characters you meet along the way.

Drunk Model on a Thai Binge
As we attempted to aquire accomodations for the evening on our first day in Bangkok, Rafiq and I perused the crowd at the Wild Orchid Villa in hopes of finding travelers checking out. Two young ladies, packs in tow, seemed to be ready leave. We asked if they were heading out and if we could have their key. They said "yes, pay us 800 baht." We no sooner asked why we would pay them if they were checking out when an attractive British man swooped in and got the key from them. Rudely interrupting our transaction; bad traveling karma-I thought to myself. We saw him many times after. This man appeared in the lobby of our hotel, his eyes piercing through everything as though he couldn't see what was actually in front of him-only through it. Since then, I see him alone wandering aimlessly, a swagger in his step, as though he's simultaneously searching for something but really, nothing at all. We come across him around 12:45 sipping down long islands and not able to make a coherent sentence but merely gesture intoxicatingly. he was too drunk to speak. So beautiful to look at, but too pathetic for one to entertain such a thought. One would think his next step would be to pay out the tab and hit the sack. But he staggers away in to the night, drunkenly stumbling down the stairs, alone in Bangkok. And I think to myself, "where are you going?"

Flower Boys

1 am, a young boy-more of an entrepreneur in my opinion, solicited 20 baht in exchange for a flower. He was darling, and although I know it is a scheme of sorts, with the money going somewhere that is not his pocket, we felt so compelled to buy one. In my opinion, his parents would be better off placing him in the entertainment world. He is absolutely adorable, perhaps one of the most charismatic people I have ever come across. We did not purchase a flower, but a handsome young lad bought into his deal after seeing us engaged with the young boy. He jetted over to our table. placed it my hands and said, in a charming manor "for you m'lady." He immediately bounced back to his seat with time to spare before his friends came back from the bathroom. He was an indie 20 something British guy. I think the accent was the most delightful part of the interaction. Earlier that evening some hippied out man gave me a flower as well. But took it back after we refused to go with them...where ever that might have been. We saw the indie 20 something British guy around throughout our stay, needless to say we enjoyed him much more than the staggering drunkard who stole our key.