Boy just went through (hopefully its over) a long bout of sickness. I have not vomited for 12 years or so (think it was 2000), that record is now smashed. Two days ago after eating in a nice semi expensive restaurant I had used before I came back to my room feeling bad, the feeling got worse over the next 2 or 3 hours then in the middle of the night I woke up ran to the washroom and vomited everything up. Boy its fun to see your food for the second time, its not quite as good looking on the rebound. Not to get into to much detail here but I had 4 regurgitation's that came out in Lucas vision super sterero surround sound.
The next day I had a van booked to come to Vieng Vang Laos (on my way to Vientiane) so I was sort of forced to take it even thou I was feeling very poorly. This ride turned out to be the ride form hell, up and down mountains with very curvy roads. I am not that good on curvy mountain roads but always manage to not get sick, not this time! I ended up going through 8 rounds of vomiting, the last 5 had basically nothing come out as I had emptied the old stomach, just dry loud empty heaves.
I think I horrified the Laotian bus driver who was sort of a grumpy guy to start with, he was trying to pick up one of the female Laos passengers (got her phone number) I am sure my ralphing noises did not help the seduction process, maybe that is why he was making such sour faces at me (even later when I apologized to him). The farang backpacker passengers were much kinder (from Spain) they told me no problem when I apologized to them and even inquired about how I felt many times, one girl behind me said she was "I feel so sorry for you!".
It was a nasty experience but I kept thinking about Purb (Laotian farmer I met recently) and what would happen to him with a similar sickness. I had access to good medication, to clean showers, toilets, I do not have to work and help support a family of 9. What would he have done in the same situation as I was in? Gone to work? Gone without medicine so he could buy something for his children? I had it relatively easy in comparison.
On to Vientiane, going to take lots of tissue and plastic bags! Ralph!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Back To Muang Pra Baung
After 3 nights in the outback of Muang Noi I am back in the formal capital of Laos Luang Pra Baung. I am staying in a guesthouse with a/c, a TV a wonderful hot shower and and small fridge, this room feels like a 5 star hotel! Gosh hot water feels good in a shower!
Will be back in Bangkok in about 4 days.
Will be back in Bangkok in about 4 days.
A Quick Snack, Deep Fried Frogs!
On my last full day in Muang Noi I went to photograph Purb's family again (only had 10 sheets of film wish I had more). I did the family pictures in an open leafy area not far from their house, the area was surrounded and shaded by beautiful Teak trees.
As I made the portraits most of the rest of the family sat around watching me. I have gotten used to having 5, 10 or even 15 people watching my photo sessions, the view camera and tripod tends to attract a crowd. When I took a break I walked over to where the family was and the mother of the home (Purb's Mom) told her grandson to give me something he came back with a little tomato and gave it to me. I tasted it and it was very sour, I made a face as I ate it and everyone laughed or smiled (Purb's wife, mother, and 3 children were there there along with his younger sister). After the tomato the mother said something else and the little boy went away and then came back with a little fried frog for me to eat, it was the whole frog complete with head and eyes, it was small, oily looking and shriveled up blackish thing. I did not really want to eat it, I was worried about how it would affect my already problematic stomach issues, the area was also not sanitary, the boys hands, face were dirty etc. I thought thou it would be impolite to not eat the food, I looked at everyone watching me and waiting for me to try the frog, they all had expectant eyes, especially Purb's wife who was watching me closely. I decided it was best to be polite and give it a try, I chomped down on one of the little legs and it actually tasted pretty good, like very deep fried meat. I ate the second leg and then the body of the little frog up to the head and told them it was very good. The mother then to my surprise said something else and the boy came back with 3 much larger fried frogs! These were much more oily and less delicious looking (bigger head and frog eyes than the first little guy, always had a thing against eating food that could look at me!), I thanked them and took the frogs and placed them in my vest pocket for later (did not eat them but did make photographs which I will put on the blog later).
How come the poorest of the poor are often the most gracious hosts? The kindest people seem to me to often be also the poorest. I have often received food, drinks and friendship from poor people all over Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Inner Mongolia), its part of the tradition of the various cultures to be hospitable but it also speaks to the natural goodness, the true kindness of the individuals.
(this story reminds me of my chicken foot story from a few years back, check out the link)
http://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/2009/07/chicken-foot-email.html
As I made the portraits most of the rest of the family sat around watching me. I have gotten used to having 5, 10 or even 15 people watching my photo sessions, the view camera and tripod tends to attract a crowd. When I took a break I walked over to where the family was and the mother of the home (Purb's Mom) told her grandson to give me something he came back with a little tomato and gave it to me. I tasted it and it was very sour, I made a face as I ate it and everyone laughed or smiled (Purb's wife, mother, and 3 children were there there along with his younger sister). After the tomato the mother said something else and the little boy went away and then came back with a little fried frog for me to eat, it was the whole frog complete with head and eyes, it was small, oily looking and shriveled up blackish thing. I did not really want to eat it, I was worried about how it would affect my already problematic stomach issues, the area was also not sanitary, the boys hands, face were dirty etc. I thought thou it would be impolite to not eat the food, I looked at everyone watching me and waiting for me to try the frog, they all had expectant eyes, especially Purb's wife who was watching me closely. I decided it was best to be polite and give it a try, I chomped down on one of the little legs and it actually tasted pretty good, like very deep fried meat. I ate the second leg and then the body of the little frog up to the head and told them it was very good. The mother then to my surprise said something else and the boy came back with 3 much larger fried frogs! These were much more oily and less delicious looking (bigger head and frog eyes than the first little guy, always had a thing against eating food that could look at me!), I thanked them and took the frogs and placed them in my vest pocket for later (did not eat them but did make photographs which I will put on the blog later).
How come the poorest of the poor are often the most gracious hosts? The kindest people seem to me to often be also the poorest. I have often received food, drinks and friendship from poor people all over Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Inner Mongolia), its part of the tradition of the various cultures to be hospitable but it also speaks to the natural goodness, the true kindness of the individuals.
(this story reminds me of my chicken foot story from a few years back, check out the link)
http://gerryyaum.blogspot.com/2009/07/chicken-foot-email.html
Yikes There Is A Huge Spider In My Toilet (Bathroom)
Here's a little hint on how to make a 47 year Canadian man jump and squeal like a little child, put a 4 inch hairy spider on his bathroom wall! Even better you can make the bathroom nice and dark and shut off the power for the room after 10pm. The spider could live in the overflow drain of the sink and make appearances all over the bathroom (under the toilet seat??) at different times of the night. To top things off you could make the man search for the spider with a cheap little Chinese made flashlight in the middle of the night when he needs to take a pee, as a final touch why not put the spiders big nest filled with dead insects directly above the doorway of the bathroom (toilet).
Photos to follow!
Photos to follow!
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