Adventures In Thailand

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Gratitude

Hi,

Morning low clouds made for perfect weather for a doggie play-date. We searched the town for a special gift, and we have two invitations for Thanksgiving dinners next week.

The current 'Zany Day' song has lots of friends. Looks like another easy one. Here's the second verse, just for fun:

"The telephone is ringing I say, 'Hi, it's me who is it there on the line?' A voice says, 'Hi, hello, how are you?' Well I guess I'm doin' fine. He says it's three a.m., there's too much noise, don't you people ever wanna go to bed? Just 'cause you feel so good, do you have to drive me out of my head? I said, Hey! You! __ __ __ __ (x2)..." Hint: Somebody wants to be left alone.

When Gary and Jago arrived this morning I could tell that he was ready to play. He knows our street and the gate. Just as he was getting off of the motorbike Daku came racing around the corner of the house. His buddy was here. They did a little dance and then tore out into the yard, hardly able to contain themselves. They would run, wear themselves out, take breaks and then start all over. BamBam still has her initial attack behavior and must be on a leash for the first few minutes. After that she's just happy to be running around chasing the ball. Jago runs after her, trying to get her to play but she still ignores him. While they played, Gary and I sat on the porch and talked. We had a great time discussing expats who come to Thailand and create new identities.

We had to go back to Makro this morning, but since it was later than usual, they were out of chicken. That meant a run to the Healthy Market. On the way we stopped at Big C and Sinthanee. We've been scouring the local shops looking for a specific electronic gift for some friends and it has been a real hunt. We finally decided to try again after lunch.

After a good meal and some rest we were ready to hit the streets again. We had to go to Bus Station street to visit the health food store so we started on the block with the electronic supply stores. One store was full of all the LEDs that we see on the cars, trucks and bikes. They had remotes, home phones and all the tiny little things that make bigger things work. When we asked about our product the woman went on and on in Thai, explaining something. Finally she gave us a phone number to call. Hmm. Down the street we asked again and this time the owner of the store wrote down the name of the shop we should go to. We went to our friend Chalit's studio and he took us the short distance to a shop that was filled with what we wanted. He asked the right questions and we got the perfect gift, with a discount.

Time now for a Random Chiang Rai photo. Our visual interlude is the Clock Tower during the nightly light show.

The holiday of Loy Krathong will be celebrated on the 28th of November, but the fireworks have been going on for two weeks. They seem to be building in intensity each night. It's mostly things that make a lot of noise when you least expect it. Not cool, but something that I've adjusted to for the most part. BamBam responds as if it were thunder.

As we get closer to the date we'll revisit the celebration and it's meanings. For now, cover your ears.

Next Thursday we will be going to Gary and Baan's house for an American Thanksgiving. This has even more meaning when one considers the fact that Gary is English and Baan is Thai. They have an American friend who is hosting the party at their house. They always have great gatherings and we're looking forward to turkey.

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving we're going to another dinner that will be pot-luck. This one will be full of Americans and other nationalities. We had dinner with the same crew last year and it was fabulous. Our friends Caty and Kobchai are hosting this one. It will also be a reunion for a lot of folks who have been away and have returned.

Sporting alert: This weekend will be the inaugural Formula One GP at the new Austin, Texas racing complex. You really should check it out. We'll be watching a recording since it will air in the early morning here.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,

Danny

"As we express our gratitude,
we must never forget that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words, but to live by them."
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Nothing

Hi,

Today was a cloudy Wednesday. All day it kept looking like it might rain, then the sun would shine, then more clouds. Under all of that I had a massage, we had a long visit from the pool guys, and a Big C run. Pretty mellow day.

The 'Easy Monday' song was "A Hard Day's Night" by The Beatles. Cool movie too. On to our 'Zany Day' song. I certainly hope you remember this one: "I live in an apartment on the ninety-ninth floor on my block. And I sit at home looking out the window, imagining the world has stopped. Then in flies a guy who's all dressed up like a union jack and says I've won five pounds if I have his kind of detergent pack. I said, 'Hey! You! __ __ __ __ (repeat 2 times) Don't hang around 'cause two's a crowd..." Hint: It came from across the pond, and it refers to something in the sky. Hmm.

This morning we did the usual dog exercising. We have discovered that Daku responds differently when I throw the ball than when Lisa does it. He runs harder and seems to want to from the moment he knows it's his turn. As soon as BamBam brings the ball back, Daku starts pulling. It has made it easier to ensure that he's getting his morning workout. Tomorrow Daku has a play-date with Jago.

We have been doing a lot of walking this week. Some of it has been over irregular terrain and, not being a hiker, I have felt the effort afterwards. Today I decided to let Khun Joy just give me a massage and not point out anything specific. It turns out I didn't have to. She found everything that was tight and gave it a little 'attention'. Came home feeling like mush but not too sore.

The pool guys were at the house when I returned, and they seemed to be involved in a big project behind the waterfall. Later, Boot told us that they were cleaning out the surge tank. It's a big concrete tank under ground and it sends water to the filter. There has been an accumulation of leaves and flowers and they shouldn't be there. The cold water in the pool looks good and it's time to be brave and squeeze into the wetsuits for a swim.

