Long Live the Differences

We knew there would be differences from the USA, despite us having been here multiple times , when we planned this trip ,but everyday brings a new challenge or experience.

Getting around town was our first priority ( we do have a car to use ( thanks to the parents giving up one of theirs) but it’s an SUV gas guzzler and the Thais have small parking spots ). We have found a favorite mode in the Song thiew. The back of a truck with benches. Twenty people can squeeze on , some hanging out the back on a metal step/ frame reminiscent of the San Francisco cable cars according to Justin ( if you close your eyes ) or at rush hour like those overloaded trains in India where people are also on the roof. I don’t believe the driver never stops for another passenger. A tuk tuk is always available at 10 times the price but will take you directly to your house gate. If I’m feeling flush , I’ll treat us.

Justin has driven us about 20 miles away from home and did a wonderful job driving on the opposite side of the road and vehicle, avoiding motorcycles, pedestrians, stray cows and hundreds of dogs in our path ! I have yet to try , but with my $20 International driving permit from the AAA , I will soon.

Shopping has to have been the biggest learning curve so far. They have very familiar names here ; Starbucks, Dairy Queen , Boots, Tesco , Burger King and McDonalds. All staffed by very young , happy people. The prices are higher than the traditional local options but like my tuk tuk rides , a treat.

The big supermarkets are modern , most are air conditioned, and have familiar items , but the most startling to me was to see the open tables of fresh meats and fish. Customers can use tongs and help themselves to the meats , then taking them to be weighed ( just like we buy produce). I saw one little girl stroking a fish whilst her mother looked on. Note to self to wash all the meat before cooking.

The prices are good. Obviously , the imported items such as cheeses and peanut butter and Nutella are about the same or more than the USA.

We have found the nicest coffee is an instant freeze dried coffee from Holland , Douwe Egberts.

Little boba carts are everywhere , even at the side of the road, my personal favorite is a taro milk tea which happens to hang beautifully from the trolley.

We did go to a local market for fresh vegetables ( many of which are unfamiliar as yet) and the prices were amazing , the herbs with their roots still attached. We saw fresh fish , eels , frogs and barracuda , little squid and octopus, and the biggest prawns ever. A tad smelly but we told the kids not to react and walk briskly past.

Alcohol is only sold in shops between 11am and 2pm then 5pm until midnight. Not sure why. Perhaps to curb day time drinking ? Brand names that we recognised are at least double the prices we are used to and the wine is at least triple !

We have found a very palatable gin that mixed with limes and cane sugar is quite pleasant by the pool of an evening.

The currency has us standing counting in our heads or grabbing for a calculator still , but we are starting to know if something seems excessively expensive at a glance. The Thais use Baht and it’s counted up into the thousands. 30-32 Baht to the dollar at present.

So many of the people we have encountered and interacted with are willing to try English or at least stand whilst we grab our cellphones and open Google translate to help us with directions , find a bathroom , or the elusive can of baked beans we want. All credit to them. We are also attempting to learn a few phrases and vocabulary so as to make the effort.

No matter where in the world the British go , the afternoon cup of hot tea is necessary , mine is currently being sipped as the children swim and I write our blog.

Lovely.

There are many differences from what we are used to and we are relishing each one as they come at us. That is , after all, why we are here in Thailand.

~ Arlene