Diary of a farang in Isaan

[HighPriority]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Very nice words HP.

 

Phon Phisai I know it quite well. Very nice area indeed. The river is not too wide there so the water absolutely tonks through.

 

Well, I am not sure of 'peace and calm', but at least I've not had a cat thrown at me for some time. But! Have to take it in my stride. A lot of the time humour sees me through. The wife was so angry with me that she was going to get young boys to kill me as I slept. "Young boys". I said; "send young girls and let me die happy."

 

The wife didn't have a happy childhood. Her parents sold her a few times, when she was very young; but she kept being brought back. She left school at 12 (everyone did, unless going onto higher education). And her older brothers would beat her when she wouldn't bring in the buffaloes during thunderstorms.

 

Dear, dear, dear. Wouldn't want to live anywhere else though. Love Isaan.

Man, the river flowing there is awesome !!

Before I saw it I had dreams of swimming it... until I saw how wide and strong it flowed ! ????

 

My wife also deserted school at a similar age so not well schooled but certainly no buffalo... except on occasion... ????

We've met an Older thai lady who is our Neighbour here in outer Darwin, she told us of being sold as a child and not actually knowing her birthday and such, very sad but she keeps going on growing and selling eggplant and chilies at the local markets.

 

Issan is beautiful in its way, I’d prefer coast personally but that’s all a long way off...

[owl sees all]

11 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Man, the river flowing there is awesome !!

Before I saw it I had dreams of swimming it... until I saw how wide and strong it flowed ! ????

 

My wife also deserted school at a similar age so not well schooled but certainly no buffalo... except on occasion... ????

We've met an Older thai lady who is our Neighbour here in outer Darwin, she told us of being sold as a child and not actually knowing her birthday and such, very sad but she keeps going on growing and selling eggplant and chilies at the local markets.

 

Issan is beautiful in its way, I’d prefer coast personally but that’s all a long way off...

The coast can be inviting. I lived in Jamaica for a while and the coast is simply fantastic. Also spent my childhood on the bank of the Thames estuary at Dagenham Dock and Barking creek. And!!! Southend-On-Sea and Canvey Island at the week ends; family treats. Then there was Tilbury Riverside when I got older. I've seen enough coast. Same everywhere; sand and salt water, and near-naked ladies frollicking in the shallows.

 

About 8 km upstream of Phon Phasai there is a lot of bank erosion and some houses have found their way into the river. Some 20 km downstream (to the east) there is a huge government palm plantation. Good for a visit.

 

The Ozz dollar is the most decrepit and mismanaged major currency in the world. When I first came to Thailand it was on par with both the Canadian and US dollar at 35ish. What has happened? Australia; so rich in naturals and a population of work-horses and innovation. Something sadly amiss.

[Kadilo]

2 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Obviously referring to the Hammer's golden years.

You’re memory’s good Owl, must have been before my time. ????

[owl sees all]

2 hours ago, Kadilo said:

You’re memory’s good Owl, must have been before my time. ????

1986 was a decent season when the club attained a third spot, but for many supporters the biggie was 1999. Winning the Intertoto Cup (beating Metz) and finishing fifth in the EPL. So two golden years. And, I was there when we pummeled Leeds 7-0 at the Boleyn a few years ago.

 

 

Edited March 21, 2020 by owl sees all

[HighPriority]

Mum and sister took me fishing a couple of years ago, just a roadside culvert 100m from home. 

[Odysseus123]

On 3/21/2020 at 12:01 AM, HighPriority said:

Well, that was a bloody rabbit hole to send me down @owl sees all @thai beach lovers et al !!!

ive just spent two days reading the BIL thread linked at the bottom of page 34 (?) 

my feeble little brain is spinning, trying to catch up and digest the various comings and goings... my wife has been in Australia for 9 months now, and though I purchased a second hand tractor for them ????????‍♂️ I’ve been pretty much spared the family/BIL <deleted> that so many of you have endured.

your stories have been salient, inspiring and foreboding, lucky for me my wife is different...

 

I sincerely hope that you guys are happy and well, I wish the Dark Lord would stop by...

