Photo Update

Mae Hong Son

Phra That Doi Kong Mu Temple

The view of Mae Hong Son from Phra That Doi Kong Mu Temple

A waterfall near my host family's house where we sometimes go swimming

Woman from a Karen long neck village near community weaving traditional clothing

I tried on a fake neck ring (cut in half with a ribbon to tie in the back). The real thing is a wire that is coiled around the neck - supposedly they can weigh up to 5 kg!

Poy Sang Long

In April Ban Nai Soy had a five-day long Poy Sang Long Festival where almost 100 boys from the community were ordained as novice monks.

The boys are dressed up and made up like Buddha when he was a prince (before he was Buddha).

Their feet cannot touch the earth for the duration of the five days so they are carried on other men's shoulders from place to place.

On the third day, I got to lead a parade in front of a donkey (or mule?). I was starting to feel an ego boost with what I thought was so many people taking my picture, but then I realized they were trying to take photos of the donkey/ mule.

I got to dress up in traditional Tai Yai dress.

On the last day of the festival, the boys change into the orange robes that monks traditionally wear. They are ordained as "novice monks" (whereupon they can walk on the ground and stop being carried) and partake in the monk lifestyle for several weeks.

Songkran

The week after the Poi Sang Long Festival, we celebrated Songkran, the Thai New Year, which lasts for three days. It's also called the "Water Festival" because they believe water washes away bad omens. It wouldn't be Thailand if the traditions weren't mixed in with some fun.

During Songkran, Thais throw water at passersby (see above)

Or they fill a tank of water and put it in the back of their pickup trucks and actively seek out people to throw water at!

My host sisters and their friends are getting ready to properly celebrate.

As you can imagine, I don't have many photos from this because I got in on the water throwing too, and cameras and water don't get along very well.

Food!

This omelet and pancakes may look like an everyday meal to you but it meant a lot to me after living without "farang" (foreigner) food for most of the past 5 months!

Cashew chicken - not as common of a dish in Thailand as you'd think - this was the first time (and only time so far) I've had it here!

Khao Soy - yellow noodle curry soup, a famous Northern dish, extra special because it was cooked at a ladyboy named Henry's restaurant