When you pick up a new vehicle here you will, if you follow tradition, take it to a monk to be blessed and for a chant or two wishing the occupants safe journeys. Off we went early this morning to see the head monk at a temple about fifteen minutes down the road. When we arrived, Mrs. Thaiturkey told me that this particular monk was family and he would do extra blessings for us. Thoughtful though that was, my heart sank. These guys are a bit to handy with talcum paste and the thought of more of it than usual was not a good one.
With some assistance, he added garlands and chanted with string wrapped around the car. Then he set to with the talcum paste. We don't wipe the stuff off because that would, of course, be bad luck. Fortunately, most of the artwork was on the outside of the car where the rains will remove it before too long. Car washing is out of the question because that would be deliberate removal. That on the headlining, steering wheel boss and instrument cowl will remain there until I accidentally rub it off - very soon.
With some assistance, he added garlands and chanted with string wrapped around the car. Then he set to with the talcum paste. We don't wipe the stuff off because that would, of course, be bad luck. Fortunately, most of the artwork was on the outside of the car where the rains will remove it before too long. Car washing is out of the question because that would be deliberate removal. That on the headlining, steering wheel boss and instrument cowl will remain there until I accidentally rub it off - very soon.