Ah yes the Dark Lord..my,my,he got himself into a lot of scrapes.I suspect that he was flown out of Thailand in a covert operations helicopter (painted black-as befits a dark lord) and is still being debriefed after all these years..

 

I wonder where 'Old Hippy' is these days and how he's going?

 

My Aunty (pa) Jun died yesterday at the age of 80.Even tho' we are far way now my wife kept her vigil last night and,because aunty was poor, we will be contributing money to the funeral as are most of the people in the village.

 

That's the funny thing about Thailand..it never really lets you go.

 

Here is Aunty Jun...(not a good photo)

 

 

Edited March 21, 2020 by Odysseus123

[Odysseus123]

15 hours ago, HighPriority said:

It was written in full knowledge Kadilo, I’m glad you enjoyed it ????
 

edit: I’m glad you enjoyed it too Odysseus ! 
I trust your health and will are strong

Many thanks for your kind wishes.

I still get out and about a bit tho' it takes a fair amount of effort...

My birthday last year-surrounded by Aussie and Thai friends.

 

 

[HighPriority]

1 hour ago, Odysseus123 said:

Many thanks for your kind wishes.

I still get out and about a bit tho' it takes a fair amount of effort...

My birthday last year-surrounded by Aussie and Thai friends.

 

 

Ody !

Its great to see you up and about ????????
It looks like you had a great night with good friends, enjoy. 
 

[Odysseus123]

16 hours ago, owl sees all said:

The coast can be inviting. I lived in Jamaica for a while and the coast is simply fantastic. Also spent my childhood on the bank of the Thames estuary at Dagenham Dock and Barking creek. And!!! Southend-On-Sea and Canvey Island at the week ends; family treats. Then there was Tilbury Riverside when I got older. I've seen enough coast. Same everywhere; sand and salt water, and near-naked ladies frollicking in the shallows.

 

About 8 km upstream of Phon Phasai there is a lot of bank erosion and some houses have found their way into the river. Some 20 km downstream (to the east) there is a huge government palm plantation. Good for a visit.

 

The Ozz dollar is the most decrepit and mismanaged major currency in the world. When I first came to Thailand it was on par with both the Canadian and US dollar at 35ish. What has happened? Australia; so rich in naturals and a population of work-horses and innovation. Something sadly amiss.

Actually the Aussie dollar isn't that bad for an export driven nation-even tho' it went into decline vis-a-vis the Baht (and the US dollar) from 2016 onwards..which was a real bummer for me and many others in Thailand..

 

Demand for mineral resources is low and we have had a 3 year mega drought which has wiped out about 20 percent of agricultural production.

 

Just add the bushfires (hell's bells!) and now the Big Corona and it will take a little time to get back on track-but I doubt that we will get back to the 33b in the dollar thing for quite some time.

 

What the drought looked like (and still does in places)..no herds..no flocks..no agriculture..in a usually green and lush valley.

 

p.s..my wife has woke up up this morning convinced that she is dying of the Big Corona..but is now happily chatting on Thai social media once again-phew..that was a close shave!????

 

[Kadilo]

18 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Also spent my childhood on the bank of the Thames estuary at Dagenham Dock and Barking creek. And!!! Southend-On-Sea and Canvey Island at the week ends; family treats. Then there was Tilbury Riverside when I got older. I've seen enough coast. Same everywhere; sand and salt water, and near-naked ladies frollicking in the shallows.

 

Born and bred in Grays, Essex adjacent to all those places you mention. Still spend many hours walking along the Thames when back home seeing the folks. The walks have improved a lot over the years. 

[Andrew Dwyer]

17 hours ago, owl sees all said:

1986 was a decent season when the club attained a third spot, but for many supporters the biggie was 1999. Winning the Intertoto Cup (beating Metz) and finishing fifth in the EPL. So two golden years. And, I was there when we pummeled Leeds 7-0 at the Boleyn a few years ago.

 

 

Apologies for the sad emoji on the quoted post Owl but i was sad to see you using the font again, my failing eyesight means I have to zoom in to read .

If that humiliation wasn’t enough i then had to read about my team having a bad day ( ???? ) a few years ago !!, i was only 5 at the time so thankful I don’t remember the “ bad day “.

 

disgruntled Leeds fan.

