Sah wah dee khaa
Sah wah dee khaa is “hello,” and it’s the way one begins every encounter. Whether you are asking directions, meeting a shopkeeper, passing by the parking lot guard, or ordering a meal, it’s the first thing you say. Palms together and a little bow of the head wrap up the greeting. And after that, anything can happen.
We are getting to know our neighborhood, street by street, block by block. Necessity has taken us into shops that otherwise we might have ignored. Our apartment is sparsely furnished and we needed just a few more comforts to keep us going for 5 months. First on the list were fresh pillows and towels. We found the former at a variety store, and the latter at the super market. A few other items for the kitchen and bath we found at the local hardware store pictured below. What surprised me there was not the variety of the inventory but the dozen security cameras. The cashier actually kept an eye on all the screens.
And after a good night's sleep on our new pillows, it was time for coffee and the search began. Stepping outside the condo complex, on our way to the main road (2 blocks away) we pass by barber shops, beauty salons, a dress maker, a tailor, laundromats, dress shops, corn huskers, and a coffee shop (which does not open until 10 a.m.—this baffles me). AND countless food carts.
George picked up some breakfast at a neighborhood food cart. It was a simple meal of stir fried pork and rice. " Leeetle spice, ok?" Yes, ok. All I can say is it’s a good thing George was wearing flame retardant clothing.
In our ongoing search for early morning coffee George found a home made donut shop called Flips & Flips tucked away in a quiet side street. The young owners get up at 2 a.m. to make about 400 donuts. This little coffee shop opens at 11 a.m. and they sell out before noon. The glazed donut is the biggest seller, followed by the coconut/Nutella donut and the caramel almond donut. Donuts are very popular here. But I need my morning coffee long before 9 a.m.
The solution for early morning coffee meant we need to make our own. We left our neighborhood and went to the modern, and upscale Maya Mall, to the Japanese chain store Diaso where we found the coffee items we needed. So now I can enjoy an early morning cup of joe and listen to the birds sing.
hardware store with heavy security
cheerful ladies preparing pineapples for their smoothie business
Man with the golden wok
It rains almost everyday, usually a big down pour in the afternoon.
kitchen/carry out on the right, dining room on the left. Best pad thai in the neighborhood.
Donut selection at Flips & Flips
Cook who makes the spicey breakfast dish.
Nearby hostel lit up for the evening