Songkran 2014

I have been making a lot of Facebook posts bashing the carnage resulting from the Seven Deadly Days of Songkran.  While it is a particularly dangerous time in Thailand because of the extreme over-consumption of alcohol, it is also true that there is a fair amount of sane activity as well.

On the last day of Songkran, which is the Thai New Year Festival, I was invited to join the procession from the village to the temple.  So, here's a chance to meet some more of the villagers.  I did stow my camera during the wettest part of the procession, but managed to get the following pictures with little stress to my camera. 

Four out of five people really enjoy the Songkran activities.

The stoic and sober.

This was the best pic of the evening.  Sohm and his wife Kim.

Second best picture.  I would like to have gotten more color from this photo.

Street dancing just getting started. Here come the fire-hoses.  Time to put the camera away.

The procession toward the temple begins.

So the trick to staying somewhat dry is to gauge the range of the hose, and just to be sure, take shelter behind something big...

...but that strategy doesn't work if they kick up the rpm's on the pump.

Once at the temple everyone tones it down a bit.

Kim, Sohm, Tuay, and myself.

Time-out for devotions.

Tuay is a novice monk, or nen.  His fellow nen is quite serious about his role.

Mom and nen.

A monk ties a string around the wrist as a blessing for the new year.

Everyone is welcome

Random Photo Enhancement

I haven't  posted much lately because there hasn't been that much new in my photographic activities.  But I thought you might be interested in seeing ordinary pictures enhanced by the software I use, Lightroom. In traveling around Thailand I often find that the the most interesting photo subjects present themselves at a time when the lighting conditions are less than ideal.  Taking pictures at noon on a smoggy day usually results in boring pictures.  Here's some that have been touched up a bit.

Lamsang Waterfall, Tak Province

My friend Ken cooling off on a hot day.

Ken and his niece

With friends on the Samoeng loop ride out of Chiang Mai.  Recommended to those of you who are moto enthusiasts.

The next four pics were taken at a send-off party.

My name is Wah.  I am eight years old.  I am high on orange soda pop.  I have a loaded water pistol in my hand.  You know how the story ends...

Termite hatch.

The next set were taken by Wah at a food preparation event for a religious ceremony. 

Sohm and myself

Sohm's wife Kim and myself

Wah and his uncle

This picture was taken at a temple I happened to spot while on a road trip.  

Mike and Vic.  We took a ride to the Hmong Village just past Doi Sutep.  It's a very colorful place, but it's also a bit like Disneyland, or Mexico.  Unreal and hawkers everywhere.

Stairway through the village market area

Yes, those are poppies.  We supposed they were being grown as an example of what not to grow in Thailand...?
These pictures were taken around noon on a smoky day.  Lightroom to the rescue.

More Lightroom magic.  

This village is so saturated with tourists that the locals charge you if you want their picture.  I was trying to take a picture of some flowers when this woman and baby walked into view.

Another stolen picture