[HighPriority]

Owl, I thought that the last time you used that font you decided that you needed it to be 1-2 points larger in future...?

if we do not learn from our past we are doomed to repeat our mistakes... ????????

[owl sees all]

16 minutes ago, HighPriority said:

Owl, I thought that the last time you used that font you decided that you needed it to be 1-2 points larger in future...?

if we do not learn from our past we are doomed to repeat our mistakes... ????????

You and Andy are quite right. No more 'comic' fonts. Even though it is my favourite.

Edited March 22, 2020 by owl sees all

[owl sees all]

51 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

If that humiliation wasn’t enough i then had to read about my team having a bad day ( ???? ) a few years ago !!, i was only 5 at the time so thankful I don’t remember the “ bad day “.

Leeds were a force to be reckoned with during those times. But when the Irons were on their game they could beat anyone. Shame they were not 'on there game' more often. Same even now.

 

The fixture before the Boleyn game, Leeds had gone to Highbury and come away with an easy 1-3 win.

 

I've heard - perhaps you could verify Andy - that Bremner was very angry in the dressing room, after the game, and threatened a few players for not busting their gut enough.

 

Later I began to appreciate Leeds, when I had a lovely girlfriend who lived near the ground.

 

I must say that The Irons are not my number one team. My team is 'deleted'; too embarrassed to say. Although they were a top flight club in the early 1960s.

Edited March 22, 2020 by owl sees all

[HighPriority]

Nah, go your hardest, keep us working hard and honest !????

[Andrew Dwyer]

6 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Leeds were a force to be reckoned with during those times. But when the Irons were on their game they could beat anyone. Shame they were not 'on there game' more often. Same even now.

 

The fixture before the Boleyn game, Leeds had gone to Highbury and come away with an easy 1-3 win.

 

I've heard - perhaps you could verify Andy - that Bremner was very angry in the dressing room, after the game, and threatened a few players for not busting their gut enough.

 

Later I began to appreciate Leeds, when I had a lovely girlfriend who lived near the ground.

 

I must say that The Irons are not my number one team. My team is 'deleted'; too embarrassed to say. Although they were a top flight club in the early 1960s.

My “ Peacocks “ days were limited from ‘72 to’85 so although I caught the back end of the glory days I also caught the start of the decline from which they have never recovered ????.

 

Anyhoo, sorry to go off topic, back to Isaan ????

[Odysseus123]

I see that the Big Corona is now making its way to the provinces..which was/is inevitable,unfortunately.

 

I would like to wish all the posters on this excellent thread-and their families and friends-good health,good fortune and good luck.

 

May we all see happier times in the not too distant future.

 

Edited March 23, 2020 by Odysseus123

[Kadilo]

20 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

I see that the Big Corona is now making its way to the provinces..which was/is inevitable,unfortunately.

 

I would like to wish all the posters on this excellent thread-and their families and friends-good health,good fortune and good luck.

 

May we all see happier times in the not too distant future.

 

Worrying time’s. 

Im back to the UK tomorrow (pending any last minute interventions). I have my parents still alive both in their late 70’s so need to spend some time with them before hopefully heading back to work. Work have said i need to stay off for 2 weeks to ensure no issues after being here so worked out ok. 

I have left my partner and her family in a better position than when I arrived. Gel, masks, dry goods, plenty of provisions so no need for them to venture out unnecessarily. 
 

But this is Isaan. You can only help as much as you can and then once you leave they pretty much do what they want, but my conscience is clear lol.
 

Having spent the past 3 days in centre of Udon I will actually be happier when my partner returns to the village. Somehow the more remote you are feels more safer. Unless hospitalisation is required i guess. 
 

 Anyhow, all the best to all in here and their loved ones wherever you are. Dig deep. 

Edited March 23, 2020 by Kadilo

[Assurancetourix]

In Phom Pisai there is a specialized company with which you can throw the ashes of a recently deceased family member in the Mekong  ( Mae Nam Khong )
We rented it a year and a half ago to throw my stepfather's ashes in the Mekong. ( died at 83 y in his house in our village )
It is a ceremony that I did not expect.
No one is sad, they even laugh a lot

 

 

 

[Assurancetourix]

After the cremation at the village Wat, the monks returned the ashes to us; in fact not everything is completely reduced to ashes

 

 

 

My stepson and one of his cousins take the vaguely human form of the ashes

 

 

Then we mix everything

 

 

 

Then we all get on the boat to go to the middle of the river

 

 

 

 

 

[Assurancetourix]

When I write that it's not sad

 

 

 

I do not have  photos of the moment when the ashes are thrown into the Mekong because I made a video;
I will search for it on my U-Tube account;
and then when it's over we don't forget to eat ...

