Walking Coconut

There's nothing like a nice stroll down the street on a hot day and finding a fresh coconut. A gentlemen has a cart along the river, where he cuts the coconuts into a handy little drink and treat.  As the coconut is slit open, the coconut water flows out. In with the straw and out with a tasty, lightly sweetened tropical drink. After finishing the beverage, the vendor can hacked the fruit open for me to enjoy the inner coconut flesh, complete with a shaved coconut spoon made from the husk. A nice, subtle treat for a walk along the river. Total cost, 15 baht. Loaded with electrolytes, great for a say full of heat and sun.

A few evenings back, Chanphen and I stopped for some food near the river, in a small shop.  This was a unique experience.  I practiced Thai with Chanphen and later put the learned language to use in my speaking skill with the waitress (they don't use the term waitress here - the person that takes your order is typically the one that prepares your food in the small street eateries).  As we waited for our food, there were a few distractions, Chanphen's favorite soap opera on the tube and the occasional rat loafing through boxes and such in the adjoining room. After about 12 minutes, the food arrived, about 7 minutes apart - typical.   I ordered spicy vegetables with rice (pictured bottom left), but we each tried a bit of each others' dishes.  Chanphen ordered a spicy seafood dish with rice.  Chanphen tells me that Thai's have to have their rice, everyday! I am working on my appreciation for shrimp, it wasn't awful by no means - the spice was nice.  Funny thing though, native Thai Chanphen found her dish to be too spicy and couldn't finish hers (pictured bottom right).  Her plate was garnished with pickled vegetables that she disliked and I rather enjoyed.  The dishes were 35 baht (vegetables) and 50 baht (seafood).