Dec
26
Yule in an Isaan Hut
December 26, 2007 |
So on the 24th Yule arrived in the Hut. Basically we just got out of bed, and cleaned the house up a bit, then had breakfast. Around Noon I started cooking in the kitchen.
First it was to get the pork out of the salt brine stuff, and plump it into a kettle, where it would remain boiling for a few hours. But instead of having the mouth watering smell of salted pork spreading throughout the house…well, it smelled something you would expect coming from the toilet, not the kitchen. The pork was “off”.
So that was unceremoniously dumped. And Nan came to the rescue. She flagged down one of the passing food vendors, and we got some pork ribs that after adding some seasoning, and spices ended on the barbecue.
The next part was the potatoes. Nan’s eyes grew as big as saucers when I simply washed them, and dumped them in a kettle of boiling water.
Then it was the carrot stew. I had conferred with mom the day before. And this was simple. Just melt butter in a pot, make sure it does not go brown. Add some flour, milk and meat stock. Have it boil, add more flour until it thickens and stir vigorously so it does not burn or lump up. Ad some chopped up carrots, or peas. And Bobs your uncle.
This was then served up, and wolfed down by hungry kids, Nan, myself and mom-in law.
After that it was the main event. The holy grail of Yule. The opening of presents. But first we sent Heart to the bathroom to clean his hands. In there he found his main present. A bright blue bicycle. But instead of a smiling kid coming out of there, towing a bicycle, we heard him first dutifully cleaning his hands. Then he popped his confused head out, wanting to know why there was a bicycle in the hong nam?
When he understood it really was for him, we where rewarded with a smile that was competing with the sun outside in brightness. And he grabbed the bicycle, wanting to run outside and show it off to everyone in the village. We had to stop him, as that was nowhere near the total sum of loot that where to fall into his tiny hands this evening.
Next up was Heurn. Nan went into the kitchen, and made a phone call, to Heurns present. A new mobile phone with MP3 player radio…well, all singing and dancing thingy. SO when that started to ring, I asked him if he where going to pick it up?
Well, the reward there was first confusion, then that BIG smile, a quick wai in my direction, and from then on, him and the phone where inseparable. Whatever else he got was of no interest to him what so ever.
We then dug into the loot big time. Knitted socks for cold Isaan feet knitted by my mom, brought a smile to Nan’s moms face, who closely scrutinized the work done on those, before nodding her approval. They should come in handy the next time the temperature drops bellow 25 degrees celsius.
Else it was the usual stuff. Until the main present. The one for Nan, sitting in a big box, next to the tree. She had given me no hints for what she wished for, except it had to be a big box. And she got what she wanted a big box. She carefully took off the paper. Folding as she went. Opened the box…to find another wrapped up box inside. Screams of dismay, and demanding to know why I “joke she to much”. Well, that box was unwrapped less carefully…inside she found 6 bricks, and a smaller box….
By now she was in despair, and laughing and half way screaming, she tore into that one, ripping the paper off. To find yet another one wrapped up inside that. By know she was on the floor, kicking her feet and screaming with laughter. But ripping off that paper, she finally struck gold. Literally so. And the reward for me was instant. That unforgettable 10 000 megawatt smile, and and a whooping Nan throwing herself around my neck.
Well, I got her with the oldest trick in the book. And next Yule, I have more up my sleeve.
The rest of the evening we played a bit with the toys for the kids, I chatted with my mom and dad on MSN, and we ended it all watching a horror movie on Star Movies.
Well that’s it,
But first me and Nan wants to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Yule, or whatever you call it where you are.
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Comments
2 Comments so far
God Jul Rune! It was very nice to see you bringing some god ol’ Scandinavian Yule traditions to Isaan, too bad on the pork though. Reading about your family’s experience with Yule presents brought a biiig smile to my face! =D Merry Christmas to both you and your family!
Rune sounded like a great day my friend.
I would have loved to see Heart and Heurn’s faces and their expressions. I am sure priceless memories for years to come.
From Noot and I all the best for the New Year and may all that you wish for come true.
Jason and Noot.