The large shopping stores are best visited early in the day, for easy parking and plenty of stock. Our trip to Big C today was late morning and it was decidedly more crowded than we're used to. We got some of what we went for and managed to get home close to lunch time. During our travels we determined that today had been designated 'Stupid Driving Day'. From one side of town to the other, and back, we encountered tons of stupid driving. Bad decisions, lack of decision, and of course the classic: 'Leap before you Look'. We stayed in for the rest of the day.

This afternoon we had a really cool Skype call with our friends Louise and Jesper, in Denmark. Some of you may remember that they stayed with us last year. They just had a baby boy who decided to arrive early. His name is Rasmus and he and his parents are all living at the hospital until he can go home. It was great to talk with them and hear about the baby. All of their posts on Facebook are in Danish so we miss the conversations.

It's time for another Random Bangkok Photo. This one was taken on the ticket platform of the SkyTrain. When you need to handle your legal affairs you can do it on the run. (or is it rail?)

Full Service Law Office

Those clouds that hung around all day decided to let go this evening. We've had another nice dose of water that should last until the weekend.

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,

Danny

"Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

~Shakespeare

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Enemy

Hi,

This morning we had a little rain storm. I think it caught a lot of people by surprise, judging by what they were wearing on their motorbikes. The weather was great for our afternoon trip to New Life Foundation. Tonight we baked cookies. Yea.

So far only two people have named the 'Easy Monday' song. Here's the bridge, the part with the cowbell. So easy:

"When I'm home everything seems to be right. When I'm home feeling you holding me tight, tight, yeah. It's been

__ __ __ __, and I've been working like a dog...." Clue: I don't know why you don't remember this. It's not hard at all.

We managed to get the dogs out for their exercise just in time. I had returned from taking Lisa to her massage when I heard a familiar sound. It was the rain and it was coming down heavy. We're happy for the rain, especially when we don't have to do things in it.

When we were at Doy Din Dang pottery last week we bought some small plates. Lisa asked Boot to use them for our meals. The idea was to force her to give us smaller portions. So far it's working, but it hasn't prevented her from cooking the same amounts as before. Today she cooked a lunch that was big enough for five people. We had enough left over for Lisa and me to have a nice dinner. The plan is working and the plates are beautiful. (Photo later)

This afternoon we took Mari out to New Life Foundation for her three day stay. Lisa had never been there so we all took the tour when we got there. It is a very peaceful place and I can see how it could be very refreshing. There is an early morning yoga, a silent, 'mindful' breakfast, afternoon meditation and yoga, swimming and working in the gardens. Anyway, I will bring Mari back with me after my Friday session and she leaves for India on Saturday.

Closer to home, there is an evening restaurant that has fascinated me for some time. In the day time the space is part of a parking lot. When the sun goes down it becomes a popular eatery. I finally got photos showing day and night.

Everything that you see in the bottom photo has to be set up every time they open for business. They used to bring potted bushes to make a border on the front. Someday we'll have to stop and check out the menu. If it weren't for eating next to the busy traffic, it might be fun.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,

Danny

"When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you."

~African Proverb

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Monday, November 12, 2012

Destiny

Hi,

We've been having perfect weather for traveling around our town as tourists. It's been a busy weekend, hitting various points of interest, showing Mari where we live.

The 'Old School Friday' song was "Try A Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding. 'Easy Monday' should be a snap:

"It's been __ __ __ __, and I'd been working like a dog. It's been __ __ __ __, I should be sleeping like a log. But when I get home to you I find the things that you do will make me feel alright." Hint: One is shorter and one is longer since the time change on the west coast. Hmm, what's he talking about?

Saturday morning we took Mari to the downtown market. We strolled down the main aisles and ducked into some of the less traveled alleys as well. There is always something new to see, with each turn. During our travels we spotted a woman selling lanterns and we bought four. We thought it would be a fun to do while Mari was here.

Lisa and Mari went to lunch with our friend Sutheera. In the evening we met Chalit and Amber at Sawadee restaurant in the Night Bazaar and had a great dinner. After dinner we decided to go up to 'Walking Street', which was two blocks away. We braved the crush of humanity and actually did some gift shopping. Mari found some gifts to take home and we got started on our holiday shopping list. We hadn't been to Walking Street in months. It's nice when company comes, it gets us out of the house (555).

Sunday morning Lisa and I went to Makro early and stocked up on essentials. We took the food home, picked up Mari and drove up the highway to Ban Dam. This is a huge art installation created by Thawan Duchanee, a National Artist who is a Chiang Rai local. He has created buildings with unique roof-lines, stone gardens, and things that are hard to describe. There is a lake on the property and there are two black swans and two white ones. We also saw three horses grazing. To see what we saw click the link: http://thawan-duchanee.com/index-eng.htm

Our next stop was the mixed Hill Tribe Village a little farther north. I have been there many times and this time things looked a little depressed. I'm not sure what has happened, but it didn't have the same energy as in the past. It was still neat to see some of the costumes and walk through the forest from village to village.

