An Opera Night

Every two weeks a group of us go out to a lovely home outside of the city to watch a good performance of an Opera together on a large screen.   The house belongs to Howard who loves opera and classical music.  We all bring some good food to share at the intermission.  It is always a really lovely evening.  Howard makes the dessert himself and we have that after the performance.


Howard about to serve dessert, strawberry shortcake.

after the opera

some of the buffet

Kwan's New Coffee Shop

A lovely little coffee shop opened up around the corner.  The owner is a petite Thai girl who has a son 10 years old that she is trying to support by selling inexpensive cups of coffee made on a tiny machine.  We began dropping in to try to get her going but it was quite clear that she can never make any money this way as the machine makes only 1 cup at a time and so it takes ages and she's unable to serve many customers together.  She does not have any oven so my Italian friend Concetta and I decided to borrow a toaster and show her how to make Bruscettas that she could offer with just chopped tomatoes and basil (after rubbing the toast with garlic of coarse) and how to make a Pepperonata.  We had a little cooking class and made salads with eggs, tuna and chopped chicken etc.  The neighbours came in for a taste and it was great fun.  We'll keep working on more ideas to increase the income without too much outlay:)

Concetta and I 

Kwan trying a Bruscetta

Recent Social Life.

There are always social events here in Chiang Mai - often several on the same night.  People have  free time and are in a travel status so naturally they are less inclined to stay in their hotel or guesthouse rooms.  The weather is favourable and it is possible to plan outdoor parties, fashion shows, dinners, trips on boats etc   Here's a few pics of happenings since New Year.

With Lutine at the Sunday Market

at open house Tatyana and Paul's

We Women Foundation's Silent Auction for women of Burma

Preparing surprise birthday party last night

With Concetta

Daily Happenings in Chiang Mai

People here manage to drive their bikes, tuk tuks, carts etc with the most unbelievable loads or with so many people and dogs one wonders how they balance and don't fall off.  I don't always have a camera with me when I see old ladies knitting while perched on the back of a motor bike behind her son, his wife and 2 children or calmly feeding a grand child in front of her while she holds the bowl and spoon while weaving in and out of traffic.

Couldn't upload a few good ones.  Maybe add to it later.

∂

 Above is a picture of the elderly Mother in my guesthouse.  She's so sweet and wanders around in turbans, pyjamas or her housecoat all day.  Now that the weather is too cold for her she sits in the only sunny spot at the entrance warming up every morning.