Trip to Thailand

When I was a child I have seen photographs of the women of Siam.

They featured beautiful women with elaborate hairdos, sparkling jewelry and big smiles.

The women were thin with elongated fingers, they ate dishes spiced with lemongrass and coconut milk and they lived far away in an exotic land.

Sometimes they skillfully jumped between two bamboo sticks on the ground much like we used to jump rope.

Siam had changed its name to become Thailand and the people gave up traditional clothing in favour of casual clothing, but it is still a tropical land filled with gentle people, exotic fruit, abundance of beaches and food that entice the senses with lime basil, chilly and palm sugar.

We were lucky to visit Thailand during a major festival called 'Loy Krathong".

Part of the celebration included a custom parade, hot air balloon competition and elaborately decorated floats on the river.

This was our only opportunity to see the colorful clothing they used to wear.

But I am not nostalgic for the past.

We had a great time exploring the place as it is right now.