Came up with Mei (+ kids) to join the extended family at the house in Phichit, which is a 4 hour drive north of bangkok. The main house here has been built in recent years, mostly from the profits of the family's rice business. Mei's sister, Na, lives across the street (incidently next door to her ex's parents). Her son is turning 21 and will spend a week in a monastery before heading back to university in chiang mai. with all the fuss, though, you'd think he'd spend at least a month or two... but it's clearly an Event, nonetheless!
This morning, he had his hair shaved by a monk. Family and friends gathered... everyone gets a chance to snip his hair (even me!), which looks quite funny before the monk finally takes a straight razor to it...
In this case, there's a full brass band that's been playing for hours over loudspeakers set up... it sounds a little bit like a new orleans band... not surpising to have elements of jazz and dixie - the king of thailand is an accomplished saxophone player himself - i actually bought a CD of his compositions, where such styles appear frequently.
When the band isn't playing, there is an MC that finds plenty to say - and thai music is played in the background, punctuated by howling ... and then stretches of thai music (some quite pleasant, some quite jarring) it's a real trip, the whole thing... some of the men have already started drinking whiskey... and it's not noon yet!
Meanwhile, there's a large stage being constructed in front of the house - where there will be live entertainment until midnight... then a general mish mash, all to thai music blaring out of speakers, indefinitely...
headed to the temple soon...not sure for what, but i'll find out. planned to steal away on a bike for a while to take photos by the river (this area is really well suited land for agriculture)... dad took me on a fantastic bike ride yesterday, so i want to retrace my steps...
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