Phuket Vegetarian Festival: Mae Kao Beach, Fire Walking (Photo Essay)

October 20, 2012 in Asia, blog, Thailand, Travelogue

I think, in retrospect, what I will remember most is the beat of the drum.

Deafening, unrelenting and punctuated with the brassy clang of cymbals.

The trembling bodies of entranced men, wrapping snake headed whips around their necks for protection, carrying a tiny god shaped idol in their hands and stomping, proudly, and unhurried across the bed of hot coals.

And I’ll remember his tattoo, a full Chinese dragon snaking down his back, glistening in the firelight, rippling with his muscles. 

This little one was determined to “help” me knit while we waited. He pushed one needle in and out, and in and out of Elisha’s growing sock! 🙂