Loi Krathong

Loi Krathong was on Wednesday, November the 12th. Every year it is on the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai calendar. “Loi” means to float and “Krathong” is the name of a boat made from banana leaves, a circular piece of a banana tree trunk, and many flowers. Once you make a Krathong, you take it to a klong (a river) and light a candle and incense and then release it into the water. Thai do this every year to thank the god of the water for allowing us to use the water every day. In order to truly get the traditional feel of the holiday, that Wednesday I did not go to school. At around 12 pm, my mom and I started experimenting with folding pieces of banana leaves different ways in order to find the best design. Once we found a few designs that we liked, we started our creations. Soon Eve, (my brother’s girlfriend) my brother, and two of our maids all joined in and after 6 or so hours of hard work, we finished our 6 Krathongs decorated with Orchids, Roses and many other flowers. I’ve know origami since I was 8 so I was able to make an origami bird from the banana leaf. My family was awestruck when I pulled its tail and its wings flapped in a flying motion. After dinner, around 9 pm, my family and I left to go to a klong. It was so crowded with many Thai, and foreigners. It was fun looking at all the different Krathongs people had made and I even saw one that was bigger than me! My family and I took a boat ride across the river, and on the other side we were greeted by a vast array of foods, and Thai music and dancers. There on the dock I lit my candle and incense and made my wish. I spent the next 5 minutes watching my Krathong float away it just missed a passing boat and took a dramatic ending where the breeze blew my out my candle and it went out of sight. For awhile after, we watched the dancers and at 10pm the fireworks began. The fireworks were launched from the river right in front of me! I felt like the huge explosions were going to fall right on top of me! One ember actually did fall on my arm and burned me. Before coming to Thailand I knew that Loi Krathong was going to be beautiful and amazing, but it was more than I ever could have expected. It was amazing to see a culture hundreds of years old in action. Young and old alike, Americans, Thai, Africans, Russians, Germans, French, Malaysian, Chinese and so many more cultures all come together, hand in hand, not an argument in the air, and only joy circulating around. Everyone put their differences aside and just embraced the moment. That night was a true cultural exchange for thousands, perhaps even millions of people.

Well, besides Loi Krathong, my life has been changed many other ways this past week. On Saturday morning, I received a phone call at around 1 pm and found out I was changing families THAT DAY at 4! I ran up stairs and started packing and surprisingly was finished by 3 pm. My new family is AMAZING. In only two days, I already feel like I’m at home. My parents are both doctors, and my father (Papa) developed a method to cure trigger finger. People travel from all around the world to meet him and learn his unique technique. I have a brother (Bom) who is 3 months younger than me, and a sister who is 12 (Bell).

Today we went to a temple at 7 am, and watched a man become a monk. After, my brother, sister and a family friend and I went to go see a movie. It was in Thai and I actually understood it!! It was supposed to be scary but I was laughing too hard at my little sister because every time she thought it might be frightening, she would hide behind her popcorn only peaking when it got quiet, of course it was always the worst parts that followed the silence. I feel like I have been here for months already because I am already so close to my family. We tease each other and talk like we have known each other for so long. In December, I am going back to Petchabun with this family for a few days and I am very excited. I was warned that it was very cold. Next Sunday, I might go out with my first host family to dinner for my 18th birthday which is on November 25th. I am so excited to be able to see them again!



I WISH EVERYONE IN AMERICA HAS A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!!!



HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

LOVE, JOY