Adventures In Thailand

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Peace

Hi,

Today it rained. We had about half a day of steady, medium rain that soaked everything. That was the big news at The Big Brown House today.

Just in case you weren't one of the many who remembered this 'Zany Day' song, here's the last verse.

"The motor cooled down, the heat went down and that's when I heard that highway sound. A Cadillac a-sittin' like a ton of lead a hundred and ten, a half a mile ahead. The Cadillac lookin' like it's sittin' still and I caught __ at the top of the hill. __, why can't you be true? ...." Hint: The artist is a true original, the subject of the song has been confused with eye make-up. Hmm.

When we lived in America we became very fond of hummingbirds. We had a feeder by our kitchen window and would watch as they came and 'refueled'. We even got to know some of their personalities. Living in Thailand, we have no hummingbirds. They are exclusive to North and South America. There is a bird, however, that got our attention not long after we moved here. It is called the Greater Coucal. When we lived in Gatong Village, in the rental house, we would hear a sound that reminded us of some kind of ape. We found out that the creature making the eerie, hooting sound was a bird. They are about the size of a raven, mostly dark brown with deep orange wings. There are large Rain Trees in the area where we live now, and the Greater Coucals like to perch in the big trees where they can look down and locate prey. We've been told that they eat insects and snakes. We often hear them in the corn field next door. There is no other sound like hearing 5 or 6 of them in a tree, all hooting. Today's photo is a Greater Coucal in one of our trees by the waterfall.

Things are slowly returning to normal around here. Rudi is back from his motorcycle touring adventure and tomorrow Cat will return from Bangkok. We are getting a preview of the winter season as the air has been cooler all day today. When one sees an abundance of long-sleeved shirts at Big C, and jackets on the racks of roadside vendors, you know what's coming.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,

Danny

"Peace is possible.
Each moment that one individual chooses peace inside,
the whole of humanity moves forward.
We each have the ability and responsibility
to become peacemakers in our daily lives."
~John Morton

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

http://vimeo.com/76916578

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Awareness

Hi,

Chiang Rai had another day with a strange looking sky. It was like rain was a possibility, with a odd color mixed in for good measure. The forecasts are the usual mix of confusing statements, but they ultimately agree that it's going to rain. Afternoon winds have also been part of the equation for the last two days, but they bring nothing. (555)

Our 'Easy Monday' song was "Addicted to Love" by Robert Palmer. Here's a 'Zany Day' tune you may remember:

"As I was motivatin' over the hill, I saw __ in a Coupe de Ville. A Cadillac a-rollin' on the open road, nothin' will outrun my V8 Ford. The Cadillac doin' 'bout ninety-five. She's bumper to bumper rollin' side by side. __, why can't you be true? Oh __, why can't you be true? You've started back doin' the things you used to do. Hint: Title is a woman's name, and she seems to have a need for speed.

Cool mornings are perfect for doggie play. Even though Daku sometimes has a wandering attention span, he was fairly active today. The grass is at a chewable length so he and BamBam take 'breaks' to do a little grazing. Today's photo shows the dogs taking a 'moment' at the same time.

It had been a couple of weeks since we'd been to Makro. This morning's shopping trip was a restocking adventure. One of the interesting things we noticed was the lower prices for chicken. Usually, when the price of something goes up, it doesn't come down. Whatever the reason, it was a welcome reduction. There didn't seem to be any shortages on the shelves so that means the roads from Bangkok are clear and goods are moving our way.

There has been rain in Bangkok and one of our friends posted some photos of rising water. It's not at a dangerous level, but it's not draining. So odd that we're hoping for a little rain to water things, and other parts of the country are hoping for clearing skies.

The Sold Project is celebrating 5 years with a new, updated video about the history and success of their work with at-risk children here in the Chiang Rai area. This project is very dear to us, as you know, so click on the link and learn more.

This evening we completed the last of our travel arrangements for our Winter visit to the U.S. It won't happen until December, but we've learned that the earlier the better when it comes to travel plans.

It's time for Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,

Danny

"Let us not look back in anger,
nor forward in fear,
but around us in awareness."
~James Thurber

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Gardeners

Hi,

Under a strange, hazy sky we went on a road trip to immigration. It was nice to get out and enjoy the countryside.

A lot of you were quick with a response to the 'Easy Monday' song. Nothing like a really easy song to start the week.

"You see the signs, but you can't read. You're runnin' at a different speed. Your heart beats in double time, another kiss and you'll be mine, a one track mind. You can't be saved, oblivion is all you crave, if there's some left for you, you don't mind if you do... You know you're gonna have to face it, you're __ __ __." Clue: Powerless over Cupid.

