Aug
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I love it
August 1, 2007 |
Those words are what best describes my continued fascination with Thailand. I wonder how much that will fade once I stay there for a long period.
Isaan is a friendly place to be. At least I have not encountered anything I will describe as a big problem. But then I have always had someone by my side to guide me trough things.
I wonder what happens the first time I jump on to the Honda, to go pick up some groceries on my own? Flying solo so to speak. I’ll no doubt come home with a bunch of stuff that was not on my shopping list, while other stuff will be completely missing.
I did manage to go to the village “mom and pop” type of shop to get some soda and ice though. It helps that the owner speaks a bit of English, as he worked in Libya once.
Some of the local young heroes where hanging about across the road, and where shouting something at me, having a big laugh at the farang. I shouted something in Norwegian back, gave them my best grin, and they actually cheered as I pulled away.
Apart from that, there has been nothing that can be vaguely interpreted as something negative in 8 or is it 9 trips to Thailand since that day in May last year when I first landed at the old Don Muang airport. At least not from the Thais.
Well, it’s been nice to be there on Holiday. And now I sit here and have a whole family over there. It’s going to be great to see them all again on Sunday. Heart, the youngest and the family goof. Always getting into all sorts of trouble. Heurn the oldest, and still a bit shy and reserved, but with the right incentive, I can still coach a smile and a laugh out of him. Mae, sitting in the shade chewing on her betel nuts, while gossiping with the neighbours, and Uncle Dtam, with is home rolled smokes helping himself to a couple of beer Chang.
Then there is Luk Dik the dog, sleeping in a shady corner, dreaming about finally catching that chicken before it can get into the hedge, and that insane rooster (you’re barbecue mate), waking me up around 5 in the am.
Finally there is Nan, with her jokes, smiles and just being in a silly mood to make me laugh and have a good time.
Life is good there. No wonder I love it to much!
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Comments
5 Comments so far
Rune,
Isaan is a great place to live. It does have it’s faults too though. You are on your honeymoon still and your knowledge and experience will affect your thinking a bit.
I have had good experiences going out on my own. Don’t be afraid to do it. Even if there is a language barrier somehow things get accomplished. I would recommend dive into Isaan culture and lifestyle but keep a part of you within. Don’t isolate yourself. Get out and interact with some fellow farangs from time to time.
After the honeymoon is over you might experience a bit of let down. I have a philosphy I use…
Adopt, adapt, ignore
Adopt the aspects of the culture you love and accept. Adapt to the things you like and can accept but maybe don’t understand totally. And ignore the things you can’t accept, don’t like and do not understand at all. I have lived here almost 7 years and have never thought of leaving. Had my ups and downs but the upside heavily outweighs the downside.
Isaan, love it and live it.
Thanks for that, Darwin
Well, I do not expect everything to go easy. This trip will be my last in holiday mode. And from mid september I will stay for several months, until I have to get myself another gig working somewhere.
I bet there will be days where I will wish I was anywhere else but in Isaan and Thailand. But I’ll cross that river when I get to it
Yes, my friend sit back and enjoy the ride and we all have moments of how can Thais think like this or do things like this.
Thai ways can be very entertaining at times and others downright frustrating but the best thing is always to remember “Mai Pen Rai” my friend.
They are amazing words here in Isaan.
Brunty.
Look forward to you getting home to the Mrs my friend just try and find an internet connection a little more often than last time!!
Can’t promise that. I won’t be lugging with me my laptop. Just happy to get away from computers fro a while. Also we plan to stay in the village most of the time.
Still a lot to do with “The Hut”, that Nan wants me to have a look at before we proceed. So most of the time will be spent tinkering around that.
But plan to take at least a daytrip down to Surin, to visit the Oasis bar bellonging to a Norwegian Expat and his wife. The serve the best Norwegian food this side of the Himalayas, and I have not eaten a real stew since well, the last time I was there…
Rune,
If you ever get to Ubon and want some Norwegian stew a fellow countryman of yours has a guesthouse down by the border with Cambodia. http://suanloongdaengfarmstay.com
I’ve heard he has a “killer” stew but I haven’t yet had the opportunity to sample it.