My Barbie

Baan Tong Luang, Mae-Rim, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

     Yep. Here it is. The quintessential poor child looking very sad, with no real “toys”, asking for any money you may have for just a little something to eat, beckoning with those large eyes, that look oh so sad …yeah, not so “reality” really. This girl is about to break into a big grin, and you put a plate of pad thai in front of her and you have never seen a happier child …believe me. Actually a plate of any kind of food. Not that she is starving, but just because she loves food. Any food. She likes snickers candy bars especially (just in case you visit). Her Barbie isn’t in great shape – every time you put the arms and legs back in the sockets, she just cranks em’ right out again, with a chuckle and grin. She’s a feisty one. She’s a kid. That’s what kids do.

     Some may question the rings, but honestly, that wasn’t for me to question when I was there. I really don’t see that. I just see a kid. …and I see one that’s about to go ballistic because I have snickers and I like to fix the sockets. 🙂 …really don’t care about the religion, the ethnicity, the color, the tribe. She’s just a child. She wants to have fun. She wants candy. She barely even knows what money is. …no matter how she is portrayed by some tourists pictures.

 

Appetizer

Phuket, Thailand.

     I have always considered Thailand one of the “greatest countries in the world” since I first visited years ago, and every time I go back just reiterates that thinking. I mean, where else in the world can you wake up in the morning and walk out your front door to a baby elephant wandering around looking for bananas. All “set-up” of course, not a wild elephant per say, but still, I mean c’mon. Here in the states this would entail at least half the police force of the particular area with a lot of guns being drawn, pointed and probably fired, followed by a week of news coverage and then at least fifteen lawsuits looking for millions of dollars for any and every reason possible, including and not including a baby elephant, who is just wandering around looking for a morning appetizer. In Thailand, it’s just another reason to wake up and head outside in the morning. I love Thailand…
 

 

 

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Baan Tong Luang, Mae-Rim, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

     Ever hear that saying? That’s exactly what I’m thinking here. I wonder what this woman is thinking as she is looking in the mirror. I know she was a Proud woman, and has every right to be, and she has a very pleasant expression as she looks at herself. But I just wonder, and would love to know what she is thinking as she looks at her reflection. Just one of those moments I guess…

August 24, 2009

Welcome

Baan Tong Luang, Mae-Rim, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

She wanted to bow, hands together, but with a mix of curiosity and shyness…she didn’t quite have it down yet.

The “ultimate” marketing and sales tool – she led us by the hand from table to table, unable to talk, yet definitely positioning herself and praticing to be the future village saleswoman. The elder women and salesmen laughing and giving her advice…

How could anyone resist?

August 23, 2009

Proud

Baan Tong Luang, Mae-Rim, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

One of the proud women of the Padaung Tribe…

             August 24, 2009