Sunday, November 23, 2014

Loy Krathong in Thailand

Loy Krathong is a festival celebrated each year in Thailand.  I have fond memories of my first Loy Krathong festival in November of 1975, just after I arrived in Thailand for the first time.

The name "Loy Krathong" can be translated as "to float a basket", and comes from the tradition of making krathong or a buoyant, decorated basket, which is then floated on a river.

Loy Krathong takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the Western calendar this usually falls in November. The traditional krathong are made from a slice of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. Modern krathongs are more often made of bread or Styrofoam. A bread krathong will disintegrate after a few days and can be eaten by fish. Banana stalk krathong are also biodegradable, but Styrofoam krathongs are sometimes banned, as they pollute the rivers and may take years to decompose. A krathong is decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, incense sticks, and a candle. A small coin is sometimes included as an offering to the river spirits.

On the night of the full moon, Thais launch their krathong on a river, canal or a pond, making a wish as they do so. The festival may originate from an ancient ritual paying respect to the water spirits.

I shot a video ( about 2 minutes) of the celebration at the University next to our Condo. You have to go to Facebook to see it. It is too large for my Blog. https://www.facebook.com/jaylois.meeker

Also I found a 13 minute You tube Video if you want to know more about Loy Krathong Festival
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elDf1jaA7P8

 

Western Food in Thailand

In case you think that all Sister Meeker and I eat is Thai food (rice and curry). I wanted to share a few things.

They have opened up a Carl's Junior Restaurant across he the street from our Condo and down about 100 yards.  Elder and Sister Stoker who were in town for the weekend West District Conference. They took Lois and I to lunch there on Saturday. Yes I had a Hamburger and Sister Meeker had a Chicken Sandwich.  Not the best hamburger in my life - but it was OK. They did not have Root Beer but I had a Red Fanta (Strawberry) drink.

On Friday night we went with the Stokers and President and Sister Senior out to Tony Roma's for Dinner.  We got on the underground train (MRT) for one stop and got off at the Terminal 21 Mall.  I shared a Rib and BBQ dinner with Lois.  Very authentic Western food.  Great BBQ sauce.  I also ordered a thick chocolate Shake.  Not as good as the ones I used to make at home - but it was passable. 

On Thursday evening Jeff Rock invited Lois and I to dinner at his favorite German Restaurant not far from the office.  It was on Soi 20 off of Sukumvit Road.  Jeff and I came to Thailand as Missionaries in the same group (As Jeff says: The finest group of missionaries ever called to serve in Thailand) arriving in Thailand in November of 1975.

Back Row - Elder Meeker 3rd from the right, Elder Rock 2nd from the right
Jeff is retired form the State Department.  He has worked in Thailand, China and the middle east. He had chicken Cordon Blue, I had some small steaks and Lois had Sauerkraut and sausage.

This evening Lois made Chicken Enchiladas - we invited Elder and Sister Seppi to share the meal with us.  Elder Seppi was called as a counselor in the Bangkok West District Presidency during the District conference meeting today.

Several weeks ago we invited the Seppi's to share a night out with us.  We took them to Firehouse Restaurant.  Take a look at the size of the Burger I ordered.
This was hard to get my mouth around