Adventures In Thailand

Monday, June 10, 2013

Shadows

Hi,

The weekend in Chiang Rai was hot and humid, but without any rain. Tonight (Monday) the wind is whipping around, dark clouds are overhead, and it smells like rain. Hmm, someone's been living in the country too long (555).

Our 'Old School Friday' song was "My Guy" by Mary Wells. Time for an 'Easy Monday' song that I know you'll remember: "You must understand, though the touch of your hand makes my pulse react. That's only the thrill, a boy meeting girl, opposites attract. It's physical, only logical. You must try to ignore that it means more than that. Oh, __ __ __ __ __ __ __? What's love but a second-hand emotion? Hint: This acid queen was a private dancer down at the Nutbush city limits, but became a fool in love. The song is asking a profound musical question. Hmm.

Saturday morning we went over to Overbrook Hospital so Lisa could see her doctor about a problem she is having with her back. The results were not completely satisfactory so we're going to Chiang Mai in the morning to see a chiropractor. It will be an overnight road trip.

Most of the English that we hear is based on Thai sentence structure. It's a form of pidgin and we've come to understand what is being said. That understanding sometimes requires putting in the word that the person meant to say but didn't get exactly right. There are those times when it's very to the point. The other day, while discussing what fruit to buy, Boot exclaimed, "You like, you buy". No mystery there. Another phrase that I'm fond of is the replacement for 'What are you doing?'. It comes out: 'What you do?'. Less words, but the meaning is clear.

Today's photo was taken at Art Bridge last week. Lisa is standing with her bags that are for sale in the gift shop.

Sunday we went to Central Plaza for dinner. We ate at one of the restaurants that offers non-fried food and freshly made ice-tea. While we were eating, I noticed a big screen TV on the far wall. The entire staff and most of the customers were glued to the latest edition of 'Thailand's Got Talent.' It really was like a talent show, with some good stuff and some that was not so good. We found it interesting that every contestant, regardless of the comments from the judges, would wai before leaving the stage. It's a simple gesture that allowed everyone to leave gracefully.

There were a lot of people in the mall and we noticed lots of families. I find it fascinating to see so many teenagers strolling the mall with their parents. Another Hmm.

It's storming outside right now but the house is secure. It's time to pack the bag for the trip. I'm driving this time, so we can stop when we want to and set our own schedule.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,

Danny

"Sometimes life's shadows are caused by
our standing in our own sunshine."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

www.gratidude.blogspot.com

Friday, June 7, 2013

Friday Funnies

Hi,

It's hard to imagine, but it hasn't rained today. Of course, the night is still young and there is thunder in the distance and dark clouds overhead. Hmm. Today we renewed our car registration.

The 'Zany Day' song was "Hey, Hey We're The Monkees" by The Monkees. Nothing more to say (555). Now it's time for another dose of 'Old School Friday' for those who remember. "Nothing you can say can tear me away from __ __. Nothing you could do 'cause I'm stuck like glue to __ __. I'm sticking to __ __ like a stamp to a letter, like birds of a feather we stick together. I can tell you from the start I can't be torn apart from __ __." Hint: Two words describing the person for whom she's feeling great attachment.

When we took the dogs out this morning it was like every morning. BamBam chasing her ball like it's her sole purpose in life, and Daku reluctantly walking over to retrieve his. Lisa finally got Daku running around and he got excited and wanted to play with BamBam. She doesn't really like to play and soundly rejected Daku with a series of growls that he understood right away. They have such distinctly different personalities.

Our morning adventures began at the DMV. When we arrived, the parking lot looked very busy and we thought maybe we picked the wrong day. Inside, there was no line at the registration window. We had taken every document we thought they might want to see, but all they wanted was a form from our insurance company. A few minutes later it was time to pay. When I told Lisa how much it was, in Thai, the woman helping us smiled. We left there very relieved that there were no complications.

At the Healthy Market where we get our fruit, Lisa asked our friend for two Ngoks. She smiled and put two in a bag and then grabbed three more. I guess you just can't eat two. As we were leaving I spotted a rolling coffee shop and had to take a pic. It's quite a little production on wheels.

Weather update: The thunder is overhead making huge, scary sounds and BamBam has managed to insert herself behind two different pieces of furniture so far. Both dogs are now getting soothing attention from Lisa as the thunder moves on to the east, leaving a steady rain as a parting gift.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. Stand by for a 'Funny'.

