Arrived safely

Greetings from Thailand! I arrived on Friday, and have spent the past few days eating delicious food, drinking rice whiskey and getting to know the area. None of this is hard, because it turns out that Thailand is home to the friendliest people on the planet (who are also some of the biggest fans of rice whiskey :))

Fortunately for me, I arrived during "Rocket" season, which takes place ahead of the rainy season. The villages and temples host events where locals can enter to shoot home-made bamboo rockets into the air and see whose goes highest and remains steadiest. There is also what I will call "rockets light" in which they each get their hand at launching a pre-made rocket up a 50-60 yard wire to see who can get it the closest to the target.

The original purpose of the tradition was to bring the rain (and it obviously works because the rainy season comes EVERY year!).   But now, it's a great excuse to eat food, drink, hang out for hours and raise money for the local temple. These aren't a fancy affair - the first one I attended was on a dirt road in the woods, with just enough space for a few tents and a karaoke set-up.

I will post photos this week and can't wait to tell you more about this beautiful place.