This is not the Thailand I remember.

When I was stationed here it seemed that anything you were promised would always arrive late. I used to get my clothes taylor made in Mukdahan and I seem to remember it being very rare if they were finished on time. Now twice in a row things have come early. The ceiling tile installation started a day early and now the curtains have been delivered and installed a day early. Amazing. They installed all matching tiles today but still need to come back with translucent panels so we have our bathroom skylights again. 

Phai is a little disappointed in the curtains because the sample hanging  in the showroom was a brighter shade (closer to red than brown). The ones we got are a more subtle shade of brown. I think we will be okay by picking up the color with some bright wall hangings but she is a bit sad. I wish the guy had called us when he got the material before he went ahead and cut the drapes. 

It rained all night and all morning so Ning didn't even open the restaurant. Instead we all headed into Nong Bua Lamphu to do some banking, shopping and eating. We went to the big Tesco Lotus store and our bank has a branch there. Phai's sister Jahn did her banking in the branch while I used the ATM. I bought that pair of stereo speakers for Ning's restaurant and they sound great. We all ate lunch at the food court and I had shrimp Pad Thai. It was a change from Ning's soup but I like her soup better. Of course I had to have my large Dairy Queen almond caramel blizzard for dessert. Yummy.

OUr next stop was Thai Watsadu (the huge hardware store). Ning had never been and she loved it. Phai bought some rugs for the house. I had Phai ask about night lights in the electrical department. Three different clerks said they have them but then led us to small light bulbs. It appears there is no such thing as night lights here. Tesco Lotus did not have them either. 

On the way back we stopped in Na Klang and bought a new gas cooker for Ning. While they were across the street buying the cooker I stood with Phai's iPhone and snapped photos of the school buses going buy and some other shots. Photos below. 

IMG 0995

This is outside the Thai Watsadu store. You are seeing just a small part of it.

IMG 0998

You never know what kind of vehicle you will get stuck behind.

IMG 1002

The slower vehicles use the shoulder.

IMG 1008

The busses are packed.

IMG 1017

I see three sets of legs.

IMG 1019

This is a normal passenger bus. Very modern and very high. You get a great view.

IMG 1020

Riding sidesaddle would scare the heck out of me. She isn't even holding on to anything other than her school bag.

IMG 1022

Not all the kids ride the bus but it is so hard to navigate the sidewalks that they walk in the road.

IMG 2872

With the curtains tied back.

IMG 2875

Bedroom Window

IMG 2877

That is a serious amount of material to cover the two door walls. 


© All rights reserved. Photographs are the property of Site Owner and may not be reproduced without written permission.