Yes, it is every day life here - maybe a little calmer and a little quieter than usual as the mourning period was declared across Thailand for a month as their beloved King died on October, 13.
If you do not live here but are here as a tourist, you probably will not notice more than that many Thais are dressed in black. If you live and work with the Thais, on the contrast, you really will feel their grief- it is genuine and deep.
Now the month of mourning has passed but many choose to continue to dress in black.
Our children are not wearing black - they are children. They go to school, as usual, and have homework, as usual, and playing and romping, as usual. And our oldest son, Non is struggling with all the various tests he must do for the university. At this is written, he is in Bangkok.
This years’ Loi Krathong celebrations clearly showed that life is a little bit different right now.
Loi Kratong is one of Thailand's major holidays and traditions, and you are usually aware that it is coming up a long time before the actual day. This year we found out that it was Loi Krathong the same day as it was Loi Krathong. And yes, everyone did their krathongs (small banana boats), and yes, in the evening they went off to Loi them - send them off into waterways. But everything was done in much smaller scale - no stalls, no speeches of local politicians and no performances by the local school children. It was just a quiet and dignified Loi Krathong and that was it.
The new grass has grown strong so now the children can play on the grass again. Right now, many of our children has entereda period when it is very fun to climb trees, or rather settle in the trees. Some days after homework is done the trees are crowded with kids and not just kids, but a lot of things and stuffed animals too.
You might have read Päivi's blog that she wrote just before she left us. And just as she wrote that she would miss us we miss her.
And today it's time to say goodbye to Katharina and Nadine, our amazing German girls. What they do not know yet is that they are going to get farewell cards from Best and that he has written them in German - that is showing appreciation!
Fortunately, lovely Vera stays and she has been joined by amazing Anki and Linda.
We are lucky to have so many people that we miss and at the same time having so many people around us that we like and appreciate.
Have an awesome time!
Sussi