Andy's Asia - Life in the Village

One of the groom's aunts. 

Another happy celebrant! 

One of the bridesmaids before Pum did the makeup. I NEVER once saw either of them smile before, during or after the wedding. 

The other bridesmaid before Pum did the hair and makeup.

Taking it very seriously! 

Another shot of the bridesmaids at the wedding. Still no smile. 

One of Pum's aunts raises silkworms and crickets. She does the whole thing, from silkworm eggs to silk to clothing made from the silk.

Here are the silkworms eating and growing before they are placed in the woven basket and are ready to make cocoons. 

When the silkworms are ready to make their cocoons, they are placed in a section of this "basket".

This is a closeup of the "basket".

Silkworm cocoons, from this the silk is produced.

This is the silk made from cocoons Pum

Just before Christmas, we made a great visit to a Thai music venue. A friend of an old friend came into town and was interested in hearing some music that originates from the northeastern Thai province of Isaan. I won't go into an explanation of Morlam and Look Thung music here, but instead refer you to Seamus' website where you can find some good info and some links. Here it is: http://the-same.org After a bit of research on my part, I located a venue called Tawan Daeng. When we got there early in the evening, close to 9, the place was just beginning to heat up. The music was LOUD. We got a bite to eat and settled in. By the time we left, a bit after midnite, it was jammed and the music was more Thai rock and pop than Morlam and Look Thung. Bill and Bow, Pum and I and Seamus alternately ate, drank and danced to some really fine Thai musicians. The singers weren't famous but were certainly competent and the house band totally ROCKED. I can't wait to go back.

Here is a pic of Seamus at Tawan Daeng. Seamus is a huge fan of Morlam and Look Thung music. He came to SE Asia to hear and see some performances. He has a very interesting website about it.

We were sitting next to a table of apparently single girls. This girl tried very hard to hook up with Seamus all evening (unsuccessfully I might add) 

There are two basic styles of music from the northeast part of Thailand (Isaan). One is called Morlam and the other Look Thung. We went to a club called Tawan Daeng here in Bangkok where Isaan music is featured. One of the basic characteristics is the dancers. Here are two.

Here are some dancers earlier in the evening. The costumes vary from modestly sexy to very traditional to the kind of thing a Vegas show girl in a relatively tame cabaret might wear.

The backup dancers in their early evening attire. 

Bill and his significant other, Bow, at Tawan Daeng.

Party on, dude!!