Travelogues by Bill Pfeil
Ma Ka Bu Cha
March, '06
Reward myself of quantum leaps forward on farm on Molokai with trip to Thailand. But painful and lengthy airplanes and airports rite-of-passage.
Thailand is called the `Land of Smiles.’ It really is. At least those whom I associate with. Not contrived, but heartfelt. Maybe comes from simplicity and joy they grew up with. I don't judge Mee and her girlfriends watching those silly situation 'comedies' on TV, or sillier game shows, or silliest 'talent' shows because they laugh all thru them. I try to use Western humor. For instance, (in correct Thai) I say: a skeleton walks into a bar, the bartender asks 'what will you have,' and the skeleton says 'give me a beer, and a mop.' Thais look at me confused and say 'krong gra duk doon mai dai' (= skeletons can't walk), or 'tamai mai tu puen' (= why the mop). So I laugh. A riot here.
Again this year Mee insisted we go to our nearest ornate wat (temple), gaudy golds/reds/oranges and pointy peaks, for the Buddhist holiday 'Ma Ka Bu Cha.' Flowers, incense and candles are required, much to the delight of smiling, tooth-challenged opportunistic vendors at entrance. Couples and families make wishes to a giant blissful gold-plated Buddha statue inside, then walked 3 times clockwise (asked, no one knew why) around the wat with hands in 'wai' position (palms together in front of face) holding thought of wish. Beautiful sight at dusk with all the moving candles etc. Then again to Buddha inside thanking for granting wish. Then you buy a cageful of baby birds (again smiling vendors) that you set free together for insuring good karma . Guess nobody wonders about the karma of those capturing the birds. This holiday is similar to 'Loy Kratong' several months ago with homemade boats couples set afloat with flowers, incense, candles and wishes.
This trip I arrived to Thailand political turmoil. Prime Minister Thaksin (they go by first names here - I am `Mr. Bill`) is a self-made billionaire, a competent man of action. But his second elected term shows blatant corruption. The media reports he recently underhandedly pocketed a tax-free fortune dealing with the Singapore government. Members of Parliament asked for review of this and other actions, so he dissolved Parliament! Can you imagine if Bush dissolved Congress? The world press has not reported this much because Thaksin happens to control the satellites over SE Asia, so CNN and BBC World etc would allegedly be blocked. Now there are mass demonstrations for Taksin's resignation. The military daily denies an upcoming coup! Thailand is fascinating on lots of levels.
Bill's Farm, Box 317, Kaunakakai, Hawaii 96748
Phone: 808-567-6734
Email: BillPfeil@yahoo.com
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