Apr
26
Plans Again
April 26, 2007 |
Well, it looks like my plans to stay long term in Thailand is starting to fall into place. Me and Nan where talking a lot about it during my last trip. That is, I was in constant “yak-yak” mode, while a slightly amused Nan listened, asked a few questions here and there, and steered me in the right direction when what I said was making no sense at all, which was most of the time.
The thing is, I would very much like to see if I can make it it, living in Isan over a longer period. I was thinking about renting a place in a larger town or city like Surin, Buri Ram or Korat.
I was in the middle of talking “to much” about these options with Nan when she stopped me mid sentence and asked:
“Why not stay in my house?”
“Hmm, your house is fine, and I like staying there, but like to sleep with you alone.” *grin*
*Giggles* “Yes I know you like to much, but I not mean house my mama, I mean my house”
“You have a house?”
“Yes have small house, no have electric but can fix”
So there I was surprised by Nan again. Okay it is a typical Isan village house, but it has running water and the way Nan describes it connecting electricity wont be a big problem, and very cheap. Nan owns the land it sits on and there is no debts on it. The only bills to pay will be for water and electricity, and when I asked her what those would be I had problems not laughing.
So in June I will check the place out. If livable I will go for it. The village is pleasant enough and even have paved streets, and every house has running water. There is a small town 15 minutes away that even has a European style bakery so I can even get decent bread. I do not really need much. And should the craving for western civilization become to much for me, Korat with its shopping malls is only 2 hours drive away.
My main concern will be an internet connection. But I can make do with GPRS. I only need it for e-mail and blogging anyway.
So what do you think folks? Am I insane?
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Comments
5 Comments so far
The only thing you might want to think about is isolation. I spent 3 weeks in Korat and was starting to feel isolated,I was the only one around who spoke english.Well in the city there were other farangs but in the village,I was it.Now on a positive note, if hooking up the electric is cheap and you dont mind squating for….well you know what im talking about staying at Nan’s house will give you a chance to look around and find what you want. Sounds like a plan to me,go for it.
Yeah, isolation will be a concern. The ahem, facilities are no problem for me however. The only thing i will insist on is a more comfortable bed. The one we where sleeping on, and that was a western style bed had a matress that felt like it was made from oak.
Actually Nan is more worried about me being comfortable than I am. But she was delighted that I liked it in here village and was not whinging like other farangs she has heard about. That run away to the nearest air conditioned hotel as soon as the reality of an Isan village hit them.
Will, don’t worry about being isolated. There are over 60 million people in Thailand. You seem to get on with them. Why worry about that?
I would be more interested to know how you plan to make a living in a small Isaan village. Thousands before you have contemplated and tried, very few successfully, to do what you’re planning. The sticking point is always how to make enough to live on. As a matter of fact, I have a friend from college who married a Northern girl and relocated to a small village in the north with her. He is an expert in telecommunications and doesn’t even have a regular internet connection there. He’s always looking for ways to supliment their income.
Here’s the kicker, he’s Thai. Even for Thais, it’s difficult to make a living in that situation, short of farming, which is what he’s doing now.
John I will continue doing what I have been doing for the last 10 years. The village will simply be home base for me, between work assignments elsewhere. I have been working internationally for various organisations all over the world as a consultant.
And between jobs I have basically just been waiting for the next one back in Norway. If I made enough money to survive there, in the most expensive country in the world, I should be able to to the same now. Just with the difference that it will be a lot cheaper.
So no worries.
Lucky you!