Best friends

I realized I don't have a picture of my best friends up yet. This is Wendy and Jeeda, with Jeeda's son, Munglee. We are at a really nice
aqarium.

Jeeda and Wendy are two fabulous Thai women who run a silk screening shop. It's a small operation out of their house. They have a few employees and just leased a machine for high tech embroydering.

Most days I spend a couple hours over there. Just chilling and chatting as they work. Often I help out. Or cook w their mom, or play w Munglee.

Wendy and Jeeda actually speak English so well we take turns- one day we speak in English so they can learn, and one day we speak in Thai so I can learn. But usually it just reverts to me speaking in Thai and them speaking in English, with a scrambling in both languages when we don't understand something. They are so welcoming and loving. I know they would like nothing better than if I packed up and moved over to their cramped little house that already has 5 people. They have invited me to do so many times.

I had to tell them I like to sleep naked as an explination for why I didn't want to move in with them or why I don't want to sleep over on their wood bench in the kitchen/living room/ bedroom of their mother/workshop area. This is what we call "saving face." It is a HUGE part of Thai culture. A friend of mine was actually told by Thais that he doesn't lie well enough and that his time in Thailand will be better if he learns to lie better.

Jeeda and Wendy are SO generous and loving. I love going over there. I have taken to eating dinner there lots. Wendy's mom is a good cook. They eat 'Jaye' style. Which is vegetarian, but also excludes garlic, and onions.

One of the most fabulous things about Thailand is that every household is live TV families of the 50s. People don't call ahead or plan a visit, you just show up. And there are kids from the neighborhood running throughout the houses and street. Everyone looks out for everyone.

So I just head over to their house when I have time, and just walk in. I know I am welcome. Wendy's mom can't get around too easily and usually she is lying on her bed in front of the TV in what is the common room/hallway to the back, etc. And the first thing she always says to me is 'eat.'

There is always about 4 dishes of food out on the little table by the rice cooker. Thais are not extrodinarily concerned w refrigeration. But at least the food has little baskets over it to keep the bugs away. Last night there was a stir fried veggie dish, some battered mushrooms,"cha-ome tawd" which is a veggie w a little egg fried up, there is always fresh veggies w a paste that tastes too fishy for my liking, and there was even hard boiled eggs last night- but I don't usually see that in Thailand. Nothing makes the mom happier than if I grab a plate, fork, spoon, and some rice then sit down and lift up the baskets to see what's under them that day.

About the second word I learnt in Thai (after 'eat'), was ''delicious.' Many hours of conversation revolve around wheither something is 'Arroy' or not. Thai's love to eat. And they love food. And why shouldn't they? Damn it's yummy.