Tag: Thai

mistaken “nationality”?

After eating a mouthwatering lunch at Yip Hong, a famous Chinese Restaurant in this side of the world, we decided to go to Superstore to buy weekly food supplies. With my nephew in tow, I was grinning while pushing the cart when I saw a Chinese lady looking and smiling at me.

I thought she’s the same lady that I often had a chance encounter whenever I go to work but I was wrong. All of a sudden, she stopped near our cart and asked me something. The brief conversation went this way:

Lady:      Hi! Are you from Huangzhong?
Me:          Sorry?
(I had a clueless expression on my face… I did not quite catch what she said)

Lady:    Huangzhong, China.
(Smiling with a twinkle in her eyes)

Me:          No. Do I look like a Chinese?
(I was laughing while talking.)
Lady:      Yes.

I just smiled and then we went separate ways. I still have that smirk on my face when I turned to my nephew, James.

Me:        Do I look like a Chinese?
James: No. You look like a Canadian.
(Looking at me with an incredibly serious expression on his face)

That did it. I can’t stop laughing while pushing the cart. Merci Beaucoup James! You’re such a sweetheart.

One last note, it’s really strange because I got that all the time…wherever I go, whoever I meet. Ha! I’ve been asked if I’m a Dutch, French, Latin American, Indonesian, Malaysian, Singaporean, Thai, and Chinese.

I must be a human chameleon? What do you think? 🙂

Proud to be a Filipino 🙂

tuktuk

After a tumultuous evening, I woke up wondering where to go first. As I was walking outside the Bangkok apartment, a tuktuk* driver was waiting outside and offered a ride for a certain amount. I felt a bit wary at first because my Thai friend warned me about scrupulous drivers in Thailand.
(Note: Tuktuk is a means of transportation used in Thailand.)

The tuktuk driver was persistent but not irritating. He looks convincing enough so I trusted my instincts, bargained for the fare and went off for a tuktuk joy ride. I asked Boon (the tuktuk driver) to take me to the famous Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok.

As we were on our way, Boon was making a lively conversation, talking about the tourist spots of Bangkok. I was amazed because he sounded like he took a crash course in tourism. He’s very knowledgeable and I can see that he’s passionate with his work. Not only that, when he learned that I’m a Filipino, he rambled how great Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao is (Note: Pacquiao is a World Boxing Champion who hails from the Philippines.)

Boon is indeed a huge fan because he couldn’t help gushing how terrific Pacquiao is. He even imitated the famous Pacquiao moves. He said that whenever Pacquiao has a fight, majority of the Thai people cheer and treat him like their own.They also feel the great joy and pride whenever Pacquaio wins a fight.

Before going to Chatuchak, we made a side trip in a jewellery shop. He said that the Thai government were encouraging tuktuk drivers to bring tourist there and if the tourist buys any item, the government will give them free gasoline (I forgot how many liters).

Boon also mentioned that if I buy any item, he will not charge me with the ride. I did not take him seriously because I thought he was just pulling my leg . Anyway, I was able to buy souvenir items and at the same time joined a quick jewellery-making tour.

Boon waited for me outside the shop. True to his word, he did not ask for a single cent when he dropped me off at the Chatuchak market. He even gave me tips on how to get back to the hotel via train. Awesome isn’t it?

I related my experience to Jaa, my Thai friend, and she was surprised about the honesty and kindness of Boon. She said that she always had a bad experience with tuktuk drivers so she takes taxi most of the time. Well as they say, angels are everywhere.

Enjoy a tuktuk ride when you go to Bangkok and always bargain for the fare and for all the prices. Who knows, you will also find your angel.

Lessons Learned:
Honest people do exist
It pays to trust your instinct once in a while.