Tonight is the big party we've been hearing about all week. There's going to be dance and traditional music performances by the kids and a Thai style barbecue. It was described to me several times, but not until I actually saw it did I understand what this was. Each table had a large stone pot full of glowing coals in the middle and on top a large aluminum bowl with a raised section on the middle. The meat is cooked in the middle, then the "moat" is filled with water and vegetables and some noodles. As the meat cooks, the juices drip down onto the water and make it into a broth with the veges. These are occasionally fished out with chopsticks and added to your bowl along with some meat and noodles and gobbled up. The process repeats over and over all night long. Luckily, we are paired up with a couple of the older women who work at joys house and they run the show and keep the food coming. One of them has a 6 pack of Chang beer stashed under the table and keeps me supplied throughout the meal.
As we are eating, the performances from the kids entertain and amaze us. The show was awesome. Beautiful costuming and traditional Thai dancing and music entertains as well as educates. Toward the end, a group of kids busts out some street dancing moves to a Justin Beiber song. Most of them are still wearing the shades I handed out earlier today. This puts a smile on my face.
The music plays on and the guests are invited to join in on the dance party with ABBA's Dancing Queen. I try to use my "photographer" creds to get me out of this, but am forced to join on if only for a moment or two. They wrap up the night with a lottery gift exchange and awards for all the workers and volunteers. We head back to our room bellies full, hearts warmed, and super grateful to have been part of such a wonderful experience.
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