Ice Cream On A Bun

Well I got daring enough to try it. Yes, ice cream on a bun. More specifically, here is how the order went: I tell the street vendor one ice cream on a bun (by pointing), she starts with a bun and puts two scoops of sticky rice on the bun. I tell her mai ow (don't want--I couldn't imagine adding sticky rice to the mixture), so she removes the sticky rice. Then she adds 5 small scoops of "ice cream" onto the bun, and tops it with what appears to be corn. This concoction was only 10 baht, thankfully. Although it was cheap, I think it was a waste of money. The ice cream didn't taste like ice cream, it was more like bun flavour (I guess to compliment the bun it was sitting on). The corn didn't help any and the sticky rice definitely would have been too much. Anyway, I didn't finish it. I couldn't.

This may beg the question, "why put corn on your ice cream?" Well over here, corn is actually considered a dessert. It is put on and in things, as one would do with fruit. I once bought yoghert and the label showed various fruits and corn. I thought, "they couldn't have put regular corn in the yoghert!" Well they did, and it tasted as much--not something I enjoyed. But apparently the Thais like it this way. I've seen one booth at a food court where all they sold was cups of hot corn kernels.

There may be other questions such as "Why put ice cream on a bun?", "Why put rice with your ice cream?" One of the missionaries told me his motto: "Why ask why?". It's not bad or immoral, it's just different. THEY probably don't know why they do it, they just do. They would probably ask you, "Why DON'T you put ice cream on a bun?"

His name is Bun... Spelled PLE

Everyone in Thailand has a nickname, which is a good thing since everyone in Thailand has a REALLY long real name (first and last). Their nicknames usually have nothing to do with their real names. Usually they are just common words or things, and some are in English and some are in Thai. One of the girls here has the nickname "Ying" which means (conveniently) "girl". Another one has the name Goong which means "shrimp". One of the guys around here has the English name "Beer". And another guy has the name "Bun"--spelled PLE. His name requires a bit more explanation.

Bun's nickname is actually from the english word "apple". But in the Thai language, they don't end words with "L". They can't, it's a foreign concept to them (much like it is a foreign concept to us to start a word with "ng"--which they do with ease). So instead of saying "l" at the end of a word, they will say something like "bun". So this guy's nickname is really the last syllable of the word "apple" and thus the spelling "Ple", but the Thais can't pronounce a word ending with "l" so his nickname is pronounced "Bun". You see, it totally makes sence when you understand a little bit of the language.

Change of Plans

As I mentioned in my prayer letter, I wasn't able to help out in Chiang Mai the way I had hoped. The English/Thai/Computer training center had not been set up when I got there. Russell Schmidt was able to rent a place in the beginning of February but it still needed renovations. The end result is that it was decided that I would be better off in Chonburi. There is more to do there. So on Feb 17 I flew to Bankok, and then made my way to Chonburi. There is lots going on in Chonburi (more specifically The Life Center in Bang Saen). So I will be working with Team 2000 and the TREK team that is here.This is a sign on the back of a Tuk Tuk in Chiang Mai. I would have ridden with him if I only had somewhere to go. (Farang means "foreigner" in Thai).

A Bit About Northern Northern Thailand

While I was in Chiang Mai, a team of pastors and businessmen were visiting from North America, touring all that is going on with MBMSI in Thailand. They also came up to Northern Thailand, and I was able to go with Russell to meet them. They flew (we drove) to Chiang Rai, which is 3 hours North of Chiang Mai. From there we drove to Chiang Khong. That is almost as far North as you can go in Thailand. It was really cool because the guest house we stayed at was right on the Mae Khong River, and right across the river was Laos.

We visited several Khmu villages and met with several Khmu pastors. Russell Schmidt's connection with the villages is that he disciples and encourages the Khmu pastors. The Khmu villages are tribal villages, very rural and very poor. But people are really turning to the Lord! It was cool to hear how several people on several different occasions, prayed and received healing. After they were healed, they turned to Jesus. Traditionally their religion was spirit and ancesstor worship. But they have seen the power of Jesus, and those who have turned from it say they are never turning back.

