Letter 2 (Ann)

Hi,



We have finished our first 1 day here.  We arrived in the evening yesterday.  Dad told you about our flight to get here.



We began with a walk through the flower market.  When our guide, Nu, said we were going there, I expected just flowers like the S.F. flower market.  But they were making all kinds of things out of the flowers.  Most were used offerings in the Wat and in the spirit houses.  I can't even begin to describe them except to say Mehnoush, you would have loved the little jasmine ringlets about the size of a bracelet with a rose on the end.  Beautiful and fragrant. 



Must say good night.  Dad must be back from his massage by now. 



Love,



Mom



Today we had a wonderful boat tour on he river Chian-pray (I think).  The river homes ranged from elaborate to almost shacks, side by side.  One side of their home is floating over the river on stilts.  The other side is on land and they have a street access.  We saw a "boat" postman delivering mail.  It was a relaxing a cooling ride as the temp was 90 today.  We had a Thai cooking demonstration in a river home today.  It was 3 sisters, their brother, their mother, one sister's husband and one sister's two children all living in this elaborate house.  Riverside floor all ceramic tile etc.



I have two recipes she made (Dad helped).  But I probably couldn't reproduce them.  I may try.  Dad used the huge mortar and pestle and then stir-fried.  He said the worst part was the onion and garlic  (and spices) getting in his eyes from the rising steam as he cooked.  Got pictures of course.  We made a red curry paste to cook with.  The vegetable was  young loofa (like the sponge)and it was DELICIOUS.  I think I ate the whole bowl.  They use a lot of peanut sauce here which was served on a rice cake as an appetizer.  We had cucumber soup (cucumber chunks in broth)

and the two dishes we made.  Dessert was not quite ripe mango served with a pinch of salt and a fruit I cannot remember the name of.  Lemon grass tea which she had steeped all a.m. from real lemongrass was absolutely delicious.



Visited a Wat today all decorated with porcelin from China, some used whole (like plates and small dishes) and much of it broken into pieces.  Also visited the royal barge museum.  It is in a huge building (mainly just a roof over the water although the barges were up out of the water.  Beautiful fabrics used in the roof of the barges also on display.



Our hotel is near Chinatown, so we took a walk around when we returned.  I went to the 23rd floor to the outdoor pool.  Very small and no more than 3 1/2 ft. deep, but I managed to expercise in it anyway.  Had a delicious supper on the 25th floor revolving restaurant.  Vegetables in coconut milk over rice, a chicken dish and a beef and vegetable dish with it.  Had chicken and coconut cream soup first and a skewered chicken and peanut sauce as an appetizer and fruit for dessert.  I can again have some wonderful papaya again!



Of course, we have walked the streets tonight after supper.  So many food stalls along the major streets.  We found out that most Thais who live in the city eat out because it is very expensive to cook Thai because of the many ingredients for each dish unless you a cooking for a large family.