Pole Dance
at the nite-market.
Friend 1: Let's watch pole dance tonite!
Me: ehemm... (looking at her while the devils and angels in my head started fighting over my final say) ...well, I am not sure...
Friend 1: Come-on! it's JUST watching...that is what this place is all about!
Me: ehem... (gazing back and forth between goods and strangers in the nite market) ...let's get your things first! (I was still not sure and the angels and devils in my head were still fighting)
we combed every row in the nite market looking for the lucky-prizes she was supposed to get until she started haggling prices of bedroom table lamps at one particular shop. I was sitting on a stool admiring her haggling skill and carefree spirit when I heard...
Stranger 1: السلام عليكم
Me: وعليكم السلام (turned my head and saw this stranger (an arab judging by his look and voice) who shifted his gaze elsewhere the moment my eyes met his...the angels in my head were showering the passing stranger with salam while the devil gawking)
my friend got the things she wanted and we headed for the hotel. i told her i was done for the night and needed to rest for tomorrow events.
Mauy Thai
over breakfast table,
Friend 2: Have you watched Mauy Thai?
Me: What is Mauy Thai?
Friend 2: Men fighting...like kick-boxing and kung-fu!
Friend 3: Must be fun, they told me the entry fee is 500 baht
Me: What fun is that! you watch men fighting and have to pay to watch!
Friend 2: This is not any kind of fight....it is a special art!
Me: Ooo ok! (and wondered how fighting aka violence can be associated with art!)
in between breakfast and boarding the bus,in the lobby,
Friend 1: We plan to watch Mauy-Thai tonite...you wanna join?
Me: Ehem...I ll tell you later... (the devils and angel in my head started fighting again)...i am in a hurry, have to go back to my room to fetch something, the others are waiting in the bus, i see you tonite...
on my way down in the elevator,
Stranger 2: السلام عليكم
Me: وعليكم السلام (there were only two persons in the elevator, an old man and I (also an old lady..LOL!). he did not look like an arab, he was definitely caucasian...in less than 12 hours for the second time, the devils in my head were gawking but this time at the smiling old man, and the angels were showering him with love-felt salam) ...where are you from?
Stranger 2: Australia. and you?
Me: Malaysia
Stranger 2: Kuala Lumpur?
Me: Ya, Kuala Lumpur
Stranger 2: have been there....bla, bla, bla... (i was looking at him but his voice was fading and the image of elephants painting i had seen the day before kept flashing in my head)
he was still talking when the elevator door opened and i have to leave...
Me: Have a nice holiday
Stranger 2: Thank you. You too...
I made up my mind - the elephants were better and more interesting artists than any 'Muayer'...
Me: Are you alone?
Stranger 3: Ya...
Me: Where are you from? Waiting for connecting flight or visiting here?
Stranger 3: from Australia, going to Cambodia....
We talked and it was a long conversation. The important part of the conversation is - she (and a group of people) had started a program to help a group of people in Cambodia. The group had provided fund and learning necessities (building, bicycle, books, etc) for these unfortunate people. After seven months leaving Cambodia she was returning to see her friends whom she had left. She referred to the locals whom she had assisted through the program as her friends. I was moved with the intensity of her passion and love for others.
Me: You are very kind-hearted. They must love you very much and eager to see you.
She looked at me and her eyes suddenly glistened with held-back tears. I immediately shifted my eyes elsewhere feeling tears were pooling in my eyes too.
At the end of the trip, i thank God for letting me crossed path with the three strangers.
at the nite-market.
Friend 1: Let's watch pole dance tonite!
Me: ehemm... (looking at her while the devils and angels in my head started fighting over my final say) ...well, I am not sure...
Friend 1: Come-on! it's JUST watching...that is what this place is all about!
Me: ehem... (gazing back and forth between goods and strangers in the nite market) ...let's get your things first! (I was still not sure and the angels and devils in my head were still fighting)
we combed every row in the nite market looking for the lucky-prizes she was supposed to get until she started haggling prices of bedroom table lamps at one particular shop. I was sitting on a stool admiring her haggling skill and carefree spirit when I heard...
Stranger 1: السلام عليكم
Me: وعليكم السلام (turned my head and saw this stranger (an arab judging by his look and voice) who shifted his gaze elsewhere the moment my eyes met his...the angels in my head were showering the passing stranger with salam while the devil gawking)
my friend got the things she wanted and we headed for the hotel. i told her i was done for the night and needed to rest for tomorrow events.
Mauy Thai
over breakfast table,
Friend 2: Have you watched Mauy Thai?
Me: What is Mauy Thai?
Friend 2: Men fighting...like kick-boxing and kung-fu!
Friend 3: Must be fun, they told me the entry fee is 500 baht
Me: What fun is that! you watch men fighting and have to pay to watch!
Friend 2: This is not any kind of fight....it is a special art!
Me: Ooo ok! (and wondered how fighting aka violence can be associated with art!)
in between breakfast and boarding the bus,in the lobby,
Friend 1: We plan to watch Mauy-Thai tonite...you wanna join?
Me: Ehem...I ll tell you later... (the devils and angel in my head started fighting again)...i am in a hurry, have to go back to my room to fetch something, the others are waiting in the bus, i see you tonite...
on my way down in the elevator,
Stranger 2: السلام عليكم
Me: وعليكم السلام (there were only two persons in the elevator, an old man and I (also an old lady..LOL!). he did not look like an arab, he was definitely caucasian...in less than 12 hours for the second time, the devils in my head were gawking but this time at the smiling old man, and the angels were showering him with love-felt salam) ...where are you from?
Stranger 2: Australia. and you?
Me: Malaysia
Stranger 2: Kuala Lumpur?
Me: Ya, Kuala Lumpur
Stranger 2: have been there....bla, bla, bla... (i was looking at him but his voice was fading and the image of elephants painting i had seen the day before kept flashing in my head)
he was still talking when the elevator door opened and i have to leave...
Me: Have a nice holiday
Stranger 2: Thank you. You too...
I made up my mind - the elephants were better and more interesting artists than any 'Muayer'...
Over Lunch
At the LCCT in the over-crowded McD, while eating and browsing the internet via my new handphone (love the arabic keypad!) a caucasian lady came and sat at the same table. I was alone and the seat infront of me which was next to her was empty.Me: Are you alone?
Stranger 3: Ya...
Me: Where are you from? Waiting for connecting flight or visiting here?
Stranger 3: from Australia, going to Cambodia....
We talked and it was a long conversation. The important part of the conversation is - she (and a group of people) had started a program to help a group of people in Cambodia. The group had provided fund and learning necessities (building, bicycle, books, etc) for these unfortunate people. After seven months leaving Cambodia she was returning to see her friends whom she had left. She referred to the locals whom she had assisted through the program as her friends. I was moved with the intensity of her passion and love for others.
Me: You are very kind-hearted. They must love you very much and eager to see you.
She looked at me and her eyes suddenly glistened with held-back tears. I immediately shifted my eyes elsewhere feeling tears were pooling in my eyes too.
At the end of the trip, i thank God for letting me crossed path with the three strangers.
