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Published: August 16th 2007
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Hua-Hin-Couch-Kids-King-Kong-Pose
1994 [Joy 11, Daniel 9, Josh 7, Becca 5] This blog has remained unpublished for nearly 5 months. Although the photos have long been arranged and captions created, at each attempt to consider the story it represents, I am faced with a delicate and difficult task: To tell a tale that will perhaps be cryptic to most, but is in fact the only way I know how.
I left Thailand in January 2007. In the days leading up to departure there was a massive flurry of photos - some to document the passing moments that would forever be fondly remembered, and others unearthed to connect more than a decade worth of attachment to one place - surely something of an oddity for such wandering lives. Photos were sorted, stacked and catalogued and I was eventually handed a small pile labeled 'Thailand' to choose from. As the photos were aligned, my mind drifted through the years, causing me to reminisce on how it all began...
Once upon a time in a faraway world a baby was born. There was great rejoicing in the world of the Blues and her father's Blue face looked down on her kindly. Word was sent to the world of the Yellows where there was
much rejoicing and her mother's Yellow face looked down on her kindly. The baby smiled and cooed and stretched her little Green hand upward, blissfully unaware that no Green world had ever been known.
Beaming with pride the parents proclaimed: "We must show the world what Green is! We must show our baby the colours of the world!" And as their excitement grew, so did their vision of a voyage so grand it would take a lifetime to achieve.
It was an expedition few had considered, a journey that less had dared. The Blues whispered amongst themselves, casting wary looks towards the multi coloured trio. The Yellows simply gasped, sighed and solemnly shook their heads. Undaunted however, the little family set forth, embracing whatever peril might come their way.
Braving harsh winters they scaled the highest mountain peaks. With their backs to the sun they crossed the longest of deserts. And as the little girl began to grow, she was filled with awe at all that surrounded her. As the sun rose over dusty Orange plains, it was mirrored by an equally bright Green smile.
When the sky would open and raindrops fall onto a world
of Silver, little Green footprints weaved their way across the sleek terrain. And as the world of Red began to blossom, so too did a Green little girl as she danced and ran through fields ablaze with fiery fragrant flowers.
Mother Yellow and Father Blue had seen it. As time wore on it became more evident still. For in their quest to discover new colours in new worlds, they had not foreseen new changes in themselves. Their little girl who had once been so Green, was no longer so distinct. They watched from a distance as she laughed and ran with children in a world of their own. As she linked her arm through theirs, distinct swirls of colour were evident against her single tone counterparts. Their little girl had become a Rainbow.
The parents were delighted. "We must take you back to the Yellow world!" they exclaimed. "They will love to see such a beautiful collage!"
But the little girl was heartbroken. She looked around at every image and every scene that no smile could live without.
"How could I ever leave this place?!" She protested. "How can I leave this home?"
"Home, " the mother
Me in 1995 [12yrs old]
Hua Hin outside the Juniper Tree Guest House explained, "is exactly where we're going."
Her reassurance did little to console the sullen child. She paced and would not dance. No bird could entice her to sing. Even the flowers adorning her hair were to shrivel and wilt. And as she arrived to the world of the Yellows, she was greeted by a long black cloud.
People stared at her strangely. Some pointed and laughed.
"What are you!?" they jeered.
"I'm a Rainbow," she smiled. "What are you?"
"We're Yellows!" They laughed even louder. "Don't you know Yellow is the only colour!" They turned their backs and walked away, wondering at such ignorance. She stared after them.
"No, you're the ones who don't know..." she whispered sadly.
Overcome with grief the Rainbow girl ran. She ran until she could run no more. Over fields and into the woods where, gasping for breath, she collapsed on the forest floor. As she sobbed, giant tears ran down her cheeks, leaving glistening rainbow streaks along their path. She tried to cover them, tried to hide her difference, but the colours keep shining through. And just when she thought she could bare it no more, she was startled by a
Little Becca & the Big Whale
We used to create these massive sand sculptures each year glowing radiance and kind face looking down on her.
"What are you!?" she exclaimed.
"Why, I'm a fairy. Whatever has made you so sad?"
"Oh! Just look at me! I don't want to be in this Yellow forest, I don't want to be in this Yellow world. I want to go back to a kaleidoscope land..."
"There, there..." the fairy wiped away the tears as her eyes brimmed over once more. "You want a kaleidoscope because you're a Rainbow. Don't expect Yellows to see in your spectrum just as you cannot see in theirs. Every colour is special, every world is unique. But I know your home is a long way from here and I will grant your wish to leave."
With a wave of her wand the little girl was whisked away, back to whence she had come. She looked up to see the sun was shining again. She could hear voices and laughter, people of all colours beckoning and welcoming her back. The sky was a brilliant blue and a hint of orchid floated along the breeze. She lay in the hammock and swayed to the rhythm the wind; looked up to the sky as huge
raindrops fell. At last, she was home again.
But after the rains had been and gone, the shadows gradually grew longer and the days gradually shorter. The Rainbow girl began to dream. Through vivid visual displays of worlds yet untouched, her mind soared through a universe she longed to explore. She began to hum the tune of faraway worlds and imagine their vast array of shades and beauty. Mother Yellow and Father Blue were intrigued to see her love for the sun almost matched by a curiosity of what lay beyond. They knew it as well as she. It was time to go.
As she gathered her things her heart grew heavy, her smile slowly fading. The image of a little Green girl ran through her memory. The voice of a Rainbow child echoed in her ears.
"How can I ever leave this place, how can I leave this home!" She caught a glimpse of her own refection and in it she beheld a spectacular outward display of all that lay within. This colour was a part of her now. She may be leaving its shores but its mark would always remain.
She bade farewell to the
Couch Family 1995
Hua Hin mini golf course ocean. She bade farewell to the trees. She held tightly to the laughter and shed a tear for a place to call home.
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laetitia
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Thanks for sharing these photos with us! A ear for Thailand is really beautiful.....