Normally, we would have done our '90 day check in' at Central Plaza, when immigration brings the show to town. The first Saturday of this month we were in bed so we missed it. Today we drove up to Mae Sai, which is the border town with Burma. The drive took just under one hour. Mid-morning travel on the highway is uneventful, except for the police checkpoints. They don't stop us, but it slows everything down for a few minutes. The countryside is lush from the rainy season and the foothills seemed magical as they loomed up from the flat rice field foreground. As soon as we walked into the immigration office we saw our friends Scott and Michele. It's always nice to see familiar faces; it helps break the ice. This was the first time we had been to the office in Mae Sai in a long time. They have streamlined a few things and our check in only required presenting our passports. No more filling out forms with copies of this and that. We were there for less than 30 minutes.

Yesterday morning we were to have a visit from whoever is buying property next to us. It was a big mystery as to what it was all about. Our friends Chalit and Amber came over to help with translation and for Chalit to 'witness' the property line numbers. We waited for 45 minutes and no one showed. Chalit called a number on the letter and a man, I guess the real estate man, said he was on the lot behind us and we should come to him. Reluctantly, we drove to him and then met the parties involved. A large plot of land directly behind us is being bought by the sister of the farmer. She plans to sell small parcels for little houses. This sounds familiar, and the other lot where they tried this is still vacant. Of course, that's fine with us, but even if they build it won't be a problem. We plan to put up some very tall plants in the meantime, to start our 'green wall'. Today's photo shows the rear of our property from the farm behind us and the land that's being bought.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,

Danny

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."
~Marcel Proust

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Monday, October 14, 2013

Love

Hi,

The weekend was a busy time for us. An overdue carwash, a birthday celebration, tennis from Shanghai and Formula One from Japan kept us pretty busy.

'Old School Friday' was "Everyday People" by Sly & The Family Stone. Time for some 'Easy Monday' that you know:

"Your lights are on, but you're not home. Your mind is not your own. Your heart sweats, your body shakes, another kiss is what it takes... Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah. It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough. You know you're gonna have to face it, you're __ __ __." Hint: Somebody needs a rehab, if there is one.

Saturday we went into town on a mission: Get the car washed. We spent half of our waiting time at Work@Home Bakery. While we were hanging out, the owners came zipping home on their vintage Vespa custom. They live behind the bakery/coffee shop. After letting their dog Jonathan out, the three of them came in and we had a nice visit. The second half of our wait was spent at Doi Chaang Coffee, a few doors to the south. We browsed through the Thursday edition of the Bangkok Post, which was still full of new for us. In the end, we drove away with a shiny, clean black car that looked like new.

In the evening, we hung out with Cat after dinner. Not long after she went to her room, Lisa saw a post from a friend wishing Cat 'Happy Birthday'. We thought her birthday had passed, but discovered it was actually Saturday. We went to her room and she confirmed that it was her birthday. We decided that Sunday we would celebrate her 16th birthday. Apparently, it's not a big deal here, but 16 to us, is one of those years that has some significance.

Our Sunday plan was to go to Central Plaza, stroll around seeing the sights and then have lunch at Fuji Japanese Restaurant (her request) and then Swenson's for ice-cream. When we arrived at the mall there was a giant expo going on. It was everything about the Lana Stag Beetle. I had no idea so many people were so interested in these big, black, scary looking bugs but folks of all ages were gathered around booths and displays. There were lots of bugs sitting on pieces of bamboo, just staring. They don't seem like they'd make a very playful pet, but people were buying them and taking them home in little plastic cages. Normally, they are kept on a small log or bamboo stick, with a small string tied to the bug. We didn't spend too much time on this, although I did investigate while Lisa and Cat were shopping. Below is a photo I took from above one of the tables with displays of mounted insects, and a close-up of a Lana Beetle.

At Fuji we had fun. We watched as Cat ordered mass quantities of sushi. We asked her if she was going to eat it all and she smiled and said 'yes'. About 20 minutes later, she gave out a big sigh and announced that she was full. That's when Lisa told her the saying 'Your eyes were bigger than your stomach.' She laughed at that and we had the remaining food packed up to go. There was, however, room for ice-cream and that was also fun. We'd never been in Swenson's, since we can't eat ice-cream, but we had some strawberry sorbet that was too good. I think we'll be going back.

Sunday evening we took Cat to the bus station for her trip to Bangkok with three of her friends and a staff member from The Sold Project. They are going to give some training in tree planting to a group of young people.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,

Danny

"Real love begins where nothing is expected in return."

