Makha Bucha Day (Big Monk Day)

2/13
It was rainy and cool today, very nice. If I had thought deeper it would have been a good day for a long walk or to go explore a Bangkok neighborhood. Today was Makha Bucha day. It was a holiday for students and teachers. In the morning we went with Juke, Star, Chulagorn, and Moit to Wat Glang our local Wat. Wat Glang is where the Monks come for our local ceremonies. It is also the Wat that sends the Monks on the morning alms gathering. I like it very much. Anyway there was a celebration in the large wooden building. Families brought food, there was chanting, and a sermon. I took some photographs. In the evening there was a Vientiane ceremony or the lighting of candles. People gathered around 7:00 and there was chanting. The Monks came out and the community followed the Monks three times around the Bot. Everybody carried lighted candles and flowers. It was dark, except for the candles. There were stone or concrete structures, sort of small pillars at the corners of the Bot. People, using melted wax, placed the candles and flowers in the structures. The ceremony ended and then we went home. Nick and Nook also joined us in the evening. It is nice going to a small community Wat that is anchored in the daily life of the community.

During the day we went to Big C and got things for Jit's folks. We are leaving soon so we are stocking up on supplies.

There were two itinerant tool salesmen that came through the community wheeling a cart full of farming and garden tools, shovels, racks, scythes, etc. It looked like they were hand made. Some of the handles were bamboo and others were metal. Jit's dad looked at them, but we did not by any. When we went to Big C we watched them wheel their cart up the road to visit other communities.

It was a good and relaxed day.