After a few very hot days (temps around 100 degrees F), Sunday was a beautiful, mild day. Once we arrived in Amnat, we stopped in the center of the city and waited for Oy to drive in and lead us back to her home in the country. While we waited, we toured the public library.
There was a children's room with many books, including some in English.
One young boy was brave enough to sit with a couple farang.
A library attendant gave Sombat and the rest of us a tour of the displays upstairs.
We understand that the figures below are involved in sports. We recognize the guy in back as being on stilts; the guy in front of him is doing something with coconut shells; we're not sure about the two guys in front -- looks more like some farming activity to us.
George (after14 years of work with E-rate, a US program to support information technology in schools and libraries) was struck by the computers available to the public in the front of the library.
On entering the library, one sees a display about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The ASEAN "Blueprint" establishes a Human Development goal to enhance the well-being and livelihood of the people of ASEAN by providing them with equitable access to ... education and life-long learning, ... promote the use of English language [and] Information Communication and Technology ....
It is that ASEAN goal that is behind the national movement in Thailand to promote English proficiency among students in Thai schools.
Under the shield above the display, there is small book with the picture of Thai Princess Sirindon (we were told the shield features her name). She is the third child of King Bhumidol and Queen Sirikit and in line to the throne. It is said she is often referred to as the "Princess of Information Technology," due to her interest and expertise in applying science for the country's development. She holds a doctorate in Education Development and is said to be a particular patron of the Nation's libraries. Her picture was displayed widely throughout the library. The book shows pictures of her cooking, said to be another of her loves.
It was a very interesting visit to a beautiful public building. Then we made our way into the country. Though it is in the country, this is the front of Oy's house:
She gave us a quick tour. This is the view from inside the front door.
Then attention turned to dinner. Oy had told us she loved cooking and was a good cook. By the middle of dinner, we heartily agreed!
Dessert, as is traditional in Thailand, was fruit: longgans, guavas, and dragon fruit. We had posted a picture of a purple dragon fruit once before, but we post it again for comparison now with its white and black interior.
Oy gave us a tour of her backyard garden. She grows lemon grass and had dried some to take back to England with her.
Her garden has many lovely plants; here are a few.
We were offered some ant eggs; we declined since we were so full ("im laew") ; )
Here we are saying goodbye to Oy and her relatives who helped with dinner.
Thank you so much, Oy, Tong, Sombat, and Kong, for a very lovely afternoon.
Mary and George
George -- I notice that in the library you and Mary are not wearing shoes. Is it the practice in Thailand that one removes shoes upon entering a building?
ReplyDeleteIt generally is, Caroline. At school, there are usually piles of shoes in front of classroom buildings -- the students' shoes. Teachers usually wear shoes in the classrooms. One takes off one's shoes when entering someone's home, but also when entering offices and even some shops. No shoes in temples.
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