So-poo-et and Bop, teachers at my school, invited us to the pagoda to celebrate Pchum Ben day. I was told to wear white, but as usual, I didn't know what exactly was going to happen. The pagoda was beautiful and crowded with people carrying containers of food. Inside the wat, we sat before a monk while he said some blessings. So-poo-et gave us a bowl of rice, and we put a spoonful in each of the monk's bowls. This is done to feed the hungry ghosts of their ancestors who are roaming around.
I gave a small donation, and picked a paper out of a pot. A monk read it, and he said that I need to be careful for three months, and then I will be safe for the rest of the year. The holiday seems kind of strange, but who are we to talk when we dress up and ask strangers for candy or search for eggs hidden by a bunny.
Afterwards, we went to the teachers' house and celebrated by eating food. Actually, Cynthia and I ate while everybody else stood around and watched us. They brought over a fan and kept bringing out bowls of rice, curry, papaya salad, balls of sticky rice, etc. They all claimed that they would eat later because they weren't hungry yet. It was kind of embarrassing but very sweet.
We joined a group of teenagers at their neighbor's house where they sang Karaoke. We had places of honor on the chairs closest to the blaring music and t.v. screen.
I enjoyed the day immensely, especially being welcomed so warmly by everyone at dinner. See-coo, the grandmother gave us a hug and didn't want us to leave. I think she would have been happy if we hung up hammocks and lived with them.
I gave a small donation, and picked a paper out of a pot. A monk read it, and he said that I need to be careful for three months, and then I will be safe for the rest of the year. The holiday seems kind of strange, but who are we to talk when we dress up and ask strangers for candy or search for eggs hidden by a bunny.
Afterwards, we went to the teachers' house and celebrated by eating food. Actually, Cynthia and I ate while everybody else stood around and watched us. They brought over a fan and kept bringing out bowls of rice, curry, papaya salad, balls of sticky rice, etc. They all claimed that they would eat later because they weren't hungry yet. It was kind of embarrassing but very sweet.
We joined a group of teenagers at their neighbor's house where they sang Karaoke. We had places of honor on the chairs closest to the blaring music and t.v. screen.
I enjoyed the day immensely, especially being welcomed so warmly by everyone at dinner. See-coo, the grandmother gave us a hug and didn't want us to leave. I think she would have been happy if we hung up hammocks and lived with them.
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