When we moved to Thailand, we didn't know what to expect in many ways. One of the big miscalculations we made has to do with apparel. We assumed that since a lot of clothes are made in this part of the world, we would be able to find clothes here that were similar quality and less expensive. We also thought that since it is very hot here, it would be especially easy to find lightweight, cool clothing. We were very wrong on both accounts.
I don't understand much about economics, but Philip hypothesizes that the market here in Thailand is not big enough (and wealthy enough) to cater to. This means that everything made in this part of the world gets shipped to the big markets in Europe and North America. If we wants something like the quality we would get in the United States, it will likely be something that was intended for the U.S. market, and at high cost was instead redirected to Thailand. This means it will be very expensive.
If we find clothing or shoes at a reasonable price, they will be so cheaply made that it is not worth even the small price. Whenever something breaks the first day used, the girls just shrug and say, "It's Thai." We have dresses that were second hand when we got them that have survived three girls' heavy wearing. Philip's favorite pair of shorts was purchased at Goodwill and have been worn extensively, including for swimming. They are intact. Yet the short he got a month ago, have been patched three times already.
The worst trouble we have had is with footwear. We wear sandals every day. I literally cannot count the number of pairs of sandals we have gone through. Just a few weeks ago, Philip through away about ten pairs that were irreparable. I am wearing my blue hiking sandals my mom bought me from Lands' End twelve years ago. Philip has reglued the soles on and the soles are showing the wear of the years, but they are otherwise in great shape. If I knew the company had the same quality and type of sandals today, I would get another pair for me and one for Eris.
Eris's feet have been growing way too fast, but we've had other trouble too. My mom sent her a pair of saltwater sandals, which we hoped would last through her and maybe even Meriel. When we were staying at the Guest House, she left them out by the playset one evening. One of the pair was never seen again. Carried of by a cat maybe? Since she did not have any sandals to wear, we bought her a pair at the store. They broke within a week. Another pair of sandals sent from the States survived for nearly a year but then the connections between the straps and the sole began to wear out. Philip repaired them many times, but they just kept breaking at another place. Her current pair were bought about a month ago, in the women's section. The soles have already been glued on and are starting to separate again.
I really don't have any memorable stories about Meriel's sandals. She has not lost any nor had one break so badly while out and about that it had to be replaced immediately. Her current pair is from the U.S., repaired by Philip twice.
Hollis had a pair of sandals that Philip bought at Goodwill during his trip to the U.S. a year ago spring. They were holding up great. In January, she decided to use one as a digging tool while at the beach. It went missing. Philip carried her around until we could find a pair that would work for her the next morning. Recently, a friend from church who is a year older than Hollis has been giving her hand me downs, so Hollis is set for sandals now. This family is from the Philippines, so have never seen the wonderful price of sandals to be had at sales, thrift stores, and garage sales in the States; they buy the "reimported" items at a premium, so they last for a second child.
Simeon has worn the same pair of sandals his whole life. We stretched the limit for going around barefoot. Before he was walking well, I didn't set him down anywhere that wasn't clean enough for him to crawl and thus also be barefoot. By the time, we really felt that he must have a pair of shoes on his feet, he was able to wear the pair my mom had sent from the States, though they were a bit big. Now his toes are poking out and starting to get black on the bottom. We have been looking around for sandals that would last until Grandma comes in September. For some reason, Thais mainly shod their children in flip-flops, so it is difficult to find sandal in small sizes. I can't imagine a two year old being able to keep those on their feet while walking the uneven sidewalks or being carried through the crowds. I do not want to have to worry about shoes flying off as I'm scrambling to get all my children on a barely stopped bus.
Yesterday, we finally decided to go to a fancy department store to see if we could find a sale that would offer some sandals for Simeon. I found a pair that fit and were going to be a reasonable price on sale 40-60% off, a little big at size 8, but we can't afford to be too picky. When I asked the clerk the price, she told me that they were not on sale. Only those three pairs of shoes directly below the sign were included in the sale. Meriel found a pair that looked higher quality than most. The price was still more than we are usually willing to pay, but we were running out of options. We decided to try them on and if they fit, we would buy them. At first Simeon was resistant to wearing anything other than the only pair of sandals he has ever known. This changed dramatically with his first step. The sandals squeaked! A grin of delight lit up his face as he began to dance around.
Now Simeon has a pair of sandals that fit and is excited to wear. We just have to remember to take them off whenever we arrive somewhere that requires quiet. Another reason we can't wait for Grandma and Grandpa to come!
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