People in Issan region
泰國東北地區民情風俗
We need to learn how to live in a simple and natural way.
隨遇而安
First I want to explain this Chinese saying “隨遇而安(Suei-Yu-Er-An)" in English. It means “always feeling at ease in whatever circumstances, or feeling comfortable wherever you are." I would apply this phrase to people here in Issan region, where I stay, so far, for almost 3 months. They seem, by nature, to be free of worrying in a strange or unfamiliar place. They live a natural and unrestrained life.
席地而坐
Another is this: “席地而坐 (See-Di-Er-Dsuo)". It translates literally as “Seats on the ground to sit". If you go with people here for any trips, outings or special events, you don’t worry about where to find a seat to sit on. Always, they've got something like straw mat to sit together. They, as a group or a family, like to stay or party together. They are people of group life. They seemingly don’t like to stay alone or to live a life of so-called individualism.
就地取材
On the other hand, they can be tent-people. I was wondering why they love to stay in the tent overnight. As I travel around this region of Issan, I found that it’s an agricultural region, where you may not find hotel easily. So, it’s the best and economic way to bring with you a tent as you drive and travel between cities. I think they know how to survive in this natural environment. They’ve got all survival kits at any times in any circumstances. Even they can “就地取材 (Joe-Di-Ch-Tsai)" because there’re tons of wood available for camp fire on the way to their destination. The Chinese phrase here means “Take wood nearby." For example, one day, as I was walking along the forest trail in a chilly cold morning in the campus of Khon Kaen University, there’re motor-bike riders circling the wood-burned fire to keep them warm while they took a short break in their journey. Certainly, the wood was from the nearby.
What is true happiness? You may find it there in the region of Issan.
