On Sunday, 16 January 2554, I went to a Thai wedding. The person who got married worked in the Thai Parliament library. The person I went with was a former MP. Since we were going on a big travel bus that left from the Parliament, we arrived at Parliament early so I could tour. I got to go in the Parliament chamber and sit in a chair. The Police were having a seminar on democracy. The person who explained this to me was an IU grad who has her doctorate in environmental science and studied with the Nobel prize winner. At 9AM we all got on the bus and traveled to Phetchaburi province which is about 2 hours SW of Bangkok. At that time of morning traffic was fairly light. We stopped for the obligatory coffee and bathroom break-yes it was a squattie. The wedding was at a family’s house-a very typical Thai style house. I was going to attach a picture, but some how having troubles getting off the camera.
The actual ceremony takes place in the early AM with immediate family and the monks. When we got there, the couple knelt and some guests blessed them with holy water as they had a string that connected both their hands. After that we had lunch which was an array of typical Thai foods: soup, fish dishes, duck and other things. The one dish was pretty tasty. I asked what was it and found out it was fried fish stomach.
As we were eating the bride changed into a traditional white dress from her traditional Thai dress. Then bride and groom stood on a flower lined stage and guests offered toasts. Then bride and groom walked around to each table.
The brides brother in law was a farang (foreigner) like me. He was from Italy. He gave me a tour of the house and surrounding rural neighborhood.
On way back from wedding we stopped at one of my favorite places, Don Hoi Lot, which is where the seafood market is. We walked about for about 40 minutes and then back on bus. Traffic was heavier so we didn’t get back to the Parliament until about 6:30PM.
Weather has actually been a bit cool. Small bands have been playing on campus every day (I actually think it is the same band that moves locations)
Today in the hotel many of the guests were police in their dress whites with swords and their wives and husbands or other family members were in their finest including Muslim women in beautiful head scarves. They were headed to an awards ceremony after breakfast.
Tonight, I am going to Central Bangkok to have dinner with the daughter of a faculty member. I became friends with her 2 years ago. Last night took the ISU grad who is working here and a Purdue grad to Rai’s restaurant.
Tomorrow is office work and preparing for classes and a faculty workshop of evidence-based practice.