 

[HighPriority]

Assurancetourix, I’m sorry to hear.

My wife’s father was diagnosed with terminal cancer a week after she arrived here in Australia last year, she returned to nurse him for his final 3 weeks... ????

So quick ! ????

the photos and video she sent me of the village cremation was fascinating, slightly more earthy than an Aussie cremation...

 

you guys all keep a low profile over there, and enjoy the rain ???????? 

[GarryP]

33 minutes ago, Assurancetourix said:

When I write that it's not sad

 

 

I do not have  photos of the moment when the ashes are thrown into the Mekong because I made a video;
I will search for it on my U-Tube account;
and then when it's over we don't forget to eat ...

 

 

It is called the Loy Angkarn ceremony. It is done sometime after the cremation. Sometimes only a few days and sometimes a few weeks. I have done it twice myself in Bangkok, first time for my daughter and second time for my wife. We hired a boat in Bangkhuntian, and went down the klongs and out into the sea there https://goo.gl/maps/rzLkyKPe4UemyN4U9. It seems that this is a common place to do it because we can then stop off for something to eat at Bangkok Seaview Restaurant.  

[Assurancetourix]

The videos I made that day 

 

 

 

 

 

[owl sees all]

Owl Log 23-03-2020

 

Well, what a Silly Billy I am. There was me thinking that the Buddha pond was being deepened for the benefit of the fish.

 

Lots of activity yesterday morning. Mrs Owl got dressed up and dragged Milly along to the temple grounds. I didn't want to go but asked Milly to take a pic or two with her telephone if anything interesting was occurring.

 

 

It was a blessing ceremony for the pond. Top monk looking on.

 

Right then. Who's first for a nap.?

 

 

Do not kick mud, and dirt, into the foundations. Building control will be on yer backs.

 

So this is where all our spare 500 Baht notes have gone (the ones we didn't want).

 

 

The procession through the village, about a week ago, was linked to this construction. The resident farang was blissfully unaware of all this. He just thought it was some exercise thing. I've been informed that there is to be a building above the pond. School kids, from all around, gonna pile in and feed the fish for 20 Baht a go. That's after the building is completed, the pond filled with water and the fish put in. BUT! Five years from now I'll have to keep an even keener eye on my koi carp.

 

Someone has big future plans for the village. I'm learning all the time. I'll watch on (at a distance) with interest.

 

And next day; work is racing ahead. Did you lot get all the <deleted> out of the foundations before the concrete arrived? Yes Boss! No problem.

 

 

 

(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)

 

That does look a lot like tobacco floating on top of the water. And it is. The Mrs explained that mixing tobacco and water, leaving for a few days, and spraying it onto the leaves will protect the plant from little insects that feast themselves on anything green.

 

 

Sprayer's ready to go.

 

 

Of course being Thailand, the sprayer's battery was not charging. Don't know why? My money's on the charger (made in China). Anyway; saved me a job. The Mrs used a small watering can instead, while I gathered a bucket of neem leaves with Milly.

 

(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)

 

The lady - who we do call 'the Shop Lady' - has reopened her shop next door to us. Selling little bits of this and that. Mrs Owl sold her all our empty coke bottles (for benzine) a few days ago; one baht each. I wondered where all her extra money had come from. Dark now, so I'll snap the shop tomorrow.

 

I hadn't seen the Shop Lady's daughter for a while and asked the wife where she was. "Run off with man." Said she tersely. Now is not the time for gleaning more info,,,,. I think she must be jealous.

 

(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)

 

No one at all is wearing masks around here. Looks like the virus has passed us by. Just have to keep those returning Pattaya and BKK wallers away when the water festival starts. Some chance that!

 

More to follow (hopefully).

