Our holiday has brought us back to Bangkok once again. A city that we both love. Fascinated by the culture, food, the place, almost guaranteed sunshine, shopping, the nightlife and the people have kept us wanting to come back for more. We are very lucky to do so a few times this year. Each time I get to know the city better and observing the daily lives of the locals more and more.
Across our dinner table on our first night in Bangkok, came in a group of Japanese old men with their young Asian 'girlfriends'. All the men looked like the girl's granddads. The girls all spoke in fluent Japanese. Talking and laughing with the men and making small talks among themselves. One of the girls took the lead of ordering their food and have kept it all very polite and flirty. It was so interesting to watch how they all went about their 'routines'. The body language, the sweet nothings, the girlish laughter, holding hands under the table, all there to play a role and fulfilling a need and fantasy. Than came the food... the big prawns, lobsters, expensive meats and dishes covered the whole table. All eating, drinking and being merry. Do make one wonder their real stories behind every person. Was she from a poor family? Who is she supporting? What's her purpose of doing this? It might even be her first time tasting such food. With her language skill, why not become a translator? Is he married? Kids? What the family will think? Is he lonely and not loved?
Went for a reflexology massage the next day. The girl who was doing my legs aged probably only 16 or 17 years old. She actually reminds me of my niece. Very sweet looking and you can see that she's rather new to the work but nevertheless still very good at what she does. I can't help but start to compare her to my niece. Both of about the same age, my niece have chose to leave the family home and went for oversea studies. In the name of studies, her family have worked hard to support her and making sure that she is well looked after. Moving from Perth back to Singapore, Seoul now and soon to be in Osaka. From one university to another. All in the name of studies. I can only hope that she is picking up and learning real Life experiences as she goes along and not waste her Life and this fantastic opportunity that not many people gets. On a contrary, this girl was scrubbing my feet and massaging them with her firm hands. How many massages she has to do to earn enough money for herself and family? How many hours does she work? Is she still in school?
Went to a few new bars this time with D. What I saw on stage and around me appalled me. Things people do for money left me speechless. I'm not on my high horse and being uptight about things I witnessed, but can't help but feel sorry for the people on and off stage. We left the bar very quickly.
Across our dinner table on our first night in Bangkok, came in a group of Japanese old men with their young Asian 'girlfriends'. All the men looked like the girl's granddads. The girls all spoke in fluent Japanese. Talking and laughing with the men and making small talks among themselves. One of the girls took the lead of ordering their food and have kept it all very polite and flirty. It was so interesting to watch how they all went about their 'routines'. The body language, the sweet nothings, the girlish laughter, holding hands under the table, all there to play a role and fulfilling a need and fantasy. Than came the food... the big prawns, lobsters, expensive meats and dishes covered the whole table. All eating, drinking and being merry. Do make one wonder their real stories behind every person. Was she from a poor family? Who is she supporting? What's her purpose of doing this? It might even be her first time tasting such food. With her language skill, why not become a translator? Is he married? Kids? What the family will think? Is he lonely and not loved?
Went for a reflexology massage the next day. The girl who was doing my legs aged probably only 16 or 17 years old. She actually reminds me of my niece. Very sweet looking and you can see that she's rather new to the work but nevertheless still very good at what she does. I can't help but start to compare her to my niece. Both of about the same age, my niece have chose to leave the family home and went for oversea studies. In the name of studies, her family have worked hard to support her and making sure that she is well looked after. Moving from Perth back to Singapore, Seoul now and soon to be in Osaka. From one university to another. All in the name of studies. I can only hope that she is picking up and learning real Life experiences as she goes along and not waste her Life and this fantastic opportunity that not many people gets. On a contrary, this girl was scrubbing my feet and massaging them with her firm hands. How many massages she has to do to earn enough money for herself and family? How many hours does she work? Is she still in school?
Went to a few new bars this time with D. What I saw on stage and around me appalled me. Things people do for money left me speechless. I'm not on my high horse and being uptight about things I witnessed, but can't help but feel sorry for the people on and off stage. We left the bar very quickly.
2 comments:
sigh....reminds me of our days in hokkaido 娼馆...
Until today Im still frighten of walking by white vans...
Post a Comment