Floors, Fish, Phantoms, Farting, Facial Hairs
Trip Start
Jun 05, 2006
1
42
94
Trip End
Jul 15, 2007
Vientiane,
Lao Peoples Dem Rep
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
***Floors***
They have a real unhealthy floor fetish here! Asian families can live in a 4 wall shack with green slimy walls but they will always have spotlessly clean floors. The complete opposite of American customs. Asian ladies will spend the better part of the day cleaning their floors.
In Buddhism your head is "high", your feet "low". Feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. Using your feet for anything other than walking or playing sports is generally considered rude. You always have to take your shoes off before entering an Asian home.
***Phantoms***
People who practice Buddhism believe in "Phi", which means spirit, soul, ghost. They believe that the spirits visit them in the night. To protect themselves and show respect, people build a "phi house", a small alter(house) which is placed in a precise spot in front of the house or in the garden. The small house is always sheltered from the sun and offerings of food and drinks are made to keep the spirits pacified. The fist one I saw was in Bangkok. I thought it was a house for the squirrels? I did not know it was a house for ghost!
***Fish Flavored Treats***
They have fish flavored everything! And it is everywhere, in everything! They have fish flavored deserts, ice cream, gummy treats, etc......
You thought I was joking!!!!
Its hard to avoid. I guess so much of South East Asia is situated along the coast it is a cheap product for them? I have fallen victim to a few fish flavored treats. Its not for Johnny!***Farting***
I have experienced this a few times. It is quite common for Asian women to "break wind" casually. The first time I experienced it was in Indonesia. I was waiting for a room at a guest house where a big group of women were sitting and talking when one of the ladies "busted lose." I started laughing only to realize I was the only one laughing. So if anyone was embarrassed it was me! To them it was as casual as a sneeze. When me and a group of my friends are sitting around and someone farts it is a moment we all "celebrate!" Usually with the culprit scooping/fanning his "proud creation" in the direction of the nearest person, so they can enjoy it together of course!
***Facial Hairs***
OK this is my favorite! But I am talking more specifically about mole hairs! I had to keep the alliteration going. Everyone has had the creepy gym teacher in high school with a crazy mole hair. That in no way can compare with what I am talking about here. I am talking about facial moles growing hairs, that in turn, grow hairs! I will not attempt to explain this any further. Last week I snuck a picture to show as an example (see the attached pic.) I would love to know more about the reasoning behind the mole hairs? I have a plan to befriend a furry mole guy so I can ask him the logic behind the madness. You don't just go up to a stranger on the street and start asking him his reasoning behind growing out his mole hairs people!
Honorable mentions:
Singapore Icecream sandwiches - In Singapore they eat ice cream sandwiches. I am talking about a scoop of ice cream between 2 slices of white bread. Weird combination!
Thailand's Wai - Thai's do not greet each other with a handshake but with a prayer like palms together bow like gesture. I was just getting used to the kiss on the check thing! Is it one kiss is it two kisses? Now a bow? I still feel real stupid bowing when I meet someone.
Random scenery pics - Asians love to decorate with completely random scenery pics? They will always have a picture of some random waterfall, mountain, or pony in a field on the wall. Next time you are over indulging yourself into a tummy ache at the local Chinese buffet/eatery take a look around. I guarantee you there will be some random scenery pics on the wall. Maybe involving some neon lights if you are real lucky!
"Why everything that's supposed to bad, make me feel so good?
Everything they told me not to, is exactly what I would...." ~Kanye West
EAT your TV before it EATS YOU!!! -Johnny Nomad
Comments
too far...
Nomad you have gone too far! No one wanted to see that pic. Your description was vivid enough. Now, I will always think of that damn mole at random inopportune times. Thanks.
Astute
Funny yet quite astute.
Yep! Couldn't understand that mole hair thing either. Wonder if there's a longest mole hair competition.
ps: Ice cream does taste good in between bread.