Farmer in land of sun
Even Thailand is well-known to be an agricultural-based country; it is now not easy for new generations in this digital era to have a chance to do the rice planting. But we three Thai girls are lucky to have a chance to become farmers with one of the Japanese farmer’s family. Looking around we can see lots of green rice field full of small rice plant. We were received a warm welcome. Everyone is very friendly and now we are ready to change clothes for stepping into the muddy field. First of all, he showed us the proper way to plant the rice by taking around 3-4plants and use the power from the thumb to press them into the marked position. After finishing with the first row then move on the next row walking backwards until reaching the end of the field. Seeing his doing, it doesn’t look that difficult but when we started to try we realized it’s quiet challenging. Back facing the sky while face looking down the ground. When we ran out of plants in hand, he would throw us the new pack of plants and shouting “Ha..yerb” which farmers commonly used to cheer up each other. It was not only a fun experience but also tighten the relationship within the family and friends.
Before it becomes Soba
Japan has many famous noodles such as Ramen, Udon and the unforgettable one Soba”. After finishing the rice planting, we had a chance to try making Soba noodles by ourselves. The secret of a good quality soba is the proportion between udon and soba flours. It should be 2 of udon flour and 8 of soba flour; however, the cost of udon flour is much cheaper in relative to soba flour, so now many restaurants has changed the ratio adding more of udon flour to lower the cost. But today we are going to make the best sticking with the legitimate recipe of 2:8ratio. First of all we mixed the flour and water together then knead with hands until it became one. After that we put it on the table and used a roller to make it become flat then folded them into layers. Now we reach the last step which is one of the most difficult parts. We had to cut into the same size. We are so proud of ourselves as well.
On the same table with Local
Having lunch with Japanese family, we had learnt so many differences in culture. For example, before eating Japanese will say “Itadakimasu” which is to show appreciation to both the food and to a person who cooks the meal. While having the meal, he offered us alcohol beverages but turned out that none of us drinks so he wonders if it is common that in Thailand women do no drink. We replied that back then woman who drank was seen as bad woman but nowadays it is common that women drink just that it’s a coincidence that none of us drinks. For this point he agreed that it was also what happened in Japanese society in the past as well. Other member also shared their experience about Thailand like when he once traveled abroad and got a chance to try out a Thai restaurant, he was served with a Chang beer and it was so nice that he can remember the brand until now. That was very touching for us to know that Thai brand produce good quality goods. This was a meal that makes us satisfy both physically and mentally.
Raise a kid to be strong
One of the thing we most impressed with is the way the Japanese raise their kids. Japan is well-known to be a country with high responsibility honesty and punctuality. It is very common to hear many stories about losing valuable belongings in public and get it back eventually or making a proper queue anywhere. All these kinds of thing cannot happen overnight but roots down in their minds since childhood. We got a chance experience by ourselves as his family has two little cute nieces. While walking back from the rice planting, she fell down and bleed; however, she didn’t even cried instead just walked back into the house washed and placed the plaster on by herself under the parent’s supervision. Also, when queuing up for using bathroom, regardless she is a kid she still waited in line like adults. Almost in everything teach the kids to be responsible for both herself and the society therefore no wonders Japanese society is very pleasant as it is nowadays.
Written by Bongkoch Peirapattanapoom
