En este blog comparto lugares y experiencias que han marcado mi vida de alguna forma.
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In this blog I share about places and experiences that have marked my life in some way.
Yee Peng Festival
It was the moment before I released my lantern, I could feel the intensity of the moment in the air, hundreds of people eagerly waiting to let go, I saw all those faces from all over the world lit up as the sign was given, then two seconds of silence and all of a sudden the crowd was ecstatic, yelling euphorically, cheering, smiling as thousands of lanterns rose into the clear sky... It is the most magical moment I have ever witnessed.
Since I found out we were going to Thailand, I knew this was the only festival I would must experience while living here; you probably have seen thousands of photos and videos about this event but seeing it with your own eyes is something mesmerizing!
There are two main events around November, based on the lunar calendar they celebrate Loy Krathong and Yee Peng Festival which are often mistaken between them. Based on the lunar calendar, this year were celebrated on the 14th of November not only with a full moon but a Super Moon.
Loy Krathong is a Buddhist celebration in which Thai people make a basket out of banana leaf, put flowers, a candle inside and let them float away on the rivers or lakes all around the country meaning you release your bad things and pray for good things, it is done in couples and it's beautiful to see at night. There is also traditional dancing and music during the celebration.
Yee Peng is a Buddhist merit ceremony in which people attend wearing traditional or white clothes celebrated in Northern Thailand, we attend to the one at Mae Jo University in Chiang Mai. It begins at 13:00h. with the Lanna Kathina Ceremony, in which robes are offered to monks and everyone is invited to participate. At 18:30h. the monks reunite praying and chanting around the circular structure and at 19:30h. the lantern release begins meaning that you let go bad things as the 'Khom Loi' is flying away.
Although it was so crowded and you could barely have a spot, it was all worth it, you can enjoy the event, be grateful for what you have and be aware at how Thai people celebrate this. At the end you have to be patient because the crowds have to go through a small exit in the dark so it takes a while getting to your transport, a flashlight comes in handy.
Things to consider:
Dress respectfully and cover knees and shoulders, you are attending a ceremony.
Don’t bring lanterns from outside the venue, buy them there because they are all made the same size and according to government regulations due to pollution.
Be respectful at all times, especially when the monks are meditating and during the ceremony.
Do not drink alcohol or smoke on the grounds.
There are vendors outside the grounds and you can buy food and drinks at any time but please throw away everything you might consider garbage at the end of the event .
Don't release the lanterns beforehand, a sign will be given at the right moment.
10 things you probably didn't know about Thailand
Sawadee ka!
If you've had the chance to visit Thailand already, you'll know it's a one of a kind place but if you haven't, did you know that Thailand is called the Land of the Smiles? It is not that they go through life smiling without a purpose, people are very kind and tolerant, in fact, a smile can be an icebreaker or an apology, it can mean they are embarrassed, uncomfortable, happy or just smile to avoid some confrontation, it's just something about the culture that can be misleading but fascinating, it is a wonderful country so let me tell you a little bit more about it.
1. Thai people always greets you with a smile and a particular gesture in which they put both hands together and bow slightly, this is called 'Wai', you cannot help but feel sympathy for the person 'wai-ing' at you, is the most graceful welcome I have ever experienced. Although there are different types of Wai, depending on who you are greeting it may vary on how much you bow or how high you raise your hands.
2. Formerly known as Siam, it was until the year 1939 that it changes the name to Thailand that literally means 'country of free people' because it was never colonized and they are really proud about this.
3. Thai people enjoy taking pictures a lot! about everything really but most of all, taking selfies with unique poses.
4. The new year is celebrated in April, according to the Buddhist calendar, it's a big celebration where they realize a festival called Songkran, in which they perform a purification ritual in every temple in the country pouring scented water on Buddha statues to cleanse and let go any bad things, after this everyone goes out to the streets soaking anyone in their way with water guns, buckets or even hoses! I promise you is great fun and in the hottest month of the year is really refreshing.