[owl sees all]

Owl Log - 27-03-2020

 

A drop of rain decended on the village Wednesday morning. Very welcome too. Does this signify the start of the wet season? No rain forecast until next week at the earliest; but you never know.

 

One group for sure that didn't want the rain this week was the temple construction team. Only just finished the sub-structure and now they have mud to deal with. But, it is a pond, so a start on the refilling.

 

 

 

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

 

The shop lady has stocked up and fully opened her shop. Not too busy as yet.

 

 

Our dwelling to the left, behind all the greenery.

 

 

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Not sure what to make of the virus in these parts. I understood it that anyone entering the village from a high-risk area had to self-quarantine for fourteen days. Reckon I've got that wrong. At least four girls have arrived in the last three days from Phuket and Pattaya. They are just wandering about the village as though they had never been away, and without masks. Mrs Owl, Mildred and myself do not go outside our little compound without a mask now. Am I being paranoid or what?

 

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

 

Continuing with M's lessons. Two weeks now and everything seems to be going very well, although we had quite words yesterday over a section of the lesson that she didn't understand, and we wasted half-an-hour 'cause I thought she was following, and she wasn't. I asked her how many times at school, a kiddie would put up his/her hand and say, "Please Miss, could you cover that again, I didn't grasp it." She said "never." Have to tread carefully, the teaching here is so different. 

 

Trig' today, and how it links in with algebra. Also pythagoras. And' another win for her in our daily chess game. She's soon going to suss out that I bought my level on the internet.

 

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

 

My friend, in a near village, told me today that 70's and older are not allowed out due to the virus. 30k fine and/or a spell in the local town's police nick. I told the misses and she replied "rubbish". Have to get the pick-up motted and taxed on Monday. Hope she's right.

 

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

 

Bought 100 eucalyptus trees on Wednesday. The little trees look great. The ones in the pics are for the front of number two farm.

 

 

And the view from t'other end.

 

 

After some discussion we settled on 2.5 metres apart. Will plant them 0.5 metres from the road edge. Bought them from a seller just outside Ban Dung. Got 100 at two baht a piece.

 

 

Twenty little plastic bags to one bigger plastic bag.

 

Got them back and gave them a good watering.

 

 

 

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

 

Not fixed the hole in the roof yet. Mrs Owl shows little enthusiasm for climbing up there, I'll fix it myself soon; maybe next week.

 

That's it guys.

 

Stay safe out there

Edited March 27, 2020 by owl sees all

[Odysseus123]

It's sad to see that the drought has still not broken.

 

Over here we have had about 500 millimetres in the last month.The creeks and rivers are bubbling along nicely...

 

What type of eucalypts are they?

 

 

[Tagged]

Nice tread owl, thank you 

[owl sees all]

12 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

It's sad to see that the drought has still not broken.

 

Over here we have had about 500 millimetres in the last month.The creeks and rivers are bubbling along nicely...

 

What type of eucalypts are they?

 

 

That is one cracking pic' Ody. Puts my efforts to shame.

 

What kind of eucalyptus trees are they? Well considering that there are many varieties (maybe hundreds) we have been lucky enough to get the fastest, and straightest growing. Also the heaviest, when cut (better yield), and virtually bug resistant. Not sure about fire resistance; she didn't mention that. Also they are very lovely and will soon turn Mrs Owl into a millionaire (again*). But what strain or variety are they; no idea. Just follow the expert's advice, and the knowledgeable (about everything) Mrs Owl.

 

* When I last left Thailand for the UK, to vote in the Brexit referendum, There was a million in the bank. When I returned in late June, six weeks later, there was only 300k Baht left. I said, before I left, to put all expenditure down on paper. Perhaps she didn't understand me. Dear, dear dear. Opened the bedroom cupboard, her side, when I got back and out fell 27 designer hand bags. Just can't have enough hand bags!

[Odysseus123]

7 minutes ago, owl sees all said:

Opened the bedroom cupboard, her side, when I got back and out fell 27 designer hand bags. Just can't have enough hand bags!

Oh my lord!

 

Yep...Ody starts having flashbacks..T-PTSD..you know.????

 

Best of luck with the eucalypts.My friend at Det Udom had lined his farm with them and they looked splendid.