About Janice Hillmer

Writer, grad student, traveller, accidental humourist and unwitting adventurer.

Adventures in Epic Battles

Posted on May 3, 2010 by Janice Hillmer

I’ve just been watching a battle between the cat and the lizard. Usually, the lizard stays up near the ceiling, and the cat chills out on the floor, and all they do is eye each other. A few moments ago, the lizard descended, and poor sot chose to descend into the cat’s scratchin’n’relaxin’ corner. Some sniffing, scuffling and scurrying ensued, and resulted in the lizard climbing 1/2 way back up the wall, and the cat jumping up on the dresser to staunchly defend her assets.

I’ve also been waging my own battles with illiteracy in restaurants. I have no cooking facilities in my apartment, so breakfast is usually fresh fruit from a vendor on my way to school, and lunch is always at the same eatery whose proprietress is always bang-on with her suggestions. That leaves me to fend for myself for dinner. Since I have yet to meet a Thai dish I don’t like, it makes the random point-and-order method of choosing a meal relatively catastrophe free.

I have run into a few problems along the way though. A few nights ago, I tried to order from a restaurant I’ve had good success with so far. Unfortunately, I pointed to something on the menu that was just underneath what I’d previously ordered. The man must have thought I had mis-pointed, and brought me what I had ordered (and enjoyed) the last time. Although it tasted great, there really is only so much stir-fried kale and crackly pork rinds on rice a person can handle in a week.

My second mishap was this evening at a new restaurant. I thought I was just pointing to the menu and asking what things were…apparently the woman thought I was actually ordering more than one entree. I thought I was getting some sort of beef soup…which I did, along with a huge plate of curry fried rice, a chicken thigh, and some pickles. I ended up paying double what I expected to pay, but $1.80 for a dinner-for-two (even though it was just dinner for one), isn’t a bad deal at all. At least now I know that the chicken and rice there is really good, while the beef soup is just pretty good.

Oh, the cat now has her back turned, and the lizard has taken this opportunity to creep over to the doorway and make mocking faces. I do believe the little fella is actually sticking out his tongue at the ferocious feline.

Adventures in Night Bazaars

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Janice Hillmer

Before I talk about my day, I thought I’d include some pictures of my modes of transportation in Chiang Mai. If I’m not walking, I’m most often taking a Seong Taew (Red Cab), a tuk tuk, or catching a ride on the back of a friend’s motorbike (with a helmet, of course!)

Tonight, my friends and I took a Seong Taew to the Night Bazaar. We browsed through all the Thai touristy trinkets you can dream of, on a hot breezy night, surrounded by the sounds of chirping birds and geckos. In fact, I can hear a gecko now, but I’m not sure if s/he’s in my apartment or on the outside of my screen door. I don’t mind if s/he’s inside though, since they are lovely harmless little things that eat bugs. Hooray for lizards!

Ah, I wasn’t intending to type about lizards, I just got sidetracked. Back to the Bazaar: I was looking for some small table lamps to light up a dark corner of my apartment, and a skirt. (Students at the university here have to wear a uniform. Fortunately, grad students are exempt, but we are expected to wear skirts to class.) I found both…and spent a grand total of $12. I found a lot of other great things too, but I didn’t buy ’em. I’m learning to shop from a list!

I’m finding it a little strange living on my own. I know that sounds odd, since I haven’t had room mates for most of the last decade, but I’ve always had good friends close by. I spend a lot of time alone, but so far it hasn’t bothered me. In some ways, it’s good since it forces me to go out and do things in the community…and do my homework. I thought I would watch a lot of TV, especially before I got my computer, but the only English channels I get are Fox News and Aljazeera. So, I watch Fox for entertainment (it kind of gives me horror-movie chills), Aljazeera for news, and the French channel for documentaries (and a sitcom from Quebec that has French subtitles, so the rest of the francophone world can understand what they’re saying!)

Bon Soir!

Adventures in Getting Settled

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Janice Hillmer

I can’t believe that I’m already feeling at least slightly settled now! After my exciting arrival on the first night, the subsequent days have passed much more rationally! I’m sorry, there still aren’t any pictures – but there will be soon, I promise. I did want to mention a few items of interest before I forget – or before they become normal, and therefore no longer interesting.

I’ve moved into my new apartment, and am starting to get settled in. It’s awfully beige, but a little TLC in the decor department should help. It’s also airy and bright, which is nice. My university is within walking distance, as is a Carrefour department store , so I’ve been there often. (Almost daily, actually, since it’s where I need to go to catch transportation into the city proper.) One evening, I was shopping for a mop and bucket – so you can forget about images of me strolling through exotic markets buying teak and silk trinkets – and suddenly, things got very still. I looked up from the bucket I was examining, and realized everyone had frozen in their tracks. Then I remembered; every evening, the national anthem is played at 6pm. Everyone within earshot stops what they’re doing, stands quietly while the anthem plays, then does a little bow at the end of the anthem and continues on their respective ways.

In the Carrefour complex, there is also a McDonald’s…that has a Sweet Chili Sauce dispenser next to the Ketchup dispenser, AND a spinach pie on the menu instead of an apple pie. Oh, and their breakfast sandwiches come on hamburger buns, not English muffins. The tragic irony: Korea now stocks English muffins. Thailand does not. Happily, there are a ton of local eateries around, so McDonald’s will never be high on my dining list. (I will get a spinach pie at some point when I have my camera with me though – purely for your benefit, dear reader). Local meals are absolutely delicious, and delightfully inexpensive (standard price for most meals is between 75 – 90 cents). The interesting thing about Thai cuisine is that it doesn’t actually taste any better if you pay more for it. It’s usually just ambiance and fancy decor you pay for at pricier places – the food’s the same. Lately, I’ve taking to going to a nearby restaurant, pointing at some random item on the menu, and waiting to be surprised. Last night, I wound up with crackly pork and kale on rice: very tasty, not so healthy.

That’s all for now. I’m sure there will be more later, along with some pictures.