Old news and food in a closed restaurant

Lampang has an added attraction. I wrote a short piece about it a few months ago the dilapidated house of Louis Leonowens. He was the son of Anna Leonowens, the protagonist of the story “Anna and the King of Siam“. This morning we were again at Baan Louis, as the house is called here, and for a very good reason: the house has been refurbished.

The completion of the refurbishment was celebrated with music, speeches (which are usually way too long here, but that doesn't matter because they won't be listened to anyway) and an exhibition of old photographs of Leonowens and his trading firm, and new drawings and paintings from Ban Louis. Mieke even figures in one of those paintings, but if the maker had not pointed this out to us, we would not have seen it.

A 19th century building as a new landmark: old news. Baan Louis is located near Lampang's most famous house, Baan Sao Nak, the house of many pillars, in the most beautiful area of ​​the city. Admittedly, the houses are not attractions of an exorbitant level, but the visitor to Lampang is generally not one to seek out the busiest tourist spots.

Last week we were having lunch in one of the most beautifully situated restaurants in the area, just outside the city. Mieke complimented the owner on the beautiful garden and promptly received a small tree that she had said she liked so much as a gift. James, painter of Mieke's portrait and my Thursday chess opponent, got talking to the owner and understood that there would be an event today with Northern Thai food and music. We wanted to experience that, so we planned a lunch date for today in the same restaurant. I am ashamed to confess that I do not know its name.

On arrival it turned out that James had partially understood it. The event in question was indeed going on, but the restaurant was closed. It was the owner's birthday party. But yes, you are in Thailand or you are not. Despite the tent being closed we were invited to come in. Luckily I had printed out the photo I took of the staff for everyone in it, so I even brought a present with me, which was enthusiastically received.

A table was conjured from somewhere and someone brought something to eat from all the mini stalls with Northern Thai dishes that were in the garden. So we finally left the closed restaurant without seeing a bill and still with a full stomach. And so we are also well reminded why we love living here.