An important piece of paper - part 1

One of the challenging things about being a trailing spouse in this move to Thailand was that whilst Tyler had a work permit from the get-go, my immigration status was purely "dependent" - meaning not allowed to work or even volunteer. My pursuit of work here with Thai Village has therefore also entailed the rather longwinded and at times overwhelming process of securing a work permit. Oh the joys of immigration paperwork for those of us who choose to live overseas!

As an initial step in this process, I first had to cancel my dependent visa linked to Tyler's job, leave Thailand and re-enter on a volunteer visa. I am hence writing from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where a visit to the Thai consulate here this week has ticked off this first important step.

It was a fairly straightforward process but not without some of the typical idiosyncrasies of carrying out tasks in an unknown country. With all my paperwork already gathered, the only piece I needed to complete in Vietnam was finding some US dollars to pay the application fee. Interestingly enough, dollars are quite readily accepted here, but apparently, not that easy to get hold of. After a couple of failed attempts at banks, I was told, they could only be found at the gold exchange shop in the local market! 

Hoping we wouldn't actually have to pay in gold, we set off and found a lady who was very happy to take my Thai baht in exchange at a fairly hefty commission. She used up 2 pages in her notebook explaining how she got to her final number in very broken English and I left a little confused but with the precious greenbacks in my wallet.

Spot me in the bottom right-hand corner negotiating with the gold exchange lady

We then got a taxi to the consulate which was sadly the ONLY taxi ride in Vietnam so far that has been less than a pleasant experience. Pretty sure there was some slight of hand in the exchange of money and then he dropped us, not exactly where we wanted to be. Thankfully, we found a lovely lady on a scooter who spoke good English and she not only pointed us in the right direction but led us there on her scooter, with us running behind at a pace in the 35 degree heat!

After we found the consulate, the rest of the process was without event. The small room inside the gate felt like strangely familiar surroundings, with pictures of the Thai royalty and photos of Thailand all around. It's funny how you don't notice how much a place is familiar until you're out of it in a totally new and unfamiliar country. Vietnam has reminded me how far we have come in settling in to Thailand!

Anyway, that is the end of the immigration process for now. The next stage starts when we get back to Thailand and have to extend the initial 3 months visa and apply for the actual work permit. Part 2 will come later if it has any twists and turns of interest - which I imagine it might.

For now, here's a few photos of Vietnam which we are thoroughly enjoying. I have to say that that one taxi driver was the absolute exception to the norm in terms of kindness and friendliness of the people here. We have encountered so many lovely people, from the random scooter riders who shouted out "Welcome to Saigon" as they passed us on the street, to a family in the park who invited us to play badminton with them and the many many eager English students who have wanted to practice their English with us.

We chatted to this group of university students in the park for about 45 minutes

The food of course is also absolutely delicious, especially the pho noodle soup and the banhmi (French baguettes with an Asian twist).

This lovely lady is usually conveniently parked right outside our hotel so her banhmi have become a cheap and delicious daily lunch. She even has pate and serves it with soy sauce and chillies. 

More French influence at the impressive Opera House

Chinese influence at the taoist temple, Jade Emperor Pagoda

There has been so much to absorb in this city. We have learned about the war and the country's longterm recovery efforts. We have negotiated the HCMC traffic and found that scooters here use the pavement as much as the road which makes walking an interesting challenge! We have strolled through the beautiful parks and appreciated the green in an otherwise bustling city.

Tending the gardens

. . . . and enjoying the gardens - the parks are a hive of activity at morning and evening with da cau (Vietnamese foot shuttlecock game) and badminton being the most popular activities.

Overall, we have loved our few days here and we're so glad we came. Whilst I'm really glad to have my volunteer visa in the bag, there is much more we will take from Ho Chi Minh City than just this important piece of paper. Hope you enjoyed this little taste. I highly recommend Vietnam if you ever need to do a border run from Thailand!

Jai yen yen

One of the common phrases you hear here in Thailand is "jai yen yen" - literally "cool heart". The ability to keep your cool is highly valued in Thai culture and Thais very rarely let their anger or impatience show.

The phrase "Jai yen yen" is frequently used to mean "take it easy" or "chill out" but it also encompasses a whole philosophy of life for Thai people - consideration and respect for others manifested in an avoidance of confrontation or expression of negative emotions. Basically, if there is a storm brewing in you, you keep it to yourself and don't let the clouds burst.

Rainy season clouds, Chiang Mai

I am not naturally "jai yen" at the best of times . . . . . and recently even less so - maybe because I am hitting that wonderful midlife hormonal imbalance, or maybe because we are moving this week (more about this in another post) or maybe because my kids are now out of school and adjusting to being together all day!

Anyway, I admire the Thai ability to stay cool and composed in stressful situations, to smile even when they're annoyed and to control the storm brewing within. Whilst I don't necessarily think that holding in one's emotions is healthy, I know that self-control is a good thing, a gift of His spirit and something I want more of in my life. 

Plant pot "jai yen", Wat Phakao, Chiang Mai

It has got me reflecting on my experience of different cultures around the world, and how there is such diversity in the varied strengths of people groups and cultures. 

When I lived in America, I remember being amazed at the generosity of the American people - to varying degrees of course but I think that generosity is a value esteemed in American culture and one which I have admired and learned from. In Mexico, it was their joy that stood out, their capacity to celebrate no matter what the circumstances and always with flare and color! And then I think of my own culture and the loyalty and faithfulness of Brits, who might be slow to warm to you, but once they're with you, they're with you for life!

