This is my newest Chiang Mai Street Scene painted sketch. I’m trying to catch the wonderful ‘flavor’ of the shops. I hope you can feel how inviting it is to walk up, see what’s cooking in the big vats and skillets, and choose what you would like, in this case taking it home. In others, you sit at a table that is part of the shop.
I had a wonderful time yesterday evening at the last of the Songkran water fights. I found my favorite server at the cafe. This time he had a long tube of a gun. I will forever admire a good choice of weapon and the expertise to use it skillfully. He soaked me from head to toe, both of us laughing like loons, him being declared clearly the winner of the battle, though I got him good several times. I found my friends from the evening before. One of them gave me a necklace that had stickers of Disney characters on it.
My necklace is now hanging on a light switch and I hung my water gun on the wall. It is now ‘hors de combat’ – its pump having died quite early in the fight last night. Thankfully, one of our friends had a bunch of guns, knowing they last a very short time, and loaned me one to use. I’m really glad I participated this year. I will have wonderful memories to make me smile for a long, long time.
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It was back to routine as much as possible for us this morning. We went to the gym and I walked my mile on the treadmill. This afternoon I’ll do exercises with my water bottles. Brian and I may decide to get outside and go to the cafe this afternooon, as well.
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I had quite a lot of laundry to catch up on due to Songkran, and that is out on my balcony drying as I type. Things dry really quickly and thoroughly this time of the year, even though my balcony doesn’t get a lot of direct sun.
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Brian really made me proud of him this morning. When we returned from the gym, he took the time to find the lady who religiously sweeps our street every day. She may be as old as I am (I’m a very poor judge of Thai people’s ages, though.) We have said ‘hi’ to her before as we pass. She is extremely hard working. He spoke to her to get her attention, and then he told her he had a gift for her. He gave her a blank envelope with a card inside, bowing and holding it in both hands to hand it to her. She looked very surprised. Inside was some money to thank her for the hard work she does, but particularly during Songkran when people are pretty messy. She saw what was inside, her eyes teared up, and we all bowed to each other. I’m so pleased that Brian takes nothing for granted, appreciates what people do, and wants to show that many Americans are nice people. :0) One proud mama.
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I love your picture! You did such a great job on that and I can almost see it in person.
It sounds like you truly enjoyed yourself and the celebration with all of the water. I bet your son was surprised at how much fun you had, and made him proud of you, as well.
That was very kind of him to give the lady the money to thank her for her hard work. Some people are so underappreciated for all they do. I almost teared up when I read that. (Donna)
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I’m so glad you liked the picture, Donna. The water fights were the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I just came down from sharing dinner with Brian. I again told him how happy I was with his gift to the street sweeper. I teared up as I told him tonight. He has such a kind heart. We have no idea what kind of money she makes, but we don’t think it’s much, and yet she’s out there early every morning, and we see her later, on the other side of the street, making her way back down. I hope she realizes now that people appreciate her dedication and hard work, even if they don’t show her enough.
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