Rice Grains

This evening my Thai lesson was cancelled, so I decided to take advantage of the extra time by shopping for a printer stand so I can actually have a place other than the floor for my new printer.

I got off the bus in Samrong and found a furniture shop where I saw the perfect little stand for fairly cheap (about US$12.00 ). The problem was, it came unassembled in a box and I have no tools to assemble anything. The shop owner kindly offered delivery and assembly at my apartment, which of course, I gladly accepted.

They asked me to write down directions to my place, then changed their minds after finding out I was planning on taking the bus home. They said I could go with the delivery guy on his motorcycle! So again, I agreed, not thinking too much about the fact that since I was wearing a skirt, I would have to ride side-saddle for a fair distance at a fair speed. Oh well, I have adjusted to riding side-saddle, why not try it?

Off we went, the box containing my little stand propped somewhere in front of the motorcycle driver and me behind, holding on to the metal seat rim with one hand and clutching my purse and school bag with the other. The first part of the ride was not so bad, but at some point my driver gunned it, at which point I seriously considered hanging on to the driver to keep from falling off.

I think this is the only time since I've been living in Thailand that I was VERY grateful when we needed to slow down because of traffic and a red light up ahead . Whew! Made it! And yes, I am very happy now to have my little stand in its spot in my room (not to mention having my own two feet firmly planted on the ground again!).

Here is my little stand that caused such a traumatic evening. Please ignore the remnants of my supper sitting around.

Speaking of supper, I had some nice raw green beans to accompany my somtam salad. I don't remember growing such long beans back on the farm in PA. The longest bean below is 8 inches long--not uncommon here.