Our Last Sawat Dee, for now

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It's sad, but our vacation's drawing to a close. And it's hard to believe that we haven't been away for 6 months or a year. Has it really been a mere 5 weeks? We've travelled to the other side of the Earth, absorbed new customs and a new language and took 243 pictures.


One thing that eventually hits you is how much you've adapted to your newly-learned culture. It hit me first when we arrived in Japan. Japan's wonderful, things were very orderly and efficient but the people weren't as laid-back somehow. Even the Japanese language reflects a certain formality. On the plane from Bangkok to Tokyo, instructions were repeated in 3 languages and by far Thai is the most lilting and melodic. I'm really going to miss greeting people with a musical "Sawat dee kaa", trying my best to route the final syllable up into my nasal cavity, letting it hang there just long enough to start sounding silly.


The difference hit me again in Tokyo when we watched the American flight crew pass through the gate to board the plane. They all seemed to lumber along, even the women, like they were walking through wet cement. The Thais, however, have a real grace about them. Not a pretentious manner but a natural levity, especially in their sense of humor. Actually it's more than that, Thais live in a perpetual state of fun. They never seem to slog grimly through the work-week. They make it a point to make even the most routine jobs enjoyable. And even in Bangkok all the congested traffic, sticky heat and crowded sidewalks just don't seem to get them down. They seemed to have mastered the art of Keeping The Big Picture. Admirable.


Even better is that the Thai attiude has rubbed off on both of us. Michael talks regularly about being "mindful", referencing the teachings of Buddhism. And the next time I'm overwhelmed at work with no one to help me, I'm going to remember the words of our Thai Cooking coach, "Don't be so serious. And work very fast!"

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Photos

We're lovin' it...
Ronald greets the diners of Ao Nang. I bet they don't find any triple-beef Big Macs.

The ubiquitous King
Thais have a love of both their King and giant billboards, so this is only logical.

Great boat?
Or greatest boat ever? This elegant teakwood beauty rides the central river in Bangkok.

The Magic Bus
The busses reflect the Thai sense of playfulness. Eat your heart out, Greyhound!

We enjoyed the 'eck outta this place
Embodying the spirit of Sanuk, our Kanchanaburi bartender, Eck, never ever stops smiling.

Let's do, then.
Everyday is a comedy when you read the English-language signs in Thailand.

Welcome to The Makeshift Cafe
Do you have a reservation? Yes, but I'll eat on the sidewalk anyway...

Lotus entertain you
Every so often, you see a beautiful example of botany at its best.

Kitchen Posse
Our coaching staff at the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School. They were always ready with a clever joke and a mean curry.

Sawat dee, mon ami
The staff at the Hero Bar, our favorite spot for a nightcap. The manager's Thai and the late-night bartender's French Canadian.

Sad to be leaving...
But how can you feel blue with a hat like that?

Comments

[Jo]

so sad
Have a safe trip home!