During my last visit to Bangkok I discovered a rip in my shorts, thankfully before it became too embarrassing. I decided that rather than pull out my needle and thread and risk excessive blood loss, I would seek expert help. I didn't have to walk far: sidewalk seamstresses and seamsters are a common sight in the city, perched behind sewing machines and often working on a bagful of alterations while ready to take on quick-turnaround work.
The process, as illustrated below, was simple: walk to nearest or preferred tailor (there were at least 3 within 300 or so meters of my guesthouse on Phra-a-thit road in the area near Khao San road), hand over shorts, entertain artisan's children (or grandchildren) with a lively game of "push the skateboard," take some portraits of the kids, leave 5 minutes later after paying a dollar or two for a repair durable enough to withstand my daily regimen of walking, crouching to take photos, and eating way too much.
It might not have been a grand adventure, but the experience illustrated that one of the best things about Thailand is that even the most mundane of tasks can turn out to be unexpectedly entertaining.
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| After selecting matching thread, she was ready to get to work. |
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| Luckily, he didn't ask me to ride it! |
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| Giving a farewell "wai." |
