Monday mornings are one of my pleasures because that is when Khun Sia, our maid, comes to tidy the flat, wash the floors, do all the ironing and generally make the apartment spotless.  She speaks very little English and I speak very little Thai.  She is trying hard to improve my understanding of the local language but much of our communicationis done by hand waving and something that looks a bit like charades.  Imagine trying to get your house cleaned, ironing at the right heat, washing at correct temperatures and then organising payday by mime alone.  I'm shattered by the end but she is so willing and we talk about all sorts.  Its bit like Eric Morcombe 'I'm saying the right words but not necessarily in the right language.'  I have bored her with pictures of the family and she is fantastic because she answers all the test questions I give her based on last weeks lesson and still seems to be enthusiastic.  Whoever pays the piper calls the tune. But I will persevere until she knows at least all the present gereration of our family and can answer without error!
Today we have naming of parts, well going shopping, yet another task I have added onto her steadily increasing list.  I have learned the Thai word for bananas and she knows I want milk but how in God's name do you mime semi skimmed.  Anyway, I think we have managed that one and now we are onto natural yogart.  I tried to give her a taste by dipping the spoon into the pot but she pulled a most disgusted face as if |I was poisioning her and said she would do without the tasting.  Next week I can't wait to see what turns up in the fridge, if anything.