Good Humor

Lately, I've been hearing the ice cream man circulate the neighborhood in his big ol' panel van with the megaphone on top. American summer.

A few summers ago, it was the little Thai push cart with a dinging bell that called us out to the curb. Every day. Then again, summer is every day when you live in Thailand.

The ice cream man's cart brought us coconut milk ice cream. You could get yours in a cup or on a hamburger bun. With or without sweetened condensed milk poured over the top. hmmm. Make mine a cup with some of those dry roasted peanuts on top.

Man, I miss that little push cart, but Good Humor will have to do.

Tuesdays in Thailand

In the early morning, samlor drivers pedal women to and from the local market where they fill their plastic market baskets. The pace of the samlor is contemplative. The conversation amiable. And, every red light offers a brief rest. No better way to travel the streets of Chiang Mai, a city full of country people which is its abiding charm.

Tuesdays in Thailand

It may be just a handmade basin filled with plastic buckets, but this is one of my favorite shots from my years in Thailand. I ate an amazing street-side lunch at a little plastic table on a tiny plastic stool just a few feet from the wash-up. The overhead light was filtered through a recycled vinyl ad banner cum rain canopy.

Beauty (and accidents of composition) are everywhere. Just look.

Tuesdays in Thailand

Oh, how I miss my local market in Chiang Mai. These tiny little Thai eggplants are essential in a good green curry. Though I've searched in the best markets here, none are to be found in my part of the Hudson Valley. This year I'll find some seed and plant them in the garden. Authentic green curry by August!

Tuesdays in Thailand

Remembering an afternoon in the Bo Sang umbrella making village outside of Chiang Mai. The biggest, reddest bamboo and mulberry leaf paper umbrella that I could find went home with me and shaded my little garden seat until the day I left Thailand (and I passed it on to my teak house's next occupant).

Tuesdays in Thailand

 

For several years, I lived (quite happily) as an expat in Thailand. My camera went with me everywhere. I'll dig through the archives once in awhile to give you a taste of "the land of smiles."