Sew What?

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.

After selecting matching thread, she was ready to get to work.

Luckily, he didn't ask me to ride it!

Giving a farewell "wai."

I'm An Exhibitionist!

Hmmm, maybe I should re-phrase that title. What I meant to say is that there are only a few more days to see some of my photos on the wall of Beaner Bar, a great coffee spot in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. As their Artist of the Month, I put up an assortment of photos from such exotic spots as Southeast Asia, subarctic Hudson Bay in Canada, and Grand Central Terminal. All proceeds from the sale of any of the photos, greeting cards, and magnets I have available at Beaner will go to charity. And if you're thinking it's too hot to be thinking of coffee, try one of their iced drinks. The Mexican Mocha (pictured above in its non-iced form) is amazing at any temperature! Can't make it down? You can check out my photos at joshlewisphotos.com  I'll put up a fundraising gallery online of the shots I have at Beaner Bar when I take that exhibit down.

Winter Smiles (part 2: Sangkhlaburi and points south)

Sam Roi Yod Beach, Prachuap Khiri Khan province

Here's some more friendly encounters in Thailand from this winter to add to my series of Thai smiles. After spending a little time in Sangkhlaburi with my students (I volunteer teach English) in beautiful Kanchanaburi province, I headed south of Bangkok to Prachuap Khiri Khan, another of my favorite provinces, where I spent a few amazingly relaxed days at Blue Beach Resort on the outskirts of Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park.

Hanging on the school bus

 

Students preparing dinner

Bus ride to school

 

Scooter gang

At my favorite coffee stand in Bangkok

Market outside the park

More coffee at the market

Sam Roi Yod Beach

Beachside entrepreneur 

I Saw It On The L: The Challenge

I don't have to roam far from home to witness the beautiful, the bizarre, or the just plain entertaining. Traveling around New York City on a regular basis provides me with ample exposure to all three, sometimes simultaneously. Occasionally, even the familiar takes an unexpected turn...

As I approached the L Train the other day, I saw some kids doing acrobatic routines in one of the cars. I got on the car behind theirs, hoping they would head that way. Sometimes I resent performers forcing themselves on captive audiences, but I was in the mood for some entertainment.

Sure enough, the troupe entered my car and launched into its routine. The kids quickly won over the riders with their moves and high spirits. It was fun, but nothing I hadn't seen before until a female passenger good-naturedly challenged one of them to do a handstand against the pole. He readily complied, but she claimed she could do better. When the kid and his buddy strongly expressed their doubt,  she confidently proclaimed, "Of course I can, I'm a stripper!"

The boys gaped bug-eyed as she got out of her seat and skillfully backed up her boast, capping off the unbilled cameo with a nice version of the worm. She smilingly tipped the kids as she left the train, though it wouldn't surprise me if they appreciated the encounter more than the money.