Loy Krathong!

Borrowed from the wonderful wikipedia:

Loy Krathong is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November.
"Loi" means "to float". "Krathong" is a raft about a handspan in diameter traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk (although modern-day versions use specially made bread 'flowers' and may use styrofoam), decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc. During the night of the full moon, many people will release a small raft like this on a river. Governmental offices, corporations and other organizations also build much bigger and more elaborate rafts, and these are often judged in contests. In addition, fireworks and beauty contests take place during the festival.

So that day at school, the EP department had a Loy Krathong party! It was so fun! We set up long tables in the downstairs of the school and Mei bought a ton of banana stalks and pins and some flowers, and the students brought in their own special flowers to build their boats. Most of the parents came to help, which was great, because I had no idea how to build the boats and so I was of no help to the students, but I got to learn! After all the kids built their boats, we had a contest of who built the best boat in each class. I thought it was funny that Jack won from my class, because he is all Austrailian, absolutely no Thai. haha But we had to choose two runners-up from my class- Natasha and Pete, because we just couldn't choose. They were all so good. Jasmine and Natasha even wore their traditional Thai clothes. They were so pretty. Natasha looked absolutely miserable. hahaha

Then that night, I went down to the market to see what was going on their for the festival. It was insane. I have never seen South Pattaya and Beach Road so packed before in my entire life, and that is saying something. haha People everywhere and cars and motorbikes everywhere. The roads were so backed up that the sidewalk has become another lane for the road. It's very dangerous to walk around. hahaha It was a lot of fun though. The temple across the street is holding a market to raise money for it. haha Boats are being sold at every stand and extra food stalls are popping up every 2 seconds. People are dressed in their traditional Thai clothes for the heck of it. Fireworks are randomly being set off. The beach was packed with people buying and floating their boats, making wishes. I'm wondering how long this is going to last. It's going to be really hard to get through the rest of the week after this. hahaha It already feels like the weekend.

That night at the market on Beach Road.

Yay Kindergarten 2! Miss Kat's class!

Jasmine and Natasha in their Thai dresses.

Building their boats at school!