Songkran - LIVE

I'm assuming that you have read about what is going on in Bangkok right now. And I don't mean Songkran. I mean the red shirt protesters and burning of buses and government buildings being broken into and the army being called out. Nice. Welcome to Bangkok. It's definitely a "don't go outside" zone downtown, or was yesterday. Since we live about 12 miles outside of downtown, we did venture out to say goodbye to Matt and Tricia - we did lunch at McDonalds, ice cream at Swensen's then went back after naps to drop off and pick up things. While it's sad to say goodbye to them, we all feel like we'll just see each other again, so it's not too sad.

Here's what we learned about Songkran while driving:
-It's FUN.
-There are groups of people everywhere on the side of the road dousing people, cars, motorcycles, tuk tuks - whoever.
-People also use a baby powder/water mixture to decorate people/cars.
-People go out on motorcycles to just do laps and get doused.
-TONS of trucks were out with groups of kids/adults/teens in the bed of the truck with a huge trash barrel full of water to douse people (I have never seen so many trucks or motorcycles out)!
-Most businesses are closed for at least Monday-Wednesday, if not the whole week.
-That means no Que Pasa, no other restaurants, no nails done, most every store closed...
-A lot of our friends are gone for Songkran to wonderful crazy places: China, New Zealand, Bali, Borneo, Pattaya, Phuket...we live an unreal life.

On the 2nd trip to Matt and Tricia's yesterday afternoon, we parked our car outside of their house and Matt met us there. When we got out of the car, a Thai gentleman came over and had a bowl of water in his hands. He doused Megan's shoulder, then Jack's, then Kylie started SCREAMING. He avoided her and doused my shoulder as well, then Matt's. Then another Thai man came over and put the white paste on our cheeks (leaving Kylie alone) - and then they soaked Megan and Jack through. I will say that the big kids did a GREAT job of not getting upset. If you know Megan, you know that she sobs when she spills water on herself. She was so brave and didn't get worried, but had a smile pasted on her face. Not a real smile, but a fake one, which was just as good, considering. :) It was nice to be a part of Songkran, even if we didn't really want to be.

Then, this morning (Tuesday), the kids and I headed up to our little neighborhood guard gate with our friends to douse passersby. The guards were nice enough to set up a hose for us to fill our buckets and waterguns, as well as use to douse people! We were out for about 2 hours and had a blast...and we all have sun (not quite burns) on our cheeks. I wish I had taken pictures out there, but I wasn't willing to risk our camera :) Happy Sonkran! Suksan wan Songkran!!!

Cute group of teens who were waving to us at a stoplight! When it turned green, we pulled up along side of them so they could douse us with water!

Cute girls across the street from Matt and Tricia's...have you noticed Thai girls give the "peace" sign in pictures?

Motorcycles out to get wet!

Group of teens splashing others and themselves!

Our car

Matt, Tricia and the kiddos "wai-ing" with Ronald

Bugga, Jack and their "Buddy"

Miss Tricia and Moo

Cute Ice cream sundae with oreo ice cream and a chocolate covered cherry!

Notice the seating places...Only normally Mr. Matt had to be in between Kylie and Jack



Kylie hiding in laundry baskets with Mr. Matt

The kids getting ready for Songkran this morning! (and giving you the "fist of rock")!