Another New Years Celebration

This morning we had another New Years ceremony. It started at 7:30 at the same place as the party last night. I was surprised to see so many people. I think the gathering was for the whole Tambon. A different Wat was being served. The Monks chanted, ate, and then there was food for everybody. Donations were also made to the temple. The book keeping was very exact. There was a book with all the donations and amounts listed. Many people came.

I was seated with the older people, which is sort of depressing. Jit's Uncle who is always doing things was there, I really respect him. I think he is approaching 90, he is always active and doing things. I especially like the way he teaches the younger men how to do things. I did not see many people who were sick or hung over, but maybe they did not show up. There were many more people then last night. I was told there will be another celebration for Children's Day next week, I hope it is not so loud. If it is people are going to lose their hearing! Seriously!

I went for a walk in the park with Jit's Niece and Nephew and Ton. We saw three Monitor Lizards, one crossed the path, a Turtle, many birds, and a squashed Frog. They were taking pictures also. I told them to take whatever interested them, they got it.

Nick and Nuck borrowed one of our cameras to go on a trip. Nick, especially, has a good photographic attitude. I see her looking at things from unconventional perspectives.

Wela's wife came by to invite us to go to Thornburi to visit somebody, but we have guests. We might go with them tomorrow to worship at nine temples in the Bangkok area. I would like to do that for the photographic opportunities. I know I am looking forward to the trip to Ayutthaya for the nine temple trip.

There is a family that builds homes. They did some of the concrete and metal work on our house. Jit said they lived one of our old tents, and then when the structure of the house is built they live in the house. They are building another house in the community. The man, his wife, and two kids work hard and drink a lot. There was some fuss over the amount they were getting paid at the other house and they left. They live a very hard life with little money. Drinking all the time does not help them make progress, but they get paid minimal amounts for hard work that requires some skill. People look down on them, I think because of the drinking. The family wanders from construction job to construction job.

Could I live in Bangkrachow? Sometimes I think so, where we live is beautiful and the people are very supportive. My lack of language skills is a big problem for me, I feel dependent. Financially it would be no problem. The ambiguity of the Thai bureaucracy is a little intimidating. I also need to be busy doing something constructive. When I am just being lazy I get stressed and restless.

When I return to Alaska I do not know how I will adapt either, I know it will seem boring. In 1967, when I live in an Alaska village near Nome, it changed my life. I think living in Bangkrachow is also changing my life. I know I need to work for at least three more years before I retire to support my daughter going to college, but then? It is possible to retire and live comfortably here, but I like what I do and need to be busy. I have a life works of photography to digest and share. I do not know how I will feel when I return to Alaska and I do not know if I could live comfortably in Bangkrachow. I am thinking about it though.

I have been gathering many blogs on Thailand. I subscribe through Bloglines. Some are excellent. I will create a list of blogs to share. I have also posted a request to www.2Bangkok.com to see is I can find out what the "Supreme Commander's" building is. I will try to go and take photographs if I can.