Krabi
Plan: Catch a bus from Sura Thani to Krabi, a coastal city. Then spend a relaxing night in Krabi while arranging travel details for the rest of the trip (tours, “must-see”s, etc.). The… Continue reading
Tag Archive: travel
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Sunburn Souvenirs: Our trip to the South
A quick background of this trip…Tuesday of that week was a national holiday. School was cancelled, work was closed, and thus starting many weeks ago my farang friends and I planned a mini-trip… Continue reading
What the Filipino: Sagada
Though not the most peaceful-sounding name in the world, Sagada is an oasis from the maniacle machinery of Manila. As you walk down the steep road by dozens of guest houses, weaving and… Continue reading
What the Filipino: Where you going, mom?
Last week I took a trip to the Philippines. I needed to leave the country in order to apply for a visa, and flights were cheap to Manila. The Spanish influences of the… Continue reading
Coco-nuts
If you don’t like coconut – coconut milk, coconut meat, coconut jelly, etc. don’t come to Thailand. Coconut is so plentiful here that it is a daily staple. Although usually a dessert food,… Continue reading
When you’re here, you’re family.
Sorry, I’m in advertising. I couldn’t resist! From the moment I arrived at the airport, virtually every Thai I have met has treated me like family! Immediately my host’s mom insisted that I… Continue reading
Thais and English
In Thailand, everybody gets a basic education in English, so they all theoretically understand atleast a little bit. In my experience, Thais are excited about learning the English language, and love practicing on you, assuming they can work up the courage. This is especially the case with the younger generations.
For example, while shopping at a Floating Market, we were stopped several times by students wanting to ask us questions in English (probably for a class assignment).
Just as they are excited about learning English, they also LOVE when a “farang” tries to learn/speak Thai. You’ll catch more flies with honey than vinegar, and you’ll get much farther in all situations with terrible Thai rather than impeccable English.
“Farang”
A good word to know, though it has to meanings. The word “farang” (the “r” is pronounced kind of like the “r” in the Spanish word “cara) can mean either guava – a delicious fruit you can find at many street carts. The fruit merchants sell all kinds of Thai fruit, cut up into bite-sized pieces and served with a stick so you can eat while walking! (Usually you’ll find watermelon, cantaloupe, mango (young and ripe), and guava (young, or ripe and soaked in plum juice!). One fruit will cost you no more than 20 baht (less than a dollar).
On the other hand, “farang” also means “foreigner!” As my Thai friends tell me, it used to be more of a derogatory term (think “stinky old man”) but now is just a general term used to refer to foreigners, especially white people like me! Knowing this word suprises Thais, and you can especially distinguish it when they’re talking, thus knowing when they’re talking about you! haha
My approach? Embrace it. My Thai friends thought it was hilarious when I pointed to the guava and said “farang, like me!” They love to laugh.
Hot weather, cold people
Growing up, I spent many summer days in the heat of Arizona. There, you get arrested for leaving your kid in the car because it’s so hot, they would die of heat exhaustion.… Continue reading