Songkran 2020 and Living with Covid-19
As
I mentioned in my last post, a huge part of Songkran is about family.
While Songkran in general was subdued, it went on with individual
families. Buddhas in homes were washed and families met in small
groups. Younger family members showed respect to elders by a
symbolic pouring water on their hands. Normally in our village all
the elders are seated in a long line and the younger ones go past
each one and show their respect. This year we could not due to the
social distancing regulations.
In
Thailand there seem to be different definitions and interpretations
of essential services. The normal essentials are open such as
grocery stores and pharmacies, but many others things go on as if
there was no virus. Construction continues, for new homes, roads,
businesses, wells, furniture and anything else that would go on
during normal times. Construction supply stores, motorcycle sales
and repair shops are open. Other than restaurants and bars, very few
places are actually closed. Hair salons and massage are considered
non-essential and schools and swimming pools remain closed. Alcohol
sales have been banned in various provinces for varying lengths of
time. There is quite a bit of political unrest due to this crisis,
but I’m not going to get into Thai politics beyond that.
Restaurants
are open only for take away and delivery. Grocery stores require
temperature taking before entry and masks are required. That is
probably not so different than other countries. In our village many
people are taking advantage to open small stands selling local food,
drinks, seasoned french fries and Thai snacks.
Outside
of grocery stores, the wearing of masks is no longer the norm. I
would guess that in our village masks are not always worn (50-50). I
wear mine when I leave our property as much for form as for
protection. Wet markets continue and most people will wear masks
though no one is there to enforce it.
Our family at the temple. You will notice there is no social distancing with us as we basically live together. Those of us who were in the 'big city' already went through our two weeks of quarantine.
Here you can see the other people at the temple properly practicing their social distancing and we are at least 8 feet away!
You can see one monk has a mask on, the other doesn't. They still make their rounds in the village every morning around 6am with masks on
The next three shots show paying respect to Pum's aunt and uncle. Nam Khing and Nam Nhung are our next door neighbors and effectively part of our nearly nuclear family.
The next pictures are in and around our temple.
Leftover food after the monks ate for people to take home from the temple
Local villagers getting creative and filling a need!
The 'watsadu' where we buy almost all our construction supplies is open for business!
Some pics of the mountains with many caves in the town Khao Chakan. These shots are from the back side. On the other side a huge colony of monkeys thrives. They are easily seen when it is not too hot. During the hottest times, they are resting deep in the caves.
A 'resort' near Khao Chakan where each dwelling is a converted bus.
