Our hood: Mee Chai Rd.

I thought I'd share a few pictures of some places that are along our street and what we see on the regular.

Come along with me through Mee Chai rd. and the surrounding blocks.



Two blocks parallel to Mee Chai rd., is the MeKong river (separating us from Laos). A few days ago, there were a few paddle boat races going on over here which gathered quite a crowd.


Street vendors along Mee Chai rd.


The Red Cross foundation next to the Nong Khai hospital.


The Governor's old house.


Thai graffiti?


Our house is all the way to the right (where the blue sign is). We're next door to a bicycle shop, several street food vendors and mom & pop shops.


To the right of our place is this joint sonogram clinic & bakery. I'm not quite sure what inspired them to create such a combination, but they seem to be doing well.


The market place a block away.


The awesome fruit stand we hit up every weekend to buy fruit for our Saturday/Sunday fasting. We usually buy dragon fruit (pictured above) and pear-apple like fruit (top left)


Neighborhoods with architecture like this.


I'm sure I'm missing countless amounts of details to our surroundings, but in short, here is but a glimpse of what we see on the daily. Everyday has been an adventure for Lara & I. We're beginning to become familiar with our neighborhood and victoriously, we haven't lost our way yet! I'm sure many of my close friends can vouch that I'm not a well-known navigator. Nonetheless, the adventurous journey continues as I discover this place.

I'm also working on my Thai. Ming taught us a few of the alphabet along with other essential phrases that'll help in filling our stomachs. We've found that it's been quite a challenge to order food, but luckily and thankfully Ming has always been available to accompany us when we feel hungry. It's quite a comedy sometimes-- alright, majority of the time. Sometimes, when Lara & I are feeling adventurous and brave, we head over to a local restaurant we find enticing (usually from meandering about on Mee Chai rd, or other streets), and attempt to order--- but become utterly stumped when the actual ordering ensues (or lack of!).

Scene: Lara & Ana looking eager to order at a local restaurant

::looking, looking::
Ana: So how do we do this?
Lara: Um, maybe point at the food
Ana: But how do we say what do we want, like what kind of meat... or to make it less spicy?
Lara: Um, I don't know... ....Let's get Ming.
Ana: Ok.

This usually involves a lot of blank stares from the waiter (who speaks to us in Thai). We're left curious and sometimes awkward, sometimes Lara panics in these situations and apologizes "Sorry, I speak English!"

And that's usually the case. We always scurry back home to Ming to rescue us from starvation and bring her along with us to eat. Hah.

[Side note: It's a different lifestyle here (for obvious reasons). I rarely eat out back home, but here I have to eat out for every meal. It's much different in terms of the food as well, usually in the states it's fast food, but here it's still somewhat home-cooked meals but just sold on the street. It still has that touch of personal cooking (maybe it's the excessive oil, who knows?) and I love it!

I could get used to this.]

Don't get me wrong, we also have had successful attempts to order food. Body language is so powerful. I'll tell you that. It's amazing how minimal our Thai is and we've STILL managed to get by here. Imagine what opportunities I could have if I spoke it fluently... hmm... maybe I could tell them to ease up on the chili perhaps?


Alright, till next time!