Bopae, Wat Bangkrachao Nok, and Kathin

The proper spelling, according to the map, for the area we explored Saturday is Bopae. Getting meaningful and consistent spellings is difficult.

On our trip Saturday and Sunday I noticed a couple signs and a few random observations..
Sign on a beauty parlor, Fly Heart.
Sign on the back of a shirt, What Drives You.
At the temple last night there was a small poodle with a coat, sort of like those coats that are used to keep a dog warm!

In addition to the large river boat not having a driver, sometimes, the engine is dangerous. The engine is set in the center of the aft portion of the boat. People sit around the engine. There is no protection from the pulleys and the exhaust. Peoples clothes could get caught in the pulleys and belts, people could get burnt. People sit right in front of the fly wheel. None of these disasters has happened that I have heard about, but the potential is real. People walk right by the running motor when they go to the back of the boat. The engine is in pretty poor condition, with rags and wires holding things together. Some of the boats have the driver in the rear, others in the front, some of the boats have the engine in better condition, but all of the boats have an exposed engine. One thing about the boats is beautiful, the grain and wear of the wood.

When we were at Bopae the river boats were going by, I love to watch them. The boats are powerful and run up and down the canal making large waves. They are like large buses in capacity. It is exciting to see and hear them go through the canals. Most times there are two men, one at the bow and other at the stern that hold the boat close to the dock as people jump on and off. One of the boats only had a person at the front so the aft portion of the boat drifted away from the dock. There was a women caught between the boat and the dock with a heavy load of clothes. She got back on the dock, people helped her with her clothes, and she made it. People really do help each other in Thailand.

We went to the Wat Bangkrachao Nok this morning. The ceremony was called, I think Kathin. People brought new robes for the monks to wear. There was food preparation and a meal for the Monks, after the Monks ate the community ate. What was amazing was the group of drummers that were at the temple. They played and then they led a procession around the temple three times, the women were dancing, the rhythm was exciting. I think the drum group travels and does it for a living. It was wonderful to hear. After the procession around the temple there was a ceremony inside, the new robes were put on, and them we went to another building to feed the monks. The meal needed to be done by 12:00 because the Monks are not supposed to eat after noon. I took some pictures, and was encouraged to take more pictures, but I felt awkward. Some times I am torn between the tension of participation and observation. I also do not want to be rude or thoughtless in my pursuit of photographs. Today I participated and observed at different times.

Coming back we were going to walk, I guess there is a short cut, but then we all rode in the back of a pickup. There must of been about 12 women, almost my age, riding in the back of the truck. Many of the women I had not seen before. They are on the path to the small boat dock. I think that there is a way, using concrete paths, to get to the Wat quickly. I want to learn the paths. Naturally I was an opportunity for teasing and comments on the return trip. It was fun. I took a few pictures. When they found out that I was 60 one women mentioned that I had good teeth, I guess everything is relative!

Today, during the dancing procession, there was a drunk women dancing in front of the other women. After words she tried to talk with me a little. It was awkward.

Tonight we go back to the funereal ceremony. I need to get the pictures to Phra Pradaeng to get developed. I will then edit them and have them printed to give to the family.