Loy Kratong!

This is a picture I lifted from the Bangkok Post. However, we had our celebration at Yonok last night and it was gorgeous! The pathways were all lit with candles and they had a stage set up near the pond. There was a parade and lots of Thai dancing as well as an extrememly interesting version of sword fighting. The boys had those popper fire crackers on their sticks so when they hit their sticks together, there were loud cracking noises. I think the monks must have chanted for about an hour. I am not kidding you...it was excessive. Then people went crazy setting off the big lanterns (kom loy) and their kratongs in the pond. Some of the lanterns got stuck in the trees (very dangerous!) but it was quite fun. They even had a fireworks display. Yonok is so fancy! But this was just a taste of what it will be like this weekend. On Friday night, we are having people over to make our own kratongs out of banana leaves and flowers. Then on Saturday there will be tons of parties and fireworks and the parade will be on Sunday. Yay!