In the evening we decided to launch our 'lanterns' into the night sky. This is done by lighting a ring shaped material at the base of the lantern that burns slowly. As the heat from the fire rises into the paper lantern, it becomes lighter-than-air and takes off. Tatt joined us and we went out on the front lawn to play. We had the small size lanterns and once they lifted off, we could watch their entire flight. We laughed a lot and had fun.

We have 'Lift-off'

Earlier in the day Tatt and Boot went to his school for 'Parents Day'. Tatt is still the top student at his school and tested in the top 8% nationally. I guess all those hours studying in his room are paying off.

Today we went to the Hill Tribe Museum and learned a lot about our friends and neighbors. When you come to town it will be on the list of places to go. The museum is very involved in the fair treatment and representation of the Hill Tribe people.

This afternoon we went to Le Meridien to take in the ambience. We ended up having drinks by the river. I had the best mango drink ever. While we were sitting, watching the river flow, I noticed a bunch of little-boy monks across from us. All we could see were their orange robes and then we'd see a little fire, and then a loud 'pop'. They were playing with fireworks, just being boys.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,

Danny

"To grow, you must be willing to let your present and future,
be totally unlike your past.
Your history is not your destiny."
~Alan Cohen

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

www.gratidude.blogspot.com

Friday, November 9, 2012

Friday Funnies

Hi,

The morning sky was crystal clear, but by evening there was a light shower. We spent the morning on tour, Daku got a bath. and we went out for dinner.

The 'Zany Day' song you were wondering about was "The Leader of the Pack" by The Shangri Las. Time now for another installment of 'Old School Friday'. "Oh, she may be weary. Them young girls they do get weary, wearing that same old shaggy dress, yeah yeah. But when she gets weary __ __ __ __, yeah yeah." Clue: I think this should be Easy Friday (555)

Today we took Mari to see Wat Rong Khun. If you come to visit we will take you too. It's one of the sights of Chiang Rai that must be seen. I have raved about this temple before and if you've never Googled it, do it. There are tons of links to photographs of this unique project.

This afternoon I drove out to New Life for another session with the residents. Before we got started there was a conversation about the hazards of weeding a pineapple patch without gloves. Apparently there are little sharp things on the big spear-like leaves that grow out of the top of the plant. Now you know. Next Tuesday Mari is going to New Life and spend three days as a guest. She will participate in yoga and meditation sessions and experience the 'community life'.

Tonight we went to Vivien House for dinner. They recently moved the restaurant to the upstairs of the house and we were the first guests of the evening. They have a big menu with lots of things that we can eat. Tonight I had grilled chicken with orange sauce and it was yummy. I think we may be going there more often.

For the weekend I'm leaving you with another random Bangkok photo that we couldn't resist. While at K-Village we came upon this baby carriage with 5 little dogs, all wearing clothes. Nothing more to be said.

Buggy Dogs

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. Stick around for the 'Funnies'.

Peace,

Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Feed

Hi,

Today was a very special day. We spent most of the morning in a forest north of town, and we got the first printings of the 'Chiang Rai T-shirts' with Lisa's art.

It's nice to know so many of you remembered the 'Zany Day' song. Here is the second verse as the plot thickens:

"My folks were always putting him down (down, down). They said he came from the wrong side of town. (Whatch mean when ya say that he came from the wrong side of town?) They told me he was bad, but I knew he was sad. That's why I fell for __ __ __ __ __." Hint: This whole thing doesn't end well. Two wheels on a rainy night. 'Look out'.

This morning we drove north of town to Doi Din Dang Pottery. We wanted Mari to see Khun Somluk's work and the environment he and his wife have created. There were no other visitors when we arrived and we strolled quietly through the buildings and paths until we reached the coffee shop. A little later Somluk appeared and we began what would be a very long visit and a guided tour of the property. We talked about the Art Bridge Project and some of the promotional plans. He took us into his gallery and his workshop. At every stop we learned a little more about what he does, and who he is. In the gift shop he explained how the colors are created. The black color on some of the cups and plates is the result of putting red dirt on the object before it is 'fired'. The heat brings out the iron oxide and that creates the black color. All of the colors in his work have been created from nature, mostly from different kinds of ash. It was mind boggling. There is a little forest behind his work buildings and it has all grown over twenty years. He planted a few trees and let the land revive itself. It was a very special experience.

The contrast of going from the quiet forest to Big C was abrupt. We did some essential shopping and then crossed the highway and went to Central Plaza for lunch. When we arrived there was a big event going on in the center area. It looked to be a health fair and one man was the center of attention. We later found out he is a popular TV star.

This evening we went into town to show Mari the Clock Tower Light Show. It only lasts for five minutes but it's very beautiful. From there we went to Khun Natty's family restaurant to see the samples of the T-shirts. We finally have the right combination with digital printing on soft shirts. It will now be a matter of getting the supply of shirts we need. Here is one of the designs that Lisa has created. The elephants are actually printed on a white shirt.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,

Danny

"Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death."

~Unknown

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style