Fake Flea Market!

Kay and I did some exploring near the city center this past weekend. She hadn't been there yet so we wandered down the little streets. We walked through the pet market and petted some of the puppies in their boxes. One kissed me and the lady said I had to buy him because we had a connection. He was cute, but not that cute! Around the corner from them was what looked like a flea market. Hundreds, maybe thousands of porcelain, glass and metal knicknacks, tea pots and vases were set out on sheets on the ground. We thought how cool it would be to give some of the pieces as gifts since they were old, with lots of history and character. Kay found a patinaed copper tea pot and asked how much. 1000Y! What! We thought this was flea market! We practically fled the scene for fear of tipping something over. As we exited back out on the main street, a man sitting next to his outrageously expensive junk called out after us: Waiguoren! Tai gui le! Tai gui le! (Foriegner! Too expensive, too expensive!) Darn right! He was mocking us because that's what any Westerner would say to the hefty price tags they had placed on 50 cent goods.
mandy

Pics

 

A Day Off!

I was so looking forward to sleeping in today. School is out for Tomb Sweeping Day and we have the next two days off. We had to work on Saturday to make up for it but still. All I wanted was to sleep in. That dream was ripped from my pillow  by Ji Tang (chicken soup), the rooster next door (dubbed Ji Tang by me at 6:30 this morning when he opened his big mouth!). He crows every morning, but we hadn't heard him lately and assumed he had graced the dinner table with his presence. No, he is alive and well, and I am AWAKE! It wouldn't have mattered much if he hadn't crowed, because soon after, a very badly behaved child began screaming bloody murder in the courtyard below and hours later, with many adults around watching her, is still at it. Someone please spank that child! But, I have the day off! Time to do laundry, blog, study(maybe), crosstitch, and anything else I can get done before time for dinner. I'm cooking tonight. Low-country boil. Chinese style (meaning whatever ingredients I can get that resemble the real thing). The weather has finally warmed up! This is what its supposed to be! I went out yesterday in three layers, scarf and gloves and was down to my capris and sleeveless shirt by noon. Glorious! Now if I can just get some rest.  Maybe tomorrow Chicken Soup will sleep in and the brat will stay at home. I can wish can't I?
mandy

Papaya Salad

Here is the recipe:



3Cups peeled and shredded green (not ripe) papaya + a carrot for color



6 Cloves of garlic



1 Tbs fish sauce



2-3 dried chilies



3Tbs Palm sugar



2Tbs Tamarind juice



2Tbs Lime juice



2Tbs Roasted peanuts



2 Tomatoes



1/4 C Fresh green beans- cut into 3in. pieces



2 Limes or Lemons - cut into small cubes



Put garlic and chilies in processor or blender and puree. In a bowl, add the sauce and peanuts and beans. Add the chopped tomatoes, fish sauce, tamarind sauce and sugar and stir. Add the lemon juice, then the papaya and lemon/lime cubes and mix again. A carrot or garnish cucumber can be substituted (instead of green papaya) -Recipe from Krabi Cookery School



I did not have most of the ingredients on hand so this is what I did:



1 Cucumber, shredded



1 Carrot, shredded



1 Tomato, chopped



1 Apple, chopped



1/2 Red onion, chopped



2 Large cloves of garlic



1 Dried chili



1Tbs Brown sugar



2Tbs Rice wine vinegar



1Tbs White vinegar



2Tbs lemon juice



2Tbs slivered peanuts (for baking)



Puree the chili and garlic and half the nuts. Pour in a bowl, add the vinegar and lemon juice, and sugar to the processor and spin to get any remnants from it. Add to the bowl with the rest of the nuts. Dump all the vegetables and apple in the bowl, mix and salt to taste. I forget to put in the fish sauce but will add it in before dinner is served. Its fine with or without. I served it with homemade bbq shredded chicken sandwiches and blue Kool-Aid. It took me less than 15 minutes and made about 3C of salad, enough for four people. I am going to throw in some shredded cabbage too and stretch it farther. Enjoy!



