Tha-Tha's Family

We went to Phimai and met Tha-Tha's family.  Phimai is the village where Tha-Tha and his brothers and sisters grew up.  There were 10 kids in all, 7 boys and 3 girls.  I have 5 uncles and 2 aunties still living and lots of cousins.

My great-grandparents ashes on both sides of us.

Ceremony to bless our family

When we got to Phimai, we went to the temple near our family's farm.  We had a little ceremony to pay respect to our ancestors.  We gave the monk gifts and he blessed our family.  We went and saw where my great-grandparents' ashes were placed.  I put flowers and incense near their ashes.

My Tha-Tha's father as a monk.

When Tha-Tha was in his first year of medical school, he became a monk for seven days.  In Thailand, parents are proud if their sons become a monk.  This temple is where Tha-Tha became a monk.  He had to meditate in the middle of the cemetery.  He stayed there night and day, and he said a prayer very loudly, so the Buddha would protect him from the bad spirits.

Next, we went to the ruins in Phimai.  It is called Prasat Hin Phimai.  It was a temple and is over 1,000 years old.  There were stone sculptures and buildings.  I found it interesting that the buildings are still standing.  My favorite part was running around in the grass.  In this park I also got my picture with a tamarind tree.  That's my middle name.

We went to the family farm.  I hung out with my Tha-Tha's family and saw the rice fields.  Then we had a dinner party at a restaurant.  My aunts and uncles sang songs and the kids played around.  I had a great time.  -Vanessa

My cousins and young aunties

Learn Thai:  "Alloy Mok Ka" It taste very good.