Sok Dee Pee Mai as all laotians throughout the world say to each other. I wish all my friends, families and readers a happy and healthy new year. There are several new year celebrations throughout the Northern California, but the weather might spoiled the parties. I hope to attend at least one of the festival, so stay tune for pictures.
The 3rd annual International Lao New Year Festival was held on April 30th, in San Francisco. This year festival was held at the United Nation Plaza, which is about 2 blocks east of the site from 2 previous years. We managed to get there little early this year, as we planned to have lunch at the festival.
As you can see.. the crowd was some what small at that time.
I caught the middle of the show. I'm not sure where this group of youth are from. The performers came as far as Paris, Seattle, and San Diego.This young lady is singing the traditional music.
These ten beauty pageant contestants was rehearsal backstage.
If I can cast a vote.. #5 got my vote:-).
#5 is in the middle of this picture.
10 beautiful young ladies
beautifully done..
Throughout the day, there are groups of performer from various Southeast Asian Countries.
I love the color of this group.
These beautiful young ladies performing the classic "Dok Bua Thong" dance.
She have such a beautiful movements. I'm standing so far from the stage and it is hard to take good picture. So many photographers up front by the stage.
These are the judges for all the performances. The whole time I stood at this corner, this particular judge wasn't even paying attention. She was busy texting the whole time.
This young lady perform solo and did awesome job.
I think this performer is from Burma.
Amy Chanthaphavong (Miss Asian American 2009-2010) is the MC of event
Local group of Muay Thai
The master and his student demonstrated for the crowds
Miss Amy Chanthaphavong is introducing all the pageants
New outfits... here are the 10 lovely ladies
She is my favorite to win it all... But, I heard she came 2nd, the winner was announced at Evening Gala event that night.
Of course, no Lao party is without any “lumvong”.
fon lumvong
I don’t remember the last time I went to any temple two days in the roll. Actually, I wasn’t plan on attending the new year celebration at Lao/Khmer/Thai temple. My cousin called on last minute and wants to meet up for lunch. Since, I can’t turn down free lunch, so I went:-). Some of you probably be asking why I called it Lao/Khmer/Thai Temple? Well, majority of the monks are from Thailand and few Cambodian/Lao monks living at this temple. So, you’ll see mixed groups of people from those regions as a regular followers.
As I approach the entrance gate to the temple, the sounds of Johnny Olsen is blasting through the air wave. Some of you probably don’t even know who he is. I believe he came out with few CD’s in Lao and Thai.
Getting ready to parade around the parking lot.
I believe "Nang Songkran" is in the blue. She actually smile for the camera:-)
Around and around
I managed to get few young ladies to smiles:-)
Looks who's instigate the water fight. He totally caught all the people off guard.
Johnny is doing his thing... The crowds was into it.
As I stand there waiting for the parade to start.. Standing not too far from me is this young lady with tattoo on her shoulder blade.
Johnny plays his "khane"
Go Johnny!!! Go Johnny.. Go
Shortly after the parade, I left the temple because I have to mow my lawn. Another male singer from Laos will be joining Johnny to entertain the crowds. I didn’t get a chance to go back later on that night.
This past weekend I had a chance to attend Lao New Year celebration in Modesto, CA with little princess and my brother. It is been so long ago since the last time I attended the new year festival. Right of way, I notices few new building, new retaining walls, and the main entrance gate is under construction. We got there just in time for lunch and there are so many vendors setting up around the perimeter of temple ground. As we walked around checking out all the different vendor’s menus, we ran into our friends who are selling foods there as well. At this point, we pretty much feels some what obligate to support them. Which we did, we ordered some papaya salad, pad thai, grill chickens, and meatballs. They even sell beers at the temple and of course without a permits from the city or county. Most vendors do sell beers, but you have to ask for it. It is not on the menu board for sure.
I almost forgot to take picture before all the foods are gone. I feel kindda bad for drinking beer at the temple and that quilt probably last for few minutes. 🙂
As always, I ordered way too much foods for 2 1/2 people. Everything looks good and it is been awhile since I had some of those foods.
Little princess enjoying her chicken on stick. I tried to remove the chicken off from the stick for her, but she prefer eating it on the stick.
Looking at the main building of Modesto Temple.
I’m not sure who’s behind the architect of this temple. I’ve been to a lot of Lao temple, but this is first time seeing lions part of animal sculptures. It is more common to see at Chinese/Vietnamese temples. Those three little pond looks odd to me.
On the right side of main temple building sit this open structure(Sala).
Under neath that open structure (Sala) laying on its side is giant buddha. You can’t really see it on this picture.
This is better angle to see the open structure.
To the left of the main temple building is this "Sim".
Giant Buddha napping. Looks like he been working out, check out his bicep.
I was lucky enough to witness some folks making the sand stupa.
You'll see all kinds of vendor.
Kids and adults stop by to chit chat with the monks.
The moment of truth..... and... the winner is.. Can anyone guess? Which gal would you guys pick for the winner?
Tough decision? Whoever organize this beauty pageant contest did such horrible job. They kept announcing the wrong names for 2nd and 3rd place finishes. Those gals are horrified up on the stage and just wants it to be over. I stood there for about 20 minutes to take pictures and the winner never smile once.
The runner up is on the left.. This year winner is in the middle(notices she barely crack the smile).. ahah On the right is last year winner.
Over all, it was nice day to spend an afternoon with old friends and families.
First of all, I like to say “Soke Dee Pee Mai” which simply meant “Happy New Year”. I have so many stories to tell and I don’t even know where to begin. As many of you might know that this is not my first trip back to visit Laos. Out of all my trips back to Laos, I never feel this sad about leaving the country. I miss my grandparents, relatives and friends. Five weeks flew by so quick and I wasn’t ready to come back. I wanted to extend my vacation for 2 more weeks. Although I’ve been back for almost a week and I still haven’t yet adjust it back to the U.S. time zone. It is driving me crazy cause I am up all night and sleeping all day.
Here are some of pictures.
another sign about new year sponsors by Tigo and Namkhong Beer
view from 3rd floor of my guesthouse.. even is early in the morning, people are making their runs from temple to temple.
last day of the festival.. they didn't stop til 9pm.
this guy took his whole klan out.. hahhahah
even though she is getting splash with water from left and right... yet, she still manage to pose hahahha
i tried to count to see how many people were on this golf cart.. after 12 i lost count. lol
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