Winking Fish

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

I really do enjoy visitng developing countries.  It's quite interesting how the older generations cling doggedly to their culture and traditions, while the younger generations seek out ways to "improve" their quality of life.  There's always a lot of building activity, a lot of infrastructure investment, a lot of new money.

And it always seems that the development is happenening right outside my bedroom window.  Jackhammers, drills, and nail guns are not conducive to the vacationer's requisite afternoon nap.

We walked down Patong road last night, looking for a quick bite to eat.  Massage must be one of the top ten income-producing ventures here in Patong.  We passed several dozen day spas, their massuses sitting out on the sidwwalk, gently grabbing your arm and presenting you with a list of potential services.  "Sawadsee khraaaab, papi", they say in their high pitched, nasally voices.  I have no reason to believe that these are anything but legitimate massages; I cannot see anything erotic about a fish foot massage, where you dunk your feet into a vat full of fish and they swim around and, I dunno, tickle you?  Anything for a buck.

We ended up at a restaurant that had a variety of items on the menu, many of them Thai, but also some American and European food, like Chicken Gordon Blue.  The attraction was a huge iceberg out front on the street, covered with seafood so fresh that I swear the fish winked at me (Ok, I know that fish don't wink, but you should see them wiggle their ears).  I had no idea that prawns could get so large; and squid and lobster, all sold by the kilo.  Actually, I stuck with the chicken in chili and basil, which is one of my favorite Thai dishes.  Very good.  The menu, interestingly, was in Thai, English, and Arabic, and the music was definitely middle-easter--another hint that we are closer to Kuala Lumpur than to Bangkok.

So now these 5 old, stuffed 'papis' are looking for something to do.  We did what we know best: back to the hotel, have a nightcap, and off to bed.  So go the plans of partying all night long.  Maybe tonight.