Young male members of the family have their heads shaved in preparation for them becoming temporary novice monks as a mark of respect for their Grandfather who recently died.
This large Toad lopes into the outside kitchen at night, and mops up all the beetles, moths, flying ants, mosquitoes and others insects that have been attracted by the lights.
It shows no fear of dogs, cats or humans that may be in the kitchen at that time. Starting at Rooster Crow [about one hour before sunrise] this is the busiest "room" in any Village house.
First the charcoal-powered cooker is lit, then the food preparation commences. My main role is to keep out of the way, and help myself to a couple of mugs of coffee...I am adequately skilled for both tasks... Mawin and his Grandfather taking in a little of the Muay Thai boxing show on TV.
We sleep on the ceramic-tiled floor in the Village...they are resting back on the pile of bedding that will soon be spread on the floor, and 6 or 8 of us will then sleep side-by-side in this living-room...in The Village you are never quite sure how many folks will be eating and sleeping in the home. This is temporary accommodation, which Na's Dad lives in on-site, until our new house is completed...then he will take up residence in one of the 4 bedroom's we are constructing. I am interested to see how comfortable he will feel in a modern house, with en-suite bathroom featuring western-style flushing toilet, inside kitchen, private bedrooms, and other stuff. There is a moat around one of the merit-making buildings at Wat Dan. The moat is full of various kinds of Japanese Khoi, and they create interesting patterns in the reflections when their vigorous movements disturb the water surface.
Despite being illegal activity, cockfighting continues to be widely practiced throughout Thailand. Generally the winner is declared as soon as one contestant becomes non-combative, so there is seldom any serious injury to the birds.
This is part of a mural on a retaining wall at Wat Dan in Bangkok. I always have difficulty reconciling the direct relationship between the temples and the Lottery ticket vendors. At most temples there are a few Lottery agents just outside the main gate...at Wat Dan there are none at the main gate, but I found this one taking shelter under a shade roof right next to a merit-making building.
I suppose some merit-makers are feeling euphoric aka lucky after having made merit, and so seek to take advantage of this with a potential win from lucky numbers... It is a little early in the year, yet, but here is a sign in Bangkok skies that the Monsoon is beginning to stir. I am looking forward to evening skies like this on a daily basis.
Its all about marketing...some folks are more attracted to pink eggs...a quick dip in a solution containing vegetable dye will help move the product along the consumer path!
The egg vendor at the local Bangkok market. |
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