May 12, 2011

Thailand sure does seem to have a lot of holidays.   This weekend we have off Friday, monday, and Tuesday.   I'm not really sure what the holiday is, but there's a rocket festival I'll be going to and I'm not sure what else was said since everyone speaks too fast.   )I guess they don't clue in to the fact I can't understand them despite the dumb looks and constant asking to speak slower and repeat.   Man, learning another language is really hard.   Especially when you'relearning two languages at once and you can't tell if they're speaking Thai or Isaan.) The main staple food here is of course rice.   But the region I'm living in (Isaan) eats 'sticky rice'.   It's so good.   I think I've found my new favorite food.   And good thing we eat it at every single meal!   I don't actually like white rice, but sticky rice is pretty great.   Especially when you soak it in coconut milk and eat it with mangoes--all of which is plenty to be had.   Mango season has arrived and i eat at least one or two a day.   Thai people are so generous and constantly give me things.   Today I visited a village that is known for its weaving.   A lot of people weave, but this village i guess is locally famous for it.   The leader of the woman's group, who I had only spoken to for a few minutes, had me come over to her house and gave me something she had woven.   It's absolutely amazing how intricate they have made this cloth.   But it's even more incredible that she so generously gave it to me.   I asked to pay for it and she said no!--seeing me made her think of her 5 daughters who live inother places, and she was like being a mother to me.   It's really sweet.   I had told her I'd like to learn to weave so as I left I said I would come back and have her teach me how to weave.   Of course, that's a lot of patience whih is going to be really hard.   But it's exciting.   sometimes i feel so overwhelmed with people's generosity.