(Cross-posted in the CHAFF Blog.)
Yesterday, was the Thai New Year taking us into the year 2549.
Annikki, Susanna, Asha, along with me, were invited to dinner by Pailin, Unnop and Soda.
The occasion was not only an eye-opener in terms of culture, but Annikki and I now have two more beautiful children and two more wonderful grandchildren, except that one was sadly unable to be present on this occasion.
We were late, as Annikki and Asha had some shopping to do, and after that, Asha had to speak to her dad, Chris, in Billinghay, just to make sure that all was OK.
When we arrived, we saw a beautifully laid out table before us, with a decorative tray of carved fruit and a plate of delicious rice noodles.
Unnop is a master carver of fruits and vegetables. Annikki is certain that the Finns would flock around to learn this art from him.
The rice noodles are a Thai speciality. It is similar to the Idiappam that we have in Kerala. It is served with a fish sauce and can also also be eaten with a curry.
Soda was eating with us at the table. He guided us through the meal.
Although only 14, nearing 15, Soda is a not only a handsome and loving boy, but also a thorough gentleman. An outstanding footballer and a naturally talented musician, he has also picked up Finnish and speaks it fluently, in just 6 months. His English is excellent and he also reads and writes Thai. But he confessed he was having problems with his Maths!
That is of little consequence for a boy so gifted in so many ways and one who will be a wonderful personality and a true Ambassador of the rich Thai culture and heritage he has brought with him to Finland.
Looking at the picture above, I can see how he has become more powerful in his physique than when I met him 7 months ago. He is growing to be a very strong young man, whom I hope I will be very proud off, just as my four other children.
The rice noodles were eaten in the soup bowl with the fish sauce. Then we ate Satay Chicken roasted on sticks with a delicious and mildly spicy nut sauce. The Spring Rolls were eaten with Thai Sweet Chilli sauce. This was followed by Jasmine rice served with absolutely delicious green curry which is made with plenty of coconut milk.
Knowing that Annikki, Susanna and Asha have a few food restrictions, there were no pork, shrimps, and dairy products in the items served. Yet the meal was tasty and it was Pailin's cooking at its best. (Pailin is a double graduate from Thai Universities - in Home Science as well as Science Education.)
All of us gushed, not only at the quality of the food, but also the beautiful way it was served with both Pailin and Unnop in their Thai robes.
Asha started with the Spring Rolla and the Satay Chicken, which had been made by Pailin for the very first time, but found the fish sauce and the green curry a bit too spicy. Pailin rustled up Asha's favourite, fried rice with chicken and fresh vegetables. It was truly mouth-watering, and I stole a bit from Asha's plate to see what it was like. The taste was even better than what it looked like.
We then attacked the fruit bowl, especially the grapes and the carved honey melon.
As the meal came to an end, there appeared a large empty bowl on the table and another bowl filled with fragrantly smelling water.
The time had come to partake of a bit of Thai culture.
We learnt that it is Thai custom to celebrate the New Year with Water. They spray each other with water - something Samu enjoys, as he usually chases Grandpa around the Kampitie garden with the garden spray gun.
But this time it was slightly different.
First, Unnop washed my hands into the bowl and I wiped the cooling fragrant water over my face. I wished him all the best for the future. Then he washed Annikki's hands. This was followed by Pailin and Soda washing our hands. Asha and Susanna also washed our hands. We in turn wished them all future prosperity and happiness. (Silently, I also wished all our absent family members all the very best in the coming years.)
This custom is one that the Thai people show to the people they love and respect.
mother and grandmother to many
Annikki and I were deeply touched. Pailin and Unnop told us they value us as their parents and love and honour us as such.
Annikki and I are proud to know this couple and their children. We, also, consider them as part of our family. As Pailin and Unnop, we have a few other friends who consider us and value us as their respected elders, but this was the first time we went through a ceremony which publicly stated the love and affection some people have for us.
It made us feel very humble that people can show their love and affection for us so outwardly.
Mika was unable to join this family occasion, so Pailin packed an enormous meal for him.
Our thanks to Pailin, Unnop, Soda and Sodium for becoming part of our family. I am sure those not here, Joanna and family (Samu already considers this to be his best French fries place, just as Asha considers this to be the very best Chicken Wrap place) and Jaakko, also welcome them into our family as loved members.
We wish them all prosperity in the coming years. We hope that Soda and Sodium will grow into being the same loving people as their parents.
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