The Lao Buddhist/Animism funeral is an Asian version of the Irish wake. The main purpose of the week following a loved one's death is to free the spirit so it can fly to Nirvana where every wish is granted. Spirits which are not freed can haunt your home, your sleep, your life. To avoid such a fate, monks in the wat (temple) are paid alms to say continuous prayers for safe passage. Small to mid-sized trucks are commandeered to serve as parade vehicles. Their flatbeds are covered with fancy spirit-like houses in which all the windows and doors are open and decorated with flowers and leaves much like floats, then sent around town with joyous music piped from them. Bodies are cremated to further encourage the freeing of the spirit. Food offerings are made. (Po tells me the Hmong--among Laos' 49 ethnicities--don't believe in cremation, so the above doesn't go for everyone, but certainly it's the pomp and circumstance of rites of passage.)
Whoever invented the electric fan didn't get enough credit. I have renewed appreciation for the wonderful devices. When the little family was sharing office space in the Center last week, they co-opted the floor fan which usually sits next to the computer. They've moved on and the fan is back, to serve in serendipitous harmony with the oscillating ceiling fan. The classroom we use has concrete walls which collect the heat all day. The room has one little closed window. By the time class begins at five, we have thrown the window open and cranked up the two wall fans and all is habitable. Last week, we used alphabet manipulatives which demanded we turn off the fans so the letters didn't fly all over the place. By the time we put them away in their bag, we were relieved to be able to turn the fans on again. The ceiling fan in my room at the guesthouse is a veritable jukebox. When I first arrived, it played endless choruses of "Skip to My Lou." Last week it switched to, "I've got a mule, her name is Sal, fifteen miles on the Erie Canal"--uptempo. This week, it's become, "I've got a home in Gloryland that (clap!) outshines the sun!"
As for my left foot, thanks for your concerns. It's fine. I have been reunited with my jumprope which is a beautiful thing, especially for my psyche!
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Glad your foot is now fine. Hayden's is'nt, so he's at the doctor. It's swollen and sore on top, there's a lump in the arch and a soreness between the second and third toe. Yuk. I am fine and rode the bike in class at the Club this morning. Were it not for massive amounts of calorie burning I wouldn't be able to eat at all. Your fan sounds delightful! Keep on singing, girl!
ReplyDeleteI am always in favor of joyous music. And you can hear different lyrics which is a sign of serenity I am told; which can relax potential tension, so all may be good!
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