Meet my neighbours

As I was getting off my bicycle in front of my house yesterday, I fell down with a loud thump. I was wearing a skirt and it got tangled on the seat. The sound of me landing on my bottom, brought my neighbours to my rescue. It was the mother and her two children.

Embarrassed, I collected myself, and said hello to them, bringing my hands together in a Sawadee. I was trying to laugh at myself, but my neighbour took worried.

"You must be Bea!" I said. "I met your husband Ae, the other day."
She said, "Yes. And where are you from?"
"From Nepal."
"My teacher is from Nepal," said the eight-year-old, standing in her tow. He explained to me that his teacher from Nepal teaches them environmental science.
"Then you have to tell your teacher you have a neighbour from Nepal!" I said. Then I asked him his name and he said, "Tea! My name is Tea."
"Wow!" I said, surprised at how the names in the family come together like a fragrant little nursery rhyme.
Still embarrassed from my fall, I dragged my bicycle inside the gate, as Tea helped me. I forgot to ask Tea's little sister her name, but I told her I have a nephew close to her age and Tea said, but I'm sure she's more naughty than him!
I smiled and then we all said see you later and went indoors.

Bittersweet morning in ChiangMai

I live a good 30 minutes walking distance from the entrance gate to my village. I started walking toward it this morning, as I was planning on getting a grab (the local version of Uber) when I got to the gate. It's cheaper by 50 baht. When I arrived near the lotus, which is a five minute walk from my house, a car slowed down and stopped and the door opened.

A lady around Mamu's age put out her head and asked me something. I said I don't speak Thai and walked closer to the car. She then asked me in English if I was going to the gate and if I wanted a ride. I said she was very kind and I got in.

In the front seat was an elderly white gentleman; frail looking, who smiled.

The lady asked me if I was from Singapore. I said, Nepal. And she said, Oh! Nepal!.

I said she was very kind and thanked her and in the conversation that transpired, she told me they were going to hospital. I asked if everything was okay and she pointed to the gentleman and said, we just found out he has cancer.

My heart sank and I said, I'm very sorry to hear. And she said, we will get through this. He will be okay. When I got off, I had thanked them at least six times and I was already saying a prayer for John, who's frail and for Apple, who radiates with positive energy.