So I went to the first night of Loy Kratong last night, it went a little like this....
BOOM! ZIIP! SpLAt!
(Shrieks issuing from fired at girls, the mumble of Thai being spoken, laughs, horns and the zooming of motorbikes)
I really liked it. IT was exciting and terrifying at the same time. It was like everyone was kid these three days out of the year, and they went out of their way to make sure they celebrated it right. Amidst the chaos of concerts, venders, farang, highschool boys and girls firing firecrackers at each other there were calm Buddhist rites being carried on. Namely the lighting of a floating floral/incense/candle arrangement, where one was suppose to make a wish and pray over before lighting it and launching it to float freely in the water. There were some other minor traditions there, such as releasing confined water dwelling animals (i.e. snails, eels, fish, turtles) into the river, signifying their rebirth.
Overall the whole experience was really unique and something that reaffirms my joy that I came to Thailand to study abroad.
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