The train screeched to a halt and the old lady who was sleeping against my shoulder jolted awake. The rain has stopped. I gather all my belongings placed on tbe floor and alight from the train. The cool breeze blew past my face, causing a chilling sensation on my skin. The air encompassing me felt different from that of Singapore; it was no more the scent of bak kut teh, but rather the aroma of tom yum (ต้มยำ) which wafted into my nose. That smell, more often than not replaced by MSG in Singapore retains its original flavour here in Thailand. Tom yum, the exciting hot and sour tangs which you learn to love when you taste of this dish, the ingredients are plentiful: lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, shallots, lime juice, fish sauce, tamarind, and crushed chili peppers. The taste of Thailand, so strong in the air. The folks around here get you into the atmosphere of happiness of joy, for I have not alighted in the urban heights, but instead the rural area of Thailand.
The locals read many scripts, but it seems to me that the "Tham" is the most prestigious one deemed by the locals and their religious leaders. I was greeted by a warm สวัสดี (sa-wat-dee), and bowed back in reply. The village life was focused mainly on agriculture as farmers perspired under the hot sun, hands tanned and coarse with the hard work they had experienced throughout their lifetime. Those are the hands that give us our food, those are the very hands which would be precious to hold.
It was dinnertime, and the table was laid. I was introduced to a dish called ขนมจีนน้ำยา (Khanom chin namya), which was a kind of rice boiled noodle accompanied by a huge variety of strong sauces, which is eaten with fresh leaves and vegetables.
Even though the village life is hard, the คุณย่า (koon yâa - grandmother) is still grinning, inviting me to eat more, her smile etched deeply in my skin and in my memory, it is no wonder Thailand is called the land of a thousand smiles. I feel comforted. It's on to a good start. Tomorrow, I am going to the royal palace, a total contrast to the village, and I am all ready.
1:50 AM
Cherie Seah Xinyi
Rafflesian; Tarbetian; RSP-ian; handbells Ex-CO
ONEOHNINE-er
TWOOHNINE-er
Bearing the scholarship of RSP, I thrive
to learn, to realise, to connect. Southeast Asia is bonded, not only by ASEAN, but it's the railways which connect us.
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