Ban Thawan Phrai Archives - Manaosoda by Anita Silsith Bye

Home is where the heart is<3

08/02/2018

I fall deeper in love with my mothers home village every time I go there. Being there, surrounded by fresh air, nature, calmness and positive people just makes your brain go wild and think freely. It’s like a meditation for my brain and I end up somewhere else, but still complete connected to everyone around me. It’s hard to explain! The phone is also less used which honestly, I find to be the best feeling ever. I rarely come upon such easy going, simple and selfless people in my life. They posses a lot less items than us, yet they seem to have everything they need. They probably have fewer years of school than us Bangkokians, yet they seem 100 years wiser than us. It’s true happiness. I’m really glad I’ve had time to go there so often lately to see my grandparents!

Golden sunsets in Isaan!

Super zoom. But I had to show you the level of mutualism and happiness here!

So many doggies around the streets. Normally everyone let their gates open for the doggies to roam around. So cute. Puppies everywhere and they are all being fed and taken care of.

One happy Diego!

My neighbour got this from her tree and came to offer us some. So fresh, sweet and yummy. It wasn’t even refrigerated, but still super nice.

I brought along Diego this time, as the cold season is here and he can roam around in the garden freely and not in any risk of heat stroke. I think it’s the happiest I have ever seen him. He ran around for hours and got cuddles wherever he went. That being said, he was quite the rascal to other dogs, and there was no way he was letting them in to play on his property without ether playing with him or fighting with him… He also encountered his first meeting with a chicken and I have to say he seemed very surprised and curious to what this creature was.

I can’t wait to go back to Surin again! <3

Fresh fruits and sunny weather

27/03/2017

Anita Bye

I feel like I become wiser every time I go visit my grandparents in Surin, my Thai brushes up, my stomach grows stronger, and my perspective on life changes. Having stayed with my grandparents in Ban Thawan Phrai throughout the years, I am constantly reminded to be grateful for what we take for granted in our daily life, like electricity, internet, AN AIRCON, warm water, a job that enables us to take care of ourself and our families and not least proper health care… The contrast of the way of living is enormous. You won’t see a single person sitting with their eyes glued to the smart phone, never anyone picky when it comes to what to wear, what to eat or where to go. The stress level is non-existent.

My grandparents house in the village! It sure looks different than when we used to visit as kids!

Fresh Rose apples “Chompoo” straight from the garden. Yum! My fave fruit. Low in calories and super crunchy and healthy!

Never been here during mango season before, let alone have I ever picked my own mangoes.

So good!

My aunties puppies! She is amazing… making sure EVERYONE is taken care of.

But I think the biggest lesson is the kindness and helpfulness of the people. They welcome everyone that walks in with a smile, they share to the ones in need, even if they don’t have enough themselves. They take care of one another, just like human beings should. They all act as one big family, sharing their crops, fruits and whatever they have to offer with eachother. I swear, it feels like Utopia! We might have years and years of education, but it is obvious that some things, you won’t ever learn in school. And living as priviliged as we do, some of us might never learn. I always wondered why my mom wouldn’t spend much money on us while growing up, but she would always give loads to the kids back in her hometown. As a child you never understand these things, but growing up, getting to witness all the good things she has done back home, makes it all worth it.