Rice Grains

Tonight I ordered basil chicken at one of my favorite vendor stands in Bangkok. I posted a picture of the family on a recent blog. They are a lot of fun.

Anyway, they gave me my food, and I could immediately tell it was spicier than I am accustomed to eating. Before long, I had to pull out a tissue to wipe my perspiring face, my watering eyes, and my running nose.

Suddenly I felt eyes on me. I looked up to see the whole family staring at me and laughing. "pet, mai?" they asked. (Is is spicy?). I could only laugh and nod. I was still crying, as they happily pointed out to me.

But then the daughter gave me some water, and I managed to down the whole plate. I asked the daughter how many chilies her mom put in the dish. She went to ask, and when she came back, she said "TEN!" But she was joking. I never did find out how many. My tolerance level seems to be about one fairly small chily.