Jaipur MacDonald's

I was trying to do a story on McDonalds in India. I wanted to see how it compared to other countries. But as I started taking photos, this employee began waving his arms madly and telling me to stop. I guess their prices are a National Secret. What I wanted to show you you is how a company that specializes in Beef products, can run a successful business in a country that doesn't eat beef. The secret is Tofu; and it's delicious.

The Package Has Landed

Thanks to my dear friends, Vivyan and Dorian in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada, I now have my tools with me in Calgary.

Yesterday I showed this picture of me lugging my bags to the Airport and I commented that the picture made me look as if I was 4 months pregnant. My dear friend, Jookie, in Thailand, wrote in the suble Asian style: "Today I have read your blog...... Very funny your picture... look similar 6 month. Not 4 month.......... tooo beeeeeeeek."

So I had a picture taken tonight to set the record straight. So now what do you have to say for yourself Jookie jing jing???
Ted and I have teamed up to do Home renovations together for a few months here in Calgary.

This is Geeta. She hired us to rebuilt her basement after she had some flooding from the recent Calgary rain. She is pleasure to work for. She makes us tea every morning as we discuss our plan of attack for the day. Geeta is also a fan of the Movie: 'What the Bleep Do We Know', and we have had some very interesting discussions about the meaning of the Universe, Synchronicity and the value of Orange Cake with Tea. Thanks very much Geeta, for making my new start in Calgary such a beautiful experience.

What Is Canada Like?

As I travelled in Thailand, the Thai people kept asking what is Canada like? I will attempt to answer that question.

I drove a friend out for a spin to get some ice cream. This is a typical Car in Canada. Those of you in Thailand will recognize the big difference between your automobiles and ours. We drive on the right.

My Thai friends keep asking me why Farangs are so 'beek'. Well, it's because we eat big food. This is a typical snack for Canadians. I know what you're thinking. How is it possible for us to eat such a big ice cream cone. Simple really. You just have to remember that we are a colder climate so it takes longer for the ice cream to melt here in Canada.

I dropped my buddy off so he could buy a new hat and I switched to my sports car for the ride home. It's not a convertible but it has been neutered.

I hope I've been of help eh?

Rubies, Lambs and Burgers

I have been transported from the Thailand to Canada. This gives me a wonderful opportunity to see my native country with fresh eyes. I spent my first day becoming acclimatized. I left Bangkok where the temperature is 37 degrees Celsius. The weather report includes the phrase: "feels like 117 degrees F". The temperature today in Waterloo is 10 degrees C. Very nice.

On my first day back I visited my sister's family. They have a cat. Her name is Ruby. Ruby is very old. Melba Toasty told me that the other day Ruby stuck out her tongue and forgot to reel it back in. Mel says that a cat's tongue is very very long and that once you've seen one hanging out, you never want to see it again. So in this picture, she's doing well.

This is 'Lamb'. She is petting 'Peacock'. Do you see what I mean?
Melbah wrote in her Blog on March 26th (3,26), that her daughter trained her fish to come to her finger so that she could pet it. I had to see this for myself. Amazing but true!

This is my room mate in Waterloo. She is also my Mom. Pat, alias 'Squiddy', took me out for my inaugural burger. She even documented the event in her Blog: 'Point Taken' After being away from Western food for the last three months I have to admit the burger was delicious, but as my friends in Thailand would say, it was 'too beek'.

Thai McDonald's: Mar27

After visiting One of the most ancient Cities in the world; Ayutthaya, I asked Jook to take me for some authentic Thai food to balance out this wonderful experience.

So we took the Bangkok Sky train to the Central Plaza in Bangkok where we stopped for (dinner) at McDonald's.

I decided it was time to get a Thai perspective on the most successful Fast Food franchise in the world so I asked my dear friend Jook to help me out.

Okay Jookie, what is your impression of Ronald Mcdonald? "Velly goood. It is a good adaptation for Thailand; 'Sawadee Caww' to greet the veezitor to reestont." Then we ordered. It was so much fun to watch the cashier explain the purpose of the sauce for the chicken McNuggets to Jook. When we've gone for Thai food she has just ordered and I've stood there like a big dumb buffalo. Now for the first time, I was in the driver's seat.

When they told her that little foil package was to dip those deep fried chunks in, she squinted her eyes and looked at the guy as if he was from Mars.

Okay, I tried the fries. Oh My God! They taste just like the fries in Canada. And The Coke? Very good. My mom wanted to know what they change in the Thailand menu here at McDonalds to appeal to the culture. Well Mom, they have a greater variety of drinks and they have a Pork Burger.
And how about price? I had a Big Mac, large fries and a coke. Jook ordered Chicken McNuggets, fries and an Orange drink. Total cost 168 baht. At 30 baht per Canadian dollar that works out to $5.60 . Is that good Kathy?

The tray liner advertised a spicy chicken burger for 19 baht. Jook read the Thai caption under the picture. Jook said: "It translates exactly to: 'super delicious'."

Jook tried her McNuggets. Fine but no big deal
But now the definitive test. What do Thais think of the Big Mac?

Hold it up please Jook. Thank you. I took a bite. The beef patties are thinner than in Canada but otherwise, very much the same taste.
But what does a Buddhist think of the Big Mac. Jook?
"Velly Goot."
"Would you eat one yourself?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Too beek."