Songkran

As I mentioned in a previous entry, Songkran is a New Year's celebration in Thailand that lasts from Saturday to Wednesday. Chiang Mai is the ultimate destination for this holiday, and there is no possible way to stay dry when walking outside. After we returned from Pai on Monday, we were able to partake in the festivities. Chiang Mai University invited the Cal Poly group to participate in a parade, but when we arrived at the route, we encountered pandamonium and were unsure of where to start. This was fine with me, because I wanted to be able to watch. The parade consisted of different groups dressed in traditional Thai apparel--mostly dancers and musicians, who played enormous drums. There were also floats, which were actually crafted in the back of the participants' pick-up trucks. Each one had a statue of Buddha, with elaborate decor and flowers surrounding him. Along the route, the Thais sprinkled water on each Buddha, as well as everyone else in the parade. Since water was strewn throughout the streets at every moment, we werev all obviously drenched at the end. Oh, and I almost forgot the most entertaining part--a dancing horse!

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I was able to experience the real chaos of Songkran. My friends and I walked along the moat, which surrounds the "old city" area of Chiang Mai. Here, there were cars in bumper-to-bumper traffic, with masses of people EVERYWHERE. Water (from squirt guns, large buckets, etc.) was thrown at everything and everyone. Many people rode in the backs of trucks to drench passersby, and many also lined the streets. The water was definitely not clean by any means (since the most popular way to refill ammunition was in the filthy moat)! I tried to avoid the thought of this and kept my eyes and mouth closed! The Thais obviously did not care about this, since some were swimming in the moat! Gross.

To end the festival, we danced amidst a vast sea of people, while DJs and bands performed onstage. Thai girls stood on platforms and doused everyone with hoses. To say that I was drenched would be an understatement; it was as if I had jumped in a pool with my clothes on!