Okay so I’m a day late, but yesterday, ๕ ธันวาคม ๒๕๔๙ (5 December, 2549 BE–2006 CE), was one of the most important holidays in Thailand. It was Father’s Day, which is HM the King’s birthday. He turned อายุ ๗๙ ปี (79 years old, literally age 79 years) yesterday. It’s called Father’s Day as he is considered the father of the Thai people. Likewise, the Queen’s birthday is Mother’s Day.
I’m not sure if I mentioned this before, but the King’s color is สีเหลือง (yellow). In Thailand, all the days of the week are associated with a color. Yellow is the color of Monday, which is the day he was born on (likewise, สีฟ้่า (blue) is the color of Friday, the day the Queen was born on, so blue is her color). People wear these yellow shirts with the King’s symbol on it, particularly on Mondays, but really on all days as well. I don’t think I’ve seen as many yellow shirts as I did yesterday when I went out for dinner with a friend. It was like a sea of yellow!
Other than that, as well as many things being closed (including school), nothing the least bit eventful happened in Hua Hin. I believe there was a parade and possibly fireworks in Bangkok. But alas, I had class early this morning so I didn’t go. Didn’t do much yesterday at all. I did some research for my paper for my Buddhism class and hung out with some friends.
I should note that on Saturday a Bhutanese friend of mine invited me over for this Bhutanese lunch she’d made. The main dish was a mushroom curry, and I hate mushrooms, but it was actually quite good. I could handle the mushrooms as long as they were drenched in a lot of curry…it was when they were dryer and the texture of them was apparent that I had a bit of a problem. I did clean my plate though!
I can’t believe I’ve only got a week left of school! And less than a month left in Thailand! On the 17th, my parents and grandmother arrive for a couple of weeks of visiting which should be great! And I never thought I’d say this, but part of me is actually kind of ready to go back. Well, it will come all too soon. I don’t think I’m going anywhere this coming weekend either. I’ve got a lot of work to do, and Webster has this event on Saturday as well.
