This was set up was outside of a restaurant in Gloucester. I thought it was an odd way to display the days specials and thought nothing more of it. As I dined on Pad Thai a traditional rice noodle dish, the perfect yen and yang combination of sweet and spicy or crunchy peanuts and the soft noodles, the exotic aroma of fish sauce, yes pad Thai it is my favorite Thai dish. I ate my lunch with chop sticks, I always find it a little odd more people don’t use chop sticks when they eat at an Asian Restaurant. Its simple, fun and makes you slow down when you eat. Which allows for a better, more enjoyable meal. Back to the food display. I started to think about the reasoning for the four course meal and why each portion was so small and left outside where the critters could indulge. So I asked. I often wonder if folks that speak English as a second language get offended at my curious questions about their culture. I don’t know. But I still ask questions, I’m not offended by someone asking me questions. So I asked what does the food display represent? He told me it was an offering, a way to give back to the gods and pointed to several Buddhist Statues on display. I thought this was so cool, not something I had ever heard of. So I did what I  I often do, I googled “food offering for a Thai God”. What a learning experience. Thailand is made up of 95 percent Buddhists and offerings play a significant part in their religion. This particular offering according to Wikipedia is defined as

“Thai people install spirit houses, miniature wooden houses outside their dwellings, where they believe household spirits live. They present offerings of food and drink to these spirits to keep them happy. If these spirits aren’t happy, it is believed that they will inhabit the household and cause chaos. These spirit houses can be found in public places and on the streets of Thailand, where the public make offerings.”

I also like the idea that if a bird wants some lunch they get there “peck” from a four course Buffet. The Thai fellow also told me that they cook each and every morning for this offering and it is serious. Life is full of learning moments. This was just another chance to ask some questions and enjoy some street noodles. 

Thanks for reading

The Spirit House and the Offering 

Lunch Pad Thai with Pork.