Journal entry by Al Negstad — a minute ago
Yesterday's post was partially about Thai eating patterns. Met has opened a small shop, think single stall garage, from which she sells coffee and other convenience items. To her surprise beer is a big seller. However, the point I was going to make is, she likes to have the shop open from 7am until 7pm. Because the shop is very near my school I ride with her as she goes to open the shop. Today I arrived at school at 7:10, but school doesn't officially open until 8:00. While waiting for school to begin I observed many students arriving carrying food from a food stand...I could tell because the food was in Styrofoam containers. Their breakfast had been purchased from a food cart on the way to school.
Eating at a restaurant, as a opposed to at a food stall or taking home food from a cart, is a rare treat for "my" family. Perhaps they never do it in my absence. Frequently I will take them out for a meal. Being the big spender that I am, the meal for 5, costs about $20.00...isn't that about what McDonalds would cost for 5? Included would be 4, or 5, entrees and beverages. They usually choose some form of seafood which includes huge freshwater crayfish....think 6, inches long.
Mysteries abound. First a little background information. Buddhism is the predominant religion of Thailand, though there are many Muslim both at school and in the neighborhood. Even though people are officially Buddhist that doesn't keep them from embracing some animist beliefs. When they clear land to build a house they will build a "spirit house", a small structure of some sort, on the property. This is to appease the spirits that were disturbed by the house construction. Food and beverages will be placed in the spirit house daily to placate the spirits. This is intended to keep the spirits satisfied so they will not bring bad luck.
Now, to the mystery. The house across the street had an elaborate spirit house that was even wired for electricity. Perhaps six feet square, it was about three feet off the ground, and had many statues. It's gone! Where it stood is bare ground. Why? Did the spirits raise havoc so the house was razed? It's just one of many things I'll never know.
Blessings,
Al
Pictures: Met's shop, sunrise over the temple, making hay while the sun shines, compost pile.
Eating at a restaurant, as a opposed to at a food stall or taking home food from a cart, is a rare treat for "my" family. Perhaps they never do it in my absence. Frequently I will take them out for a meal. Being the big spender that I am, the meal for 5, costs about $20.00...isn't that about what McDonalds would cost for 5? Included would be 4, or 5, entrees and beverages. They usually choose some form of seafood which includes huge freshwater crayfish....think 6, inches long.
Mysteries abound. First a little background information. Buddhism is the predominant religion of Thailand, though there are many Muslim both at school and in the neighborhood. Even though people are officially Buddhist that doesn't keep them from embracing some animist beliefs. When they clear land to build a house they will build a "spirit house", a small structure of some sort, on the property. This is to appease the spirits that were disturbed by the house construction. Food and beverages will be placed in the spirit house daily to placate the spirits. This is intended to keep the spirits satisfied so they will not bring bad luck.
Now, to the mystery. The house across the street had an elaborate spirit house that was even wired for electricity. Perhaps six feet square, it was about three feet off the ground, and had many statues. It's gone! Where it stood is bare ground. Why? Did the spirits raise havoc so the house was razed? It's just one of many things I'll never know.
Blessings,
Al
Pictures: Met's shop, sunrise over the temple, making hay while the sun shines, compost pile.
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