Spring Cleaning

Today's weather was wet and rainy. I like when it rains -- everything is washed by the rainfall, and afterwards the world seems shiny and new. What is the phrase I always hear, "April Showers Bring May Flowers"? I sure hope so. Spring is a beautiful time of year.

Back home in Thailand, this time of year means one thing... The New Year is approaching. Traditional calendars point to April 13th as the start of a new year, and the country still celebrates the traditional new year as a national holiday. (Even though we use the "Gregorian" calendar used by most of the world these days, we still like to observe this tradition of our ancestors). In fact, April 13th through the 15th is when Thailand observes the Songkran festival. Songkran literally means "astrological passage," based on the astrological calendar.

This festival comes at the end of our dry season, the hottest time of year. Looking out my rainy window today in Salt Lake City, it's hard to imagine the sunny heat of Thailand... but I know it's there.

The funnest part about Songkran, especially when you're a kid, is that the festival celebrates water. Historically, water was blessed and poured on the shoulders of our elders as a way to pass on good fortune. Also, this was the time of year that images of the Buddha would be cleaned, as well as the whole house (not unlike what we call "spring cleaning" here in America). But as time went on, the celebration of water has expanded to the point that people pour it into our streets and onto each other. Kids play with garden hoses and water guns and soak each other -- and unfortunate passers-by. Anywhere you go on Songkran, you can expect to be totally soaked by the time you get there. This water represents cleaning and washing away the bad to get ready for the new. Sometimes, the elders get mad that kids take this symbolism too lightly and use the festival as an excuse to ambush the dry... but it's all in good fun.

So when I look out the window today and see that April's showers are moving in, I think to myself that the earth is preparing for Songkran. Spring is a new beginning for grass and trees and flowers. It makes sense that spring is traditionally the first season of the new year, because everything seems new again. I can't wait to see what the coming days will bring for all of us.

Will You Be Our Valentine?

     Hello, curry-lovers. As you know, Valentines' Day is just around the corner, and you might be scrambling to make plans and reservations. Have you considered ordering our fantastic curry? Ekamai offers take-out and delivery to make your Valentines' dinner easy and affordable.

      Why take-out, you ask? Think about it. Every couple in the city is going to be clamoring for service at restaurants across the Valley, flooding every dining room and lobby. It's noisy, crowded, and the service is slow. Doesn't sound very romantic to me! But if you order our delicious Thai food, you can have a quiet, close evening at home with your lover. No noise, no rush – no problem.

      This Tuesday, we'll be serving some great favorites, including:

Mussamun Curry Beef

Curry paste with coconut milk, potato, carrot, onion, & peanut

Yellow Curry Chicken

Curry paste with coconut milk, potato, carrot, & onion

Panang Curry Beef

Curry paste with coconut milk, zucchini, pea, bell pepper, & lime leaf

Pad Pa Ram

Steam mix vegetables served with peanut sauce

Pad Cashew Nut Beef

Stir fried beef with cashew nut, onion, green onion, mushroom carrot, & dry chilli

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Stir fried chicken w/ tomato paste, zucchini, pineapple, bell peper, carrot, corn,

tomato, & mushroom

     So give us a call at (801)-363-2717 and let us take care of you with a delicious Thai dinner that's sure to make your Valentines' Day a special one (candles and rose petals not included).

Valentines' Day in Thailand

      Did you know that Valentines' Day is also celebrated in Thailand? It's true! It is called วันวาเลนทน์ (“wan waa-len-taai”) and is a very popular celebration with the local lovebirds. Boys buy flowers and dolls for their sweethearts, and girls give chocolate and other small gifts. This celebration is not only for romantic couples – many give out tokens of appreciation to family and friends as a way of saying “I love you.” Shops and malls are decorated with balloons, stuffed animals, and flowers.

      One of the most interesting Valentine traditions in Thailand is getting married in the Bangkok district of Bang Rak, because “bang rak” can be translated to mean “area of love.” Newlyweds believe this is a very fitting beginning for their marriage. As early as 4 am, couples will start lining up outside the municipal office and wait their turn. As many as 1,500 couples will tie the knot in this way! It is no exaggeration to say that on February 14^th, love is in the air over Thailand.

     Ekamai wishes you a happy Valentines' Day full of love and friendship. If you are looking for a great way to say “I love you,” stop by and order some of our delicious curry to take home. You can enjoy a quiet evening with the ones you love, eating food you will all enjoy. As the old saying goes, “The quickest way to the heart is through the stomach.” And luckily, you won't have to wait in line with 1,500 newlyweds to order some!