Love & Shopping

I've been paling around a bit with a British couple, Laurence & Cara, I met them at my guest house. Well, mostly I’ve been chatting with Laurence here and there, Cara is taking a massage course and is gone during the day. Last night though the 3 of us went to dinner and then the Saturday night market together. I haven’t been much of a shopper while I’ve been traveling, in part because I don’t want to waste my money on crap I won’t use, don’t need and will have to lug around in my pack. But, Thailand is my last stop and even the most reluctant shopper can find joy in the markets here. Frankly, they are fun.

The other part of the night that was fun was to be around a loving couple. It made me a bit homesick for Hunnie to be around Laurence and Cara but it was a joy as well. They are like most couples; they have their own language, private jokes, and sarcastic ways. They are a little different from other couples too; Laurence especially I notice is extremely open about how much he loves Cara. Not in a mushy or delusional way. He is honest about his feelings for her. He doesn’t flinch to talk about raising a family with her or getting married. In fact, he’s quite looking forward to it. It’s refreshing to be around a man who is so masculine but has a soft side he can discuss. It’s hot in Asia, language barriers are there, there is always the bit about directions and finding your way around a new place that’s taxing, these things take a toll on a partnership and friendships as well. They can wear you down. Your partner can bear the brunt of the frustration. With Cara and Laurence, I saw none of this. Mind you, they have been traveling for 7 months so no doubt they have had their disagreements, simply because I wasn’t privy to them in a four hour block doesn’t mean they don’t exist but in general they have a connection which is calming to be around. Cara is beautiful with satin looking caramel skin, fun hair, and a quiet way. Laurence is very masculine, Greek, with big eyes and thick lashes. He’s chatty and eager to discuss topics with me that you don’t often get into with fellow travelers; family, love, religion, politics, poverty, meditation, the drive to earn money. Many of these subjects are forgone for things like; travel itinerary, length of journey, age, job back home, languages known, best travel adventures, and places to find good food. Both types of interaction are warranted, I think, but it’s a pleasant shift to speak about more personal topics.

We spent nearly 4 hours chatting and walking through the streets lined with vendors selling hand made crafts, art work, clothes, jewelry, shoes, bags, trinkets, and so much more I’m not remembering. What made this experience a little different was the presence of traditional Thai musicians and the mass amounts of locals shopping along side us. There were foreigners amongst the crowd as well but unlike the more commercial markets the foreigners were in the minority.

Laurence and Cara got dragged (willingly) to the stage in front of the temple for dancing and I was offered a puppy for purchase. Neither event seems that interesting when you consider them on there own but when you think of the reluctance for many locals to interact with tourists on an individual level these events become more unique. Like any place that is economically driven from tourism there are two versions of the city; one that is understood and appreciated by tourists and one that is understood and appreciated by locals. They intertwine sometimes for sure but I make no mistake that I am an outsider, a visitor. I do believe culturally authentic experiences are possible when traveling so long as you are noticing and aware of subtleties. That being said, there is a great potential to hum along in westerner mode without taking the small indications of custom or social graces into consideration.  I’m curious by nature but I also understand that it is unlikely for me to fully integrate some of the dramatic differences in culture when I don’t speak any of the language and I won’t be here long enough to really get involved in the daily life. It’s special when I am welcomed into the local scene. 

Cara at dinner

Laurence dancing

This is the artist that painted a golden Buddha I purchased.