Thailand Love...
1. "Same, Same, but Different" It's a very fitting saying that is used a ton around here. It means just what it says, same, same, but different. Example: MACs and Dells= Same, Same, but different. Same, Same- they are both computers, but they are WAY different! I'm not going to tell you which I think is better. :)
2. Karaoke... I will never view this the same. Every time there is a party, they have karaoke, which is fine and dandy and I think it probably could be fun, though I've not sung Karaoke since being here. However, really, does it have to be loud enough for the entire village to enjoy? While I really appreciate music... many different types. I also appreciate people singing, but when you are trying to go to sleep karaoke does not fall into any of the above categories.
3. Jazzercise- I don't think I'll ever get used to this one. At 6 pm, all over Chiang Mai and villages surrounding Chiang Mai break out into Jazzercise. The music is blared for about an hour and oh man! You're so thankful once it has finished. I find myself wondering how Brittany found herself all the way over here and wonder why she did it again. But props to the Thai people trying to get into shape.
4. Trash cans!! There is a severe shortage of trash cans in this country. You may have a piece of trash and want to be a good citizen, but you are forced to carry it around with you unless you cave to the traditions surrounding you. If this is the case, you find the nearest bush or fence to place your trash. This is one cultural difference I am not willing to embrace with others, but this one drives me nuts! Oh and people don't necessarily throw trash away or get rid of it. They move it from one pile to another.
5. ANTS!! Okay, there are ants everywhere! Why?! On my table I have papers and photos and my computer... that's it, but yet there are ants. Why? How? I don't get it. Random fact, did you know ants love milk? Kind of weird, but they do in Thailand.
6. Mai Phen Rai... Don't Worry About It! Go with the flow mentality. Okay, I like it. I can handle it and somethings you simply must say Mai Phen Rai or you will go bonkers. Come on you're in Asia. But sometimes enough mai phen rai! We gotta get it done.
7. Noise Pollution... There is always noise here. Always! Motorbikes, trucks, kids screaming, animals, ice cream trucks, helicopters etc. I don't even know where it all comes from, but it's noisy! Those of you I've talked to on SKYPE know this. Some noises are nice as in the birds singing and things of that nature, but others are just noise. Has anyone heard the Switchfoot song "If I'm Adding to the Noise?" :)
8. Eyes and Ears, Eyes and Ears. A saying I will always remember. Essentially probably what you think it means. There are eyes and ears all around. :) People are always listening and watching EVERYTHING you do. It's the same in the States, but on a whole different level. Such as, if you've followed my blog, you'll remember the story about my rings and husbands. That's Thailand.
9. Geckos... As many of you know, I love animals-- love them. There are a few that I despise such as snakes! I've thankfully only seen a couple of those since being here, but there are geckos everywhere. They are supposed to eat mosquitos. So they are good to have around, but really not something I want in my shower.
10. Speaking of showers. Most Thai people shower with cold water. If they don't shower with cold water, they have an instant water heater in their showers. Kind of weird having something hooked to the electric that's in your shower, but it one of my favorite things.
11. Mattresses are generally hard. I don't mean firm, I mean hard! Sometimes I thought it might be more comfortable to sleep on the floor. I don't understand. It makes me laugh! I now have a pretty soft mattress with my memory foam on it so it's a fairly nice bed now.
12. Elephants... I love elephants. I think they are pretty cool creatures. I still find it random to see a giant elephant walking down the street of our little village with someone riding on it.
13. Staring... People stare here. We're told it's impolite in the States, but not here. They just stare. I'm Farang, which automatically says look at me! There's the saying one of my sisters used to say, "Take a picture, it will last longer." Well, that shouldn't be said too lightly here. They do! Especially if you're on crutches! :)
14. Rice can be the answer to any of the following questions. What are we going to eat? What are we having for breakfast? What about lunch? Dinner? hee...hee... No, the rice isn't bad. I do skip out on it for breakfast though. Plus we eat brown or red rice, which the students call prison rice! It's so much healthier for you though. Oh and have you ever had noodles or potatoes on rice? No, you're not supposed. Well, not in Thailand. You do. Rice goes with any and every thing.
15. Communication... so when I come home. If I double check and triple check about something that's going to happen, it's because living in Thailand. Things are always changing. Flexibility... I love it. I'm being serious here not sarcastic. But the communication break down. Oh man! You may have to speak to 10 people to try and figure something out.
Okay, so that's all I have for you right now. I'll probably continue to add to this list as I think of things. :) I'll write a real blog at some point. Probably after graduation when I have photos. I may get one up after church. We're taking pictures with the students so I figured. I would wait and write about this past week once I have photos seeing as I have kind of failed at taking pictures recently. I don't have the excuse of being on crutches either. :) Sorry everyone, but it's been pretty busy lately.
Hope you enjoyed the read and had a few laughs!
Love and Hugs,
Lainy J.
Mae Sa Luang, Thailand
2 comments:
Oh man...I've got a few of my own for France.
1. Most of the toilet paper here is pink.
2. French people love disco and 80's music.
3. It's true that when French people walk down the streeet, they are usually carrying a baguette.
I've got loads others but I'll save them for when I see you!
Elephants! I worked off and on in Bangkok in the early 90's for Bank of Ayudhya. While out walking at lunchtime along a major road (Sukhumvit) that was jammed with 7 lanes of traffic, there was an elephant! It had a saddle and a rider and was walking along the side of the road with the traffic! I wish I had had my camera!
Doug Young, San Diego
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