Bangkok Week 166

September 1, 2011

Back in Trad for the weekend, for the annual memorial service to the grandparents. This year, it was held at home. What a fun village gathering!

The sleepy mop doesn't realize what a busy day she has ahead of her.

Mr. Lazy can muster enough energy for an enthusiastic greeting.

The ground floor of the house has been completely cleared for the monks.

Lots of salted fried fish queue up for their role in the ceremony.

Radioactive pickled limes... a special side-dish, apparently.

Some of the first people to arrive help by unpacking the dishes and preparing the easy food.

The world's largest rice cooker! She needs to use an entire plate to scoop out the rice!

Suddenly the mop awakens and is quite eager to say hello!

Quick tick check on Mr. Sleepy. He's not bothered.

The ordeal progresses in the kitchen. At least 10 identical sets of trays (one each for mains and desserts) were prepared.

The local grannies chat while waiting for the monks to arrive.

Only a fraction of the total spoons used.

Top's new store! It dwarfs THE store.

The kid who came spent most of his time with the dogs.

Resting before the commotion starts.

Preparations continue in the kitchen.

Outside the kitchen, a pineapple-chopping operation.

Each tray has its own new bottle of fish sauce.

The dessert trays -- stil missing one plate to be added later.

Still dishing out more food for the trays.

Operation almost complete! No room left to walk.

The offering for the grandparents.

The grandpas wait for the monks to arrive.

People are sitting and waiting outside the house, too.

The finished product. Enough food to feed a village! Lucky...

Back in the kitchen, the ladies start eating the leftovers while waiting for the monks to arrive.

To sit in this circle of grannies, you need a lace shirt!

The finished dessert trays, clockwise from top:

Raw/ boiled vegetables, intended to be eaten with spicy dip. Lots of leftovers didn't make it onto the trays!

Not sure if there will be enough food...

Some of the sweets.

Now that the monks arrive, the entire temple is at the house.

People pile into the living room. But many remain in the kitchen or outside in the front.

The overflow room.

After the chanting, the monks are given lunch first.

Now, people sit around waiting for the monks to eat. They have to finish by noon.

Just enjoying all the company.

At last, it's time for all the guests to eat. It's a real feast!

Now, it's the monks who are watching. Awkward?

The kitchen ladies are still in exactly the same spot.

Afterward, it's a lengthy clean-up process. Here, packing up the leftovers!

A 10-person dish washing operation. At least Top's new store is going to good use!

Back inside, we throw coins at the guests, who try to catch them for good luck.

The mop outside was yapping the entire time the monks were chanting!

Taking advantage of the mid-day sun, drying the dishes in the open air. Unfortunately, rain was in the forecast.

A mini-washing operation.

And the drying-and-packing operation, under the shelter of a roof.

After the ceremony at home, we go to a canal to release some fish and turtles for good luck.

I hope they like their new environment!

I think the turtles were in shock. I'd be!

Belated Mother's Day present: lacquered bamboo bowls.

Completely exhausted after the morning's to-do.

Top even has logos for his customers' cars. Good advertising!

Meticulous skill required to apply successfully.

Back inside, the two young ones burn off some evening energy.

Action shot! Look how she blends in with the bed.

Marouy's captured his prey!

And now he's got her pinned up against a dummy.

Anyone know what kind of flower this is???

Morning massage.

Time flies when you're having fun?