Rice Planting in Thailand
(Zara) Many citizens of Thailand spend their days in the rice fields; in fact the amount of land dedicated to growing rice is the 5th largest in the world. We decided to learn about what their work was really like.
To get the full affect of being a rice farmer I certainly had to dress like one. I commenced by putting on a traditional outfit including a baggy denim t-shirt, pants and socks that went up to my knees to keep my legs somewhat clean. To complete the outfit I wore a scarf around my waist and a straw hat to keep the sun out of my face.
When we reached the rice fields, we were greeted by two rice farmers and a 2,000 pound water buffalo that we subsequently got to ride. To begin, we went to a section of land where the rice plant resembled tall grass growing out of the muddy water. Underneath the mud, were the roots growing which had to be pulled out of the ground. We stepped into the mud and it was extremely squishy on my feet and after standing in that same spot for a minute it was very hard to get my feet out. We pulled out bunches of the rice plants, swished it back and forth in the water to get the mud off, and then set it aside for later. Next, we went to a bigger rice paddy where we each got three rows and had to replant the roots of the little bunches of rice back into the mud. This whole growing process takes about three months.
Post-planting mud fight
Upon conclusion of a hard hour’s work I decided a little mud couldn’t hurt so I fired some mud at my dad and then everyone started to join in. By the end, our clothes doubtlessly needed washing and we had to get hosed down to clean ourselves off. Rice planting was very interesting to learn about. It is hard to believe that in many countries people still do this backbreaking work by hand even on hot summer days that reach temperatures over 100 degrees.
– Zara
Zara,
Great use of a semi-colon; really fantastic and well done; I can tell you’ve studied my work.
Only comment on the picture is hard to tell which is the buffalo and which is Paul.
-William Strunk
Thank you Zara you are such a good Professor of rice farming and a wonderful observer. Go a head
Hi Zara,
I think you are ready for a vacation job in the rice paddy fields. I love your description of the entire “rice” adventure. Well done. You can go from country to country learning new techniques, and coming up with the best way to plant and harvest rice. A project in the making?
Papa
Thank you for sharing what sounds like an amazing experience. Who knew that so much went into cultivating rice? it’s really want to read and see these experiences through the eyes of you young ladies. Can’t wait to read more!!
I bet you’ll never eat rice again without thinking of what it takes to get it to your table!
Boss,
My wife said that your family picture with the white buffalo is absolutely real nice ! , all your pictures on this Thailand trip remind me my childhood and bring back some great memories when I was living in the farm area.
Hi Zara, Would you recommend that type of mud for a facial?? Actually, right now, the street in front of my house looks like a rice paddy field, but just the muddy water and no rice plants. (The water main broke this morning). Your description of planting rice was so vivid that I had a back ache by the time I got to the end of your writing! Love, Grandma
Hi Zara , That was a wonderful explanation AND illustration of rice planting. You have inspired me to go into my back yard to try planting rice, but the 72 inches of snow covering my garden is a bit of a problem. Thanks for sharing this experience. Have fun. Tony Ford
Great writing! your writing is better than mine even though I’ve been in school this whole time…. Sounds like your having a lot of fun and don’t worry the only thing you are missing over here is -12 degree weather
Miss you so much
Zara- great job! Let me know if you need a job when you return. Packing fish, harvesting rice – can’t offer any water buffalo rides though. We miss you.