We also toured the "Golden Triangle". This is the border area (not strictly defined) of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). It is more of a tourist trap than anything. We went on a boat ride up and down the Mae Khong River. Then we stopped on an island that is actually part of Laos. The whole island is full of Laocian tourist shops, selling tourist junk. But on the plus side, I can say I've been to Laos. And actually I think I've been to Burma too, although only borderwise, because I never really was on Burmese soil.

After being in Northern Thailand (and Northern Northern Thailand) and seeing all the work that Russell Schmidt is involved in, I must say that he sure has a lot of "irons in the fire". The unfortunate part about his work is that it is so spread out, and there is a considerable amount of time taken up just travelling to the various villages, and even around Chiang Mai. But I am glad to have seen it and I'm glad I was able to serve in a few small ways. God is blessing the Schmidt's ministry in Northern Thailand and I pray that the love of Jesus spreads like wildfire through those villages.

For a more visual tour, please check out my pictures.

Being Sick

I guess it's all part of life, but I was sick. And that drastically decreased my motivation to blog, or do anything. It ended up being some sort of throat infection, which is why the caugh syrup and other pills didn't do anything. I got some antibiotics and that started to clear things up pretty quick. So I got to learn how medicine works in Thailand. It's funny how there are no "prescription drugs". Everything is available. In fact if you tell the pharmacist your symptoms, they will diagnose you and give you the drugs to fix it. The antibiotics I needed were sitting in a box on top of a bunch of other drugs, in one of the aisles. Nothing is really "behind the counter". The other thing that's different is the price. It's cheap. Maybe because it's not the real thing, but as long as it works I guess I don't care. 7 days worth of antibiotics cost 100 baht ($3.00 CAD). At least it's not expensive to get well.

Oh, yes they do have doctors. But if I would have gone to one, I would have paid in the order of 2000 Baht, so I was just as happy to not visit a doctor.

The Buddism of the common Thai

Maybe I'm not one to really comment on such a thing, but it seems to me that the average Thai person is Buddhist, BUT not in a devout sense. I get the impression that the spirit houses, the little offerings and the status of being Buddhist are more to keep the status quo than to really make great strides for Buddhism. And I guess they do their duties to make merrit, but I don't see it really changing their lives. They do what they have to do to keep their families happy and to keep the status quo. Satan's got them right where he needs them. As long as they stay Buddist out of fear of shaming their family, they will never turn to Christianity. But these are just my thoughts, probably more naivety than anything.

Spiritual Update

If you have been keeping up with my blogs, you may have noticed a lack of spiritual entries. It would seem ironic, since I am on a "missions" trip. The truth is, I don't feel any more spiritual here than I do at home. I write about my experiences. Currently my experiences are more comparing and contrasting Thai culture to Western culture. I'm sure God is teaching me things. But recently I haven't had any major revelations in my daily devotions.

One thing that I have started doing consistantly is bowing my head and praying before every meal. So often I have prayed in my head as I started to eat the meal, or just skipped praying altogether. I have been convicted that if I can't do that simple act, I must be embarassed or ashamed to show my Christianity. But I need to be unashamed of that which I believe. And part of that is through prayer. Not to mention that the food here actually needs praying for! You never know if the next meal is going to make you sick. So far so good, but I'm not taking any more chances.

Beer Shampoo

I needed to buy shampoo today, so I went to a drugstore in the mall. Some of the cheapest shampoo was also the strangest. It's funny what kinds of things they use to enhance their shampoo. I could choose between: Henna, Avacado, Yoghurt, Honey and Beer. What part of honey can you extract that would NOT be sticky? As for Avacado and Yoghurt, those are foods. So I choose Beer, because when is the next time I am going to be able to buy Beer Shampoo? (Bob & Doug McKenzie would be proud--there is a reference to beer shampoo on their album). The silly thing is that if I put any of those things in my hair, I would use shampoo to remove them. So why would I want any part of those things IN my shampoo? I guess it's just another one of those Thai mysteries.

