Cue the queue rage

So...just exactly what is a 'queue'?

Well, according to Wiki it's 'where a line of people wait' = first come, first served.

In Thai it's spelt คิว (kew) and sounds the same as the English word 'queue'. "French (out of Latin coda), from the French cue, a word originally meaning "tail", but evolving over time by the 1700s at least in French to also mean line." Askville Amazon

If you've frequented shops here, like 7-Elevens, you'll soon learn not to leave a gap more than half a (Thai) person deep, between you and the counter, or the person in front of you....in the queue, if there is one!

Don't get me wrong, there are pusher innerers in all countries, under the different pseudonyms: queue jumpers, butters, bargers, budgers, skippers and ditchers etc. And, I've even encountered (on two occasions here) where a gentleman actually moved aside for me, before his transaction had even finished.

* Waiting in line in Hong Kong airport and an Indian guy interrupts our hamburger order to ask 'What can I buy for?'...holding out a handful of coins.

* Waiting in front of an informal queue, in Australia, for the ticket dispenser to be filled (so we could officially queue), only to have my hand nailed and grazed by some bogan diving from the back of the group to collect her number.


*Standing in Barcelona airport, discussing with some German (I think) guys about what name they had for the people who'd just jumped our queue...'forward people'. 

* Just recently, waiting at Chiang Mai airport, when Air Asia decided (in its typical wisdom) to divert 2 small queues of individual travellers into one, to make way for a massive group who were travelling together...all would have been hunky dory, had it not been for the family of 8 causing some sort of half an hour hold up at the counter.

* In reverse, (Australia) having shopkeepers literally look over the top of the heads of children in front of me, in the queue...what? Anyone under your eye level is invisible?

* And, when some European guy blocked my way at immigration, shoving his passport under the nose of the lovely ticket dispenser man...'Is your name Snap?' dispenser man asks...'No' the guy says....'Well get back in line.'

Same guy had borrowed a pen from me earlier, when first arriving (at 7 a.m. in the morning!!!!), to put our names/number down in blue and white on a paper queue. I seriously thought he was going to have some sort of convulsion if I didn't lend him the pen first. He hovered over me as I rummaged around trying to retrieve it from my bag. I stood my ground  however, and passed it to him after I'd put my John Hancock on the list.

Strike me down if the same guy wasn't leaning on the counter, trying to get in front, when my number was called. Whatever! That's why we have numbers on our tickets.

No matter what country you're in, you encounter some people who haven't been educated in queuing etiquette, to some degree! And, if you're in that country for a while, you really start to *notice*.

...so, I'm in one of my semi regular 7-Elevens, once again (I know what the go is there...there is no go! Hug the counter, or the person in front of you, or someone will slink in from the side) and I'm second in line. The staff see me and start talking and joking, in Thai, about my usual order...another story.

I'm waiting behind three students buying Slurpee type drinks and microwaved goopy food, when I spot a small lady leaning in from the left. RIGHT! That's it! There is a time when one tires of being the invisible person in the line ... and farang are big, so she can't say she hasn't seen me.

She starts to lean in even more, so, ever so inconspicuously and slowly, I slide my foot forward between her and the students. The students eventually pick up there purchases and begin to move away from the counter.

The small lady goes for the kill, to plonk her stuff on the counter before me. I say "excuse me" (in Thai) politely *smiling* and look to the 7-Eleven boy, who is holding his hand out to ME in a 'your next' gesture...which is a rarity.

VICTORY!!!!!!...is that pathetic?

I return to my Thai friend's restaurant and ask her what the go is with queuing here? It's OK, she's used to farang asking rude questions. Apparently she has similar problems, so I'm relieved to know it's not just me. I was starting to get a complex. How does she deal with it? Usually the same way I do. Generally ignores the situation or says something to the person next to her, loud enough for the culprit to hear.

However, when you don't have language on your side it leaves one without the option of indirect verbal castigation, with only charades, facial expressions, tactical maneuvers or brute force remaining ;)...or there's always vipāka.

