Inside

Hi,

Chiang Rai had the same weather today as yesterday.  You know the story by now.  Hot and more hot is how we do it.

This week’s ‘Easy Monday’ song seems to have caught some of you off guard.  Here’s a little more to remind you:

“Sweet days of summer, the jasmine’s in bloom.  July is dressed up and playing her tune.  And I come home from a hard day’s work, and you’re waiting there, not a care in the world….. __ __, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine of my mind….”  Hint:  It was sung by what was basically a modern folk duo.  The song has had tons of cover versions.  It would be nice to have the title of this song blowing through Chiang Rai this evening.

This was a day to remember.  I spread my wings a bit and left the nest.  We had lunch at The Wanderer.  Lisa drove  while Blue and I heckled.  It was all in fun and the laughter only hurt for a moment.  On the way I got a quick look at the project down the road.  I can describe it in one word: horrible.  So far, there have only been four houses on our Soi and then they build this bunker.  That’s the best description of the concrete-block structure with it’s back turned to the road.  To grasp the whole impact, we’ll have to take a photo.  Early in our residency here, it became obvious that there seems to be no zoning laws when it comes to building.  If you have the land you can build whatever you want, regardless of the ‘tone’ of the neighborhood.  If this were a residential structure it wouldn’t be so bad, but it’s clearly for some other function besides a family dwelling.  The little shanty village further down has more charm than the bunker.  Ok, rant over.

When we arrived at The Wanderer there was a handful of cars in the lot.  Walking slowly down the entrance path we were greeted by a colorful parrot.  There were a few couples scattered in the woods having coffee.  The T-shirt that the staff wears says:  The Wanderer, Cafe in the Woods.  We ask them to seat us inside, where it seemed a little cooler.  Lisa and I had a delicious chicken dish and Blue had the apple pancakes.  I meant to bring some of those home with me (555).  Khun Noocha, the older daughter, joined us and told us about how things have been during the first week.  Based on the photos people have posted on Facebook, the place has been very busy.  It is becoming a destination for coffee, food and photos.  

Today’s photo was taken at The Wanderer.  This beautiful creature lives there.

Tonight is Cat’s Prom.  She and a few friends went to a salon in the afternoon to have their hair and make-up done, and then dressed for the evening.  Lisa took Cat and a classmate to the hotel.  They took some photos and I’ll just say it’s a long way from how they looked in their school uniforms.  This is their ‘Grown Up’ night.  

Living here has taught us many things.  One of those things is how to approach situations with individuals so they don’t have to lose ‘face’.  Its a very big thing in this part of the world.  When someone makes a mistake, we try to find a way to relate the issue by asking for their help, rather than blaming them.  It becomes an exercise in tact and compassion.  Good lessons to learn.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

                 Peace,

                           Danny

“Happiness is your nature.

It is not wrong to desire it.

What is wrong is seeking it 

outside when it is inside.”

~Sri Ramana Maharshi