One day we were out in town and just sitting in outside food court area drinking smoothies when a young girl approached us and asked if we could teach her English. She was student at a bilingual school in Phitsanulok (where we have church) and had been studying for an English writing, reading and speaking exam that she had in a few weeks. She told us that she would pay us for meeting with her and just speaking English, we told her that we can't accept money but that we would love to spend time with her and help her with her English. So, as all Thai people are, her and her mother were VERY generous. They took us out three different times. Two times we went to a large mall in Phitsanulok. The first time we went to the mall they took four of us to a Japanese restaurant, but some girls didn't like it so we went and got pizza too! Nattida is the daughter's name and I actually can't remember her mom's name, she didn't speak much English at all but was just as kind and patient with us as her daughter.
Japanese food!
Nattida and I
I was the only one that ate anything other than appetizers! Sushi is my FAVORITE!!
Pizza
Ronald McDonald saying "Sawadee" (hello)
Me, Charlotte, Nattida, and Lindsay
We saw this on our way to the mall, on an interstate, and had to take a picture.
Nattida and her mom thought it was really funny that we were taking pictures.
I wouldn't be surprised if it was completely normal in Thailand.
The second trip to the mall we went to a buffet style restaurant. We began by ordering our soup, and we ending up cooking raw food that was on a conveyor belt in it. We then took our seats and were given our soup. Nattida taught us how to just grab raw vegtables, roots, meat, fish, octopus, and squid. I was lucky enough to sit by Nattida, which was great, I loved talking to her, but it also meant that she just put things into my soup so I tried many different foods, some I still don't know what they were!! But it was all great!! And it was a buffet that included unlimited sushi, so I ate WAY too much! It was probably one of my favorite meals that I have had here in Thailand!
Shabushi, our restaurant!
Sushi bar
Here you can see the large ladle on the left that we used to cook our food.
That is also chocolate ice cream in front and you can see the raw food at the top.
Here are two pictures of Nattida's family.
Nattida, her brother Fame and her sister who is studying in Finland.
Her parents. It's not a great photo but it shows how
glamorous her mom is and that is why I love it.
There family owns a small library in Phichit. Most of the books are anime, it was fun to look around.
Nattida spoke great English and it was fun to make some more friends! She is back at school now and hasn't got her score from her English test but said she will let me know! We plan her seeing her more before we leave. It was really neat for me to get to know a native through more than just smiles. I learned a lot about Thai culture and their perspectives on many things from Obama to foreigners. Nattida and her family were SO nice. I hope that I never just expect hospitality like we receive here in Thailand, we are so spoiled! Thank you for not only the great food but the conversation and kindness Nattida!
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