Cheers!

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

September 11 is a little different for us

Today will no doubt be a solemn day for many as they recall the horrific tragedy of ten years ago. For us however, it has a very different meaning.

27 years ago today CJ came into our world. We were completely spun out that we'd actually created another human being. She arrived determined, intelligent and one of those kids who is sixty years old trapped in a tiny person's body.

Exactly two years later her sister appeared. A fairy like child (who slept most of her time in my womb) and who I can never could imagine growing into an adult, with an adult's voice...but of course, she did.

Both births were quick and easy...so I've been told, just ask Stray. Each only taking 3 to 5 hours of  what I'd call real labour pain.

Graduation Night - Volunteer Teaching

Last week Stray's English class graduated and we made sure we were back from Pattaya in time for him to attend. Here's a few photos that don't need any words....

Volunteer English Teaching and Learning Thai

Stray's been volunteer English Teaching at TFH for a few weeks now.

As you can see, the ages of his students are varied...as are their personalities. It's been a real delight to listen to his experiences about teaching the class and to watch him devise games and strategies to keep the entertainment factor incorporated into his lesson plans. After all, if you have young students (or learners like myself) attention spans can be short lived, if learning isn't made interesting.

A Vietnamese Wedding

Back in 2008 (I think) Stray and I returned to Vietnam for a second time. Before taking the trip, I'd befriended a reservations officer (Dung - pronounced Yuum in the south) at one of the hotels we'd be staying at, via email. If you haven't read some of the opening posts on Cooee you wouldn't know that we were lucky enough to catch a barge across the river and bicycle out to visit Dung's family farm to meet Mum, Dad and some uncles.

Ms. Dung, Stray between two uncles and Dad

Me, Dung and Mum

Last year we revisited the ancient town of Hoi An and Stray peddled out to the family farm once more to

Sawadee, G'day and Bonjour

Did I mention that Stray flew back from Paris last week, just in time for Songkraan? He had an unforgettable time with his wonderful hosts S1 and S2. In 2009 he met these lovely Parisians here in Thailand. Last year and I also had the pleasure of catching up with them, in the flesh, here in Chiang Mai.

Stray, would you like to tell our readers what you got up to?...Stray?...Stray?

Oh, no, that's right, he's flown off AGAIN and left ME to do all the talking! ;)

Apart from the obvious Paris landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower, River Seine and Louvre, I have no idea where these photos were taken. But, I do know, that I like them and it was hard to pick just a few from the disks Stray left behind...in my hot little hands.

First of all Stray is not responsible for the incredible photography, apart from being in some of the shots. 1. our camera is not that great and 2. I didn't want to part trust him with it.

Finding and losing friends

Poster over on Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai ...no point in typing it twice ;)

Hairy predicament

A while back Talen was discussing the incredible amount of women's hair he swept up off his floor and removed from his shower drain. He claimed he'd collected enough to make a new rug for Donald Trump, in just one cleaning session...and I believe him, 110%. At that time the situation was just beginning to get my goat, here in our own apartment.

By the way, did you know that some of these beautiful young girls spend up to six hours in a hairdresser's chair having their hair chemically straightened? Like it's not already straight enough? Once treated, no matter how much the wind blows, their locks will fall back to dead vertical.

I recently had my hair permed, not that that has any bearing on this story, apart from now the hair on my floor is curly and probably easier to see. I'm not just talking about a few hairs...I'm talking at least 100 per day, or more. They even seem to appear overnight, like some little hair gnome runs amok while I'm asleep. I was going to post a photo of the contents of my dustpan, but thought I'd spare any readers, just in case they were eating, as my hair isn't that attractive after being mixed in with dirt, fluff, sesame seeds and food crumbs.

Is there a doctor in the house?

Firstly I’d like to say ‘EVERYTHING IS OK!’...now.

JJ and I were just pulling up, in a tuk tuk, at Chiang Mai airport, when my phone rang. It was Stray. He’d come off the scooter and thought he’d hurt himself...his arm...his shoulder?

