Thursday, September 27, 2012

Sakon Museum Grand opening Awash




Awash: covered with water, flooded




  It became quite obvious by late afternoon that a storm was headed toward the city.

Thunder and lightening preceded the tropical storm shortly after 5 pm.

Messages on facebook said the show will begin as soon as the rain stops.



In retrospect I should have listened to my instincts which told me not to go.
Event planners had no rain contingency plan.
When I arrived at 7:25 pm, sound and light crew were disassembling their equipment 


Tables were drenched

The celebration had been moved to a covered area, big enough to hold ten tables
and allow for a cramped performance area

Performers outnumbered the audience

Media and media wanna bees outnumbered the audience


Tables were reserved for government officials and their entourage 

A very big disappointment, with the exception of seeing some local friends and acquaintances. I barley stayed half an hour.  I opted for a Pit Stop.









US Space Mission

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Security Message to U.S. Citizens:

Planned demonstration at Embassy on THURSDAY, September 27, 2012

Nong Han Preparations Pending

Not Ready for Racing



Park Entrance: Transformation

January 2012

July 2012

September 2012

Love to be 'Lost in Sakon Nakhon'


Decided to drive to a village not too far away to see if preparation were underway for their annual boat races.
I took a wrong turn and wound up in an area I had not been before.
Eventually I did find my way.  While lost I found some photographic gems along the way.





These huts are used as shelter mostly during planing and harvesting



Reminds me, I was a pole lineman

School Grounds:  Wonder if they check for 'Pies' before the kids play




Village temples are a good indicator of nearby villages
Labor and financing of construction and upkeep is mostly provided by the local population












Bell Tower

Library and Lounge



Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Living next door to a temple in Thailand is NOT A GOOD IDEA

That's Tom's house behind all those speakers.
  I sent him the picture and said:
 
"I see your new sound system has arrived."


Needless to say Tom ain't a happy camper.
Check out what he has to say about the week long "Film Fest."

Sakon Nakhon Phu Phan Museum Grand Opening Celebration


Update: 7 AM, Sept 26:  Pictures of last night's dress rehearsal  at Sakon City






September 26

  Dedication Ceremonies 6 PM
  Grand Opening show 7 PM

  

They're having a rehearsal this evening.  Still plenty to do from the looks of things

 
They were washing the streets late afternoon in preparation for tomorrow





Doing sound checks




Museum Upper left - Yellow O is Sakon Immigration Office



Sakon Nakhon Wax Castle Construction well underway




Before the Sakon Nakhon Royal Longboat Races






Weeks leading up to the
Sakon Nakhon Royal Longboat Races,
similar competitions take place in nearby villages and towns