Dance Dance Resolution

Today was breathtaking! I joined in on the festivities as all of Mercy danced their way to the temple with candles and flowers and an abundance of 20baht notes. As we pranced down the highway, with our very own mobile band, 18-wheelers pulled over to thrown money into the golden pots. Old ladies came out of their homes to offer what could and many from the community joined the euphoric dancing parade. Laughter filled the streets and our masses crossed other crowds of smiling, shouting, singing people. You could feel the love and rich culture seeping from the store fronts. Babies, dogs and vendors came to the street to be a part of the fun.

The older girls really jammed out and we were all sweaty messes by the time we arrived at our destination. The police officer guiding us along the road was shocked to see a foreigner in the processionals. I think he shamelessly took about 15 pictures of me dancing alone and eventually asked for me to pose with himself and then with one of his camrades. We walked all along the back streets and people stared- wondering what this "falang" was doing amongst a group of one hundred Thais.

I was so honored to be a part of the celebration and I felt so welcome. Nancy, one of the Mercy girls, taught me how to go up to people on the street, collecting money and how to put them into the artificial flowers, made with straws, tape and plastic flower tops.

Only the pictures can truly do it justice- and I took 400 of them! Here is a glimpse of the day...

Off to the Islands tomorrow! See you kids on the other side.

That's all I've got in me for now. ABA