August 13 was the Queen of Thailand's birthday. They royal family here is a big deal, a very big deal, the very biggest deal! Auspicious occasions such as the King or Queen's birthday are national holidays with performances and celebrations in every community and village in the country. In Bangkok of course, it all happens on a larger scale. Thus, it was a huge honour and great opportunity when the Falun Dafa group in Thailand was accepted to perform for Her Majesty's birthday at Sanam Luang, the royal grounds. The hour-long performance was to show case ancient Chinese culture, since that's Dafa's roots, and the beauty of the practice, rather than the persecution. We also happen to have a number of professional performers and artists among the refugee practitioners from China.

I learned all of this when I returned from Canada. I also learned that they were short one fairy for a fairy dance and was somehow convinced that I could be transformed into a celestial beauty. After overcoming the daily frustration of coaxing cooperating of my two left feet, the miraculous transformation occurred.

The performance was a huge triumph! After our singing, drumming, dancing and flag choreography we were all called back on stage for applause and photos with the officials. Perhaps we got our message through: please don't arrest us, applaud for us.

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