March of the Penguin Suit

That's me.  Donned in dapper.  Dressed to kill.  Turning heads and saving lives.  Well...maybe not the saving lives part.

But you guessed it!  I'm in a tuxedo, or as some Thai people call it: a "body suit."

Every year in the month of June there is a big parade/procession in the town the school is located, Mahachai.  All of the schools, programs and even some companies in the province of Samut Sakhon march through the streets to promote themselves and celebrate.  The streets are endlessly lined with locals: from 6-month-old babies to 85 year old grandma's.  Everyone and their mother -- and grandmother -- is there.

I was informed about a week before that this was happening and that I would be fitted for a tuxedo.  First I was told that I would be modelling.  I got the idea it was some kind of catwalk or something indoors.  NO.  Then I found out it was going to be outside in the late afternoon.  That was some kind of misunderstanding on my part because just the day before I discovered that, not only would it be outside, it would be at 2pm in the afternoon on one of the hottest days of the year!  And I'd be walking 10 kilometers (approx 6.2 miles) to boot!!

The cherry on top was when I was told, "Oh, and the teacher who did it last year passed out from heat exhaustion -- AND HE WAS FROM KENYA."  What??!!!  If a Kenyan can pass out from this heat, I'm SCREWED!

Nevertheless, being the trouper that I am, I carried through.

That morning we had to drill the formation and who was doing what exactly.  This is me thinking of what's to come...

The school wanted me at the very front of the formation.  They had one of their Thai teachers dressed in traditional attire, me in my "traditional" attire (if you consider a tux Anglo-American traditional) and a Chinese teacher.  Behind us were the signs and most of the faculty.  Tyler 1 joined in the ranks and took most of the pictures throughout the day.  Gotta give him props.

We arrived at a large temple lot where everyone was waiting to start.  Let me stress again: IT WAS HOT.  The heavy, non-breathing, black tux only exacerbated the already wonderful warmth I was feeling.

Here's a video that shows you how lively it was in preparation for the parade.  You really get the contrast between me and local culture.

When Tyler 1 and I got there, we were greeted by the management and faculty.  Being that they never see a foreigner in a tux, I was quite the showcase.  Everyone wanted their picture with me.  The students.  The dean and manager.  The Thai teachers.  The Chinese teachers.  It was celebrity status.

There was an old temple right behind us.  After entering, we were warmly greeted by a friendly, young monk. He showed us around a little and we got a picture with him.  It's hard to tell, but he's smiling -- it's a humble smile.

From inside the temple.  They had all this great natural light coming through.

Then "The March" started.  And while it didn't end up being 10 kilometers, it was still a hellavu trek.  Fortunately, there are assistants constantly handing you wet towels, water, electrolytes and all manner of food and candy, so you definitely stay fueled.  It was really an experience.  Here are some shots from along the journey.

Heading out into the street.

There were all kinds of cool sights throughout the day. 

Here was a group of women in traditional attire.  Look closely.  The woman in the foreground clearly likes her watermelon. 

Throughout the 2-3 hours of walking, Thai people were constantly saying hello, waving, greeting me with smiles.  They were all extremely amicable.  I was constantly bombarded with heavily-accented "Hello!", "I love you!", "Good afternoon teacher!"  And when I acknowledged them, they would get giddy with glee.  It was hysterical. 

Tyler 1 shot a video of me about 2 hours into the walk.  I was definitely feeling it. 

It did finally end.  Needless to say, I was drenched in my own sweat and my feet were on fire.  Boy did it feel good to get out of that tux.  

The school was grateful and said I could take a 3-week paid vacation for my dedicated service -- NOT.  I wish.  It definitely was great promotion for the school though.  They were very pleased to have us and were happy that I didn't pass out.  I felt pretty good.  I lasted longer than a native Kenyan.  I must have good blood :)

Here are some other shots from throughout the day.  

Hope you enjoyed.  Until next time!