Yes, I really am still in Asia and not in America! But on American Independence Day, I decided to actually play the part of an American. I managed to find the largest group of Americans I’ve ever seen gathered outside of the United States at the American Consulate here in Chiang Mai. For such a patriotic holiday, I can’t think of anyone less patriotic than this group; we don’t even live in America, for heaven’s sake! But they did manage to have a round of karaoke with, among other other songs I haven’t sang since kindergarten in a circle around the Stars and Stripes, “America the Beautiful” and (dare I even say it) “I’m Proud to Be An American.” Geez.
After I recovered from being so overwhelmed by all the Americans and red, white, and blue decorations all over the place, I started talking to some of the people around me. I find that I’m super fascinated with expats and what motivates them to live in another culture. I know what motivates me, but everyone has their own reasons, and yet we are all part of the same breed.
I was excited to notice a family communicating in American Sign Language at the table next to me. I went over to talk to them, and it turns out they work with a Christian Deaf ministry here. One of them even knew the Brazilian Deaf guys I hung out a lot with in Brazil; she met them in Costa Rica. How small is the world?!
I can be entertained for hours just walking around this city and its markets. The people watching is fascinating, and the markets are chock full of pretty things I wish I could jam into my already busting-at-the-seams backpack. The Thai people have got to be the most friendly and creative people in Asia, and their food is definitely some of the best in the world.
Speaking of food, as much as eating in restaurants every day for next-to-nothing isnice, I miss cooking my own food. I joined with some Aussies, Dutchies, and an Irishgirl for a one day Thai cooking course, and we learned to make some of the best dishes known to mankind: hot and spicy chicken soup with coconut milk, massamun curry, phad thai, and mangoes with sticky rice, among others. Yummmmmm!! Now if I can just manage to remember how to make them when I get home!
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oh, i love thailand!! so glad you are enjoying your time there…..please give luka and ghan hugs and hellos from us- and enjoy the rest of your time in asia!!