Harriet's Corner is a wonderful website! Sadly, I don’t get to travel the way I want to these days, due to the economy, and I daydream about the OAT trips I want to take as soon as possible. I’ve been to Thailand and Peru so far. Here is an excerpt of a story that I call “Songkhran Water Fights” or “A Chilly Welcome.”
“Welcome to Thailand,” the young woman said. “Thank you,” my trip mate replied. My OAT travel partner had this exchange with a young woman after she doused her with water. Another girl splashed me, then reached out, and we touched hands. We were in the town of Phrae, Thailand, during the New Year, called Songkhran. This was our sixth day of being splashed, squirted, ambushed, and drenched.
Welcome to warm, friendly Thailand. Welcome to the hottest place on Earth—Thailand in April—when Thais celebrate the Songkhran. Somehow the holiday has evolved into a week-long water-throwing fest. It was common to see motorcycle drivers smacked broadside with water.
While preparing for my first OAT trip, I was thrilled to learn that I would observe this unique, friendly water party. Who wouldn’t welcome a refreshing spritz from a squirt gun during the hottest month? Little did I know that we farangs (foreign visitors) would be soaked by total cultural immersion. Be sure to stash your camera and money pouch in the sturdy little blue or pink plastic bags that you get with your purchases of bracelets, carved elephants, or roosters made of wood shavings.
The first hint of events to come was a spoonful of cold water down our hot, sweaty backs. A lovely young greeter in a store full of beautiful wood, ceramics, and jewelry wished us a happy new year as she poured. I often shivered pleasantly at the warm hospitality that is the soul of Thailand.
On the actual day of Songkhran, we escaped soaking by sticking close to shops in the Golden Triangle and taking a boat ride on the Mekong River. A stone’s throw away, celebrants on the riverbank in Laos set off New Year’s rockets from poles. That was sedate compared to the water fights.
On Monday, festivities continued on the highway from Chiang Rai to Kwan Phayao to Phrae. In Phrae, a quiet rickshaw ride from the teak museum to the hotel turned into a wet melee at every corner. Someone had spread the word that farangs—sitting ducks—were out in the streets. That led to the friendly welcome from the young woman who ambushed my travel partner and my special encounter with the girl who splashed me: serendipity.
My guidebook said the Thai people are very welcoming and love to include visitors in the fun. I had no idea I would be a special guest at the world’s best water fight. I wouldn’t trade one swoosh of frigid water from dubious sources for an expensive, sedate Champagne toast. But why did it have to be ice water?
Sue S.
2-time traveler
Sarasota, Florida