Modified American Plan

I enjoyed my first few days in Thailand on an American-minded budget, when 200 baht seemed to me "only" $5. But I soon (re)learned the value of a baht and am back to my thrifty ways.

My wake-up call came in the form of fettuccine alfredo. You might imagine that ordering Italian in Thailand would be a mistake. Well, sometimes it is, but you'd be surprised at the number of Old World retirees who have set up eateries here to satisfy their ancestral tastes. Maybe I caught this particular place on an off night, but I realized I could make something comparable for pennies on the dollar.

The pot and accessories I have since picked up paid for themselves in less than three meals. Nevertheless, 175 baht for a cheese grater seems outrageous to me. That's one item that will find room in my luggage for the trip home.

I don't believe I've ever purchased olive oil in the States; I remember it tended to be a bit pricey in Beijing, but $10 a liter here seems high. I found a Spanish brand for about $7.50 but discovered that refined rice bran oil (at less than $1 per liter) works well too. Hey, don't knock it till you try it -- antioxidants are antioxidants.