Tap Tap, Lanterns and a street side BBQ

The sky began to fill with yellow glowing dots too close for stars yet likely not invading aliens. We stepped out of the shop and saw people lighting huge rectangular lanterns. As the heat from the flame filled the lantern, it would slowly begin to rise up into the sky to join other floating flames.

From Thailand: Tattoo & a Happy New Year

Krista and I were at a bamboo tattoo shop. After several days of contemplation, we decided to discover what a bamboo tattoo was all about. Some reports said that it was relatively painless, others that it hurt like hell. All we knew for sure is that this traditional tattoo process has been used for hundreds of years.  A few days ago, as we trekked through a Karen village, we observed many people adorned with multiple tattoos. Typical for females was to have nine out of ten fingers tattooed.  Women often are responsible for feeding livestock and the tattoos are designed to bring health to the animals.  The tenth finger (a pinky on either the left or right hand) is without a tattoo.  This is the chicken-checking finger.  Got eggs?

Males in the village also had many tattoos.  A past rite of passage was a multi-day process resulting in the male becoming so tattooed it would look as if he was wearing shorts.  The pain would increasingly become unbearable and large amounts of opium would be taken to allow the process to continue.  Reportedly, opium is no longer grown in Thailand so the intensive days of tattooing may also be gone.  Our trekking guide (35 years old) told us that his entire village grew opium during his youth.  However, the King banned the growth and the military sponsored many raids, ending this cultivation.  Now, someone found growing opium in his village is expelled.

Our process was much shorter and did not involve opium or other pain-killer.  Jin, a Thai originally from the southern coast, expertly wielded the long piece of bamboo.  On one end he attached multiple needles that were dipped in the ink.  His right hand held the other end and used quick movements to tap the needles as if sending an urgent Morse code.

From Thailand: Tattoo & a Happy New Year

I opted for Thai lettering

From Thailand: Tattoo & a Happy New Year

while Krista went big for a lovely pattern along the top of her foot (yep, it hurt).

From Thailand: Tattoo & a Happy New Year

After finishing, we joined the party in the streets.  Reaching a bridge across the moat to old Chiang Mai, we purchased a lantern, made our wishes for 2011 - it's going to be a big one - and watched our lantern slowly rise into the sky.

From Thailand: Tattoo & a Happy New Year

On our way home, we stopped by the trekking office for a street BBQ.  These guys can cook anything anywhere and be delicious.  Roo Poo pulled out a guitar for some campfire songs - yes Sunnysiders Country Roads was sung though not by my request - and the evening was ended by sending a second lantern into the sky.

From Thailand: Tattoo & a Happy New Year

Happy New Year!