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Published: June 11th 2006
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Alluring Thailand
The Land of Smiles, so lush and inviting, had called to me again. As soon as I signed the contract for my first head teaching position and its promise of a regular yearly salary I felt a surge of excitement and I had a feeling of what my next move would be. I would buy another plane ticket to Thailand. It didn’t matter that I had pretty much just come back from there. The pull was that strong. I was like a moth drawn to the flame. I was discovering that Thailand, powerfully alluring, had a way of doing that to someone.
Because of the short notice I paid more than I usually would for a ticket to Bangkok. This time I would fly to Thailand in the other direction around the world via London on British Airways. That July I was taking education courses at a local university in an effort to obtain my masters, but for the life of me I could not focus on balanced literacy and the writing process. All I could think about was August in Thailand. Where would I go this time?
Previously I had spent a great deal of time in Bangkok, Hua Hin, and Ubon. I wasn’t too fond of Bangkok for many varied
Down Was Up
I am not sure this was the intended use for my 3rd Grade Little League Shirt. reasons. I had come to the conclusion that the whole city was choked with sickly diesel fumes and the most despicable characters known to man. Fair or not that is where my head was at and I wanted no part of the place. After talking things over with Thailand I decided the this trip would encompass someplace new, Ayutthaya, and a place where I had become a minor celebrity and an anticipated guest, that little village in the countryside just outside the city of Ubon. Bangkok and Hua Hin would be skipped all together this time. So away I went.
When I arrived in Don Muang International Airport in Bangkok I was greeted by a familiar mischievous grin walking through the crowd. Thai girls have this playful quality to them that is extremely appealing. After our greetings and with my trusty silver bag hanging from my shoulder I stepped out once again into the hot heavy Thailand air. Good thing I had gotten a close-cropped buzz to keep my head cool before I had arrived. We tumbled into the back seat of a typical green and yellow cab and sped off bound of Ayutthaya.
We checked into our
Thai Elephant
Rumor had it that I ride on one of these was chok di. hotel. The lobby felt tropical and airy. Our room had a low Japanese style table. It was Asia after all. I couldn’t believe I was back. It was all feeling very surreal. We ordered up some food. I had one of the hottest Thai green curries imaginable. She wisely ordered some cool succulent melon. I was in heaven or more like some kind of hypnotic dream.
This was my first time arriving in Thailand any other time than late at night. So after a short rest it was time to rouse myself out of bed and head out into the Thai life I found myself living in. We arrived at the house that doubled as a food seller and a beauty salon. I felt very much part of the picture and out of place at the same time, as I interacted with the people I met. It was strange. This once again was real Thailand, not the Thailand of tourist brochures or full moon parties. How had I, suburban New Yorker that I was, found myself here as if it were part of my life?
An outing to the local Karaoke venue was arranged. We all walked through
Buddha
A relaxed Buddha contemplating life's imponderables the back allies of outer Ayutthaya and eventually, upon reaching our destination, piled in our own private room. Food, Singha, and Thai Whiskey were all ordered. The lights were dim, songs were being sung in the exotic tones of Thai, and a little girl, about 4 years old, was trying to bounce the arm out of its socket. Spirits were loose and smiles abounded. It was in this environment that I found myself being goaded into selecting a song of my own. My rendition of John Denver’s “Country Roads” brought the house down. We would eventually take our leave and let the rest carry on singing deep into the night.
The next day we got up relatively early to go and tour the ruins of the ancient Siamese capital of Ayutthaya. Before we did this we thought it would be a good idea to get a ride on an elephant. The massive creature positively dwarfed me. I was told that a ride on an elephant would bring could luck. However, in case the elephant ride wasn’t sufficient we stopped of at an ancient temple, lit some incense sticks, and said a silent prayer with gold on our foreheads. The
Ayutthaya
Ruins of the Ancient Siamese Capital ruins that we saw that day were impressive, but I will remember is the slow lumbering gate of the elephant, not to mention that guide compliment my Thai accent. How long had I been there?
That night after we waited out a blustery, windy, monsoon like storm, we stopped by this atmospheric restaurant. It was hazily lit and teak wood abounded. She ordered us up some great Thai dishes. I once again, sat back, rested my heavy head, and tried to figure out what dream I had stepped into.
After dinner we went to visit a married couple, who were our age, who she was friends with. They lived a short taxi ride away on the “other side” of town. I was getting used to being in the authentic lived in parts of Thailand. Their apartment was basically one small room with a tinier bedroom just off of it. The light blue tiles and picture of the king on the wall, that was standard Thai decoration, was much in evidence. Since once again English was not spoken I lay back and enjoyed the large bottles of Singha and Heineken that we had brought with us.
The following day we simply walked around outer Ayutthaya, soaking in the local atmosphere and arranging our plane tickets to Ubon Ratchathani. I wound up getting some frogs on a stick, bought from a street vendor, and potato chips to bring back to the room for lunch. It was the perfect fusion of Thai and American cuisine. My contented time in Ayutthaya was coming to a close. Soon I would find myself back in that house on the little lane in that village of Northeastern Thailand that I had come to know so well.
added may 30, 2006
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