Ok, it took me a while to figure out how to post since all the links are in Thai. It's Sunday here on the island of Samui and I've been having the most amazing experience getting to know the locals. I am currently staying in a village behind Wat Kunaram, which is the temple to a mummified monk. I am staying with Chang's brother Lek and his family (as well as most of the village since they all share so much). For those that don't know, Chang is Owen and Lucy's dad.
The night I arrived they came out and picked me up in front of the temple and drove me back to their mothers shop. No one spoke much English but "hungry?" was said and I agreed. Soon four different platters of food were brought out to me. Two kinds of fish in curry, a fried egg dish and something else. I have found over the course of a few days that if I don't know what something is, I will still generally like it. I was given a room to myself and fell asleep shortly. Cocka-doodle-doo!! I can't tell you how jarring the sound of a rooster right outside my window was at 5 am. The whole village wakes up and I have now found myself getting up naturally with the roosters.
The whole village is a friendly and open place. Doors are rarely locked and people travel in and out of each others house all the time. They stop by to say hi, watch t.v. or just look at the farang (that means foreigner and it refers to me). Everyone knows "hallo!" and I try my hand at Thai by replying "sawadii kap!"(also hello). The sense of community is astounding having come from a culture that really enjoys privacy. I have never felt this welcome even in my own neighborhood at home! In all honesty the only time I have felt this kind of openness has been at MKG over these last few years (YAAH! for MKG!).
I traveled with Lek and his son to the beach to pick clams for dinner and saw a few more temples yesterday. We stop every day for lunch at the noodle cart on the way back to the house. The food costs about 20-30 baht for the Thai's and that's about 75 cents to a dollar for us. I tried to buy some fruit for the family the other day and I thought I got a pretty good deal. I paid 115 baht for a large pineapple and watermelon. I gave it to the family and they asked how much I paid. I told them and they smiled int hat wonderful Thai way and said, "Good. Good. For farang." That night Lek's wife (I don't know how to spell her name, although it sounds like cop) made a meal for me using the fruit I bought. I've never had a fish meal using pineapple, watermelon and cucumber but I think it was one of the best I've had.
Well, I'm going back to the beach to swim for a while. The weather is clear and sunny and about 85-90 degrees. I hope everyone is well and I'll check in soon.
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