ロイクラトン・灯篭流し祭り/ Loy-krathong; Floating lanterns festival

陰暦の１２月の満月の夜に、その年の収穫への感謝と罪や汚れを流し落とすためにクラトン（バナナの葉などで作った小さな筏に花や線香やろうそくを乗せたもの）を川や池に流すロイクラトンの祭りが昨日（１１月２８日）行われた。自分で作ったり、屋台で購入（５０バーツから２００バーツくらい）したクラトンに火をつけ、チャオプラヤ川や公園内の池に浮かべて、祈りを込めて静かに流す。恋人たちは、自分たちの恋が末永く続くことを祈って真剣な眼差しで自分たちの流したクラトンを見つめている。

I enjoyed Loy-krathong (floating lanterns) festival yesterday, it is held on 12th full moon day on lunar calendar. In the festival, people float Krathong on rivers, ponds or pool representing their thanks for good harvest to spirit of water also hoping to wash away their sin and uncleanness.
It is decorated with flowers, incense sticks and candles on small rafts of banana leaves and other materials. People prepare it by making themselves or by purchasing from street venders (cost around 50 to 200 THB) and fire on candles and let them to float calmly with their wishes. Lovers watch their Krathong with earnest eyes with wish for their never ending love.

ナーナー駅/ nana station

ＢＴＳ（高架鉄道）スクンビット線のナーナー駅。ＢＴＳ車内で流れるアナウンスの「ナーナー」の発音が少し可愛らしく、観光客がよく微笑みながら復唱している。。ナーナーの意味は、インドのパーリ語を語源に持つ「多様な」という意味だそうだ。その名の通り、駅の周辺は、インド人やアラブ人が多く居住する地域や欧米の観光客が多く泊まるホテルが多く、日本人は少ないが、国際的な雰囲気が漂っている。またバンコクでも有数の歓楽街でもある。

Nana station on sukhumvit line of BTS sky train. I sometime hear tourists repeat after announcement of the Nana with smile in the train since it sounds a little bit lovely. The meaning of Nana is “diversified” originally Pali in India. Around the station, Indian town, Arabic town and many international hotels in which many western tourists stays are locating, so namely international area are formed. Also one of the most famous entertainment district.

エラワンの祠/ Erawan Shrine

バンコクの中心街、サイアムとチッドロムの間ぐらいにあるエラワンの祠。願い事がかなうことで有名らしく、一日中、花輪や線香、ろうそくを供えて願い事を掛ける人が後を絶たない。願いが叶ったら、お礼の踊りを奉納するのがしきたりらしく、この踊りも後を絶たない。仏教国のタイだが、ここにはヒンドゥー教の宇宙の創造主のブラフマーが祭られているという。タイの生活の中に、結構ヒンドゥー教の影響が現れていていて面白い。それだけ、古くからインドとタイの交流がいかに多かったということだとも思う。日本人にとって難解なタイ文字もサンスクリット文字を踏まえて発達したという。

Erawan shrine is located at the heart of downtown of Bangkok, between Siam and Chit Lom. Many people come here to donate floral wreath, incense sticks and candles wishing their dreams come true. It seems a custom to donate dancers for appreciation once dreams have come true. You can always see dancers are dancing after the prayers. Thailand is Buddhist nation but Brahmā, god (deva) of creation of the Hindu is enshrined in this shrine. It is interesting that ordinary life in Thailand is effected by Hindu too. It shows relation between Thailand and India has been very closed since ancient time. Thai character, which is very difficult for Japanese, is also developed from Sanskrit, I heard.

コンビニの冷凍日本式カレー/ Frozen Japanese style curry rice in convenience store

最近、あるコンビニチェーンでキャンペーン中の日本式カレーライス冷凍食品。レジのところで電子レンジで温めてもらって直ぐに食べられる。ご飯の量が少し少なめだが、味は十分に日本式。３９バーツはランチにはちょうど良い値段。

I can find a frozen Japanese style curry rice in a shop of convenience store chain, in which this good in under promotion sale. At the cashier the curry would be warmed by microwave oven and ready to eat. I fell rice is a little bit few but taste seems fine. THB39 is reasonable price for lunch.

ツバメの巣のスープ/ Birds' nests soup

スープといっても、蜂蜜や銀杏を加えて、朝鮮人参茶とともに、むしろデザートとして。味というよりは食感を楽しむ感じ。中華街のツバメの巣の専門店にて、一杯３００バーツから。

You may enjoy as a dessert with honey and boiled gingko nuts rather than soup, it is served with ginseng tea. I enjoyed food texture than taste. At the specialized restaurant in China town, cost of a bawl is from THB 300.

マンゴーの赤ちゃん/ Babies of mango fruits

２週間ほど前に花だったマンゴの枝先に小さなマンゴーの赤ちゃんが現れた。小さいながらも、マンゴー独特の勾玉の形をしているところが面白い。

At the top of twigs, babies of mango fruits appeared since they were blooming just two weeks ago. Although they are very tiny but look typical shapes like comma-shaped-beads.

ポケモン飛行機/ Airplane with Pocket Monster

一瞬、自分の乗る飛行機かと少し期待するが、隣の搭乗口だと気づく。間違いなく、世界でも最も派手な飛行機の一つだと思う。搭乗口に向かう通路から写真が撮れただけでも幸せと思おう。

I realized that the special airplane with Pocket Monster was at next gate after my short time expectation that would be mine. I believe the plane could be one of the most eye-catching plane in the world. I wondered it was still lucky to take a shot from bridge to a gate.

秋色、東京/Autumn color in Tokyo

一時帰国中の秋色東京、久しぶりの休暇の清清しい朝。バンコクに暮らしていると、はっきりした季節の移り変わりと、意外と濃い青色の空に東京も素敵な街だと少し見直した。

I can enjoy autumn color in Tokyo under very fresh and clear sky during temporally stay home in Japan. Since living in Bangkok, I recognize goodness of Tokyo which has clear season change and unexpected deep clear blue sky.

夜明けのスワナブーム空港 / Dawn at Suvarnabhum airport

久しぶりの日本への一時帰国に向かう早朝の空港。雲は綺麗だけど、会議出席のためとはいえ 明日の家族の運動会に出席できない申し訳なさと、友に会える楽しみへの期待等とが入り混じった複雑な気持ちを表わしているようで、なんとも複雑な感じ。

On the way to the Suvarnabhum airport I run across beneficc sye at the Dawn.
It must be very admirable scene. However I had very complex feeling, sorry for absenting my family’s important event on Sunday and high expectation to meet old friend although my reason to go back to Japan is business trip. I felt the scene reflecting my complex felling.

マンゴーの花/ Mango blossoms

雨季の終わりを察してかマンゴーが枝の先に花をつけた。残念ながらお世辞にも綺麗とは言えない花がそっと咲いている。少し距離があって直接嗅ぐことは出来ないが、臭いもあまりよくないらしい。次の雨季が始まるまでに立派な実をつけて欲しいと願っている。

Mango blossoms are blooming at the tip of a twig, it seems they are able to feel the end of rainy season. I cannot say they are beautiful and they looks diffident. I cannot smell directly by distance from them but it is said smell is not neither well. I hope they would grow to good fruits before next rainy season.