Life, Love & the Little Things Inbetween

The Prized Cow

We just returned from Nada's village in Suwannaphum, Isaan Province. It's a twelve-hour bus ride there and back, and I must admit that I am getting a little too old for such long journeys. One of the reasons for going was to procure a block of land next to Nada's family for us to build a house. But after spending a few days there, the idea of living permanently in the Thai countryside was put to bed.

I'm not going to say bad things about the people who live in Nada's hometown, but the reception I got at many places (getting a haircut, hotel receptionists and Nada's family members) made me realise that small towns and villages can be suspicious of strangers/foreigners.

On the one hand, people (mostly men) would stare at me with a look of disdain. And on the other, women would ask inquisitively how Nada managed to find a Farang boyfriend. These middle-aged ladies would talk incessantly (I think mostly about me, however, it is hard to know just how much because of the language barrier), and as I stood there wondering how long this particular conversation would last, it did make me feel somewhat like a prized cow. In such a small place (apparently), finding a Farang is almost impossible (not being able to speak English wouldn't help). And with the overall reception I received, no one should be surprised that there are few foreigners around (I saw two in a week).

It is widely accepted that Thai men speak few words, but being completely ignored by the males in Nada's family had me wondering if it was ignorance rather than just being shy. In a way, I'm glad I got to experience this side of Thailand. My first trip a few months ago was similar, and at least now I know that living in Hua Hin, where there are thousands of expats (and the local Thais are used to seeing us), is a more user-friendly place for me to retire. This decision also mitigates the risks associated with buying land and building a house here in Thailand, and the legal nightmare this can bring in the event of separation.

I was never happier to get home than I was after this trip to Isaan, and I doubt I will go with Nada next time she wants to visit family.