Dec
2
Preparing for a Party
December 2, 2007 |
Well, as the monk said, on the 3rd of December we are kicking off our “Blessing of the House” party here in our Isaan village. And slowly but surely information is trickling in about what this actually means.
Nan was hoping for a small affair. And so was I. Get in the monks, let them do their stuff, feed them and the guests, and finished by 9 or 10 am.
But apparently this is not the way things are done. Nan was simply asked by her uncle if she wanted to be the laughing stock of the whole village, and yak’yak’ed at by her mom. So we are now on for a two day affair.
The monks, all nine of them will first come on the evening of the 3rd. And so will about half the village. Nan says about 50 or 60 people, she is not sure.
Then there is everyone else that will come just to listen to the monks, especially one of them that is specially revered and quite “famous”, as she puts it. And adding to it all is that it’s been quite a while since this little village saw that many monks. Our Village Wat only rate one monk.
Then the next morning, they will all come back to bless the house and receive our offerings, and we again have to feed a bunch of people.
Anyway, it’s all new and novel for me, and should be an interesting experience. And luckily food and drink cost a pittance up here, and there will be plenty of helpers as usual. Normally everyone in the family helps with the practical stuff during these events. So I am not worried at all. After all, Nan organized our wedding with a Prussian Generals precision in 2 days. But that party was far less grandiose than this.
These events in the village are mostly a heap of fun anyway. Lot’s of laughs, jokes and merriment. And Nan’s family are not big drinkers either. Well, some of the old chaps do not scoff at a glass of lao kao, but I have yet to see any of them obnoxiously drunk. So this should be fun. (Just remind me of this when the Karaoke machine starts at 5 in the morning on the 4th of December.)
The yard is filling up with stuff for the event. This morning we carted 200 liters of water from mom-in-law’s house to be used for cooking, as ours is not clean. Then Nan climbed a coconut tree to get some leaves for decorations, we have purchased a spirit house to sit in front of the house, and bit’s of food, sweets and spicy stuff are allready under preparation.
Tomorrow we motor down to the big market in Satuek to purchase the rest of the food needed. And we have to make our mind up on killing another pig to feed people, or simply buy all the meat at the market.
The offerings for the monks have to be prepared also. I think we agreed on one of those buckets with all sorts of stuff in them, like torches, flip-flops, sweets and other foods, plus an envelope with some money. In addition to feeding them while they are here.
Right now Nan and Pun is out and about inviting people to come, and to solicit for helpers. But as I said, that is never a problem.
That’s it!
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Comments
6 Comments so far
It sounds like you are going to be a busy boy. Now you might have to adjust your post as you are saying the 3rd of Novemeber but that date is well gone so maybe you mean December.
I look forward to the pictures and also the report on all the antics of the days.
Whoops….time flies when you are having fun!
Whoops - you should be particularly happy you aren’t doing this back where you came from. Well, organizing this with just a day or two to spare is hard enough - and relying on your familiy-in-law should be hard enough. Well, good luck with your blessing!
Hello,good luck to you Nan,Heurn and Heart with the blessing seremoni and the big party.
Lots of hugs from the whole family here.
Good Luck and Many blessings.Drink some fer me would ya,LOL.
Hei Rune og Nan. Gratulere så mye med bryllupet. Håper dokker har det bra og at du trives så langt unna dine her i Nord Norge, vi har det bra her, nå er det bare regn og skittvær her, ja det er ikke mye julestemning her i pluss grader. Vi trives veldig bra i leiligheta vår. savner ikke huset, Klem fras her Nord