cooling down with a bucket of water on your head after a long day of Thailand hot season heat, throwing water through the windows of buses and on any passerbys - it all sounds like awesome fun to me!
We had a Songkran party at my work and it was amazing. All the Pre K classes came outside and had a water fight with water balloons, a paddling pool, buckets of water and even ice thrown into the mix! After the party all the staff had to sit around in their soaking wet clothes until we had showered and changed all the children - we must have all looked like a sight for sore eyes.
When it came to joining in on the streets, I couldn't wait!! On the first day of Songkran my sister and I headed out (leaving the grumpy, unimpressed husband at home), all our money and phones sealed in plastic bags and we were ready for action. We headed right into the centre of town...and we got closer and closer...until we realised we must have had the wrong day because everyone was going about normal life. This was seriously disappointing considering I had been building up for the water fight of the century! Hmmmm!
Well, after a few days I came across the real festival. In a small fishing village where we took a ferry to Koh Samet for our beach holiday. The entire town were out. There must have been over 50 open trucks going up and down the small main road along the sea, each with 8-12 people, kids and babies crammed in the back around a gallon drum of water. Water permanently flying through the air, no one stopping to take a breath. It was beautiful with everyone dressed in colourful, flowery Songkran shirts and traditional chalk type stuff on their faces.
There were floats driving along too with 'Miss Songkran', monks, ladies dressed in traditional Thai costume, and music filling the whole street. You can imagine my frustration that this time I wasn't prepared, I couldn't join in because I had my bag of belongings for the holiday, my phone and money and passport all in my bag and they would have all got drenched through! :( I was glad to have witnessed it though.
It is a beautiful, community filled festival and in 2009 I will be ready, water gun in hand, no phone, no cash, just me ready for the water. Bring it on!!!
I have been waiting to join in with Songkran for a long time now. The thought of having a massive water fight, everyone out on the streets throwing water at everyone else, no matter who they are, cooling down with a bucket of water on your head after a long day of Thailand hot season heat, throwing water through the windows of buses and on any passerbys - it all sounds like awesome fun to me!
We had a Songkran party at my work and it was amazing. All the Pre K classes came outside and had a water fight with water balloons, a paddling pool, buckets of water and even ice thrown into the mix! After the party all the staff had to sit around in their soaking wet clothes until we had showered and changed all the children - we must have all looked like a sight for sore eyes.
When it came to joining in on the streets, I couldn't wait!! On the first day of Songkran my sister and I headed out (leaving the grumpy, unimpressed husband at home), all our money and phones sealed in plastic bags and we were ready for action. We headed right into the centre of town...and we got closer and closer...until we realised we must have had the wrong day because everyone was going about normal life. This was seriously disappointing considering I had been building up for the water fight of the century! Hmmmm!
Well, after a few days I came across the real festival. In a small fishing village where we took a ferry to Koh Samet for our beach holiday. The entire town were out. There must have been over 50 open trucks going up and down the small main road along the sea, each with 8-12 people, kids and babies crammed in the back around a gallon drum of water. Water permanently flying through the air, no one stopping to take a breath. It was beautiful with everyone dressed in colourful, flowery Songkran shirts and traditional chalk type stuff on their faces.
There were floats driving along too with 'Miss Songkran', monks, ladies dressed in traditional Thai costume, and music filling the whole street. You can imagine my frustration that this time I wasn't prepared, I couldn't join in because I had my bag of belongings for the holiday, my phone and money and passport all in my bag and they would have all got drenched through! :( I was glad to have witnessed it though.
It is a beautiful, community filled festival and in 2009 I will be ready, water gun in hand, no phone, no cash, just me ready for the water. Bring it on!!!
posted by Emily Andrews @ 9:24 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
hi Emily!! it's lexie, nora's friend. I was researching online, trying to plan for a personal retreat next month, and what should i find but your blog! I would love to hang out with you again sometime. Glad you had a happy songkhran. Mine was a little stressy- i broke my foot!! :-( jeu gan mai na?
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