It is almost 1 week so I thought I would post some reflections.
Motorbikes are ubiquitous. 125cc mostly and everyone rides them in the village. Everyone from 7 - 77 years of age. Anywhere from 1 person to 5 people. Four stroke or 2 stroke. Motorcycle companies consider themselves successful if they sell 10,000 of a unit in North America but their bread and butter are the 125cc motorbikes that they sell in the millions. Problem is, no one walks anywhere. Even if it is 100 feet they fire up the bike and off they go.
Jordan loves going for a ride .. he stands up front
Thavorn and all 3 children heading off to a friend's house
There is no garbage pickup. The villages simply throw all garbage on the ground and once a week, rake it into a pile and burn it. I can't help but think this is really harmful for the environment. They burn everything, even plastic bottles. Most cooking is done outside on charcoal burners. Charcoal must be even dirtier than coal!
Thais like their music loud and there is no noise police. They seem to compete for sound and at all hours of the day. I awake to roosters crowing (same in Bangkok) and at night it is really weird as the dogs start communicating (same in Bangkok). If you are old enough to have seen the Disney movie 'Lady and the Tramp' then you know what I am talking about. One dog starts baying away and it is immediately taken up by other dogs and passed along. In Bangkok this invariably happens about 1 am as the dog news is spread.
The village people seem genuinely happy. The major activity is visiting your friends and relatives and sharing gossip, food and drink. Thai families are anywhere from 2 - 5 children.
There is quite a range of housing from corrugated shacks to rather opulent 4-5 bedroom houses that would sell for 750k+ in Canada. Indoor plumbing occurs in the better homes, but everyone has a dish for television reception. Smart phone acquisition is not as widespread as in the city. Farangs are still an oddity in many villages.
I could survive 3 weeks in Thavorn's home at a time. To live in the village I would need a modern air-conned house and a fast motorcycle to explore the rest of Thailand with. It could be done as long I I visited one weekend a month in Bangkok for some bar hopping fun.
The internet is more than adequate in the village and much cheaper than Canada.
The health care system is very, very good in Bangkok. I was just reading about a farang who was involved in a motorcycle accident and had to have his leg amputated at the knee and spend 7 days in the hospital and the total bill was $1,000 US. Try that in North America. In Thailand, you can really afford to self insure. Best of all, when you press the red button asking for help, 2 beautiful Thai nurses come running within 5 seconds with smiles on their faces :-) Just like Canada EH?
Lots of dogs in the villages but no cats. The exact opposite of Malaysia where there are lots of cats and dogs are persecuted.
Banana trees are everywhere so fresh bananas are always available. Ditto for mangoes.
Thai people are friendly and inquisitive. It is my guess if I open a pool bar here in the village there would be lots of Thais dropping in to play pool and practice or learn English while having a good time. I could definitely tutor in English.
TTYL
I was thinking that the guy might still have his leg though in Canada
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