Songkran Celebration

Today, we had a celebration for Songkran, the "water" festival that is coming up next week. It was really interesting because the teachers were honored by sitting in front of flower pots and having the students come by and pour flower scented water and oil on our hands into the flower pots. It was a sign of respect and appreciation.

I learned that the Songkran festival started in relation to the zodiac sign Aries. It was originally a celebration to bless the farmers to have a good season and healthy crops. It started (and in some cities, still is) as a simple pouring of scented water on the hands or the shoulders for good luck and blessings.

However, this all quickly changed (mainly due to the westerners who now partake in the activities). Right now, the week of Songkran is pretty much a warzone of people getting blasted with water guns, water balloons and even fire hoses. Sometimes there is more than water in the ballons or water gun. My understanding is that the westerners got a hold of it and went overboard in an effort to have some fun and one gigantic water fight in the streets of Bangkok. I think some of the streets are alright but I have heard of certain streets that are absolutely horrible and you should avoid unless you want to get completely blasted.

I've heard stories of westerners setting up shop outside of buildings or at bars and blasting people as they walk by or come out of other buildings. I think the holiday itself has some very nice beginnings, but I feel the westerners have ruined it and used it for purposes that are not culturally relevant. I am actually happy that I will not be in town from everything that I've heard about it.

Aaron