Buffalo Market

Yesterday, I went with a friend to the Buffalo market about 30 minutes south of our city. At first when hearing "...market", I thought it would just be another market, but after seeing this one, it was quite different than all the ones we shop at around our house! The buffalo market was huge, with all the normal items, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meat, cloths, cleaning supplies, outdoor supplies, toys and much more. However, this market also sold used motorcycles and livestock as well; water buffalo, cattle and chickens. I happen to have my camera and thought you might enjoy a little Thai culture! The funny thing was that most of the vendors thought I was a tourist and were all so excited to have their picture taken back to another country! Here's to them.

This man was selling honey combs, which were quite expensive by Thai standards!

As you all know, snakes are not one of my favorite things...not even cut up and ready to eat!

Cow fat and intestinal fluids, yummy to eat (so they say) and adds a bitter flavor to meats!

Dried fish is sold at all the markets.

Peppers anyone!

Pickled fish. No, it's not like pickled cucumbers. Basically, salt is added to fish and it sits for 3 to 6 months before being sold as a tasty side dish. Yes, it smells just like you might think! My friend said that she heats hers up to cook the worms or other things that might be growing in it. As I was turning my nose up, she said 'oh, it's good and that's just adding protein'. I'll take her word for it and stick to baked, broiled or fried fish!

The lady dipping my friend's portion.

While waiting on the picked fish, this lady was trying to give me samples of her tobacco products. The pod at the bottom of the picture is chewed by the older Thai population.

Roosters and chickens

Cattle

water buffalo

Farmers are the same, regardless of the culture! As we approached the livestock sales, men were gathered around in groups talking about the animals and which were the prize picks.

Lastly, this is picture that puts it all in perspective. The fruit for sell is called "Lucky Fruit" and is suppose to bring you good luck. Crowds were lined up to buy a piece. My heart broke as we watched people trying to buy luck for a hopeless future. May they one day all know it has nothing to do with luck but all to do with God's grace.

The Story of a Man!

There once was a man, a very hard working man This man's family was poor and he thus dropped out of high school in order to work full time to help support his family. The man met a girl and they fell in love. When she was 16 years old and he was 18, he went to her parents and asked if they could be married. Her parents agreed with one condition that she continue school. They married on October 31 and began a life together. Although the man was not formally educated, he was very smart and set out to make a better life for himself. He did what he knew best which was farming, producing crops such as soybeans, watermelons and wheat. His business knowledge flowed out positively through the way he ran the business.

He and his wife began a family after about four years of marriage, first with a daughter, then a son three years later. Would two children be all? As it is told, the man wanted one more, so the wife made a deal that if she could quit work then why not have another baby, so five years later they had their third child a daughter. This was your typical family who loved and laughed and worshipped together. But don't think it was a perfect family, because it certainly wasn't! The man can be remembered sitting in his chair looking out the window "thinking". He was a worrier, who was always concerned about the crops in the field or the weather outside that could hamper the crops. You see, this man had set a goal early in his life to save money for his family's future and sometimes that's a difficult thing to do with farming. Slowly but surely he was meeting that goal. He never wanted to forget where he came from but he often said he never wanted his family to have to make some of the sacrifices he had had to make.

One hot summer day, the man and his friend were going to look at one of his fields planted with soybeans The man was driving and did not notice the oncoming train before crossing the track. Their truck was struck and his friend died instantly. The man lived 12 hours. At 11:30 p.m. on July 16, 1982, the world lost the man who can be remembered as hardworking, loyal, honest, devoted, a friend, husband and father. This was not just any man, this man was my Daddy, Mayo Ponder. I am honored to have had him as my father and still miss him today. However, I am forever impacted by and thankful for the lessons he taught me in those precious years. One day we will meet again, but until then...

Happy Father's Day, Daddy and I love you!

Kelly