These Boots Were Made for Traveling: Loy Krathong!

What a busy and FABULOUS weekend I just had!

This past weekend was Loy Krathong, a Thai festival that takes place on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month (usually in November). "Loy" means "to float" and "krathong" (pronounced kra-tong) refers to the lotus-shaped float made out of banana leaves that is lit and cast out on the river. Loy Krathong is the festival of light (same name as Hanukkah but much different), and is one of the two most important festivals in Thailand. It takes place at the end of the monsoon season, when the rivers are high, and the objective is to give thanks to nature, specifically the goddess of water. So, giving thanks to the goddess for providing us with water, as well as casting away sins for polluting the waterways. However, there is another legend about the origin of this festival that deals with Buddha and a connection to a Hindu festival that pays tribute to the god Vishnu, who meditates at the center of the ocean.

Nowadays, Loy Krathong involves casting krathongs out on the river, and lighting lanterns, which then float up into the night sky. In addition, there is a "Ms. Krathong" beauty pageant, and a parade. Saturday night was the Loy Krathong festival at school. This year's theme at PCCCR was "around the world" so each Mathayom was dressed up in "traditional wear" from different countries. The other native English teachers and I got to dress up in traditional Thai clothes which was SO much fun. We even had the oldest girls help us with our hair and makeup! Here are some pictures:

Getting my hair done so that I can fit the headpieace on over it.

Hair done!

DO WE LOOK THAI??? :-D

Thaialnd's Next Top Model?? Yesssss

The English Department and the Director of our school

The students also put on some performances/dances. They made all of the costumes themselves. Here are some of my students (I think the boys' risque dance performances were the most shocking for me!)

Here are my boys dancing in their underwear. Yes, they stripped down to their boxers. Onstage. I guess 16 year old boys are the same all over the world.