Normal life

[geosname]

Don't know about that Geo, I'd say there are stark differences - and not just the UK

 

Thats precisely the point I was trying to make Barry... they are so stark it makes them dissimilar

[Aussie Rules]

Thats precisely the point I was trying to make Barry... they are so stark it makes them dissimilar

 

Sorry Geo, can I claim a senior moment? :D

[geosname]

Just reflecting on your posts above Geo brings into sharp relief that even though we have all mod cons in this neck of the woods many folk from your part of the world still prefer to grow most of their fruit, vegetables and spices - including our son's lovely lady

 

Founded in necessity I would guess Barry, very little government aid/assistance/interference/support [compared to UK], the need to feed the family with very few options available... grow it yourself or dont eat.

Anyone who has grown their own will know the difference in taste is astonishing. Things that have ripened on the tree taste so much better when picked than the same bought after long shipment transport ripening or freezing, and of course the varieties in this tropical climate are far wider than the UK.

There is still part of the hunter gatherer culture away from the cities and trading surplussed items for shortfall items helps that culture.

I suppose one of the differences that stands out is that Thais seem to eat with their stomach [because they are hungry] and the west tend to eat with their eyes [because it looks good and if it doesnt they go somewhere else]

[Aussie Rules]

Founded in necessity I would guess Barry, very little government aid/assistance/interference/support [compared to UK], the need to feed the family with very few options available... grow it yourself or dont eat.

Anyone who has grown their own will know the difference in taste is astonishing. Things that have ripened on the tree taste so much better when picked than the same bought after long shipment transport ripening or freezing, and of course the varieties in this tropical climate are far wider than the UK.

There is still part of the hunter gatherer culture away from the cities and trading surplussed items for shortfall items helps that culture.

I suppose one of the differences that stands out is that Thais seem to eat with their stomach [because they are hungry] and the west tend to eat with their eyes [because it looks good and if it doesnt they go somewhere else]

 

Agreed Geo. Son's other half is Chinese/Malay but has lived in Oz many years. Most of her family now live here including her grandmother, mother, sisters and brothers. She grows most of her fruit, vegetables and spices, loves to cook fresh daily and is always bringing us homemade cakes, jams etc. - even olives for yours truly.

 

Ah! Life's good :D

[geosname]

There are things that I dont like Barry but Im basically a loner so I can avoid them or create a bubble that excludes them.

The problem I have noticed most is when farangs come here they still think they are at home, that their home rules apply... from simple things like putting your feet up [showing the bottom of your feet is very disrespectful] and touching Thais on the head [not the done thing] to assuming that when the bar girls sit with you its because they like you or you dont have to pay them money [not drinks] because they only spend time talking to you. They also assume that the consumer laws of their home are universal, if it doesnt work take it back, apart from the larger stores who offer anything from a 1 week/no guarantee to two years its "you bought it, its your problem, suck it up"

The biggest problem by far is assuming that the police and law of their own country are universal and apply here... they dont and it doesnt.... The cramped conditions and punishment of 3 beds in a cell and the telly going off at 10pm dont apply here... 25+ bodies [no beds] in a cell, no telly, possibly chained and one open toilet in the corner are the living conditions and all the time in the world to enjoy them.... UK caught in possesion of 20 tabs of E?... couple of years maybe serve 1 if its not a first timer... here..... 20 years.

Living here isnt like living in the UK with a better climate... its a different world

[Aussie Rules]

There are things that I dont like Barry but Im basically a loner so I can avoid them or create a bubble that excludes them.

The problem I have noticed most is when farangs come here they still think they are at home, that their home rules apply... from simple things like putting your feet up [showing the bottom of your feet is very disrespectful] and touching Thais on the head [not the done thing] to assuming that when the bar girls sit with you its because they like you or you dont have to pay them money [not drinks] because they only spend time talking to you. They also assume that the consumer laws of their home are universal, if it doesnt work take it back, apart from the larger stores who offer anything from a 1 week/no guarantee to two years its "you bought it, its your problem, suck it up"

The biggest problem by far is assuming that the police and law of their own country are universal and apply here... they dont and it doesnt.... The cramped conditions and punishment of 3 beds in a cell and the telly going off at 10pm dont apply here... 25+ bodies [no beds] in a cell, no telly, possibly chained and one open toilet in the corner are the living conditions and all the time in the world to enjoy them.... UK caught in possesion of 20 tabs of E?... couple of years maybe serve 1 if its not a first timer... here..... 20 years.

Living here isnt like living in the UK with a better climate... its a different world

 

Know what you mean Geo.

 

Ann and yours truly passed through Djakarta on our way to Penang at the same time they were having to deal with student protests which meant, sadly for us and the other passengers, we were not allowed to leave the airport under any circumstances. But we were allowed to walk around in a restricted area whilst waiting for our plane to be refueled. So Ann and me, along with other passengers, accepted their 'kind' offer.

 

We knew something was amiss when we were required to walk to the Terminal escorted by armed militia.

 

On entering the 'Terminal there were check points - naturally - and some, not all of us, were being pat searched by men. Ann protested and asked for a woman to do the pat search. Not heeding Ann's protest one of the men proceeded to pat search. Ann stepped away verbally protesting only to walk into armed militia - one of whom now pointing his rifle within a whisker of her nose. Instinctively, Ann pushed the rifle away from her face.

