Already, we are remembering the flexibility needed while travelling! We planned to spend our day today at the "weekend market" in the city. We were up early (at 5 am) since we couldn't sleep any longer due to the jet-lag we're experiencing. We got some breakfast and headed over to take the ferry across the river to the market. On our way to the ferry we couldn't help but notice hords of people all wearing black, heading in the same direction. We saw this everywhere we went in the city.
We realized quickly that none of the shops were open, and there were no cars on the roads. We tried to ask some locals as to what was going on, but weren't able to get a clear answer. We decided to follow the crowds and ended up in a huge park in front of the palace where we learned the King's sister had died and this was the funeral. It's hard to explain the numbers of people that were there. Someone told us they expected over a million people to come and pay their respects. Thai people really love the king!
Crowds in front of the palace.Because most of the city had shut down, we weren't able to head to the market as planned so we've spent our day sampling more thai foods, and we got a tuk-tuk ride to see a couple of the more famous Buddha's in the city.
The weather here today is hot, and sunny. We're looking forward to meeting with Preecha later this afternoon!
Here are some pictures of our day today.
We tried some Thai noodle soup today. It was really good....but I have no idea what this ball is!
Flowers people were using to "bless" the Buddha.
6 comments:
BBC reported on this. The procession was 10 months after her death; the portable crematorium took 7 months to construct. Keep enjoying the adventures - expected and unexpected.
hey guys! So glad you made it there and are already fully emersed in the culture. How do you already have a friend of friend there?? You must make friends super fast! :)...or is it someone from here? Keep having a blast, can't wait to see and hear more!
That is quite intresting. I saw some the the pictures of the Funeral. WOW! Anywho FYI there are celebrations to mark the king's 81st birthday on December 5 So if you are still in there you may experience more places closed.
And according to the one web article:
The period between the cremation and the king's birthday is expected to see a lull in the political turmoil that has gripped Thailand in recent months, but after that further upheaval is likely.
anywho thought you would like to know
Hey! That's crazy....yeah they really do love their king eh? Was that nuddle thing kinda like nuddles in gravy? And did you go to see the emerald Buddah? I'm glad you're already experiencing Thai culture to the max :)
ahhh.. noodles.. it was probably some rice ball or something..
food still looks weird to me all the time, but its usually rice in some other form.. so it usually tastes fine!
Wow on the funeral.. that crazy. I was looking at the weather of the world.. still trying to figure out a daily forecast for where I live.. there are a lot of Ansan's in Korea.... anyways.. Vietnam is supposed to be getting heavy rain.. that might explain the humidity.
I'm glad that where you guys is pretty tropical, because we are supposed to be getting ice rain or snow soon.. ugh... cold...
Glad to see that you are having a great time.. oh, and heck yes, the jet lag SUCKS.. i didnt sleep the first week.. and had to teach at the same time :P
FISH BALL :)
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