Weekend Exploring Korat

We decided to spend last weekend in Korat after the previous weekend's incident of being in standstill traffic with over a foot of water swooshing underneath the car every time a motorbike whizzed by.  A drive that should have taken 3 hours to get to Bangkok took 6 hours.

Good opportunity to explore Korat.  I love the weekends!  Colin works extremely hard during the week so I relish the time I get to spend with him on the weekend.  Exploring is so much more fun with Colin by my side!
Maybe not politically correct to say but monks do not make the best of neighbors, at least when they have a party.  The past several days we have not needed an alarm clock as prayers last from  6:00 - 9:30  a.m. and are delivered over a very loud speaker.  Sometimes they ring a bell and or chant around 3:00 or 4:00 a.m.  Right now there is a 10 day special ceremony and guest monks. When we went for our walk we found the road near the temple closed and sprinkled with several tents (more than usual)... and monks everywhere.

Our other sleep interrupter (in Korat) is the neighborhood dogs.  There are dogs everywhere in our neighborhood, both domesticated and stray.  The stray dogs saunter down our road and taunt the domesticated dogs kept behind the house gates (all of neighbors have dogs that they keep outside).  A barking fest begins and sometimes lasts all night.  I told Colin to bring me home some ear plugs.

Our Neighborhood:

Our humbled abode

There are many outdoor restaurants



Plastic animals that look out on the pond

No neighborhood is complete without spirit houses at main gate

Temple in our hood



Tents that the monks are staying in

Thailand has cobras; hopefully this is the only one I will ever see

Korat City Center:
Let's hear it for girl power!  Thao Suranari Monument is in the center of the city and is dedicated to a Thai heroine called 'Ya Mo'.  Thao Suranari was the wife of the assistant governor of Korat.  In 1826 Korat was under siege by Lao soldiers and Ya Mo rallied villagers to fight and save the city.  Her right hand holds a sword and she faces Bangkok.  Locals and visitors pay respect to the statue (pray and provide offerings, such as incense).



Canal - Korat City Center

Yo Ma leading villagers to fight - go Yo Ma!

Colin and I love to visit ruins.  So imagine our delight to discover that there are Khmer ruins called Phanom Wan Sanctuary 10 miles outside of Korat.  Peaceful drive out to the ruins.  No one was there so we were able to enjoy the tranquility of the place...well, no one except for the dogs that live at the ruins and nearby temple.  Built in the 15 century; originally a Hindu temple and then changed to a Buddhist temple (this seems true for most Khmer temples).  Shares grounds with a contemporary temple.

 

 

 

 

Loi Krathong and PhiMai Festivals

  

This was one of my favorite nights in Thailand (Nov. 10).  We attended the Phi Mai Festival on Loi Krathong Day with Colin's co-workers.  Amazing experience.  Normally I would have done some pre-event research, but this time I did not. It is kind of exhilarating not knowing what to expect... especially when what is waiting for you is an evening like this.

Day started off with Jennifer and I visiting the Korat open air market.  We bumped into Khun Pooh (Pooh is a nickname, Khun is a nice way of addressing a person... such as adding San to a Japanese name).  She was shopping for the krathongs (boats made of flesh flowers and banana leafs) that we would use that night.  We lucked into meeting her and proceeded to help her pick out the krathongs.

Vendor applying banana leaves to Krathong

The Market

Sorry, had to include...pig heads

A veggie krathong

That night we headed to Phi Mai for a parade for the start of the festivities:

 

After the parade we went to watch a musical play/dance set on the grounds of Prasat Hin Phimai.  This is a Khmer temple built in the late 11th or early 12th century.  Originally the temple was Hindu when founded by Jayavarman V and then adapted into a Buddhist temple when Jayavarman VII converted to Buddhism.  I later learned that this temple was connected to the Angkor empire (now in Cambodia) by an ancient Khmer Highway (12th and 13th century).  This highway is now covered by jungle. This temple reminded me of Angkor Wat - just much much smaller.  Colin and I are definitely going back during the day to explore.  However, for this night, we watched an amazing show on the history of the temple... there had to be about 200 performers, an elephant, oxen, fireworks, singing, dancing.... other words... wow.





Next, to the river to cast off our krathongs in celebration of Loi Krathong Day.  Loi Krathong Day is on the full moon of the 12 lunar month (which somehow translated to 10Nov2011).  Originally the ceremony was performed to pay tribute to Mae Khlong Kha, the goddess of water, to thank her for the blessing the land with water.  Our Thai friends told us that when we cast off our boats we are casting away any resentments or bad feelings.  You say a prayer as you cast it and you will have good luck.  Also, the festival coincides with "Yi Peng" or Lanna festival.  I read that this is mostly celebrated in northern Thailand and has to do with celebrating a time for merit (Buddhism).  I have never seen sky lanterns and they are amazing!!!!  The sky was gorgeous.  As the lanterns go up they look like jellyfish!  We casted off a few of our own.  They are huge.. maybe about four feet tall.  Maybe not the best for the environment but absolutely breathtaking.  I tried taking some photos but just couldn't capture the true essence.  And finally.... a photo of Colin (for those beginning to think he was not actually here).

 

  

I am not just a parade participant, I am leading the procession!

What a fun afternoon!  Upon arrival to the factory I am whisked away to the blue team's dressing room (someones office sacrificed for the festivities).  My traditional Thai outfit is a bit complicated and requires a team effort.  Next stop is the makeup room.... and what a fun room it is!  The blue team is helping each other apply makeup and doing each others hair.  The room is full of excited Thai chatter...and even though I have no what is being said the excitement is contagious.  When wearing traditional Thai clothes a lot of makeup is required.... and I mean alot.  I question my ability to put on a lot of makeup (and make it look good).  No reason to worry though because I am at the hands of Khun Oh (all Thais have a nickname).

Once outside I discover that I am just not in the parade I am leading it (the blue procession), and they are waiting for me to start.  The pink team does their procession and then it is the blue team's turn.  I follow the truck to our destination (which is the parking lot of the factory).  My team is chanting and shouting but I have no idea what is being said so I just smile. 

The two teams line up side by side and do the who can be the loudest competition.  This is followed by speeches by the management.  Then begins the first competition of two weeks of competitions.... Volleyball. 

The competitors have already been chosen and are in their team uniforms.  Each group has a drummer and throughout the competition the drummers drum and the cheering sections dance and chant/sing.  And wave flags (blue or pink).  Never in my life have I seen adults with so much energy.  The Thais love to have fun....and I love this about them.  Unfortunately I do not have pictures of the game, drums, and dancing but there were so many cameras and pictures taken I am sure I will get copies of some.

Preparation Room: