On Friday evening, we had been invited by one of the managers of Chiang Mai International School to go to dinner at a Thai restaurant, along with the chair of the board, and our friend, Barb, the elementary principal. It sounded like it would be a delightful outing. We were excited and looked forward to it all week.
On the night in question, Pitak, the man who had extended the invitation, picked us up at our dorm, and drove us through the crazy FAST Friday night traffic, several miles away, to a beautiful building situated on the banks of the Mae Ping River. The restaurant had been recently constructed, incorporating traditional Thai design from teak wood, with a soaring roof line. As we approached the entrance, we passed a large Thai bell that had been transformed into a lantern. Several young greeters wai-ed us. The wai is the Thai sign of respect, performed by lowering the head with hands pressed together in front of the body.
Pitak and Bruce arriving at the Tha Num Restaurant
The bell-turned-lantern
We were led through the restaurant - where there were a few large tables - and out the back into a lovely quiet oasis of water gardens, teak decking, soft lights illuminating stone pathways, and more tables - all fully open to the evening sky. A tree off to the side seemed to cradle the first star, with a sliver of the moon keeping it company. Just beyond the expansive deck area, the slow river meandered by. And beyond the river, rose an ancient chedi, a simple temple, its rusty-colored bricks giving off a warm glow (helped along by some strategic lighting!). It was just dusk when we arrived, the sky a pale pink and blue. Soft Thai music fell over us like a light silk cloth. We were totally engulfed in the magic!
(It was pretty dark but I think you can get the idea.)
Already seated and waiting for us at a table was Bill, the current Chair of the CMIS Board. Barb joined us soon after, bringing her usual good cheer. Bill and Pitak were very gracious co-hosts. Pitak, a native Thai, ordered various small dishes which gave us a sampling of northern Thai food. Bill ordered the wine!
Pitak, Barb, Rev. Bill, & Bruce
Bill was a comfortable, out-going fellow, a Yale Divinity School grad with an obvious love for Thailand and her people. He has lived and worked here for much of his adult life - a total of 48 years! Most of his career has been spent at Prince Royal's College, a K-12 school, affiliated with the Church of Christ in Thailand (as is CMIS). This is the school, referred to in a previous post as "a toney private school" . It surrounds CMIS and our dorm, geographically, and is the source of the lovely Thai music that we hear wafting up to our room on school mornings.
The evening slipped away quickly with stories of life in this corner of the world. It came to a close with Pitak driving us back to our cozy dorm room in the heart of the city. We appreciated this Thai welcome and gesture of kindness.
On the night in question, Pitak, the man who had extended the invitation, picked us up at our dorm, and drove us through the crazy FAST Friday night traffic, several miles away, to a beautiful building situated on the banks of the Mae Ping River. The restaurant had been recently constructed, incorporating traditional Thai design from teak wood, with a soaring roof line. As we approached the entrance, we passed a large Thai bell that had been transformed into a lantern. Several young greeters wai-ed us. The wai is the Thai sign of respect, performed by lowering the head with hands pressed together in front of the body.
We were led through the restaurant - where there were a few large tables - and out the back into a lovely quiet oasis of water gardens, teak decking, soft lights illuminating stone pathways, and more tables - all fully open to the evening sky. A tree off to the side seemed to cradle the first star, with a sliver of the moon keeping it company. Just beyond the expansive deck area, the slow river meandered by. And beyond the river, rose an ancient chedi, a simple temple, its rusty-colored bricks giving off a warm glow (helped along by some strategic lighting!). It was just dusk when we arrived, the sky a pale pink and blue. Soft Thai music fell over us like a light silk cloth. We were totally engulfed in the magic!
Already seated and waiting for us at a table was Bill, the current Chair of the CMIS Board. Barb joined us soon after, bringing her usual good cheer. Bill and Pitak were very gracious co-hosts. Pitak, a native Thai, ordered various small dishes which gave us a sampling of northern Thai food. Bill ordered the wine!
Bill was a comfortable, out-going fellow, a Yale Divinity School grad with an obvious love for Thailand and her people. He has lived and worked here for much of his adult life - a total of 48 years! Most of his career has been spent at Prince Royal's College, a K-12 school, affiliated with the Church of Christ in Thailand (as is CMIS). This is the school, referred to in a previous post as "a toney private school" . It surrounds CMIS and our dorm, geographically, and is the source of the lovely Thai music that we hear wafting up to our room on school mornings.
The evening slipped away quickly with stories of life in this corner of the world. It came to a close with Pitak driving us back to our cozy dorm room in the heart of the city. We appreciated this Thai welcome and gesture of kindness.
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