Today was the first day of the new term and I packed it full of expectations. My schedule has been adjusted in such a way that it allows me to attend both schools for half a day, each day, instead of alternating them every other day. There was also time set aside specifically for planning and preparing with my counterparts before attempting to instruct as a team. I have been excitedly awaiting these changes and anticipating the great difference they were created to make in my efforts here . . . I may have jumped the gun a little.
I got up this morning, walked across the street to school and the day started out like all the others of the past. It was disheartening to once again be relegated to master pronouncer of difficult words; however, I was determined to make this term different, so I walked around the class, made small comments, and inserted myself when ever and where ever possible. It wasn't what I was hoping for, but it was something. As the students filed out of the classroom for lunch, I packed up my belongings, said my "see you tomorrows" and headed for home, where a quick change of clothes, a bite to eat, and a bike ride to school number two were awaiting me. It was then that I got the call.
My second school decided that it would be best if I started tomorrow instead of today for seemingly no reason at all. This follows perfectly the pattern that emerged last term. I would get ready to go and would get a call canceling on me for the day, the week, or the month until I stopped going at all. This was a big blow to all my glorious plans, but nothing very surprising.
So, I threw my hands in the air and thought to myself - "at least I still have a shelf full of good books to read." And with that I sat down and once again lost myself to literature. But it wasn't long until I received yet another phone call.
Today is Roy Kratong day, which is a National Thai holiday, created by a queen who decided that during November's full moon there needed to be a celebration of the river. Each year for two days Thai people take the opportunity to thank the rivers for continuing to flow in order to nourish the land and quench the nation's thirst. The festivities are hosted at temples all around the country, which meant that the temple connected to my school would be in the midst of the celebrating. My principal suggested that he would like me to attend and that he would be looking for me all night. Later in the day Tip called, ripping me from my novel induced trance, and said that she would come over sometime this evening and take me with her.
I was looking forward to engaging in a Thai tradition that I have yet to experience and was excited at the prospect of getting out of the house and doing something fun and interactive. So, I got all ready for an evening of fun and fascination and then sat and waited, and waited, and waited, and, that's right, waited some more. It got to be close to 8:00 in the evening and there was still no sign of my Roy Kratong companion. It was all getting to be a little too much to take. First I have my hopes slightly reduced by the morning's less then successful attempts at team teaching, then they are crushed by the lack of any attempt made at all in the afternoon, and finally I sat patiently listening to the fireworks and laughter that wafted through my windows on a cloud of Thai scented delicacies that were certainly out in full force just seconds away. I was about to give up and go on my own, when a truck pulled up in front of my house and the night quickly took a turn for the better.
Tip brought Aum, which is always an extreme pleasure, and Tu (a woman who lives with and helps Tip out) came along as well. As we walked to the temple the streets were lined with neon lights that turned the atmosphere into something resembling a carnival or the county fair. As we approached the temple I came face to face with all the food that had been saturating my home with mouth watering temptation and every single student I see throughout the day. There were hundreds of people there, buying balloons, eating like the rich and the famous (except that is was all fried, served from a cart, and was usually made of an unidentifiable substance), singing songs, making offerings to the monks, having fashion shows, and releasing flowers of gratitude into the water. I participated in the eating, making offerings to the monks, and gave thanks to the H2O.
Flowers and banana leaves are stock piled for weeks before this holiday begins in order to make little boats to float down the river. I chose a vessel made of colored ice-cream cone pieces because I liked the idea that they were made for the fish to feast upon. Aum, Tip, and I went down to the water, while Tu took a barrage of pictures, and said our prayers before sending the sweet creations to float. Each boat is equipped with incense and a candle that are lit before they enter the water, so as you stand watching yours fade way you see it merge with the hundreds of others following the same path. It is beautiful.I needed to feel a part of my community; I needed to feel part of a family; I needed to see Thai people taking part in something they deem truly important and meaningful. After a long and frustrating day, it felt so refreshing to stand with Aum's little hand in mine, Tip at my side, and fireworks in the sky. Everyone was at their best and it was rejuvenating to be a part of it all. There are times when a Thai schedule and lack of work ethic really start to drag me down, but then nights like tonight happen and I realize that no matter how irritated I get with the lack of productivity, I am still surrounded by genuinely good people who have taken me in and deserve more credit than I tend do give.
Happy Roy Kratong Day.
