Buddha Day 2548

Thai stardate 17 October 2548. That's today to you and me. The thai calendar goes back an extra 543 years. But 14 hours into the future to all you in California! It's amazing. They lined everything up and it matched our calendar to the day, but missed by 14 hours!? Whatever.

According to Sow, today is Buddha Day. I can't go ask the guys up near the karaoke bars for clarification, because they've been shooting off fireworks for days already. Every few hours. Usually those hours nearer midnight, 1:00 am... It sounds like someone firing off a gun, only louder.

From what I've gathered Buddha Day is the day after a three month long hermitage and fast of some or possibly all the monks. Sow said they don't drink during that time. But they must drink water, and I don't think they're allowed to drink alcohol any time, so I don't know. I like to think of it as the monk's Mardi Gras. Only they get to start going out, drinking water and giving blessings, instead of drinking alcohol, throwing beads and seeing boobies. I guess they can always rent Girls Gone Wild.

We started the day by going out to the market and buying various things to offer: flowers, sweets, incense, Fanta. You know you've made it when you're drinking Fanta out of a bottle! (see Fanta in a bag) We offered it all at the spirit house next to our home. This isn't the chubby little grinning buddha baby you see in Chinese restaurants. This is the slender atkins Thai buddha you see in 100 foot long golden statues with alabaster feet.