Songkran Holiday Substitution

This coming weekend will be a four-day one to make up for April’s Songkran (traditional Thai New Year) holiday being canceled because of the Covid-19 lockdown.  So, they have officially substituted next Friday and Monday as holidays.  Thais do love their holidays, and there will be a mass exit of people out of the city on Thursday, going back to their home provinces to see relatives.  They will start trickling back Monday or Tuesday.  Or whenever. 

I’m recovering from a bout of FMS that has made it difficult to walk my normal distances.  But I’m now On The Road Again (as in the title of a couple of old Blues songs from my youth). 

-Zenwind.  

Rainy Normal

 

Not much news to report here.  It rains a bit every day, but it’s not a heavy monsoon this year so far.  The clouds are a blessing when they do block the sun, and we do often get unexpected breezes that are a brief relief. 

 

I went into the city last week for a movie and then my libertarian meetup group.  It is always great to talk with my friends there, and we had a great discussion with a couple of new members.  Because tourism in Thailand is basically stopped these days, I am usually always the only farang around in most places I go.  I will admit that it is nice to have public venues and transport thus so uncrowded. 

 

I faithfully wear a mask outside and follow all public sanitary guidelines, since I fear that Thais look at us westerners as “dirty farangs” because of the horrific virus toll in Europe and America.  I believe that they now perceive us as reckless, uncaring of our neighbors and dirty, so I try to show my respect and politeness to an extreme.  As a stranger in a strange land, I tread carefully. 

 

I relish the peace and quiet I have here.  It fits my solitary nature and lets me meditate at ease on samsara and the dharma. 

-Zenwind. 

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