Pink Elephants

On the streets of Lampang...

And here is a hint of what's coming with Songkran on April 12th - from what I've been told by good friends here.  It's time to pack away the camera and electronics!













Learn more about Songkran on Wikipedia: click here

Dancing elephants

The clock tower has been transformed, traffic is stopped, elephants have moved in...  I've heard the drumming, watched the dancers, both people in elegant costumes doing traditional dances and pink elephants doing Gangnam-style, felt the breeze from elephants running, listened to the boom of fireworks and music blasting from loudspeakers, watched lanterns hit power lines and drift up into the night sky.  Yes, the pre-festival festivities have begun for Thailand's Songkran!

Interesting note: in this last photo, people are taking photos or waiting their turn to walk under the elephant.

Photos: Contemplative Meandering Exhibit

The opening weekend of the "Contemplative Meandering" exhibit by Heidi Mae Niska was great fun.  Here are a few photos from the exhibit at KoffeebooK in Lampang, Thailand.  Enjoy more photos from the exhibit on this public Facebook album link:  Exhibit Album.

Elephants

Random observations:
The tip of the elephant tail is like a flat bristle brush.
Elephants know how to avoid big piles of poo in the path.
The baby elephants like to play, sniff around and grab on to things, including cameras and backpack straps.
A swat from an adorable baby elephant trunk is cute but not pleasant. (They are strong & it hurts.)

Early Sunset

Golden light appears, so briefly.
The dark settles in.
But, the light hours are coming!

Happy Winter Solstice.

Night Lights

It's another world.  In countless ways.  But even Angry Bird makes an appearance at the festival.

Read more about Thailand's Loy Krathong festival on the three previous posts.

Festival Lanterns

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See and read more about Thailand's Loy Krathong Festival on previous posts:
Festival of Light 1
Festival of Light 2

Festival of Light 2

Loy Krathong:Candles, lanterns, incense, fireworks, sparklerskrathong and khum loi drift into the full moon nightmingling light

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See and read more in previous post:  Festival of Light - Loy Krathong, Northern Thailand

Festival of Light

Loy Krathong was on November 28 this year but was also celebrated the following day in this small city in northern Thailand.  The days of festivities are a time for making wishes and making merit.  People set krathong (kruh-toeng) into the river and and release khom loi into the night sky.  Some observances are thoughtful and quiet while others jump into full party mode complete with fireworks, sparklers, firecrackers, bottle rockets.

Here friends gently hold the khom loi stationary as the lantern fills with hot air from the candle.  Wishes for universal friends....  :)

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Every day gems

Last week I had a chat with my little people.  They are day-brighteners.  And I miss them.  Sunshine land has every day gems too.  I see green plants and bright colored flowers every day.  I savor the beauty and experiences here... and I miss the little people.  Today I'll share a bit of color to tantalize those of you reading this from the north country.  ; )

Framed

Zip, zip, zip.  Freeze.  Disappear.

Golden Buddhas

On a treasure of a day with wrong turns that were right, I meandered over mountains and on backroads by motorbike.  As I turned a corner, a grove full of buddhas appeared.  I wondered and wandered and found an orange-robed monk at a small dwelling.  His eyes were clear and bright.  He offered water.  We sat quietly in the shade and spoke few words.  He gave directions to return to the main highway: turn left, turn left, turn left.  All right.

The intended destination of the big white buddha on the mountain was meant for another day. Wrong turns are right turns.  All right.

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View related post here: "What is the way?"

What is the way?

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Slice of Pai

Northern Thailand:
rice fields, mountains, elephants,
crusty bikes, country roads
green, gray blue
rain...

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