Day 116 - Today, we had no need to walk far. We didn't need anything as we will be flying to Bangkok tomorrow afternoon. We didn't need to go downtown for any reason. There was no reason to visit our local market or close small shops either. This fact was unfortunate only as there was a whole lot of noise in our area from 6:20 AM.
Apparently, a new house is being dedicated in the neighbourhood. One might think that a Buddhist ceremony would be peaceful and respectful. Unfortunately, with the advent of PA systems, even religions have gotten obnoxiously loud. There is a speaker on a twenty-foot pole blasting music, chanting, and prayers into the local environment. In tropical places, buildings are deliberately open, and of course sound as well as wind travels well. There was nothing going on on the other side of us in the temple on this Saturday. Today, the guy building a home on our third side did not have his choice of Cambodia pop blasting from his sound system. So, the sound source was unidirectional.
We did walk to see what was going on and tents were set up and ladies cooking huge quantities of food. I should remember what a blessing it is to see how others live. It is educational as well as emotionally fulfilling. We passed a school as the students were leaving. The poor kids here have six days of school per week to contend with. By what we've seen, schools run two shifts though, so little scholar needs to attend just four hours on a school day.
It's now 5:20 PM and al lthe kids are home. The sermon continues strongly. I wonder what time this will end?