Self-control, joy, generosity and faithfulness - all of these are manifestations of God's Spirit in a person, and in His wisdom, He has spread these gifts widely amongst the cultures and the peoples of the world. I don't believe any one culture has a monopoly on the character of Jesus or even that the fullness of His grace can be experienced inside any one culture alone. We have so much to learn from one another and a whole lot of His beauty to be discovered in those who are different to us. 

I'm grateful to have lived in each of these places and to know friends from these cultures (and more) who teach me what it means to live according to the Spirit. And this week, I'm thankful for Thailand and their "jai yen yen" lifestyle which I get to observe and learn from on a daily basis. I know I have a long way to go in mastering self-control. . . .  so I think I might need to stay for a few years yet!

Upside-down Values

Our family has faced a few challenging situations recently - personally, professionally and socially. They were minor issues in the big picture of things but they caused a fair amount of turmoil and soul-searching. I won't go into details here but it has left me reflecting on the values by which we judge ourselves, and if we're honest, by which we judge others too.

Back in India, during a season of similar struggles, I wrote the following poem/prayer for our home church fellowship there. I have come back to it often as I have wrestled to see myself and my family according to God's values and not those of the world around me. 

I share it here because I know I'm not the only one wrestling. I share it because there are too many voices saying the opposite. And I share it because sometimes it is important to name the lie in order to more fully grasp the truth.

The Upside-down Kingdom

The world says, "Blessed are the strong and powerful, for they can get what they want."
Jesus says, "Blessed are the weak for my power is made perfect in weakness."  (2 Cor 12:9-10)

The world says, "Blessed are you when life is easy and you have everything you need, for that is where happiness is to be found."
Jesus says, "Blessed are you when you suffer, for suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Rom 5:3-4, 2 Cor 4:16-18)

Sumitra, weaver, JOYN India

The world says, "Blessed are you, when people speak highly of you, for everyone will know of your good reputation." 
Jesus says, "Blessed are you when you are insulted, misunderstood and persecuted, for great will be your reward in heaven."  (Matt 5:11-12)

The world says, "Blessed are the knowledgeable and educated for they will go far in this life."
Jesus says, "Blessed are those who qualify in kingdom wisdom, for God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise." (I Cor 1:27-29; 1 Cor 2:6-16)

Kids' club, Casa Victoria, Ecuador

The world says, "Blessed are those who live a good life, for God will use them."
Jesus says, "Blessed are those who have messed up and know his grace, for he who has been forgiven much, loves much."  (1 Tim 1:15-16; Luke 7:44-48)

The world says, "Blessed are the healthy and strong, for they can win races and achieve success."
Jesus says, "Blessed are the feeble and weak-kneed, for God has chosen them to show his all-surpassing power and glory."  (2 Cor 4:1-12)

Mr. Sudkaet, wood carver, Thai Village

We live in a world that craves power and riches.
Father forgive us when we conform more to the ways of this world and help us to choose your path of humility and service. (Phil 2:1-11, Matt 20:28)

We live in a world that sees only the visible and judges on the outside.
Father forgive us when we see only with our physical eyes
and help us to see the invisible work of your kingdom around us.  (2 Cor 4:18)

We live in a world that is temporary and will wither and die.
Father forgive us when we are so ingrained in this world that we live as if this is all there is and help us to invest in your Kingdom that will last forever.  (Matt 6:19-21)

Amen

(Thanks to Casa Victoria, Ecuador, JOYN LLC, India, and Thai Village Inc., Thailand for the pictures in this post and for many inspiring examples of these truths.)

A trip to Wararot market

There are lots of places to shop very comfortably here in Chiang Mai. I remember being very excited by all the modern supermarkets here when we moved from the mountains of India. I still appreciate the convenience of shopping in an air-conditioned building with organized aisles etc . . . . . but there is something about the market shopping experience which I have always found stimulating and fun - and Chiang Mai has lots of that to offer too.

Anyone for rambutan, longan fruit, asian pear?

This week, I had reason to go to Wararot Market. Wararot is the biggest market in Chiang Mai, partly indoor on 3 floors and partly spreading throughout the surrounding streets and overlapping with the Ton Lamyai flower market along the river. It is a full-on sensory experience with all kinds of sounds and smells, bustling crowds in narrow spaces and colourful displays drawing you down alleys in the hope of a sale. 

Amazing array of orchids at Ton Lamyai Flower Market

It can be overwhelming at times especially if you don't know where to get what you're looking for. I was thankful to have a Thai friend show me around a bit when we first moved here and that helped a lot. Since then, it has become my go-to place when looking for material, tacky party decorations, baskets, flowers, Thai-style clothing and traditional gifts. 

This week I was on the hunt for some material for a new skirt (not to be made by me, I hasten to add!). There are loads of fabric options here, many really brightly colored as you might imagine.

Thankfully, there are also some stalls which cater to a more subdued colour taste and I found what I was looking for in this little outlet.

A bit like Target though, Wararot is not the kind of place you can just pop into for one thing! Inevitably, there are other things that catch your eye which you really didn't know you "needed"! 

My favorite part of Wararot market is the traditional Hmong section out the back. The colours here are just stunning and the traditional indigo patterns always draw my attention.

A vendor takes a moment for breakfast before setting up the rest of her stall

So, yes, I may have bought a couple of new cushions for our balcony and a few gifts for my gift box! Not bad though when you  can get all of that for 200 baht (about $6).

I could have stayed for longer but it was getting hot and I needed to do my grocery shopping back in those air-conditioned supermarkets! So I weaved my way back to the car, picking up some fruit supplies along the way. 

Just by the main road, there is a little Chinese temple which I popped into since I had my camera this time and caught this shot of a little girl counting incense sticks for her mum.

Thankful to add these little experiences to my day and will never take that for granted about living where we do - though the grocery shopping in a modern supermarket is quite nice too.