Superbowl Monday Morning With North American Scum
Trip Start
Jan 26, 2010
1
12
47
Trip End
Jun 08, 2011
Bangkok, Thailand
Monday, February 8, 2010
I drug my self out of bed when the time came, took a shower and headed down to the local sports bar down the corner, the only place in the vicinity showing the super bowl. I was one of the first in the door with just about five other Americans to listen to a pre-game we couldn't understand. We talked about the game and our home states a bit, California(X3), Idaho(Me) and Alaska. When it comes down to it you meet more Californians then anyone. One man, Wade(The Alaskan) had actually lived in Moscow for most of the 90s.
The crowds started trickling in and by kick off the bar was full of Americans and a handfull of Canadians. As the game started, it seemed that the saints(Who I was rooting for and most of the people who surrounded me as well) were already beat. But we all hung around and by half it didn't seem so desperate. Then the beer started flowing, at first just a few were bold enough to order beer so early. But by half time the general attitude was 'Ah, fuck it, it's the Super bowl.' So I ordered a large San Miguel, a cheap but decent tasting beer. And by the end of the 3rd quarter we were all feeling pretty good, the game was entertaining, the buzz was nice and we had another beautiful day in Thailand to look forward too. The song North American Scum came to mind, which is about loving North America, even though It's not perfect and were sometimes looked down upon and dismissed. Wade had moved over to sit next to me and we were bullshitting about Moscow and beautiful Idaho. Soon the game was over, the saints clinched the game with an interception and I left feeling pretty satisfied.
Soon enough I was off to catch the train to Chaing Mai. I got a ride from a tuk-tuk, who gave me a discounted rate as long as we went by a tailor's shop. The gig is they take you to the shop and the tailor gives them gas coupons for the business. Tailors are on every street corner in Bangkok and they are all competing for you business. Stopping you in the street, grabbing you when you walk away, getting tuk-tuks to bring you by, whatever it takes. I told him I wasn't going to buy anything. No problem he says and hands me a small folded piece of paper that reads something to the effect that I should pretend to be interested hang out for about ten minutes so he can collect his commission. I could do that.
So I get to the tailors and string him along. I started feeling bad about it because he was actually one of the most honest Tailors I've met, not saying much, but still. After awhile I tell him that I could not afford it, maybe he could take my measurement and keep it in the computer then I could order from him in the future if I needed. At this moment he realizes he being strung along. He tell's me it's not a game in a very serious manner. So I start back peddling, feeling even more mean. Eventually I end up promising that If I get a suit tailored in Southeast Asia I have to do it with him if at all possible. He made me promise this in a very intense manner. I'll keep it, if I decide to get something tailored. It makes me realize that just being a westerner and having the money that comes with the territory comes a lot of responsibility while here in Southeast Asia. It has so much influence on the people here, the professions they choose and their lives. So although I reserve the right to fill frustrated by the hawkers and vendors, I'm done complaining about them and will try and respect the situation as much as possible. I feel bad about stringing him along but it was also good, helps me learn.
After a tuk-tuk ride, a skytrain ride and a ride on the underground I made it to the old station, with a pit stop at a strange wellness center with a 'Brave New World' vibe to it(Which is about the cost of a supposed utopia that has rid itself of things like aging and sadness) for lunch. The healthy lunch was good considering my breakfast of beer and french toast. And here I am, waiting for the night train to bangkok.
