12/30/2018 5:37:44 AM
Here in Bangkok, the capitol of all capitols in S.E. Asia, there are mounds of chili's, spices of all colours and streets reeking of divine street food with tingling in the nose as the aromas sneak up your sinus passages! Some daily normal spices and herbs one sees here that isn't a part of western society so much is butterfly pea flower, bael fruit, safflower, rosella, licorice, goji berries, lotus pollen, lemongrass, guan yin, & mulberry. I enjoy walking the streets stopping to speak to the sellers about their wares, what the herbs are good for and how to prepare the spices to best bring out their quality without killing the medicinal value of the plants. Onion, garlic and wild greens seem to accompany much of the broths and mushrooms are used in almost every meal one finds on the street. the simple carts and the ease the locals whip up delicious cheap meals on the spot is very impressive! Yum-yum at every turn!
12/15/2018 7:42:47 AM
Finally got out of the USA and am now chillaxing off the east coast of Cambodia on an island with pure white sand and super clear sea water...whew! I have had just over a week in Cambodia and did some swimming with elephants, zircon mining with locals, cashew nut picking in fields and lots and lots of fresh mango eating! I have been hiking through some jungles, exploring the capitol Phnom Phen, seeing some out of the way villages of indigenous folk and have just over 2 weeks left. I'll be heading to a small village of old time French colonized style buildings with artsy cafes and boutiques and then on to Siem Reap to see the world famous Anchor Wat. I've been meaning to come to Cambodia for a long time and have finally made it after the storm of organizing my home life in the states to be able to support myself as I travel. The process took 6 months, not 4, and had a few complications, but all in all, it was well worth it. I sent off a fresh article for Expat Life Thailand yesterday and have some sheets of good watercolour paper with me that I'll be tackling come my new home in Thailand for a month or two come January but for now I am enjoying the freedom of the open road once again...onward!