Mr Nikon (the nicest, MOST honest, reasonably priced tuk tuk driver you’ll ever meet in Chiang Mai) carefully speeds back to the accident site. Stray’s collected the bitumen with the left side of his body. He was looking to change lanes (not very Thai of him, I know) and had to brake hard, when the truck in front stopped suddenly. The front wheel just slipped out from under him and he had no chance to break his fall. He didn’t look or sound well.

Mr Nikon pushed the scooter to a secure spot and we asked him to take us to a hospital. I pointed south, because I know there’s one just down the road. But, he points in the other direction and takes us to Chiang Mai Ram Hospital...or Chiang Mai Lam as he calls it.

Dinner and a show with the 'P' Family

In Australia, Stray drives a bus part time. Often his passengers are tourists, from China, Korea and sometimes Thailand. Earlier this year he met family P, from Bkk. Stray likes people and they like him. He takes a genuine interest in their lives, their well being and likes to practise snippets of different languages that he's picked up during our travels. After Mrs P's family returned to Thailand he kept in contact via email. Although the P family live in Bangkok, where they run their production company, they also have a holiday house in the Mae Rim area, just north of Chiang Mai.

We and our friends (M & J), who were here visiting, were invited over for dinner and a show! Mr and Mrs P and their driver collected us in a mini van for the short trip out to scenic Mae Rim. The property has a main house, a guest quarters of sorts and caretakers home. Grandma P, a cousin and friends were also taking time out, enjoying the peace and quite and beautiful surrounds.

Visa Run Day 9. The Home Stretch

We've been back in Chiang Mai for a week now. It took a couple of days to recoup and catch up on some sleep. The last day of the trip went fast and without incident. It was warmer and dryer as we rode closer to Chiang Mai. Blue sky and sunshine even appeared for a couple of hours. Our seat saver (wad of sponge foam) meant we didn't have to make as many stops.

I wonder how old these are?

Would we do it all again? Probably not...well not me, not this way, not on a 125 cc Honda Wave. Are we glad we did it? Of course! I can safely say that now, because I'm writing this from the comfort of my lounge chair, back in our apartment ;)

Visa Run Day 1. Chiang Mai to Uttaradit

Visa Run Day 2. Uttaradit to Loei

Visa Run Day 3. Loei to Nong Khai

Visa Run Day 4. Vientiane, Laos

Visa Run Day 5. Vientiane, Laos – applying for the visa

Visa Run Day 6. Unexpected Visitors in Udon Thani

Visa Run Day 7-8. Udon Thani to Loei to Uttaradit

Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

Off to Laos!

We're off to Laos for a week or so, to organise my Education visa and to have a look at rural Thailand and Vientiane. I expect updates will be few, but before we go, I'd like to leave you with this.


What can I say...small things amuse small minds. IT WAS MUCH LOUDER THAN THIS.

My quiet Sunday morning was interrupted by Mount Vesuvius, out on the balcony... I have no idea, but it's not mine. Obviously someone a few storeys down below, in the laundry, was a trifle heavy handed with the soap powder...I've been meaning to clean out there anyway. The joys of high rise living are new to me and an endless source of amusement and wonder.

Cheers!
Snap's other blog Chiang Mai Thai

#3 You know you've left home when...

You know you've left home when...

• it's a battle to find double bed sheets and blankets without cartoon characters on them...we settled for an electric blue Hawaiian print. Très chic!
• he asks the waitress if the soup is 'hot and spicy?' to which she replies 'THANK YOU'.

• your lunch date points out that it's NOT alright to shove CD's and people wearing old fashioned aeroplane goggles??? down the toilet...she's bitterly disappointed.

#2 You know you've left home when...

 You know you've left home when...

• you see a fully grown Labrador, going for a ride, standing on the front deck of a scooter
• you miss a dumpling of a different kind...of course I miss the older dumplings too!

• half the time he tells people I'm 'suay' and the other half, 'suay'...come on Stray, which is it? Beautiful or Cursed?...same spelling, different Thai tones

You know you've left home when...

