Happy New Year

Off to war

Stocking up with water bins for the back of the ute.

Yes, it is Songkran festival this week which is the annual Thai holiday season.  It happens each year on April 13 to 15 which are the days for a Buddhist New Year in this part of the world.  This is the only place I have lived where they celebrate three New Years and the last celebration is the biggest.  The three days turns into an orgy of water fights and water throwing in the streets.  Anyone does it and anyone is a target. 

Over my years here, I have gotten to dislike the water throwing and even fear it as there is only so much getting wet one likes at the age of 58.  This year, I decided to go out and enjoy and do it in spite of any fear.  So out I went on Monday to the local main centre which becomes a three day water theme park for the occasion.  Even the fire brigade turns up to make sure there is enough water for the fun.  I joined in with everybody else, young and old, Thai and foreigner, and did it.  I faced my fear. 

To be honest, it was not just about facing a fear but also to act on my life that I have seen lately as becoming too ruled by work and routine and thereby becoming boring.  I have become afraid that I am becoming too old, too boring, too quickly.  Even if this is happening in the name of good and honest work as a priest and religious on mission, I decided it was time to do something about it and counteract this trend in my life.  Quite simply, I took up the opportunity to go out and join the rest of them in wetting each other and just smile and enjoy, and I did.  You know what is the worse?  Cold water but what is a bit of cold water among friends?

As the annual Songkran festival comes to a close, I have a great sense of achievement, of having made a step in my life.  It may seem a strange way to do it but welcome to Thailand, and it is fun and most inexpensive.