Peace,

Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Fragrance

Hi,

So far, the rainy season is staying out of our way. It hasn't rained when we had something to do (555). That could change with a breeze. It was basically a quiet day at the Big Brown House, some rain, some sun and a swim.

Easy and silly, exactly what a 'Zany Day' song should be, if you're old enough to remember. They actually had some good tunes over their career as a group. "You know that we want to do what we like to do, the only time we get restless is around something new. __ __ __ __ __ and people say we monkey around..." Clue: The name of the group is in the title of the song. It was a musical introduction that was befitting a Disney production. Oh, did I say that?

This time of year is special because everything that grows seems to flourish from the rain. We live on the edge of town and there are little 'jungles' everywhere. The golf course is lush, and our road looks like it was just carved out of the wilderness. We survived the first night of the flying bugs with no intruders. We could see the aftermath of their frenzy on the deck, and last night they could be heard hitting one of the windows. Kinda creepy, if you have a vivid imagination.

As a result of our trip to the vet, Daku has a pill that he's supposed to take twice a day. Normally, he's so busy gulping down his meals that he never notices the various vitamins in his bowl. For some reason, he does not like the big blue pill and has managed to eat around it twice. The problem has been solved by slipping it inside a small piece of chicken hot dog, which he loves.

This afternoon, when we went to get the chicken hot dogs, I saw a woman on a motorbike with a small child sitting in front of her and a teen on the back. This is quite common. What caught my eye was the small bicycle that the teen was holding on her lap. You do what you have to do. On the same little trip we decided to take a picture of a structure that is a mystery to us, so far. The part with the thatch roof was erected in one day. The building next to it seems to be part of the same project, but it's not for living. It's concrete blocks with a metal roof and door. Hmm, more will be revealed.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,

Danny

"A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers."

~Chinese Proverb

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Gift/Art

Hi,

Chiang Rai is finally getting a tiny bit of relief from the heat. With rain everyday, it has cooled off a few degrees. We had a yard-flooding rain this afternoon and tonight the flying bugs are out. Dinner with a friend at Art Bridge was very good, even with the creatures flying around.

"It's Too Late" was right on time as an 'Easy Monday' tune. Now it's time for some silliness and the 'Zany Day song.

"Here we come, walking down the street. We get the funniest looks from everyone we meet. __, __, __ __ __ and people say we monkey around, but we're too busy singing to put anybody down." Clue: It's a zany song by a group that was 'constructed'. They ended up becoming a cartoon, which they were in real life (555).

The sky looked like it might rain any time, all day. This afternoon we decided to get in a swim before the darkest clouds arrived. The water had cooled over the last two rains, but it was still very refreshing. The wind came up and we cut our swim short. We had to laugh as we watched the clouds being blown away. It did rain later and it created the familiar lakes in the front and back. The water drains quickly, but while it's happening it looks like a disaster.

By late afternoon the bugs were circling above the yard, like a science fiction movie. We knew what was coming and cued the scary music. We were to meet our friend Andrew at Art Bridge at 6:15 for dinner, but that meant we'd have to leave a light on in the house. The bugs are drawn to lights so it adds to the tension. After a deep breath, we closed all the windows and went to dinner.

Every time we go to Art Bridge there is something new to check out. We met the chef tonight, and he was very flexible about improvising on some of his dishes. During dinner we compared notes about our cultural perceptions and how accurate the phrase 'Same Same but Different' really is. As the sun set we could almost sense the growing infestation of the bugs. Swatting them away as we talked became common practice. The staff turn a bunch of lights off to try and help the situation, but it didn't work. After dinner we went into the gallery. Each time we go back I discover a piece I hadn't focused on before.

On our way home we saw people by the side of the road, looking for the flying bugs. The larger ones will be taken home and, well, you know. We even saw a couple on a motorbike riding very slowly, using a flash light in search of this annual 'treat'. When we arrived home, the house was bug free. Whew.

Today's photo is of me holding Jaiya, one of the beautiful twins.

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,

Danny

"Hearing is a gift,
Listening is an art."

~Unknown

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Patient

Hi,

It would appear that the rainy season is knocking at the door. We had another brief, big rain this afternoon.

