So today was a busy day, yet again. For class we went to go see a Spirit Dance. It is a dance event in which people as mediums dance and become ‘possessed’ with spirits. This event was on a corner of a street. They had set up the food, all donated by one family, the hosts use it as a way to show social status; more food the higher social class. This event was less rural as our teacher was telling us so that explains why it was not as hands on. Usually they love to grab foreigners and drag them on the dance floor and give them alcohol. Our teacher had warned us that they typically grab people and just pour whiskey or other alcohol in their mouths as they whisk them over the dance floor. SO of course I was mentally preparing for that. However what actually happened was much less drastic. Although the second we got out of the car, some man from across the street ran over and just started taking pictures of us. I felt like a celebrity. Plus we were wearing the traditional long skirts for our fingernail dance. Our teacher also informed us that it was unusual for foreigners to be wearing those skirts as correctly as we were. So even something more for us to stand out for, but it all seems to be good things

These people are the mediums and already ‘possessed’ when dressed in costumes.Those on the side lines, and part of the giant tree decorated in fabric. The main dance floor, everyone dances differently but the foot work for the most part is the same.

After that we went to the fabric market, again, and got a sarong for me to match my fan! It is a pretty bright blue, I don’t get to keep it but I did get other fabric to do something with. I am thinking awesome pillow cases. Then we drove back to the studio to learn the rest of the Sukkothai dance. Apparently I somehow am really good at the moves for this dance so she put me in the front! She said that it must have been Sukkothai spirits that have channeled the moves through me. But tomorrow we are having basically a dress rehearsal because this Friday, yes in just two short days it will be done! No more dance class, finally a week off, and then the final 3 weeks! When I think about it like that it seems to go by so fast. The busier I stay the faster it goes.

Oh and the one thing my father told me not to do here, cause of the bad reputation, umm I did the other day. Sorry dad! I am going to try most everything at least once. Surprising it wasn’t as bad as people made it out to be. There were points where she actually lifted me off the mat but the rest of the time, except for one part, it felt pretty good. I will probably have to get longer than just one hour and go more often to make a real difference. But an hour for 5 dollars would be unheard of back home. I was thinking about getting a massage either before I left or when I return but the cost was the thing I was worried about. Back home a 30 minute slot could cost over 60 dollars, which is crazy! But here it is cheap, pretty much like everything else!