Diary of J. Jordaan
It is not the habit of Thailandblog to post contributions under a pseudonym, but today we make an exception to that, because Cornelis van Kampen is an avid Thailandblog reader (nice Scrabble word) and responds to just about every posting. So that one has an advantage, but only for this one time.
On holiday in the Netherlands
Yesterday a foreigner from Sweden came to Thailand. He is married to a friend of ours whom we have known for many years. He does roadworks and is a machinist on one of those big vehicles. Very well paid in Europe. In the winter months due to the snow and frost he cannot work and he goes to Thailand for about three months to be with his wife.
Our friend is still working and has a tough job. She cares for elderly people with dementia. Often in the night shift and Saturday and Sunday. It may have nothing to do with my story, but the background is always important. Last year I was a best man at their wedding.
Then comes the story of misunderstandings. My wife and her friend, of course, talked about everything. We went on holiday to the Netherlands and the stories my wife told about that holiday were of course great. There was of course a difference that every holiday with a foreigner to his home country is not the same.
In our situation we could go to a son of my sister who always stayed at a campsite during the summer months and we could stay in his house. What was also great was that I could use his wife's car. My wife, who had lived in the Netherlands for three years, could of course tell very nice stories about it.
We went all over the Netherlands together. Sail with friends in a boat on the canals. Looking around in Amsterdam. Go to Volendam to eat eel and herring.
After a long conversation, Thomas's wife understood that
Then comes the difference. Thomas, the man from Sweden, for example, lives 150 km from Gothenburg. There is nothing to do there except beautiful nature. Sweden is a very big country. The Netherlands is a dot on the map. To go everywhere with my wife (from Beverwijk where we stayed) was already 35 km away. The greatest distance I had to cover was to my friend in Garderen: 120 km.
Last night when they came to our house, I tried to explain (he always lets her come to Sweden for 4 weeks in the summer) that Thomas doesn't have those options, because his country is very big anyway and they don't belong to the EU. Even if he had the means, he would still have to arrange a visa.
What my story is actually about is that even if your Thai girlfriend is so honest about what she has been through (there is a lot of jealousy among each other), stories also differ a lot per country.
After a long conversation, Thomas's wife understood that.
The manager has told us to be economical with water
I have to tell a story about the water management in my area. I fall under Sattahip water pipe (30 km south of Pattaya) and live in Bangsare. About 20 km south of Pattaya. Every day during the day they almost completely shut off the water supply.
The manager has told us to be economical with water. At night you have to refill the reserve tank (if you already have one). During the day you can then simply use water via your tank with the pump. The only thing it costs extra is electricity. Water saving nothing. Where would that man have been educated or is that higher intelligence?
Buildings are going crazy in the Bangsare area. Apartment buildings, bungalows, etc. Where will the manager then get the water from? Will he ever think about the future? Increase its production. Extract water from seawater if necessary. Not so. I'm not going to criticize any further, but in a few years people here will have a big problem. Building like crazy but not thinking about the consequences.
Look, J.Jordaan, that's how you get to know people. That, in my opinion, is one of the strengths of this blog. May I also say Cornelis in the future?
It is certainly true, Thai women talk a lot with and about each other. That's nice, that's how we hear something. When you live in a village, even if it's temporary, you know everything about everyone. Does mean you have to be of impeccable behavior yourself. You and me, no doubt we are.
The manager has a point with that water use. There are always peaks and troughs in consumption. If too many people want to tap water at the same time, hardly any water comes out of the tap. A private reservoir is the solution for this. And of course be a little frugal with the precious drinking water.
Keep addressing him with his alias J.Jordaan, Jacques, to avoid confusion with this namesake!
It is nice to read the stories of those who stay in Thailand permanently or at least for a long time, I have already learned a lot from it and therefore enjoy my visits more.
To be clear: Sweden is indeed a member state of the EU and has also signed the Schengen Treaty.
It is true that Thai women talk a lot. Even too much. Especially if they both have knowledge of foreigners. Firstly, they drive each other crazy with their stories. Second, they have a great imagination to make the other person jealous without realizing that they are risking relationships. One tries to advise the other through one's own bad experiences. Not always the best. Two relationships are not the same. I have seen and heard several times that because of talking, relationships break down..
Totally agree Daniel. The ladies stab each other's eyes with stories about a new car that hubby would have bought for her, building a new house for the family, long vacations in Europe, huge amounts of money that hubby would transfer monthly from Europe to his Thai love ….
And of course they will wonder why don't I have that, why can't my husband do all that for me? It's hard to explain to the ladies that not everyone is in a position to throw money around. That we do indeed have a good income compared to the Thai, but that our costs here are much higher. Meanwhile, they keep looking at each other, comparing, and wondering: why them and not me? I do get a little tired sometimes.
Regards, William
Fortunately, it is very recognizable J.Jordaan. An extraordinary style of writing that, as far as I'm concerned, should not be missed a day on the Blog. A day without Jordaan is a sad day.
It is true that the women often share all the secrets and of course the gossip. That's why my wife only has contact with 2 Thai friends in Tukkerland and she politely declines all invitations she receives from other compatriots because she doesn't want to be present at those gambling and gossip evenings, so no pasar malam in our house. Even at the market she is sometimes approached by Thai women who then put a card in her hand with the address to come, often it is about coming to play cards etc. No, we keep it nicely limited and that suits me and her very good .
Cornelius,
Absolutely right, Sweden is a member state of the EU. A friend of mine has pointed this out to me before. I thought those Scandinavian countries were not included.
Maybe a stupid question, but do they also have the Euro there?
Of course nothing to do with the article.
An old man can always learn something.
J. Jordan.
Not a stupid question, J.Jordaan, there aren't many of them actually. Lots of stupid answers... Sweden has never introduced the Euro, the Swedish Krona is the currency there. Won't they be sad now, I think.......
Quote…:
“The manager has said that we have to be economical with water. At night you have to refill the reserve tank (if you already have one). During the day you can then simply use water via your tank with the pump. The only thing it costs extra is electricity. Water saving nothing. Where would that man have been educated or is that higher intelligence?”
Or does he get his money from the power supplier? At least you made me smile… Looking forward to your next writing.