Doing it My Way on the Highway (Thailand Diary #24)

With a whole Sunday to kill before a night flight to Chiang Mai, I was determined to find something to do. I first enjoyed the aircon in my room and caught up with the Thai news. The most popular chap voted by the people to be the new prime minister, and leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, got suspended from politics by the current militaristic government, without the chance to be re-elected! Wow…

I scanned Google Maps and found a well-reviewed flea market on the way to the airport, as well as some sort of garden across the road from it. This would be a 15km trek in total, but I had the time.

The flea market was closed. I saw a sign hiding behind some plants that read Amazon Café, so I had a sandwich and coffee there. I asked one local who could speak a little English about the gardens, while pointing to the location on my map. Apparently it doesn’t exist! Oh well, best get to the airport then.

This saw me walking up and down a busy highway with trucks whizzing past. I was totally lost and started thinking that this was a stupid idea. Roadworks were also confusing Google Maps. I hugged the barricades and tucked in my elbows until I finally saw the detour sign to the airport. I was drenched in sweat but considered that I was at least keeping up with my new fitness regime.

Then a ‘bakkie’ pulled over and an elderly couple offered me a lift! I pointed to the back to signal if I could jump on, but the wife leaped out, opened the small backdoor, pushed things aside, and hoisted me and my beefy backpack in! We had an incomprehensible conversation, but I just kept smiling. That last stretch would actually have been quite grueling on foot. I wondered if they might ask for money when dropped off, but just big smiles and bows. My heart felt very warm.

I hid in a bathroom cubical for a while cooling off, wrung the sweat out of my shirt into the toilet, and put on a fresh one with lots of deo. Then a sudden downpour started hitting the roof! Imagine that.

The airport was tiny. I had 8 hours until my flight. I sat at the only airport restaurant for a few hours on my laptop, biding my time by ordering several small things. By dinner time they were closed, so I bought the saddest little sandwich at the only other available place.

I kept thinking about the kind couple who picked me up. I also recalled seeing an elderly beggar once whose bowl was overflowing with donations as locals continued adding to his pile. Another elder got on the shuttle to the plane and people LEAPED up to help her to a seat. I nearly cried at how wonderful all that was to witness.

Next: Thailand #25 – Confident Haircut No.1

Previously: Thailand #23 – A Shit on the Pavement

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