There are no big supermarkets or department stores like we are used to, except for one or two in the tourist areas. We have had fun here traveling around on scooters, gathering parts and supplies, and learning about the local scene. Marc has learned to speak some Thai, but the rest of us are hopeless what with the unfamiliar alphabet and tonal quality of the language. We've also learned a game that young people play here, and of like hackeysack but using a woven wicker ball the same size as a large grapefruit. Marc and Andrew are big hits on their skateboards around the marina, and they're hoping to get in with the young folk and learn how to play their games.
Meals are one of the more interesting parts about living in Thailand.
Thai food, as you might know, is extremely hot. You have to be careful when you start to eat something, because you might end up with a mouthful of fire. Thai people tend to eat many smaller meals per day instead of three big ones. There are some interesting rules of the table, too. For example, it's rude to clean your plate here because it's taken as a sign that your host was not generous enough with the portions.