Basically, I''m loving it up here and long may it continue. Not to say there aren't frustrations- took me over two weeks to get my Ipstar connection working when I got back here, and you certainly can't just pop out for an impromptu meal of choice as was the case back in Pattaya- unless you're content with noodle soup that is, the one dish they do reliably in these parts. And, if your mentality is governed by the clock you'll struggle a bit- because the Locals mentality certainly isn't. But things get done.
For this farang, there are three 'Pillars' that I think my Isaan life would be sorely lacking in the absence of-
1- The wife- Translator, partner, buddy, money manager, cook, gopher- 'nuff said. I'm lucky to have a good one- and boy would the life be tougher up here without her support and care.
^ Funny hat though. Local food could best be described as between eclectic and hair raising. Guess the farangs meal- thats boiled pig guts on the left:-
Actually I eat pretty well- I'll try more local stuff than many a farang, but there are definite limits.
2- The Internet - My everyday link with the outside world really. Life here could best be described as a pleasant mundanity, interspersed with regular and welcome diversions. But for the day to day, thank goodness theres the Internet- even though the best I could do was Ipstar, which sure ain't great, neither is it cheap. I'd feel a bit isolated without it.
3- Family - I'm lucky to have a good family of in-laws, and that isn't always the case in Thailand. Mother in law, who lives with us, is an absolute gem. Then theres 'old Auntie' over the road and KK her son, the wife & kids. We're in and out of each others houses for eats, drinks and so on- KK and I both like a drink when he ain't busy working. 'Young Auntie' regularly pops out from the village- she loves western food, although to her that means burgers, sandwiches & hot dogs. Plenty of kids around too- not unusual for some to stay overnight. They're not the grasping type that expect farang to pay for everything, in fact they reciprocate with food & drinks too. I sure wouldn't be living here if they were a pain in the arse. And cousins working down south come up regularly- mrs sabs sister has recently completed a nice house in the village, her and hubby are longing to move back here. But not for a couple of years- Bangkok wages are paying off their house and car.
So those are the essential Pillars, for me. Then theres the weather, the fresh air and scenery, the friendly locals- and some surprising characters you meet, the drives in the country, markets, periodic forays into Ubon or maybe further afield, a few local farangs, and of course stuff to do around the house. We've got friends in neighbouring provinces- Thai & farang- and visits to them are on the agenda, sometimes we get visitors from further afield too- which I hope the completed Doghouse will further encourage.
Talking of characters, we met this charming old wrinkly at a bucolic shop not far from here, surrounded by forest- of course it sells beer, and I'm quite likely their first and only farang customer. He spoke to me in heavily accented English and, with some help from the wife, we had a chat- he used to load bombs for the USAF at the Ubon base during the Vietnam War, and hadn't seen a farang for years. Great old character- we dropped him back home after a couple of Lao Khao's:-
Life here isn't for everyone but I wouldn't describe it as boring, in fact it's very pleasant indeed- but those Pillars are important. We've opened a small Convenience shop too. Well, the 'shop' isn't there yet actually, but heres where it will be:-
^ The original half sized, half arsed 'carport' that irritated me so much when the bungalow was first built. We'll put down outdoor tiles and prolly a bit of a verandah. I think I'll put up a ramshackle 'lean-to' as well, under the tree in the front garden, so the yokels can sit and have a beer or a Lao khao. Or a chat.
But this is Isaan, and the absence of a shopfront didn't stop us from opening for trade.
Of course, the money is almost an afterthought- if it pulls more than two or three thousand baht a month profit I'll be surprised. But the locals are glad it's there- otherwise it's over three km's of dirt track to the nearest shop. Entirely the ladies idea of course, but I'm quite amused to have ended up a small shopkeeper in the sticks- no doubt my old stockbroker mates would be impressed too.
Our biggest seller to date- Lao Khao, by far.