Hi,
To all my American friends, wherever you are, Happy Thanksgiving. Over here in Thailand we seem to need an excuse to have turkey. It's a rare item and not on any menus that I know of, so today we celebrate. (555)
Only one person has responded to the 'Zany Day' song. Christopher knew it, what about you? Here's a telling verse:
"I cooked your food, I cleaned your house, and this is how you pay me back for all my kind, unselfish, loving deeds, Hah? Well you just wait, they'll find you yet and when they do they'll put you in the ASPCA you mangey mutt!" And
__ __ __ __ __ __, __ __." Hint: Zany nuttiness about what happened when someone ran off. Hmm.
This morning I made two runs to the Healthy Market to get potatoes. We were making Lisa's famous mashed potatoes made with coconut milk for dinner at Gary's. The first stall I went to had smallish spuds and it wasn't quite enough so I went for more. Lisa did the seasoning, I did the mashing and we both did some sampling. They were delicious with chicken gravy. We decided we should watch a little Stargate, take a nap and eat more potatoes. She coined the term 'House Potatoes'.
There were lots of guests already at Gary and Baan's when we arrived. We knew a few of them and met new people. The men were sitting at the dining table and the women were in another area of the patio. All of the men were expats from England, America, and Sweden. The women were all Thai. Lisa sat with the men since there was a conversation that was understandable. There was some history relating to the American event called Thanksgiving, and the fact that there are similar celebrations around the world relating to harvests, and seasons. The turkey was delicious, as were the string beans and mashed potatoes. We were done eating when more guests arrived with corn and other things. That was the afternoon party. There was also an evening dinner but one was enough today.
We actually spent most of our time talking with a man we met at Gary's another time. His name is Joakim and he's from Sweden. He and his wife operate a coffee house/spa that we go to sometimes. One of our conversations centered around a bicycle that I photographed in front of his place. I knew it was his because he is a collector of things with two wheels. He explained that in England, in the late 1800s, the streets of London were very narrow. There was a strong network of fire hydrants, but it was often difficult for firetrucks to use them. Sometimes hoses were carried by hand to the hydrants. Then came the bicycle that you see in the photo. It was made by the same company that later built BSA motorcycles. The one Joakim has is a copy he bought in Bangkok. What? He told me there are two originals left and they're in California. The first ones were black, which probably looked really cool.
Fire Hose Bike
I forgot to mention that Jago was at the party. It was the first time we had been to 'his house' since we've known him. He was so excited to see us, especially Lisa. Once he got over his excitement they let him stay out of his cage and he relaxed in the conversation area with the women. Such a boy.
Before going home, we stopped by Natty's family's restaurant to look at the new shirts that came in and discuss the project. Some of the elephant shirts have sold already. Lisa is working on new designs and Natty is setting up a display with her jewelry and the T-shirts. It's all getting very exciting.
There is a Chinese community center down the street from the restaurant and every year about this time, they have a big fundraising auction. Right in the middle of the street, there is a stage, complete with giant music speakers and lights. On either side of the street there are booths going up for food vendors and games. It's like a street carnival. Saturday or Sunday night, or both, the street will be closed and a whole range of items will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Natty pointed out several large inlaid carvings on the walls that she has purchased over the years.
Tomorrow will be a routine kind of day and the Saturday we will go to another afternoon Thanksgiving dinner. More turkey, yea.
Have a Thrilling Thursday.
Peace,
Danny
inside. It is as though something inside your body responds and
says, yes, this is how I ought to feel."
~Harold Kushner
Gettin' Funky, Thai Style
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