You know you've left home when...

• you discover the Pandan Custard in your bun is listed as a food group on the packet...fine, but what the hell is in the Pandan Custard?

 

• you put rice in his coffee instead of sugar...hey, I didn't have my glasses on!
• he asks for more dog with his rice (that should have been vegetables Stray)

Kitchen Renovation...meet Otto!

This morning we hit an all time low of sorts. The novelty of eating out for every meal has worn off, and cold sandwiches and salads, made in the apartment, aren’t exactly comfort foods.

This morning...

Stray had slept in for a change and felt like eggs for breakfast. How are we going to cook them? Our cooking facilities total a toaster and an electric kettle. After fossicking around he came up with this....

Notice how white the tile grout is Mum!

I've buried the cat, Chiang Mai, here we come!

Stray and I are taking the scenic route to Chiang Mai this time, from the Gold Coast, to Kuala Lumur, to Bangkok, to Chiang Mai. Three flights and two airlines in one day, a tad painful, but very economical. AU$369.00 one way. Let me tell you, we were absolutely buggered by the time we boarded the plane (I can say that even two days prior to leaving, while I'm writing this post). We didn't achieve all we set out to do, but at some stage you have to say 'that's enough, it'll be waiting for us when we get back'.

Emotions - for me, running somewhere between, hysteria, relief, excitement, melancholy...you name it, I've got it.

Last week I had my head in the oven (noooo, I was cleaning it, although it was such a chore, turning the gas on did cross my mind) and I thought back to our return flight from Kuala  Lumpur earlier this year (To get anywhere with Air Asia, we have to go via KL). I was sandwiched between Stray (happy about that) and some older, short, vocal, stumpy Aussie guy.

Me and my big mouth. If I'd shut up and not asked to sit next to Stray, who was across the aisle, we would have ended up with three seats to share.


This ain't us!

Videos - The Sounds and Rum O'clock, New Zealand 2009

....still uploading videos.

Early last year Stray and I took a cruise from Sydney to New Zealand and back. Personally and unlike Stray who is quite the social butterfly, I'm not one for cruises. However, if the price is right, I'll go. Why I'm not keen on them - I eat way too much, over priced drinks, I tire of nodding and saying hello every minute or so, to passing fellow passengers, I'm not into bath towel origami lessons and you usually only get one day in port to race around like a headless chook, seeing the sights.

Pros- I eat way too much, the places I visit in one day, I only have to unpack once, hmmmm that's about it.

Visas, birthdays and the To-Done list

Well it appears Stray has his four week TEFL course to attend and it appears I have my visa documents waiting at the Thai Consulate in Brisbane. When our police checks are returned from the Federal Police, we can finally mail our applications. I'll sleep better when I have my visa encrusted passport in my hot little hand.

Tomorrow is September 11th, both of our daughter's birthdays. They're not twins, we were just incredibly good planners...hah! Tonight we'll have a celebration dinner with family.

Stray's TEFL course (non) update

Firstly, Thank you to those who left comments of support and replied to emails regarding our concerns and have offered suggestions.

31st August ...Stray replied to THE email he received from TAT.

'Wasn't it the 4 week course I enrolled in?'

Yes...yes it was, but apparently they have him enrolled in both the 4 and 2 week course? and stated that they would look into it.

Confusion/disorganisation in large institutions is not uncommon. I am still waiting for my next course subject for Financial Services (in Australia)...that was over a year ago. Luckily I flunked myself out. I won't even go into the tit for tat I've been having with our telecommunications giant, Sensus...what do they not understand about the word 'CANCELLED'?

2nd September...still no reply

5th September...silence, but today is Sunday! so maybe tomorrow?

Ironic...Stray has his visa documents (although we have not submitted them to the Thai Consulate yet) and no course. I have my course, but no visa documents.

Lastly, Women (apparently) feel the need to speak, or in my case write, about 20 000 words per day. Stray should be thankful I have two blogs to keep me quiet.