Mascots

A few weeks ago the Pai Lun (our "knocker", as they are called) invited us to play with him and his friends at a different club. As it turns out his friends include the former ladies singles champ of Thailand , the number 2 and 4 juniors in Thailand and a number of other accomplished players. Pai Lun, was the former number 3 in Thailand. Turns out they practice every Tuesday and Thursday; so we've found some pretty good company to play with. For the life of me I can't figure out why they wanted to play with us? We aren't even as good as the kids they teach, but we welcome the opportunity and haven't missed a practice yet.

Before long they started talking about this tournament that was in Chaing Rai (about 2 hours North) and invited us to come. Syd and I didn't hesitate. Hoi, the club owner and only person who we can actually speak with, said she'd take care of the details. We assumed this meant that she'd sign us up and book the hotel. She did so and also entered us in multiple events with partners we've never met. So it seems as if we were on a team. Syd and I both get a big kick about it all and we call ourselves the Mascots.

The Event

Since the event was held in a relatively small town, near the boarder of Laos , I assumed that it would be a small time deal. I was wrong. Turns out to be a major tennis event for Thailand complete with all the best players, prize money, line judge and ball kids for all 10 courts, catered food, and a six piece classical music ensemble that plays during the evening matches. The event had huge turn-out. The mens singles alone had a complete round of 64. I Guess we should have known from the company we'd been keeping. Now we really felt like mascots and I was a bit unnerved by the whole thing.

So I met my doubles partner as we stepped onto the court to play. (Yes as we stepped onto the court). Here was a 62 year old Thai man who didn't speak a lick of English. He was better then me. I provided the crowd with some good first round entertainment, we managed to get a few games and shared a few laughs but it was obvious that the two men across from us had been playing together for quite awhile. My first event was over.

A few hours later Syd and I got our chance. We lucked out and came up against some other average players and made a match of it. Unfortunately we fell short 8-6 in a super set but felt good about it and had a great time. Afterwords our opponents were curious about how we ended up playing in the tournament as we obviously weren't from the area. He gave me his card ( gourmet corn seed sales) and suggested that we get together and play again.

The people here are incredible friendly and their whole attitude about competition is completely different then in the states. Even though this was a big event, a money event, I didn't witness a single show of frustration during the three days. Really, Not one! In fact it was the opposite, if they weren't playing is silence they were laughing and joking with each other. Even making light of each others shots. (Joking about you opponents shot would never fly in the states). Pai Lun lost his single match in the semis (tie breaker) and his doubles match (tie breaker) in the finals. In both cases he was joking and goofing with his friends and opponents moments afterwords. I asked him if he was bummed and he looked at me as if it was a strange question. He was not, he had and more importantly, was having a great time.

It wasn't just him, it was everybody. It was the entire culture. Hoi won and laughed all the way through her final. Tun (Pai Lun's doubles partner) lost in the singles final (tie breaker), didn't phase him either. For myself, I stew over losses for a couple of days, at least. I hate to lose when I think I shouldn't have (IE: tie breakers). Hoi is now my coach and her biggest emphasis is for me to relax. Imagine that.

(We've met a number of English speaking foreigners here as well but I find myself wanting to hangout with the Thais language barrier and all. Laughing is a good thing).

Road Trip

After the event we found ourselves going to Burma once again. The Thais love to shop there when they have a chance because its so cheap. Why pay $0.60 for a kilo of tangerines when you can pay just $0.40 in Burma. I guess its all relative. Due to Visa entry issues Syd and I were going to stay on the Thailand side but Hoi had connections at the boarder and got us VIP (diplomat) status and across we went. Had a great time shopping for cheap stuff we didn't need. Here are some pictures from the road trip.

Warmonger

This isn’t really a blog about Thailand, but it does have to do with being/living abroad. As most of us know, even the most stanch Republicans, George Bush is not well liked by the world community.

I was at a restaurant the other day and I noticed some anti Bush pictures proudly posted on the walls. Not just one anti Bush picture, but quite a few. This certainly wasn’t the first time I’d seen these types of displays, but it got me thinking about our recent travels.

When people find out we’re Americans frequently they ask about George Bush. Questions like, “Why did the American people elect him”. Or statements like, “I look forward to the Democrats getting back in office”. Or simply, as one taxi driver in Bangkok put it in his best English; “Bush is very bad, Very Bad!” These comments make me feel uncomfortable and are embarrassing. Even know I dislike Bush as much (or more) then they do, I still feel that I'm (we) are being associated with Bush. I’m an American after all, and “we” elected him.

In the past two and a half years we’ve been to four countries in Africa, three countries in South America, and four countries in Asia. (Mexico as well). During that time I have not met a single person who supported George Bush and his administration. Think about it, that’s people from three continents, with multiple viewpoints from various religious and political systems and not one GB supporter. NOT ONE! How is it that HALF the voters of my country elected this guy, while I can’t find a single supported elsewhere?! Amazing! Sure this is an indication of just how out of touch America has become.

I should note that Syd I also traveled often while Bill Clinton was in office. At that time, I never felt this negative association with being American.

(I'm sorry if this post offens my Republican friends but its my observation plan and simple).