Loi Krathong

Loi Krathong is an annual festival held on the full-moon of the 12th Thai lunar Month (November 17th according to western calendar this year). Three SEA countries celebrate Loi Krathong with the majority of Thailand partaking as well as some people from Burma and Laos in the adapted Buddhist version of the festival. Loi Krathong originated in India where it served as a Brahman festival honoring Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma but was then adapted to worship Buddha's footprint in the Nammathanati River beach, India.

Even with the adaptations to the festival, the preparation for the festivities remains. Loi means to float and Krathong translates loosely into crown or decoration therefore Loi Krathong translates into Floating Crown. Since the tradition began Krathongs (the crowns)  have been made using a banana tree trunk as a round base with elaborately folded banana leaves surrounding the base. Many colorful flowers are then placed about the Krathong with a lotus flower being the original species used.

Once the base and flowers are completed three incense sticks and a candle are placed in the center, allowing the light to venerate Buddha. By cutting some of your hair and fingernails and placing it in the krathong it is said to wash away negative thoughts and small coins are used as an offering to the river spirits. Now that the krathong has been made, the most beautiful part of the ceremony can happen!

Any river will suffice but luckily Loi Krathong 2013 was spent at the Krabi River. All the candles and incense are lit and before each krathong is placed in the water, forgiveness is asked for using, dirtying and drinking water, respect is paid to whomever god you choose and wishes are made for the following year. Finally, as the krathong floats away taking with it all of one's anger, hatred and defilement any last respects are paid and an observation of a beautiful, well lit wish floating away occurs.

The Homeland

There I was, North America....

With four weeks off from school while the kids had their mid-year holiday, it seemed due time to return and nourish my roots in a few places. Almost one year to the date I left from Alberta, Canada with a one way ticket to India. It was in India where every aspect of life seemed intense, powerful and full of sensations so much so that I realized Asia has much to offer and a desire to keep exploring it grew.  After India came Nepal for two months where the immense mountains and silence experienced during meditation developed a new strength within. And then Thailand happened. Somehow this amazing opportunity presented itself, providing me a great lifestyle with a job that I enjoy going to everyday, a group of friends who are nothing but supportive/amazing/fun and an appreciation that rises with each waking sun. Even with all fulfilling experiences, there is nothing like where returning to places where your roots have been growing for years. It is in those places that upon return, even if for a short time, a re-charge happens; one that in my case was a great surge of energy to my system after a year of adventures in Asia!

The free state of New Hampshire was my first destination and after 54 hours of travelling, seeing that first license plate stating "Live Free or Die" a welcoming and familiar feeling surged throughout. UNH Homecoming is held in October every year and it is a time for alumni to return and celebrate together while tailgating for a football game among other festivities. With many people and not enough pick-up trucks, the brilliant idea of renting a 10 foot U-Haul seemed it could only bring an epic, legendary kind of day. And that it did... Four years seems like a short time to have developed such deep roots in a place that I entered knowing nothing about but from the people to the bridges, from the ocean to driving down a backroad, New Hampshire will forever be rooted.

Alberta, Canada was the next destination. Although it has now been years since actually living in Canada my roots will forever know their first growth there. My family and a few dear friends remain in this homeland and it was that burst of their energies that made all the hectic hours worth every second! Sunset trap shooting while watching the moon rise nourished some farm roots. Driving along those seemingly endless flat roads reminded me of the beauty of the country; from the freshly harvested fields to skies that light up with different palettes of color depending on the time of the day to a light, crisp snowfall in the early morning. And lastly, seeing the quickly growing faces belonging to the next generations of my family brought warmth to my heart.

 It is fascinating to see how much of a year of growth is physically visible on small children whereas my past year of growth has been very internal. It ha also been over this past year that I realized the importance of knowing where you come from, how you started out and where your interests were focused. It is through recognizing these initial variables that I have been able to now focus on where I want to be living in this world, the person that I am now and how I can focus my energy where I see fit. Knowing that there will always be support and more nourishing of roots that is possible, I can eagerly return to Thailand with this quote, "See the world, come home for love".

Ava Blair (4), Khloe Marie (2)

Also, check out some of the recent pictures (Thailand album) taken from hikes and from our Halloween carnival at school!