Random Stuff

Saw a dog get run over and die. I don't want to witness that again.
Fortunatelly(?) it was the owner that ran over his own dog, so there is no tension between any neighbors. His kids were crying and all, but I learned that later on that day they got a new puppy, so the mourning period was extremely short lived.
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I can't understand how the Thais are able to talk on a cell phone in such noisy places. I've seen many a Thai, carry on what I can only assume is a coherent conversation, on a cell phone, standing right beside--or in--the middle of a busy street. The vehicles around here aren't quiet either. It would be like talking on a cell phone while standing beside a vaccuum cleaner. When my cell rings and I'm on the sidewalk, I have to cover the other ear, and even then the conversation is difficult. So I've come to the conclusion that all Thais are born deaf in one ear :-) (no offense intended, I actually marvel at their ability to block out huge volumes of noise).
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Sidewalks often don't live up to their name around here. The side "walk" is often the side "obsticle course", filled with uneven surfaces, poles, signs that are too low--even for a Thai person, wires, cars, motorcycles--both stationary and moving, plants, tables and chairs, street vendors, bags of garbage, store displays, dogs, cats, and oncoming pedestrians. Most of the time there is a path through the maze, but it's usually only wide enough for one person to pass through. Half the time I give up and just walk on the road.

Prices

I just got back from an awesome lunch. Sweet and sour chicken, on rice, with fresh vegitables. It was so tasty. To complement it I had a Mango Shake, made with fresh mangos (I know because I watched them make it). The total for the meal was only 45 Baht ($1.29 CAD). I've often thought "something this good should not be this cheap". What's the opposite of highway robbery?

Some other Chiang Mai prices for you in Baht (and Canadian):
- 1L Water: 5 Baht ($0.14)
- Ice Mocha (Starbucks quality): 55-65 Baht ($1.57-$1.86)
- 1.25L bottle of Coke: 27 Baht ($0.77)
- Ice cream cone (prepackaged): 20 Baht ($0.57)
- Typical noodle or rice dish: 25-80 Baht ($0.72-$2.29) The price really fluctuates depending on the attractiveness and location of the place.
- Typical fresh fruit drink: 10-20 Baht ($0.29-$0.57)
- Bag of fresh fruit (Pinaple or watermelon or others): 10 Baht ($0.29)
- Cell phone: 2,200-15,000 Baht ($60-$430)
- Cell phone minutes (anywhere in Thailand): 5 Baht/min 1st minute, 2 Baht/min after (14.3cents, 5.7cents)
- Cell phone call to Canada: 10 Baht/min (29cents/min)
- High speed internet: 30 Baht/hr ($0.86/hr)
- Trip across town on a Tuk Tuk (3 wheel covered cart): 80 Baht ($2.29)
- Trip across town on a Song Tao (pickup truck with benches in the back): 30 Baht ($0.86)
- Trip around town on an air conditioned city bus: 12 Baht ($0.34)
- Small motel room in downtown Chiang Mai--Prices vary, using mine as an example (Hot Showers, TV, Fridge, Air Conditioning, queen size bed, and a 4 foot by 4 foot balcony): 300 Baht/night ($8.57/night).
- 2 hr boat ride up the Ping River (includes herbal drinks): 250 Baht ($7.14)
- A day trek (bamboo river raft, elephants, lunch, hill tribe villages): 700-1600 Baht ($20-$45).

Keep in mind those prices include tax. There is a 7% Value Added Tax (VAT) but it is built into the price on everything you buy. With prices like these, it's no wonder this place is crawling with tourists.

Financial Update

Wow. I received a financial support update today and couldn't believe what I saw. Several more people sent in generous donations after my previous support update. Not only am I fully funded, I'm overfunded! When I originally made up the Support-O-Meter, I made the scale up to 125%. To be honest, I didn't think I would make it to the 100% mark. But God has blessed me almost $1000 over my budget! That goes outside the bounds of my Support-O-Meter's range. I can't believe it. All I can say is PRAISE GOD and thank you for your donations!

It is another testimony of God's faithfulness. Blessing me more than I could imagine (note the Support-O-Meter's size). It is also another confirmation that I am where I'm supposed to be.