An Isan village life (3)
Many here are poor in money, but rich in land. Agricultural land that is, and therefore worth little, although they often build on it, especially if that piece of land is close to a
An Isan village life (2)
Piak, brother of the sweetheart, is a bit of a problem in the family. In a number of blogs (“an Isaan life”), the Inquisitor described the man's day-to-day concerns to survive as an unskilled farmer in Isaan. In that period there was hope that Piak could work his way out of the circle of poverty a little bit. But two years later, little has changed.
An Isan village life
The Inquisitor can say that he is well integrated in this Isan village in the middle of the Udon Thani/Sakon Nakhon/Nongkai triangle. Everyone knows him by name, they greet him spontaneously, like to have a chat, although it takes longer than usual because of the language barrier, which is mainly The Inquisitor's fault.
Isaan falls into a good fold
There are those days when everything falls into place. As always, De Inquisitor wakes up early and the first thing you notice is that the temperature is much more pleasant in the morning. The chill is gone. Twenty-four degrees while the sun has yet to rise. Then you sit very comfortably on your outdoor terrace with a cup of coffee on the laptop to satisfy your curiosity about world events. And this morning there are two things that make it even more enjoyable.
Unpleasant in Isan
The Inquisitor is not someone who is quick to pass on less pleasant experiences. However, sometimes unpleasant things happen in his life. For example, hospitalization was necessary about three and a half years ago, described in an earlier blog (“The Inquisitor and lungplujabaan”).
Customize in Thailand
It is sometimes said that the people here have to catch up because of the technological developments in the world. That there is also an urgent need for a change of mentality such as their approach to modern problems such as traffic, the environment and others. Because we Westerners have been involved in this from the start of these developments, we were given several generations of time. Here they have to do it in a single lifetime.
Greetings from Isan (II)
The Inquisitor, like many people, has a selfish streak. Is he extremely happy that he lives far away from cities and industry, far away from heavy traffic. For months he has been able to enjoy a sunrise in a crystal clear sky, you can see every detail even though it is so far away. That fact is further emphasized by the turmoil in Thailand regarding urban smog. What's more, in Belgium (and the rest of the western world) there is a lot of commotion about the climate in general.
Greetings from Isan
It is quite chilly in the morning when De Inquisitor sits down on his beloved outdoor terrace with the traditional coffee and laptop. Seventeen degrees, actually too cold to quietly read newspapers and other things. So quickly go upstairs and put on 'winter' clothes. Long pants, extra sweater and a hat. Another possibility would be to sit inside, but then De Inquisitor has no view of the large front garden, it seems as if he is back in his old homeland, if you also had to stay inside.
Isan Satisfaction (Part 1)
It is still early, the morning twilight has just set in. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day, it might get too hot later, but that can't hurt Maliwan. At the moment it is still wonderfully fresh, the dew that is everywhere on the green gives cooling. No movement is to be seen anywhere, while Maliwan steps to the back of the garden towards the pump house, housemates and neighbors are still asleep. The pump house is actually two next to …
A new Isaan life (9)
Busy roads, wet streets and disorderly traffic. A cloudy sky with the promise of more rain. De Inquisitor quickly parks in the covered parking of the @Hotel Udon. Strange name but he finds by far the best place to stay: very reasonable in price, right in the center of the city, completely renovated not so long ago.
A new Isaan life (7)
Farang has a pleasant life in Isaan. Well ended up in a caring and pleasant family, his mother and sister also live in the same house. All days are wet and dry, continuous company and he doesn't have to do much for it. He even receives medical care, if necessary, for free.
A new Isaan life (6)
Summer is slowly moving on in Isaan, which means that the rainy season continues to assert itself. Mostly cloudy skies, very occasional showers. Hardly any sun to be seen, but that can hurt few. On the contrary, they are extremely pleasant temperatures. A temporary attraction has been added for the Inquisitor's house: the connecting road that runs in front of the shop is being renovated.
A new Isaan life (5)
The village here is not prosperous and the local people have become resourceful. The meager budget they have available forces them to do so. The Inquisitor suspects that the past has a lot to do with it, he often tries to imagine how things were here fifty years ago. Impossible, he lacks history and cultural experience.
A new Isaan life (4)
Meanwhile, life goes on in the village. There is a Buddhist high day coming up and so the annual big tambun in the temple not so far from our house. Just like every year you see that everything is being embellished.
A new Isaan life (3)
The Inquisitor is in a slightly less good mood after a week. Tough strengthens but does not move a foot, this also to the chagrin of love. She continues to spend a lot of time in Piak's house.
A new Isaan life (2)
The morning after mother and son return home, De Inquisitor has to go to the woods with the love. To collect plants, some with roots and all. Of course the farang wants to know what and why? The sweet starts to smile because she knows his cynicism about ghost stories. And yes, against the ghosts.
A new Isaan life (1)
Piak, in his mid-thirties, has adapted to married life after some effort. Formerly a loser, in the top three of the village drunks, hardly worked and lived on his status as the only male descendant in a family of four children.