Thailand is full of surprises as I mentioned in my last post. But most often they are good surprises.
Our lovely landlords here in Phuket live two doors down from us and are the sweetest, most helpful people. For example, today they had a third air conditioner installed in our house. We now have a whopping three a/c’s in our house. I can now officially keep meat frozen in almost any room of our house. My dreams of a being a butcher are close at hand! Ok, not really, but now there is at least the possibility. I am so thankful that we have such conscientious people renting us their house. It’s a welcome surprise after our previous landlord in Hua Hin, who was much less than helpful. I doubt that we would be without running water for 12 days in this house without some sort of help from our new landlords.
One of the things I have read on the internet about the people of Thailand is that they often are late, just that culturally it is not as important to be promptly on time for anything despite its importance. This is another area that I have been surprised by. We have taken the “Thai time” into account twice now and have actually had the people show up early! I am sure people are often late (as they are anywhere) but so far I have yet to experience it. I guess one shouldn’t assume about a whole culture just by reading some blogs posts or forum discussions…. Who would have guessed?! True experience is the only way to really know what a place and it’s people are really like. (I already knew this but sometimes I need reminding.)
Right now I am writing this post while laying on Nai Harn beach. And it is a beautiful sunny day with a timely breeze. I am again surprised that this is our home for now. I am just incredibly thankful for our trip so far and that we have been so blessed to be able to fully immerse ourselves in so many different cultures along the way.
I am continually surprised that this is my life. It’s a dream life. I am thankful.
What were some of the surprises that you experienced when you settled into the place that you live?
And Three To Go 
Blogging from the beach…..sounds like paradise!
It is!
We also have wonderful landlords, makes a big difference doesn’t it. The beach looks so nice right now
It makes a huge difference! It was such a nice time at the beach. I love living close to the beach.
I love the fact that marvel the good things in your life!!! But good landlords and neighbours really do make the world of difference in how nice it is to live somewhere.
It really does!
Let’s see. In our current home of SD, I was surprised about how the people here really do hibernate in winter–so getting to know people in winter here is tough (our first winter here was a little lonely). Then in summer and late spring, they come out smiling, handshaking, inviting, etc! You can’t keep up!
Glad you’re really enjoying Thailand!
I can imagine it’s hard to get around during winter. At least you get to know people in the summer. 🙂
Yep! We sure did! Summers here are super fun and speed by!
Glad you are having a wonderful time and wonderful landlords.
Our biggest surprise when we bought this place 26 years ago was……fleas!!!
Walking across the old yellow shag carpet resulted in black ankles – all fleas!! No kidding. Still makes me gag. Bombed the house big time (and I usually don’t go for poison solutions). Got rid of them and the carpet. We’ve never had trouble since even with constantly having dogs and cats in the house. Our animal friends eat good food and are well bathed and bedding kept clean, so no fleas.
Oh my goodness! That’s a horrible surprise! I am glad you got rid of them for good. 🙂
I am glad you have good landlords. 3 ACs , yeah! The beach looks lovely.
I am too! I am gonna be one cool lady in our house now.
You don’t think you’d make a good butcher? You’re not giving yourself enough credit. 🙂
Definitely sounds like you’ve lucked out big time with this place. Aircon, great landlords, the beach…
Haha! I can barely slice a turkey 🙂
Yeah, but that’s *after* it’s cooked. Not the same thing!
Ah very much like the Philippines. We have what we call the “Filipino time” which means, people arrive 1 hour after the agreed schedule. Ugh. Thankfully, this practice is now being frowned upon. Three a/c’s! Is it already snowing inside your house? 🙂
It may be any day and Zoë will have her dream of playing in the snow fulfilled. Haha.
You’re living the dream AND you have a great landlord too. Niiiiice!
What was I surprised by when I first came to Berlin? Well, Germans can actually be funny and have a sense of humour. It’s a bit warped yes, but light-hearted nevetheless. I think its to do with the language. German sounds quite harsh so you think someone is shouting at you when actually they’re making a funny gag!!
Haha! German does sound quite abrupt and harsh. I can imagine a joke in German being even more funny because it’s unexpected. 🙂