Well...we survived our first Songkran experience!
Songkran is the Thai New Year! It celebrated on 13th April and lasts for 3 days!
3 days of water fights and the quietest 3 days in Bangers! Songkran originates from a spring cleaning ritual and part of the ritual was the cleaning of Buddha using 'blessed' water. This water was then used to soak people to wash away their bad vibes and bring them good fortune. Nowadays, it's kinda just one big water fight! Even though Thailand is amidst one of the worst droughts it's ever had - no drop is spared for this crazy festival!
3 days of water fights and the quietest 3 days in Bangers! Songkran originates from a spring cleaning ritual and part of the ritual was the cleaning of Buddha using 'blessed' water. This water was then used to soak people to wash away their bad vibes and bring them good fortune. Nowadays, it's kinda just one big water fight! Even though Thailand is amidst one of the worst droughts it's ever had - no drop is spared for this crazy festival!
We headed to Tescos to get out water pistols - there were hundreds on offer! I selected a medium sized one, and Kev the large! (Next year i'm gonna go for the super-size one!) With our pistols, water tight zip-lock phone bags and enthusiasm we headed out on Day 1 to Silom and Central World.
We had barely go the the train station when we had a bucket of ice-cold water thrown over us! The good fortune wishes had started...
We had barely go the the train station when we had a bucket of ice-cold water thrown over us! The good fortune wishes had started...
April is the hottest month is Bangers - so it was actually quite pleasant getting drenched with ice-cold water! The not so nice part is looking like you wet your pants and having to ride on the freezing cold air-conned train after! Brr! Anyhow, we got to Silom - and as they say 'shit got real'! It was MANIC!! Manic i tell you!
Water was coming at you from all angles... you can run, you can't hind... you just squirt back! Glasses are a must for this festival - you defo need to protect your eyes! Not fun getting eye-squirted and blinded - opened you up for more squirting attacks!
The first 5 min or so was fun... but then I'd had enough!!! Enough of those peeps with the 'Super Size water pistol squirters' that hit you so hard you wanna fall over! I was under attack and I didn't like it! Kev had a blast! Maybe cause he had a bigger pistol and had more protection with his funky new blue glasses...
After a few tears i got over myself - put my Big Girl Panties on and toughened up! I refilled my water pistol and shot the hell of out anyone who so much as looked at me! GI Hayley was on the loose...
On day 2 we headed to the Koh San Road, dressed in my New Fancy Songkran Shirt... another mental day ahead! We didn't take out pistols out so weren't such easy targets and didn't get squired as much! It was pretty crazy there so after a Phad Thai and a cheeky Chang we headed home to the pool where we played water fights with the kiddies and peeps around the pool. In a civilized fashion.
On Day 3 we went to the lobby of our apartment to do the traditional washing of the Buddha, then spent the day by the pool soaking up the sun!
Wishing you many good fortunes and happiness
xx
No comments:
Post a Comment