From the Land of Smiles...

Loy Kratong

Hey Everybody,

Ahhhh, i'm so mad. I just finished writing this really really long post, and the computer crashed right before I could save it! Ahhhhh...

I suppose I'll have to start again, because I need to tell you about all of this...I'll just save it a few times this time....

Loy Kratong happens every year on the 17th of November. It is a festival to pay respect to the river goddess. Any during the night of this festival, many people put little "boats" that are usually made of banana leaves and flowers and set them afloat on the river with candles in them. Apparently its really beautiful.

I didn't get to see them because the night of Loy Kratong I was taking part in a different part of the festivities...i'll get to that in a minute.

A few weeks before Loy Kratong, my host father told me that someone importand (his friend I think) wanted me to wear thai dress for the festival. I said okay because it was one of those things you're not really allowed to say no to. So, about a week before, my host mother took me to rent a dress. The first store that we went into, I tried on the biggest size that they had, and it was so tight taht I could barely move. That definetly made me feel skinny. At that point I was also remembering all of the work and unconfort that I went through the last time I got dressed up, so I was really hoping that our search would be over after this store. Unfortunately, she knew of another store, and when we went there they had dresses in my size. I ended up with a Red dress, that didn't like very much. I definetly prefer simpler dresses.

On the day of the festival it was a Wednesday, so I went to my Rotary meeting for lunch, and then came home and got my hair done. My neighbour did it, the same one who did my hair last time. And let me tell you, it was horrible! First she teased my entire head! and then she styled it in basically the same way as last time, except alot taller. I looked awful, and I had to try to keep from showing it, because I didn't want to hurt her feelings. It was sooo bad. Then luckily I got a break before she did my make up. The break didn't really help though, I still continued to be upset. My make-up didn't look too terrible, but not much could have made me happy at this point. Then I had to go and rush to change into my dress, and then go down to get my hair peices and jewelry put on. Then we took a few photos before we left.

Once we got to the temple I had calmed down a bit, luckily. There were sooo many people there. And when they saw me they all stared and pointed, which I wasn't too happy about since I felt ridiculous. We got there and Kun Par took us to sit in front of this huge stage. We were sitting in the front row, with many of his friends. They told me that at one point I was going to be giong up on stage. I figured Kun Par would take me up and introduce me, or at least that's how they made it sound. Then there was a show with lots of dancers and singers.

Finally I saw another couple of girls in thai dresses and I asked Nook why they get dressed up. She told me that there's a beauty contest. But when I asked she assured me that I wasn't in it...thank god...So I was sitting there, relieved that I wasn't in the beauty contest when I started. Then Kun Par told me to watch what they did because that's what I would be doing. Then he took me backstage and I had to go out. I had to walk out, step up into this big flower, wai, step down, walk up the middle of the "t" shaped stage, stop at the top and look both ways, and then walk back and stand in line with the other girls. I figured that was all I had to do, but the girl next to me (who was really nice) told me that they were going to interview me. So I had to step forward and answer the questions that this woman was asking me. Her english wasn't that good, and sometimes with her accent I couldn't quite hear what she was saying, so I answered what I though she said. Then I got back in line and all the other girls took their turns coming up and speaking about themselves. After that I had to take one more walk up the stage and then got to leave (where I was given a big comforter as a prize).

I was so relieved to be finished, but still couldn't change out of my dress. I asked Nook if I could go change into the clothes that I brought, but she said she thought we were going home soon...we ended up being there for a few more hours. After a while of sitting there watching the bad dancing and singing, and the other parts of the show I finally had to change. I was uncomfortable and hot and Nook and Pang kept walking around and I could do anything. I wanted to see what else was there. After I changed we sat there and waited to hear the results of the contest...and waited...and waited...and then finally they were going to read them. I wasn't really paying attention, but then my host father said that I had to go up and get something. I felt really bad going up on stage, because I had changed into a t-shirt and jean skirt. Then my host mother came up too and presented me with a big trophy and a big bouquet of pink roses. I have no idea what the trophy was for, since its all in thai, but my host father said he'll tell me...so i'll let you know.

After that we heard the real results and then went home...so I never got to put a Kratong in the river, which was kind of upsetting...

That night It took me so long to wash out all the teasing from my hair, and get all my make-up off (and we had gotten home just before 12) that I got to bed just after 1:00...so I didn't go to school the next day.

Oh, and I just want to say a few things....Its so great to get everybody's comments! Mrs. Andrew's its so nice to hear from you! Also, the people from Rayong Witt that are reading this blog...how did you find out about this blog?

I'll post again soon...I have lots to talk about...

-Lauren

posted by Lauren @ 2:51 PM