Today's An Asian Day: Thailand Trade Exhibit 2014 Alone and Makchang Dinner with Friends

- March 23, 2014, Saturday.

- Planning today's activities came in as a surprise. I didn't expect to go to SMX today, and have dinner with high school friends until last night. At least I got my first dose of social life right after my Hong Kong conference trip (refer to previous entries.)

- I wasn't able to tag anyone for the Thai trade exhibit, so I went alone.The Thai trade exhibit has been organized by the Royal Thai Embassy for several years now, and I have been visiting the trade fair since 2012; they almost always had the same products, and they always had cultural performances and cooking demos. Hoping to have some sort of photo op with the Thai dancers, I wore my Balinese white Chinese-collar shirt, and my green Korean paji. Strange enough, the combination looked a bit Thai. Just in case I'd get to have a photo with the dancers, I brought along my DIY chain belt and chain sash, with my red cloth sash, to accent my white-and-green Balinese-Korean combo (with a Tibetan/Nepalese bracelet, and a Thai necklace.)

Fruit carving.

Some finger food.

- After arriving at SMX, I realized that the schedule provided in one of the tarps didn't match the actual schedule of the performances. I was able to witness a cooking demo, and afterwards, a Southern Thai fan dance.

Free foooood!! (Thai chicken curry.)

- At around 3pm, I was able to grab a moment with the dancers of the asarva lila (horse dance,) and asked one of the staff to take my photo with them. The asarva lila performed was a modernized version of the ancient horse dance. I assume that the added more western techniques to the execution (based ony my observation.)

Looks like I'm back in Thailand, no?? Hahahaha.

Sawasdee khrap!!

Glad I brought my easy-to-put-on Thai ensemble.

Horsieeee!!

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Making sweet chili fish curry..

- After the cooking demo, another dance was shown - an Isaan harvest-and-fishing dance. The Isaan region is the northeastern region of Thailand, inhabited by a Lao-like culture.

A typical Isaan instrument.

The three guys on the right are doing the famous bull/water-buffalo dance position.

Final pose.

- The dance was followed by a fashion show, showcasing ensembles from items that could be bought within the trade fair. This was my first time to see a fashion show in the event.

Dance intro to the fashion show.

- I left after watching the fashion show, since the program was over for the day, although the event itself closed at 7pm. I ate a really late proper lunch, and did some errands.

- I went to Makchang after my errands to meet some high school friends for a Korean dinner. Makchang only has a few items in its menu, but those that we've tried were tasty; the restaurant is famous for its grilled meat. We had dessert in Robinsons Place afterwards, and came home.

Yay for soju!!

- My day flew by again, although I felt that I was able to spend the day well. Had some good me-time, and a superb night with some good friends.