Looks like we have a bunch of winners with this 'Easy Monday' tune. If you still need help, this verse might do it:

"It used to be so easy living here with you. You were light and breezy and I knew just what to do. Now you look so unhappy, and I feel like a fool. An __ __ __, baby, now __ __ __ though we really did try to make it. Something inside has died and I can't hide and I just can't fake it..." Hint: Really?

Last night we had another rain in the middle of the night. This morning when we looked out, there were big Teak leaves on the lawn. They had been blown over from across the street. It was our good fortune to have a visit from the yard crew later in the morning. They spent the day grooming the whole thing. Now it looks like nothing happened. Their work was interrupted for a time by a heavy downpour. When it slowed to a sprinkle they went back to work. Our banana tree produced little 'babies' and we had one of them planted in another location. They also planted the Jacaranda tree and the two bamboo plants that have been rooting.

We went into town to run a few errands. One of our stops was to see the Watch Guy. He and his wife are big tennis fans so we had a little exchange about that. We ended our excursion with coffee at Doi Chaang and a look through The Bangkok Post. There is so much news that we never know about unless we see the print versions of the English speaking papers. We read the Bangkok Post and The Nation on-line, but there isn't the same depth of coverage. Here in Chiang Rai there are only Thai newspapers so we are among the illiterate.

Whenever a storm comes, we know that BamBam will be looking for a place to hide. It used to be that the thunder sent her running next to me or behind anything she could find. Now, when she hears the rain start she knows that there could be thunder. Today's photo is BamBam sitting behind a bunch of cleaning supplies.

There is one other things that happens at the beginning of the rainy season. The little flying things that look like ants with wings seem to come out for about two nights. Last year we had a major swarm in the kitchen that took a long time to 'remove'. They are drawn to the light, so tonight there are no lights on downstairs. They are viewed as a delicacy by many people and you can see people out on the streets on the nights when they appear, collecting them by the handfuls. We are clearly not from around here. (555)

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,

Danny

"Be patient with yourself.
Self-growth is tender;
it's holy ground.
There's no greater investment."
~Stephen Covey

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Monday, June 3, 2013

Two Things

Hi,

It is still hot here in Chiang Rai, but the rain was a regular visitor over the weekend. In fact, we just had a major storm a little while ago.

'Old School Friday' was "Mustang Sally" and you shoulda known. 'Easy Monday' may be what you need now. Try this:

"Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time, there's something wrong here, there can be no denying. One of us is changing, or maybe we've just stopped trying. And __ __ __, baby now __ __ __ though we really did try to make it..."

Hint: What happens when time has run out?

Friday evening we went to the wine tasting at Le Meridien Resort. Since I was the designated driver, I only had two glasses of Sprite (555). We met an interesting couple who have been here for over 20 years. They help families living with AIDS. We also hung out with the wife of the food manager and learned more about what it's like to be in the hotel business. When one contracts with an international chain, they can move you to other locations when they want to and though there are some preferences you can state, it's their choice. We have met two couples who have lived in many places in a short period of time. Two years in one location is a long stay.

Saturday morning looked like it might rain but it didn't. We drove 30 minutes into the country, to Caty's birthday party. We were the first guests to arrive so we had lots of quality time being with the twin babies. They have been in the world for two months and they are really growing. We had a chance to hold Jaiya and Taeyo. They are non-indentical so it's easy to tell them apart. Their dad, Kobchai, made a delicious coconut soup and some other dishes that we couldn't eat, but the smells were wonderful. We met a few expat moms and their little ones and watched them play in the pool. Oh yes, Saturday was our 5 year anniversary in The Big Brown House.

All around town there are tables and booths selling a very popular fruit that is now in season. It's called 'Ngok Rambutan', or Ngok for short. The 'ng' sound is made in the back of the throat. It's something quite foreign to the western mouth. Here is a photo from our local roadside fruit lady with her display.

Ngok

Sunday afternoon we went to NorThai and hung out with Kay, who owns the place with her husband Martin. They are changing the first floor around and we sat and talked about the value of 'conversation environments' for visitors. I said 'Hi' to Ziggy the fish. We were going to return to the downtown area in the evening for dinner, but decided to stay at home. I spent most of the time learning how to convert video files and burn them to DVD. It was a very mellow evening.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,

Danny

"If you really want to help others,

there are two things you must avoid:

doubt and expectation."

~H.H. Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style