Making Peace

A picture was needed on today's 5 minute walk between the dorm and the office. Hmmmm, what was going to stick out and asked to be shared today? I crossed the street to find these hanging on a tree lining the university wall. The flowers used to be bright yellow with white, fragrant jasmine on the bottom. Now, except for the ribbon, they mostly blend into the bark behind them.

As I crossed back to the walking-side of the street, a Thai friend came up behind me.
"I saw you taking a picture. Of what?"
"Flowers." I said, not knowing the name of these in Thai, but knowing no one calls them just plain 'flowers'.

She continued to explain that they are used for pleasing the spirits in the trees, protection, and good karma. You commonly find these flower garlands draped over statues of Buddah, in the spirit houses, and on rear-view mirrors of taxis, buses, and personal cars.

I don't know who put them on this random tree, or what they were trying to make peace about, but even in a quick walk down the street, there are plenty reminders of the deep, cultural roots that tie down this society.

Yesterday, a swarm of bug-headded kids ran out of the police station.