Fireworks from all directions, thousands of big paper lanterns fueled by carosene soaked rings of fire floating up to the sky carrying wishes for a blessed new year, millions of people crowded into the streets of the old walled city, now closed to traffic, restaurants blarring music, an official festival in the middle of the center near the Tha Phae gate to the city with live music, a food market and hundreds of souvenier stalls, this is just a slice of what Chiang Mai looks like for New Years. We rang the New Year in with a treat - Mexican burritos for dinner. (I had to have some chips and salsa as I am an addict - there I admit it - and I am having severe withdrawals. But as you might suspect they were just not the same. I think the chips were made from egg noodles!)
Then we just aimlessly wandered the streets, a bit mesmerized by the paper lanterns in the sky and the vast river of people ebbing and flowing alongside the real river. Although we felt bad about the environmental impact of all these lanterns - they have to land somewhere when the flame goes out and then they essentially are trash - we got caught up in the moment and we too sent up a lantern in hopes of obtaining good luck for our trip and for our family and friends in the New Year. (The lantern concept comes from an old tradition where seasonally similar lanterns were sent up to the sky seeking blessings from the Gods who would bring rains for the rice crops.)
Happy New Year to you all - may the new year keep you in good health, bring you happiness, love and laughter, and may we all find economic and political stability through-out the world.
