Feeling full

This morning I went to a cooking class to learn Thai food. The group met at the market and learned all about different Thai ingredients before heading to the class. In the class we made 5 different dishes, eating each one after making it. The food was amazing, the company was good and the price was reasonable at about $40 Canadian for the whole affair. We were even given recipe books at the end of it all. A very good cooking class and I would easily do it again.

This evening I had a different cooking class. It really began last night with going to a local hole in the wall restaurant that had several locals in it. I quickly realized that it was run by a family and they live in the back of the restaurant (which is common). My meal was so delicious that I asked the young boy of about 13 if I could learn how to make it, he had the best English skills. He asked his aunt who is the main chef and they said I could. I was eager to learn.

Upon arriving this evening I was instantly recognized and I placed my basil chicken order, same as yesterday, thinking I would be allowed to watch the aunt prepare the meal and I could maybe ask a few questions. I was wrong. Instead, I watched the aunt prepare dish after dish, each time the boy explained to me what the dish was she was cooking. I asked what certain ingredients were and was shown every time. To my surprise the aunt started leaving one spoonful of food in the wok as the food was going out and started giving it to me!

I didn't even care that I wasn't getting the food I asked for. I was watching a Thai woman with more than 20 years of cooking experience make authentic dish after dish of Thai cuisine and then was getting me to try everything! this was bliss. After about 7 dishes I realized that I was simply going to be waiting for a time when the customers slowed to a point where I could be shown how to cook, not just watch the action happen. In the waiting I sat down and chatted with a girl from Quebec who was on the last night if her own 3 month travel adventure. Knowing I was simply waiting didn't bother me a bit.

Eventually the customer traffic slowed and a couple of the young boys (using Google translate) told me it was almost my turn and that I would be doing the cooking. Wait, so after being fed multiple dishes, I'm now going to be coached step by step through this process by this amazing Thai chef?! Ok! Well, my turn came and I was up for the challenge.

At this point there were only 3 "customers" other than myself left in the restaurant. The remaing about 8 people in the shop were family, all linked in with the shop itself. I popped up and was extremely animated about cooking. As an aside, I was extremely animated throughout the process as it helps when there is language barrier and also sets a friendly energy people gravitate towards. I began cooking and was told by both the aunt and the boy what to do and how to do it. It was amazing and the type of moment that solo travellers are always wanting to experience. In my animated state I shot a bit too much fish sauce into the wok and was told that other than that I had done well. When the dish was done being prepared and plated 2 of the young boys took photos of me with the aunt and the grandfather even had fun giving me 'bunny ears' as we posed. The other customers were even laughing at this exchange.

I asked the aunt to try the dish I had prepared and asked her opinion. "too salty" was the response. I had put too much fish sauce in the wok. I was told it in the moment and now was tasting my mistake. It was salty, but not inedible by any means so I sat down and began eating. The family watched me take a few bites wanting to watch my reaction (the way I had reacted over the top to other dishes previously) to which I didn't really have much of one after about bite number 3. I thought the fun was over and now it was time to eat and let them get back to running their restaurant. I was wrong again. The mother then told me that they would make me another one and the one I made was free. I told them it really was fine and that I've already been treated far too nice. Nevertheless, about 5 minutes later I was brought a fresh plate, prepared by the aunt. I thanked her multiple times.

Eventually I finished the meal and had enjoyed my interaction so much and simply being around this family I just leaned back and took in the moment. To my surprise I was spoiled once more. The boy came by with a dish saying that it was his favorite and wanted me to try to see what I thought. Of course, I tried and gave another animated reflective expression. Moments later another of the boys, maybe about 11 years old, had made a dish and once again I was encouraged by the family to eat. There was nobody left in the restaurant at this point except me and the family. The younger boy hid his head as I tried his food. Apparently I was the culinary critic whose opinion was sought after. The dish was good and when I expressed as such, the boy was relieved.

Eventually, a clean up was being started and I knew that was my sign to leave. My meal, the one I ordered, cost 50 baht and the pop I had was 30. The total of this bill was about $3 Canadian. I knew I was going to give extra, for the experience, the hospitality, the patience, the laughs. To me, it was priceless. I handed the aunt 300 baht ($12 Canadian). She refused it and the boys in the restaurant told me my bill was only 50 baht. They were giving me the drink for free. They took 100 baht and gave 50 back, refusing to accept any more than that. I pulled out Google translate once more and explained that I wanted her to have to money, that I had fun, and that I would remember this meal. She accepted. Time to go

What followed was a series of bows, hands put together as a sign of thanks, and an invite from the family to come back tomorrow. I walked down the alley way on a way to buy an ice cream (which has become a bit of a nightly ritual for me) feeling so grateful about how my day had gone.

I was full.