Butler Family Travels

We have learned to eat where the locals eat, but sometimes that takes a day or two to figure out. When I first got to Athens,though, it was easy to find a Gyros stand where I got one and promptly dripped tsatsiki sauce and made a mess on myself. This became a regular experience for me while we were in Greece. Our next stop on the trip was Italy where we learned that no matter how convenient the food carts are on the main roads, it was always way better and was worth the extra money to hit the side streets. The Italians are serious about their coffee! Everyone, including McDonalds, has crazy expensive espresso machines. First, you walk into any shop, order your coffee, and pay. Then you take your receipt to the barista and he makes your coffee. From there you can drink it standing at the counter and pound it like most Italians or savor it and take a bit longer. Eating cured meats in France was a new experience and it tasted delicious. I am experienced enough now to say that food anywhere on the Mediterranean is usually pretty darn good.

Pita bread is government subsidized in Jordan. It costs 35 cents a kilo. It comes in 3 sizes and is eaten with every meal. It’s really tasty (even better that Israeli pita) so my mom and I bought 9 kilos of it before leaving Jordan to put in the freezer at Granny’s. That should last for the rest of our time here.

About 20 years ago three friends and avid climbers came to Thailand to climb its limestone cliffs. They went to a tiny town called Railay and later started also climbing in nearby Tonsai. The bolts they used to set the 500 or more routes were steel bolts like what the rest of the world was using.  However, about a year later they noticed that the bolts were starting to erode and break.  Climbers are in danger of falling to their deaths if bolts break when they are climbing. Many bolts broke but no one died. The men immediately started looking for a solution knowing that if someone did die from an accident the Thai government would most likely shut down rock climbing in Thailand forever.  They learned from researchers that the bolts were eroding quickly because the water flowing through this specific limestone, with its many plants on top, has a higher acidity. They were told that the only type of bolt that would last was one made of titanium. Titanium bolts, however, are extremely expensive. Each bolt and its special glue costs about $40. Thus, they started the Thaitanium Project. The Thaitanium Project is raising money through the selling of a climbing movie and t-shirts to replace the steel bolts. In the last 2 seasons alone 850 bolts have been replaced. That is about 215 routes’ worth. Thousands of climbers from almost every country in the world come here to enjoy the awesome rock climbing. For one of my International Service projects I decided to help the cause. While Rebekah was climbing those routes I went around and invited climbers to the showing of the movie mentioned above. I met people from all over the world. Then I helped the people at Basecamp set up a projector to show it. A bunch of people came, enjoyed the movie, and bought shirts afterwards. The Thaitanium Project will hopefully continue to help replace all the steel bolts, and in turn, save lives and rock climbing in Thailand.

It sounds like it. Coconuts fall from the trees all the time here. At least 3 fell from the tree by our bungalow. We had fun with one of them. Interesting fact: About 300 Thais (mostly workers) die each year from falling coconuts.

We thought it was strange that a motorcycle with a side cart and sign that read “Pancake of Banana” stopped in front of the outdoor restaurant where we were eating.  The waitress told us that we should buy it. “It is very good. You should try it; only 15 baht.”  It turns out they all buy from these road-side carts who cruise around at dinner time. She was right! The crepe-type pancake with drizzled, sweetened condensed milk and sprinkled sugar on it is scrumptious. So, now that we know what to do, we get them every night.

Breakfast:  Rice with 2 fried eggs and mango. Lunch: Pad thai, eggs, and rice or a pb&j with basil-flavored Lay’s and chocolate wafers. Dinner:  Something with rice or noodles with chicken, shrimp, or squid. All of the meals here are served with a coconut shell filled with baby-sized bananas. Cost per day: $7.50.

All this food for just over $1.00 and the food was great tasting. Pad Thai, eggs, and shrimp. A main dish costs about 40 Baht ($1.30). Fresh fruit smoothies are about 30 Baht ($1.00) and much better tasting than Arizonas. My first one was papaya!

How about some onion cookies, aviation radishes, weenie in a blanket, fish-flavored banana bread, and hazelnuts? Food tray on the Shanghai – Bangkok leg.