We rented two scooters, here they call the motobikes, and drive towards the connecting beaches Kara, Karong and Patong. Patong beach, is furthest about 15 km from Nai Harn on this very hilly and narrow street. The towns are busy with tourists and hagglers wanting on us to buy their trinkets. All ask where are you from? Many knows a few words in swedish, like: Tjenare, hej sockertopp, bara titta lite, billigare i Ullared, titta - inte köpa, which is translated to: “Hello”, “Waz up blondie”, “just looking”, “cheaper at Wal-Mart”, “only looking-no buying”. Kind of interesting to hear the first few times however after a while the family members look at me with a “you got to be kidding” look. As in We are not moving into that lion-gap of hagglers again. Yet we do it a few more times. They all sell the same, brand copies. Bags, t-shirts, stuff. Ladies walking around with northern Thailand head gear selling carved wood-frogs…? Why!? Who the hell buys that stuff? They sound like bullfrogs mating, awful night-time noise.
At one point Toby answered back, “I am from Portugal” on broken Swenglish… the guy hollered back - Why are you lying to me!? :-)
Patong (back-side of tourists intentions) I felt was sort of sad.
At least when we where there, overcast, raining a little bit, no party atmosphere. The bars where semi crowded with thai-girls and single “falang” men. There is a purpose to be served, I am sure, yet it did not feel that good. Toby and I spoke about it later on and could draw a parallel to girls in the US that are looking to marry a doctor or lawyer for status. The girls in the bar are doing the same, looking to find better status of life. When I asked Andy said that he felt lucky having met Bum, with accountant education, and not with any intentions of marriage. However Thai’s LOVE white pale skin. Westerners tell their pale friends to get some sun since they look sick. Talk about oxymoron.
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