A Delightful Elderly(?)Lady, A Delightful Family, Delightful Hospitality

We had arrived in the village during the early afternoon. The purpose for our trip to this isolated Isaan village was to visit one of Her@Home’s elderly relatives who’s recently been very ill. I use the word “elderly” in its relative sense (no pun intended). This elderly lady whom we visited is only eight years older than I am.

Anyway, I’m pleased to inform you that despite having been very seriously ill only two months ago this delightful old soul looked very chipper during our visit. She seemed happy and contented, and she was very welcoming and very warm. She did nonetheless appear rather frail, but she behaved as if her physical weakness didn’t bother her at all. I found myself in awe of her strength of spirit, and wondered exactly from where she derived this strength. Did it come from her religious beliefs? Did it come from the comfort she derived from her loving family? Or was it just natural for her to be so cheery and optimistic? I suspect that all three of the aforementioned elements contribute to her delightful disposition.

Her@Home’s relatives made me feel very welcome. They humoured me without end as I murdered their native language before their very eyes. And they tried to relate to my native culture, and in my own language too, with such exclamations as, “David Beckham - Very good!”. And they pampered me with delicious food and a continuous flow of cool, refreshing, soft drinks, until I was almost ready to burst. They’re very kind and caring people.

I enjoyed an hour or so of light-hearted conversation and full-blooded gastronomic gorging with my delightful hosts before declaring my wish to go for a stroll around the village on my own, alone, persona-non-accompanium. All of the Thais present (which included everyone except me) found my wish to do anything alone to be rather strange. Thai people always prefer the company of others whenever indulging in any pursuit. And of course the desire to go for a stroll in the searing heat of the Isaan afternoon sunshine is something that’s probably only understood by mad dogs and Englishmen. But even so, my hosts humoured me in my expressed intention.

So, armed with only a mobile phone and my camera I departed alone for my stroll around the village, and it was fascinating. And I’ll tell you about some of the things which I saw, and I’ll show you some of the photos which I took in the next entries on Doodee’s Thailand. I hope that you’ll pop back for a look.

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