Sorry this is almost two months delayed, but better late than never right?!
So everyone knows my favorite holidays are thanksgiving (food and family? Yes please) and fourth of july (a holiday that celebrates all things summer) but now there is a new addition to the crew, Songkran.
Songkran is the Thai New Year celebration that happens in Thailand between April 13-15. Originally, the celebration began in the North of Thailand but has now spread all the way down south, however in Chiang Mai the festivities last an additional 6 days so this is obviously the place to be. Wanting to experience the most cultural experience possible, our fearless crew headed north to embrace the most famous holiday of all.
Songkran falls at the end of the dry season, during the hottest time of the year. Imagine it being so hot, that the moment you walk outside beads of sweat begin streaming down your face and back, your hands immediately feel warm and clammy from the humidity, and your skin literally burns instantly in the sunshine. Then you feel a rush of icy water followed by a wave of shivers as a bucket of ice water has just been tossed over your head. Ahhh relief!
Traditionally, Songkran is celebrated with the throwing of water, more accurately, a GIANT water fight lasting at least 3 days. This odd tradition originated from a blessing ceremony. Since it is the celebration of the new year, as in most cultures, there is a cleansing ritual attached. Thais take this time to pay respect to the Buddha images in their home and wat by cleaning them with frangranced water and blessing their elders by sprinkling water on their heads or pouring it over their shoulders. This water is seen as a purification, to wash away all the bad of the previous year and begin again.
However, among younger people, this has evolved into dousing one another with buckets of water or squirting complete strangers with water guns. And since temperatures easily reach over 100 during April, this tradition is more than embraced by everyone, including foreigners!
It’s so hard to communicate the insanity of this celebration! Pictures would be helpful, but since everyone is soaked form head to toe for three straight days, not too many cameras brave the watery scene.
On our first day in the madness, we took on the Chiang Mai moat unarmed, rookie mistake. The Chiang Mai moat is the area that surrounds the Old City and during Songkran it is swarming with water weapons of mass destruction. All around the moat are pick up trucks specially rigged for obliteration. The bed is loaded with huge trash cans filled with water and blocks of ice for a chilly surprise. Then kids, teenagers, and adults of all ages (even grandparents) pile into the truck with buckets, water guns, and even some super soakers and parade around the moat in hopes of soaking everyone in sight. And they always succeed.
Within seconds we were drenched from head to toe and laughing so hard we were crying. At one point Jenny and I were laughing too much and not paying attention so when she turned around she got a mouth full of Songkran moat water. The attacker, seeing our hysterical reaction to the first hit quickly refilled and hit us with another, even larger dose which nearly knocked the wind out of us… But not the laughter!
On our way home, Jenny and I were picked up by a truck full of local Thais. This is not uncommon in Thailand, and especially during Songkran when a pedestrian is seen as a sitting duck. Embracing the thai hospitality, we jumped on and headed home. On the way, our new friends share their beer and weaponry with us. In turn, I showed them my water fighting skills, effectively drenching every single person, motorbike, or truck that passed with a bucket of water and a fierce war cry: WIIIII CHAAAAAAAAA!
The second day was more of the same activities, although this time we came preparing with our own weapons of watery destruction and did some serious damage. On the third day, tiring of battle, we decided to head towards the University district to see how they celebrated.
The street was essentially closed to car traffic as drinking, dancing, soaking wet people had taken over. On one block there were three stages with live bands, djs, and even a white guy rapping black eyed peas… odd. Hovering over the crowds were huge cranes outfitted with fire hoses and sprinklers. So while you’re rocking out to Bodyslam, Potato, or some other thai rock group, you were also being rained on, awesome!
In the afternoon, we headed to the Foam Park. It’s exactly what is sounds like, but of course it also has a live band performing covers of Americas best pop/dance music. What happened next was one of my favorite moments of the week. Right in the middle of the park, amidst the foam and water and beer, I was challenged to a dance off by a middle aged Thai man sporting a long ponytail and blue tinted shades. How could I not accept? What ensued was the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever seen. He hit me with a shimmy, I counter with a booty shake, he matched that with a bend and snap, and by the end of the song set, I had to admit my defeat. He was damn good, and so Thai!
Like I said, it’s my new favorite holiday. It represents everything I love about Thai culture. Everything in this country is about being happy, not taking anything too seriously, and embracing whatever happens next. Why not celebrate spiritual cleansing and rebirth with a three-day water fight?
Sanook mak mak!
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