The View FROM Nongkhai

Part 22

Published

11 September 2005

Last episode I once again mentioned George Dubya's continuing refusal to face the issue of pollution from the United States and its contribution to Global Warming. Apart from it being warmer on average, one of the predicted consequences of global warming is that established weather patterns will be subject to wild fluctuations, and that weather phenomena will become more and more extreme. The metaphorical ink in my pen was hardly dry when Hurricane Katrina visited George Dubyaland and gave a small demonstration of the awesome power of nature. No matter how much money he accumulates from the rest of us, he cannot use it to hide from the consequences of global warming. I repeat that I am not attacking Americans as people, and I am genuinely sorry for those who suffered at the hands of Katrina, but it would be nice to think that George Dubya is taking the hint from Mother Nature. In school in England we were taught through the example of King Canute, that nature takes no notice of kings (or presidents). Funny how some people never learn the lessons of history.

The Meeting Place : Home of English Cricket

Tension was high at the Meeting Place during the live coverage of a recent Test Match between England & Australia. Right Nigel keeps a firm grip on the remote control. Btw England won!

England fans Ajarn Jon, Micky, Duncan & Nigel wildly cheering a wide, while Oz fan Greg cowers in the corner

Nongkhai Leavers

Michael (more Italians) Cane is leaving Nongkhai and heading west to Chaing Mai (styled by some as the Rose of the North), while Barry is leaving Nongkhai and heading east to Phon Phisai. Both of them will save money in the move, which rather confirms my own opinion that Nongkhai is fast becoming quite expensive. Virginia generously hosted a farewell lunch at the Charoen Sri Grand Hotel in Udonthani.

'A' pictured left took the photo above of Barry, myself, Michael and Virginia. 'A', speaks excellent English, and is running a bookshop in Nongkhai. Meanwhile Virginia's husband Don is currently away in Texas, and Virginia wants Don to buy some new furniture on his return. To make this more likely to happen Virginia has given all the existing furniture to Barry. She recommends this technique to any woman whose husband shares Don's difficulty in opening his wallet. Apparently Don will be coming home to find all his possessions stacked neatly on the floor. With a glint in her eye Grandma Ginny commented 'this way he'll be sure to get some new furniture!'

News from the Outback

I was hoping to be able to report on Julio's curry evening, but it hasn't happened yet. Julio (right giving Duncan a lift) wants to go ahead, but doesn't want a repeat of what happened to Paul last Xmas, (when a large number of people said they would attend, but didn't). The answer will be to sell tickets in advance. The date is set for Tuesday 4th October at the Meeting Place. Tickets are on sale from Julio or Paul from now until the end of the month for an all you can eat buffet. The food will be prepared based on the number of tickets purchased this month. So if you want to go, you will have to buy a ticket this month. Julio is going to prepare Indian dishes using the proper imported ingredients. This means it

will not be cheap. But it will be the authentic taste of proper Indian food! Now there are places in Nongkhai with "Indian" food on the menu where you will pay less, but you know it's just not going to taste the same. In this life, you get what you pay for. On the subject of which Julio had a whole beef fillet, which he cut into steaks and cooked for NZ Nik, David and I. Earlier that evening I had told Julio that his cooking was equal to Glen's food for taste, but that Glen had the edge on presentation and aesthetics. Julio took this as a challenge, so below left was David's 'normal' serving, while below right was my 'artistic' serving. Needless to say, both were delicious!

Above on the left new staff from Laos at the Outback, Tawn with Sangjun (Mrs Julio).

In another of those surprise coincidences, on the same evening that we had the steaks and invoked the name of Glen in the Outback, he and Yai turned up out of the blue. Everyone present was pleased to see Glen, especially so when he proceeded to 'ring the bell'.

Glen told us that he has been working in Norway for a while, but has now returned to Thailand. He is planning to start a new restaurant in Pattaya. Yai was clearly very pleased to see him. Right David who has recently arrived in Nongkhai has been snapping away with my camera. So if you don't like your picture, you know who to blame.

Nongkhai Birthdays

Kim's birthday is here again, funny how it seems to happen almost every year in September. Kim generously hosted a meal for a dozen friends at the Korean barbecue on the river (Neua Yang Gow Lee) followed by coffee and ice-cream at a local coffee shop. Naturally Ou was at Kim's side with her daughter Mae. Also present were Win and Leo, Win's sister Muerk, Kim's Danish friend Bent, Derrick, Dott, myself Oy and Farng.

Thank you Kim it was a lovely evening.

Now Doughnut has asked me to remind you Kim that in he was trying to bring something to your attention. Here is a picture of you with your friend Bent taken when he visited last year, also at the riverside barbecue. Can you see Doughnut's point? Btw Bent what's that in your hand?

I don't think it is too hard to spot that Win and Muerk (picture below) are brother and sister. Win and his partner Leo have a successful flower shop on the river front at the eastern end of Tha Sadet market.

Pictured left is a Spider orchid. See for more pictures of Win's floral creations, or go and visit the shop and see them for yourself.

Until recently Muerk could also be found working with Win and Leo in the shop, but that has now changed. The reason is that Bent and Muerk have become an item, and are very happy together.

Right - the highlight for Mae and Farng is the visit to the coffee shop for the ice-cream.

Some photos courtesy of Lars.

Odd one out : Who is the odd one out and why? 

Richard and Jon

Derrick's son Sam

David

Dan

The clues are in the picture of Sam, and the contents of Richard and Jon's hands. The odd one out is Jon. All the other four have had an accident on a motorbike after drinking an excess of alcohol. The latest victim is David who I'm told has a broken bone in his foot, while Sam broke his wrist last year. Richard came off lightest, he managed to ride the bike home, but then forgot to put his feet on the ground when he got there. So he suffered only bruises and embarrassment. Motorcycles and alcohol just do not mix well! Bicycles and alcohol are not much better, but at least with a bicycle you can load it into the back of a samlaw and get driven home.

A bit of fun : Can you suggest suitable captions for these photos ?

Alan and Michael

Colin

Dan

Christian

A beer thief

Kelvin and Dott

Andy

José

Jon with Andy behind

Me

Eileen with appliance

Pete in his cups

Yai

Glen & his marigold

Une belle fille Française

Win