Life in the Kingdom

Sawaadee kha,

As we write this blog, we have three weeks remaining in Thailand. As we reflect over the past three years and prepare to leave it is those memories combined with the sadness of leaving that sustains us and yet that which we hold with gratitude.

Athough the news recently portrayed in the media has perhaps tarnished the image of the " Land of Smiles" it has in no way altered our affection, respect and admiration for the Thai people, and the beauty of its culture. It is difficult to capture an accurate picture through media reports and images in a conflict situation. I can only say it was complex.... yet painful, sad and dramatic. It's the stories that weren't told and the images that weren't shown that capture the spirit of the Thai people and nation. We continue to hope and pray for creative healing.

The city is again humming and showing hopeful signs of healing. Thousands of residents took to the streets in the clean-up effort. Efforts at reconciliation are evident and only time will tell what creative result may manifest itself out of the pain.

The high end shopping complex "ZEN" at Central World stands as a visible and perhaps a symbolic reminder with it's charred out remains.

As we write this last Thailand blog, the song lyrics " I wouldn't have missed it for the world" and "These are a few of our favourite things" are playing in my head.

It is with that note we'd like to share with you a little about the street where we've lived in Bangkok and introduce you to some of the people in our neighborhood and the lifestyle we witness as we go about our daily lives.

As people hustle to work in the mornings Satya can be found serenading with his wonderful jazz near the Skytrain. Music is a common vocation here for people with disabilites. Satya, blind since birth has been earning his living as a street musician for 20 years. Making offerings is a very common practice in the East. Every offering has a specific meaning, for example offering light is to dispel the darkness of one's ignorance, or offering incense to increase one's ethical behaviour. Offering is considered good training against greed and attachment. Offering flowers signifies the practice of generosity and opens the heart. All over the city there are street vendors which hand craft flowers into decorative pattern of garland or similar to worship Buddha images or for offerings to the house spirit. I have enjoyed purchasing my regular offering from a woman on my street . These beautiful offerings of fresh jasmine, marigolds and roses are sold for 10-20 baht ( .50cents to $1.)

The scent of the frangapani flower on the Whispheria Tree filling the air, mixing with all of the other interesting smells on a Bangkok street is magnificent!

Shopping is undoubtedly one of Bangkok's major attractions. These bustling open-air food markets and colorful noisy night markets, little shops and street stalls in our neighborhood sell a variety of inexpensive items.

What a joy it is to to buy fresh flowers often, fresh exotic fruits and vegetables and delicious street food at one of the many local street markets.

Whether it's stopping by to say Sawaadee kha to the man and his mother who run the lottery ticket and newspaper stand; dropping off some clothes to mend to the local street seamstress, getting shoes repaired by the shoe repair person who sets up shop on the sidewalk, or getting a motorcycle taxi at the corner to whiz us through Bangkok's infamous traffic to our destination; these are a few of the gems we've enjoyed about life in Bangkok.

And... of course Michel especially will remember with fondness his buddy .... the anonymous "Rolex Copy Man" at Patpong market. Patpong is a popular red light district near our home and also famous for it's street market selling designer copy clothing, jewelry and accessories. Bargaining is a must here!

Good byes are not easy and with sadness Kelsey said good-bye to her two pets. Cha Cha her beloved Loris has found a new home at the Wildlife Sanctuary and Gulliver her bunny was welcomed by the children at SangTawan Children's Home , a charity supported by Club Canada.

Our condo belongings were packed and our shipment sent to Canada and China recently. With thanks for what was provided to us the past three years we said good bye and have moved temporaily to a Serviced Apartment called Somerset on Suanplu ( beautiful garden) in the same nighborhood until we leave on July 14th.

Kelsey completes her Internship at the end of June and has moved back with us. Michel is putting the final touches on his project at Michelin and making preparations for his work and our move to China. I have finished my work with the Thai Burma Border Consortium and with Diakonia. My French students hosted a pizza party to say good bye and I have "passed along my Canada Club file"and we are now saying our good-byes to the many friends we have made. This "being" time now is welcomed. We are also traveling to some locations in Thailand we haven't visited yet and will be visiting Thailand's most northern and mountainous provinces next week.

A recent weekend trip to the province of Loei and the Phi Ta Khon festival was a blast. This annual festival celebrates the locals belief in ghosts and spirits.

The Phi Ta Khon mask which is made of dried sticky rice husk is painted in bright red, green or other colours, and features the characteristic long pointed nose. This completes the transformation. The clanging sound of the square cowbells worn around the waist announces the presence of the spirits who wield phallic-shaped long-handled swords decorated with red paint. The good-natured, fun-loving spirits mingle among the crowd, teasing and amusing all who take part in the procession.

There were also the "naughty spirits" including the French one in the middle.

The annual Canada Day celebration was held this past weekend in Bangkok to celebrate Canada's upcoming 143rd birthday. It's always a good time as Canadians living here get together to celebrate. Great food and drinks as well as games including tug a war and a beer drinking contest ensure a rukus ole Canadian time.

We hope you've enjoyed journeying with us through this blog. It has been our joy to share it with you. Thank you for following it. It has in itself helped us to integrate our experience and enabled us to stay connected to friends and family. We hope you'll continue to journey with us through our China blog as we move to Northern China at the end of August. In the meantime we'll be home for 6 weeks soon and look forward to connecting with many of you in person.

Until then.....Wishing you a great summer and sending you blessings.

Go well,

Michel, Kelsey and Dorothy