Flags

This is the main street near to where I live. I took this photo at 3pm when normally it's fairly busy. But today, everything's at a standstill. There's flags at half-mast along every street and people seem to be staying inside.

A week of mourning has been declared from tomorrow when the king-father's body returns from China. Thousands are expected to line the streets from the airport to the Royal Palace so I'll get on my bike and take a look at that. The funeral won't be for a while though. His body's going to be laid out for three months in the palace before being cremated. Normally cremation's happen the next day but I guess his is a special case. Just hope they give him a good embalming.

I've not done much today except mooch. Have found the atmosphere these past few days really heavy. It's made me realise how different things are here on many levels. Not just the heat and the noise and the language. But the atmosphere too. Which I tend to be quite sensitive to. So this week is a slower one. Time to observe, pray and gently find my way. And learn to play the ukulele which is bringing much light relief.