"If people take the trouble to cook, you should take the trouble to eat."-Robert Morley



mandy

The Everything Thai Cookbook: From Pad Thai to Lemongrass Chicken Skewers--300 Tasty, Tempting Thai Dishes You Can Make at Home (Everything Series)

People

     
 

 


 

mandy



 

Welcome To China!

Those are the words I say every time something doesn't go the way we think it should. Now, Ralph has started saying it too. But, a visit to any of the parks or restored "ancient towns" gives you another meaning to the phrase. The people here are very welcoming. Terribly curious, but welcoming. At least they stare with a smile. You can talk to just about anyone and expect to get a positive reaction. Even if they have no clue what you are saying, they will smile and grab their friends so they can look at you too. I am fond of the old men. I admire their silent strength. They lack the desolate look that many elderly in Western countries have.  One day, I hope to be able to understand the stories they tell.
 
mandachino

Back To Work!

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. We ended up our last three days in Bangkok and had no internet access. We had the opportunity to stay at a local school that houses translators, and other volunteers, so we took it. It was a very special experience getting to eat breakfast with them every morning and tour the facilities. Everyone was so nice and there were several people from America working in construction. The grand opening of the new kitchen facilities took place our first day, complete with ribbon cutting! We were treated like special guests and even got a ride to the airport on our last day. There were other visitors there from Norway who also work at similar place, in the management division. We spent one day in the main part of Bangkok after a long boat taxi ride and we walked ourselves to death. Seven hours of straight walking in the hot sun! But, I we both managed to find a few pieces of clothing that we needed and we didn't get too lost. Here are some pics of the new kitchen and sights in Bangkok. I will post pictures of the rest of our trip as soon as possible.

mandy

Pineapples Don't Grow On Trees, But Rubber Does!

Did you know that pineapples actually grow on a low bush? As we drive around exploring the island, we pass large fields, like seas of pinapples clinging to the mountainside. Thailand is one of the largest producers and exporters of this golden fruit and much of that comes from the areas South of Bangkok. The varieties here in Krabi are exceptionally sweet. Street vendors and fruit carts everywhere peddle pineapples. They are often sold by size, 5baht for tiny ones and up to 30baht for the largest size.  It takes two years for the first crop to appear but one plant can yield up to three generations of pineapples before the field is turned under and let lay fallow. By using crop rotation, Thailand has pineapples year round! The pineapple fields we came across along a dirt road, were nestled between long rows of rubber tree plants. The setup reminded me of maple trees. The trees have a section peeled back and scored to bring the sap to the surface. The white sap drips along the cut lines into a cup or half-coconut hanging on a nail. When it dries in the cup, it is a solid piece of white, raw rubber. Native fauna and flora have been destroyed all over the island to make way for this cash crop. It seems anyone with land, has it seeded with these thin, tall trees. It's amazing what you can learn trying to get lost on backroads!


mandy

The Same, Only Different!

I have been finding it difficult to blog this trip. Not just because internet is broadband, one computer at a time but I can't seem to find words. I have plenty of pictures though.  We have been here a week now. The water is much colder than I expected but the sun and wind are wonderful. I was looking forward to the food and we have not been disappointed. Our friends, Jeff and Melissa have been more than generous hosts, showing how to get places, making dinner, introducing us to people. Thanks guys, hope we don't wear out our welcome.
So much of this place reminds me of China. The markets, the noodles, the bargaining, the fresh fruits and vegetables. There are many differences though. Men wear skirts here, the women have prettier smiles, the noodles are covered with curry sauces, the bargaining stops faster even if they don't make a sale and the fruits and vegetables are more expensive. Oh, and the fried chicken is awesome!! Sold on the street for around $2-3 a piece, its juicy and tasty, without the strange sweetness that China gives it.
We are driving a gas powered scooter here. A big step up from my hunk o' junk! Helmets are the law and the police have checkpoints so no worries Mom, we are being careful. I am planning another blog just about the food so you will just have to wait for those pictures. Here are a few random ones :