BF's dad found her in a massage parlour in Bangkok 2 days before the trip. She didn't speak any English, and he had to buy her what ammounted to a full travel wardrobe plus suitcase (she didn't own one), and she only had a vague notion she was coming on this trip with us in the first place.
BF's dad gave the massage owner what amounted to a month's worth of Tim's wages, plus he had to send money to her 15 year old son and her ailing father in the North (near Laos). The total amount of payoffs was embarrassingly close to $100.
Once she realized through internet sites of the hotel where we were going, she seemed pretty happy. She was a very shy girl and didn't talk a lot. We had to get by on hand signals and my rudimentary Thai which I'd been trying to teach myself for the 3 months prior via a Learn to Speak Thai CD in my car.
All in all, an interesting trip language/culture-wise, esp considering I spent a lot of time with her while the Menly Men went off to cruise more girls on their mopeds. Sucks to be them cos I got a massage EVERY DAY for my efforts. I am also now proficient in Asking Directions Thai, Shopping Thai Style, and Thai in the Restaurant (Deeshan nee yak die boo mai peh! I like my crab not spicy!).
[I also have a minor in Telling Them Where It Hurts in the Hospital Thai, but let's not dwell on that!! ]
~nelly~
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