5. You must enter barefoot to every Wat (Thai temple) and also if you are invited to someone's house as a sign of respect. Never ever point with your feet at anything or show your soles or touch someone's head.
6. Bangkok is called by locals "Krung Thaep" or City of Angels, just like Puebla in Mexico or Los Angeles in the US, although the full name has 167 letters!
7. In Thailand is not the year 2017 but 2560, yes you read that right, according to the Buddhist calendar, taking as reference the death of Buddha (543 BC)
8. The National Anthem is played twice a day in public squares at 6 amand 6 pm. In the cinema before the movie starts the King's Anthem is played and while the anthem is heard people stand up as a sign of respect to the King.
9. In Thailand people drive on the right side, motorcycles overflow the streets and are not very cautious when driving, so be careful when doing so.
10. They have this 'Hakuna Matata' attitude to life that is priceless, only that for them is 'mai pen rai'. They don't stress about little things, they don't rise their voices and it's a very open-minded culture so there is a place for everyone in Thailand.
An amazing country full of surprises, whenever you go enjoy it to the fullest!
Día de Muertos
México es uno de los países que se define por su cultura, creo que no hay mejor manera de experimentarlo que disfrutar 'Día de Muertos', es una de las festividades más importantes desde la época prehispánica y la mejor manera para entender la forma de ser de los mexicanos.
Originado a partir de creencias indígenas y católicas Día de Muertos, reconocido como parte del Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial de la Humanidad desde 2008, consiste en una celebración haciendo altares, poemas, deliciosa comida, limpieza y decoración de tumbas con el fin de honrar a nuestros seres queridos, orar por sus almas y mostrarles el camino a esta increíble fiesta por medio de la luz de las velas.
La tradición involucra a personas de todas las edades del 28 de Octubre al 2 de Noviembre para hacer altares llamados 'Ofrendas' que se hacen en niveles decoradas con flores de Cempasúchitl, de un olor notable bien reconocido para esta festividad, incienso, calaveras hechas de chocolate o azúcar, agua para purificar el alma, colorido papel picado, velas que muestran el camino y si está dedicada a alguien en particular, se pone la foto de nuestro ser querido, así como su comida y bebida favorita. Es bien sabido que la comida proporcionada para los muertos pierde sabor porque ellos ya disfrutaron el festín. Las Ofrendas pueden variar en tamaño, detalles y creatividad, no sólo aplica a familia y amigos, puedes dedicar la tuya a tu artista favorito! Se pueden encontrar a lo largo del país en las escuelas, oficinas o espacios públicos, incluso tenemos concursos cada año para ver quién se lleva el crédito de decorar la más majestuosa!!
En esta época del año sobre todo los niños escriben 'Calaveritas', que son poemas divertidos sobre gente viva para reírse como si estuvieran muertos, estos son epitafios hechos en rima, que ayudan a los niños a ver la muerte como una transición normal en la vida. Estas Calaveritas incluyen a un personaje importante, la muerte, a la que nos gusta llamar 'La Muerte', 'La Catrina', 'La Flaca' o 'La Huesuda' como una mujer fina y elegante que viene por ti cuando el momento es adecuado.
Dependiendo de la región las tradiciones pueden ser diferentes, los muertos se dividen en categorías que definirán el día de adoración; el 31 de Octubre, los niños se disfrazan y tocan las puertas de las personas para pedir una calaverita, que es similar al dulce o truco de Halloween. Puedes disfrutar de un sinfín de actividades en esta temporada como visitar las múltiples Ofrendas, decorar tu propia calavera de azúcar, visitar museos que abren por la noche o incluso disfrutar de un desfile de Catrinas!
Si tienes la suerte de ser invitado a una casa particularmente a ver su Ofrenda, es costumbre colocar una vela encendida en ella, la familia estará encantada de compartir chocolate caliente, tamales y 'Pan de Muerto' también conocido como 'Hojaldra' delicioso pan sabor a naranja elaborado sólo en esta época del año, el cual significa simbólicamente la cabeza y los huesos de un esqueleto.
