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A few weeks ago I wrote on facebook that I may find a condo to rent here in Bang Kapi but I`m now happy to report the situation has changed. Not only has Pattarasri, but particularly her grown up son who lives with her, and her daughter and the other family members, have shown me that I am very welcome to live here in Pattarasiri`s home. As time moves on, we all get closer and hopefully, one day soon, I will be able to hold a little conversation in Thai. It is this communication barrier, although not vital to ones happiness here, and until one understands and accepts at least the basics of Thai culture, that may cause misunderstandings.
Friday 27 May 2016... I suppose it is a little like putting a St Christopher around your neck and hoping you will be protected by him on your travels... I noticed some, what looked like. gold markings on the roof inside Pattarasri car yesterday. Apparently a Buddhist monk had put them there to make safe the car and all who traveled in it. Maybe a very good idea, especially in Bangkok, because of the amount of traffic on the roads. :-) Last evening I did what I see most other Thai`s do when they need a pee, or a ching chong as they call it here. I found a piece of waste ground near the top of soi 31 where we were having supper and a few drinks with friends, and relieved myself. It was dark though and I didn`t notice the spirit house I was about to pee in front of. Luckily someone noticed what a terrible thing I was about to do and pointed to the spirit house. I immediately moved to a less sacred spot. I don`t think I would have been very popular with the locals had I not realised my mistake
25 May at 11:28 · Here in Lat Phrao, BangKapi on the edges of Bangkok, I don`t see many white men, or farang as the Thai`s call us white foreigners. However, today Pattarasri and I went for lunch at one of the restaurants in the Mall, one of the large modern shopping centres here and an eccentric looking guy with a white beard eating his lunch on a nearby table caught my eye. "I reckon he`s an Englishman", I said to Pattarasri. No sooner had I said this when he saw me looking, nodded his head and we waved at each other. Later, on our way out, we passed him and said hello. "An Englishman in BangKapi?", I enquired. "No", he replied, "an American". Well, he looked like an Englishman to me. Maybe because he looked a little like the old navy grandpa from the UK TV comedy series 'Only Fools and Horses.
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