In the style of all Thai's, no personal question is taboo. All the ones about age, husbands, the size of your house in England flow fast and often. The one about did I have any babies seemed to strike a chord with the young guy in the hotel restaurant who looks about 12 but is probably about 18, and he seemed upset by my negative answer. In very interesting sign language (his English is only marginally better than my Thai) he indicated that his parents were both dead but then brightened up and decided that I would make a good mother substitute. Since then, as soon as he sees me, he shouts very loudly "hello Mama"....
Spent an interesting couple of hours last night in the local watering hole, there are always people to chat to. Most were UK expats with the women living here and the men off every few weeks to work on the oil rigs in the Gulf. The American owner is back from his stint in Afganistan as a security advisor. And then there was Steve, a Scouser who lives here eight months of the year and goes back to the UK for four months each year to do airport taxi work which is enough to keep him, his Thai girlfriend and stepson when he is back here. He used to run a bar here but gave it up when business slackened. He blamed the fact that the backpackers here had been replaced by families who were less interested in buying beers and just stayed in their hotels. Interesting lives some people lead. But a convivial evening.
So the days here pass peacefully. Managed to get lost this morning on a walk between the main road and the beach. Found myself in a lovely real Thai community with chickens and dogs wandering about. And back at the hotel the formal invitation to the New Year's Eve celebration was waiting, not quite the "stiffie" one would wish for your mantelpiece but a couple of photocopied sheets.
But the sentiments expressed were so nice, talking about being honoured that we are staying with them. Long and short of it is we are invited to a Thai New Year celebration on the beach with lots of Thai food and entertainment, all of which is free - what a pleasant change from the usual £100 compulsory gala dinner at most places. The menu looks fab, all local stuff, just not sure about the "deep fried cake powder serve with condensed milk"... But I think the "coconut ice cream made in Koh Samui" may just have my name on it. All soft drinks are also free but I may have to partake in a few 70 baht (about £1.40) cocktails or why why's to get through the Karaoke....
Tonight is full moon again so I will be listening out for the revelries from nearby Koh Phangnam...
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