~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Friday, October 11, 2013

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Today we continued to make progress, gaining more strength and doing more stuff around the house. The dogs are happy about that. This afternoon we had company and learned a few things.

The 'Zany Day' song was "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)." by The First Edition. The lead singer was Kenny Rogers. The rest is history. Ming wrote that 'apparently' Jimi Hendrix listed this as one of his all time favorite songs. Hmm. Now it's time for some 'Old School Friday' and something I'm sure you know:

"Sometimes I'm right, then I can be wrong. My own beliefs are in my song. A butcher, a banker, a drummer and then. Makes no difference what group I'm in. I am __ __." Clue: This was no ordinary family.

Lately, the mornings have been almost cool. It's a nice change, even though it doesn't last. The days are still very warm, even with the afternoon breeze. The dogs have more energy on the cool mornings so it was good to get out with them today. Daku was in rare form and BamBam was her usual, running self.

Rudi left on a 5 day motorcycle ride with his club. They will ride through some National Parks, scenic valleys, and end up near the border crossing at Laos. He started telling me where they were going and my mind just fogged over. It happens every time people assume I have a Thai map in my head. I guess I just don't have a head for geography, unless it's local travel for survival (555).

Our friend Sutheera came over late this afternoon. She brought a document having to do with some property that is being purchased near us. The buyers want to verify the size of our land, or something. She also wanted to invite us to a wedding in December. This led to a long conversation about the nature of such a wedding and just what takes place. We learned that it's really going to be a party, and that the legal business is handled at an office downtown. There is no ceremony, just speeches about the bride and groom by someone with a bit of celebrity and a sit-down dinner.

We considered the idea of having neighbors and worked up a whole presentation about 'The Hood'. It's all about how peaceful and quiet it is around here. With the exception of: The Temple speakers, the Village speakers, the Church PA, the drum corp at the school, the concerts across the river, and the 10 dogs that roam the village barking and howling. Yep, nice place to build. Maybe we should hire the mob from our old neighborhood to come over give them an idea of real 'village life'. Here they are, direct from the archives:

Cat called this evening to say that she'll be returning tomorrow afternoon. Sunday she leaves again, on a bus trip to Bangkok. She's a very busy young woman these days. Not much idle time in her vacation.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. It's time for the 'Funnies'.

Peace,

Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Failure

Hi,

The weather in Chiang Rai is perfect for being outside. Clear and sunny, but not overwhelmingly hot. I went into town today and discovered things are doing just fine.

I'm totally impressed by the number of you who remembered this 'Zany Day' song. The lead singer went on to become a major Country star. This one put him on the map, as a member of a group. "I pushed my soul in a deep dark hole and then I followed it in. I watched myself crawlin' out as I was a-crawlin' in, I got up so tight, I couldn't unwind, I saw so much I broke my mind. I __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __." Hint: Yes, it's filed under psychedelic music (555).

There comes a time when one just has to go into the world and get food. Most of what we needed I could get at the Healthy Market. Having been away for over a week, and under the weather, the first thing that struck me was the smell. The combination of chili, cooking meat, raw meat, and certain veggies blended into an aromatic shock. I have learned to weather the initial shock and push on through when it comes to things like this. I got all the things on the list and headed for my next stop. Navigating the streets was pretty easy so far. Bus station street intersects with Phaholyothin Rd. which is the main street in the central part of downtown. It changes names after a few blocks, but this is the street that is getting all the attention these days. I saw boxes of tiles stacked up by the construction, and a worker installing some for a new sidewalk. Hmm, I wonder if these will be non-slip? There is no uniformity when it comes to sidewalk surfaces.

My stop at Work@Home made the morning trip worthwhile. Lots of service getting the bread and then one of the staff brought me two VIP cards for a chamber concert next month. While I was reading about the concert, the owner came in with Jonathan, our favorite English Retriever. We had given them some powder for Jonathan's food that is good for Golden's skin when dealing with hotspots. She was so happy that it was working and asked me to wait a moment. She came back with a big box of chocolates she recently got in Japan. It was cool.

More streets are closed, my further travel will take some deep thought. I guess it comes down to dealing with change.

Speaking of change, here's a shot from a shop in the Talat, where the calculator is not welcome. This guy figures everything on his abacus and he's very fast. I love the way he built it into a table, right in the front of the shop.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,

Danny

"If you have made mistakes, even serious mistakes,
you may have a fresh start any moment you choose,
for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down,
but the staying down."
~Mary Pickford

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style