Por extraño que pueda parecer, esta temporada está llena de alegría y es muy esperada por nosotros ya que conseguimos reunirnos en espíritu con nuestros seres queridos una vez al año en una celebración increíble llamada Día de Muertos!
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Day of the Dead
Mexico is one of the countries that it's defined by its culture, there is no better way to experience it than enjoy the ‘Day of the Dead’ or ‘Día de Muertos', it’s one of the most important festivities since prehispanic times and the best approach to understand the way of Mexican people.
Originated from Indigenous and Catholic beliefs the ‘Day of the Dead’, recognized as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008, consists in celebrating making altars, poems, delicious food, cleaning and decorating graves in order to honor our loved ones, pray for their souls and showing them the way to this incredible feast through candle light.
The tradition involves people of all ages, from October 28th to November 2nd, to make altars called ‘Ofrendas' which are made in levels decorated with marigold flowers called ‘Cempasúchitl' that has a remarkable smell well recognized for this festivity, incense, skulls made of chocolate or sugar, water to purify the soul, colorful paper cut-outs also known as ‘papel picado’, candles showing the path and if dedicated to someone in particular, we always put the photo of our departed loved one as well as their favorite food and beverage. It is also known that all the food provided for the dead, on November 3rd once 'they' are gone if you try anything it will be tasteless for sure! Ofrendas may vary in size, details, and creativity, it doesn’t only apply to family and friends, you can dedicate yours to your favorite late rockstar! This also can be found all over the country at schools, offices or public spaces, we even have contests each year to see who gets credit in making the best one!!
In this time of the year almost everyone but most popular with children write ‘Calaveritas’ which are playful poems about living people to make fun as if they were dead, these are short epitaphs in rhyme, which help children to see death as a normal transition in life. This Calaveritas include one important character, death, which we like to call ‘La Muerte’ or ‘La Catrina’ as an elegant and fine woman that comes for you when the time is right.
Depending on the region, traditions may be different, the dead are divided into categories which will define the day of worship; on October 31st, children dress up in costumes and knock on people's doors asking for a calaverita, which is similar to trick-or-treating. You can enjoy all different types of activities this season from visiting the multiple Ofrendas, decorate your own sugar skull, visiting museums opening late at night or even enjoy a parade of many women dressed like 'La Catrina' herself!!
If you are lucky enough to get invited into a house particularly to see their Ofrenda, it’s customary to place a lit candle on it, the family will gladly share hot chocolate, tamales and ‘Pan de Muerto’ also known as ‘Hojaldras’ delicious orange flavor bread prepared only at this time of the year, which means symbolically the head and bones of a skeleton.
As odd as it might sound for you, this season it’s full of joy and is truly expected for us as we get to reunite in spirit with our lost loved ones once a year in an amazing celebration called Día de Muertos!
The time I climbed the Great Wall
It had snowed the day before, from the window I saw everything white, people on the sidewalk were wearing heavy clothes and you could see the cold on their faces, didn't matter we got ready and had breakfast early cause this was the day we were waiting for so long.
I could feel my heart pounding since we left the hotel, our guide, May, was explaining how the day will go, showing us some important buildings as we passed by and telling us about the historic city that is Beijing. It took us about 1.5 hours to get to the Ming Tombs, it was a quick visit merely historic because the real tombs are not there anymore but you get the picture. After this you could feel the excitement building up, we all knew what was next!
Half and hour later we got to the nearest gate, Mutianyu, actually one of the best preserved since it is so visited. I was instantly mesmerized by this place, it felt incredibly unreal by the simple thought of walking through so much history, hearing May explain about which dynasty built what, or that every post in the wall is built differently so enemies didn't get through the wall so 'easy'; I enjoyed every single step being amazed by the dimensions of this majestic place, something you have to experience at least once in your lifetime.
My advice is to take a taxi from your hotel, so you can spend as much time as you want actually on the Wall, otherwise the tour might take you to a tea ceremony or a Jade factory and we don't want that right? So... go really early to enjoy the walk with less tourists and let me know how you felt.