 

Geo, would you be surprised to hear that I froze on the spot?

 

What seemed an eternity, yet was only seconds, a lady stepped up waving her arms about whilst speaking to the militia. They stepped away and the lady said to us that we would be required to sit in a room nearby until the plane was ready to leave.

 

I have to tell dear friend we wondered if we would ever see Oz again. Finally the door opened and two armed militia entered and muttered we should follow them. We did, thankfully to our plane.

 

We gave Djakarta a wide berth on our return home

[geosname]

There was a similar incident here during the troubles, a local man over indulged in some substance [probably alcohol] was remonstrating quite vociferously with a police officer, things suddenly went quiet and the officers colleague had to work hard to stop him doing finger exercise on the trigger of the gun he had pressed against the mans eyeball.

[geosname]

Something that I had forgotten about after I left Baz in Perth was the certain .....well...asianess....of asia. Normal life there I found, as I did in Bali on the back to Melbourne this year was how open and friendly people are/were.

 

But after the several years away from Asia, what struck me most was what I forgot..........Bottles of petrol at the end of everybody's driveway for sale. Litres and litres of the **** just waiting to go bang. Grab a litre,, leave a dollar, away you go. Love it!

 

Yours truly, MV.

 

There is a guy in the next village who has 2 55 gallon drums outside his house with wind up pumps attached and a grass roof to cover

[geosname]

As a follow on to the green posts Barry... I have been here for about 10-11 years off and on but something is still missing... the perfect location... no not a beach front house next to a bar.

http://www.ddproperty.com/en/property/country-garden-house-for-rent-1964066

This could be it... whether if fails at the last minute is down to luck and the owners whim... Its not the most attractive Thai house, it isnt a western style all singing and dancing commodity stuffed palace, its a simple home with not many built in luxuries but the location... thats something different... take a look at the photos

[Aussie Rules]

very impressive Geo

[geosname]

I like it Barry... the house isnt the attraction, Ive never been one for seeking out the usual.. fitted carpets, double glazing, fixtures and fittings etc.. but the location is good and the land is excellent... private fishing and over 3/4 of an acre stocked with fruit trees and other edibles... even a small jetty to fish from... stock a few pacu, java barbs and nile perch... even a few red tail catfish perhaps.... and heaven has come to meet me

[Aussie Rules]

And if you take the dog with you it may think it's in heaven too when it sees the geese/ducks

[geosname]

Normal life is about to change somewhat. I have agreed to rent the property 700+ kilometers north of khon kaen.

Its further away from a village, not really isolated but very much quieter with views of the mountains and a cooler breeze... taking a load of stuff up tomorrow in a pickup.

[geosname]

On my last visit to Chiang Mai I noticed a young lad, about 10 years old, making and selling friendship bracelets, a few strands of platted cotton with 5 coloured beads in the centre, the ones your friend ties on to your wrist. 2Bht each [4p]. I purchased two and gave him 100Bht [£2] not wanting or expecting any change. My wife explained to him I appreciated his enterprising spirit to make a few bob and his face lit up like a Xmas tree.

30 minutes or so before I passed through Thai immigration and passport control and walked along friendship bridge towards the Myanmar equivalent for entry, several young and old people with babies or somehow disabled did the preferred choice of holding out a cup or hands and looking pleadingly. Partway across the bridge on the Myanmar side of the river a few younger women stood on the riverbank holding their babies shouting up to the tourists for cash. I cant really imagine what normal life is for those poor souls.

After passing through Myanmar officialdom and paying my £10 entry we strolled down into the market after being assailed by countless numbers of people offering tours to one place of another for varying prices... There we were inundated by sellers of cigarettes and Viagra... lighters to go with the smokes and company of various sorts to go with the Viagra.

The young lad on the Thai side was trying to make a difference to his family's budget, I applauded and rewarded him for that effort.... he rewarded us with 2 small tokens and a smile that could have lit up a street.

The 100Bht may well feed his family for 2 days, his smile will be a memory forever.

[Aussie Rules]

On my last visit to Chiang Mai I noticed a young lad, about 10 years old, making and selling friendship bracelets, a few strands of platted cotton with 5 coloured beads in the centre, the ones your friend ties on to your wrist. 2Bht each [4p]. I purchased two and gave him 100Bht [£2] not wanting or expecting any change. My wife explained to him I appreciated his enterprising spirit to make a few bob and his face lit up like a Xmas tree.

30 minutes or so before I passed through Thai immigration and passport control and walked along friendship bridge towards the Myanmar equivalent for entry, several young and old people with babies or somehow disabled did the preferred choice of holding out a cup or hands and looking pleadingly. Partway across the bridge on the Myanmar side of the river a few younger women stood on the riverbank holding their babies shouting up to the tourists for cash. I cant really imagine what normal life is for those poor souls.

After passing through Myanmar officialdom and paying my £10 entry we strolled down into the market after being assailed by countless numbers of people offering tours to one place of another for varying prices... There we were inundated by sellers of cigarettes and Viagra... lighters to go with the smokes and company of various sorts to go with the Viagra.

The young lad on the Thai side was trying to make a difference to his family's budget, I applauded and rewarded him for that effort.... he rewarded us with 2 small tokens and a smile that could have lit up a street.

The 100Bht may well feed his family for 2 days, his smile will be a memory forever.

 

 

Thank you Geo for putting our lives into perspective