A drooping set of power lines nearly caught me at the throat while I was walking the sidewalk in Loei. Before I came out here to Thailand I was warned to keep my eyes peeled for these “threats” to personal safety. Truth be told, they’re just another day in Thailand.
Again, cruising the sidewalk, this one constructed of brick, I had to nimbly dance to the side. Underneath my foot a brick dislodged and fell about a foot into what I can only assume was a sinkhole.
In many of the guesthouses it’s not uncommon to find exposed wires or stumble down stairs with mis-measured risers.
When it comes to transportation there’s no such thing as “too many passengers”. Riding a sawngthaew (a truck with dual rows of seats in the bed), all seats taken, standing room being stood in and laps full of shopping bags and children, Thais think nothing of finding at least a small perch for a foot and a minor handhold in order to dangle from the side of the truck.
Getting around, most of the Thai people opt for motorbikes. They’re inexpensive, quick, and easy to maneuver through traffic. Sometimes an entire family, mom, dad and junior will squeeze onto one bike. Sometimes though, mom just feels like going for a drive and will prop baby in her lap or on the platform at her feet.
The other day I saw a man riding a scooter towards me with what I firsy thought was just a really ugly baby. Turns out the passenger sitting in his lap was a monkey… navigating towrds bananas most likely.
Now, a friend of mine made the remark “It’s not as if Thais don’t care about safety. It’s that safety doesn’t even enter as a consideration.”
Perhaps it was this thinking that prompted me to rent a motorbike. Something I told myself I wouldn’t do. Heck, I’d only ridden a motorbike once before and crashed that within a minute of getting on. But, do as the Thais do, right?
Well, at least I’m consistent… within minutes I found myself on sliding along the asphalt and earning some road rash along my right leg.
Maybe my mistake was in wearing a helmet. Safety schmafety.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
The adventures of mark Eckenrode… All I can say is: “Wow!”
Mark, I am sure you are loving it and it sounds like you might be gone for a while but… I am really looking forard to your return, sitting around with a cold drink in hand, listening to some really cool stories.
Rock on, my man.
Dude I am living vicariously through your tales. I'm with Nick — when you get back we need an “Adventures of Mark” gathering.
Road rash sucks, but it could have been worse….
i've shot some cool video (with bloopers) and photos. problem i've run into with sharing all this is that the inernet here is not the one we know in the States. but, i', looking forward to a beer and story session where i can share more. thanks :
i've shot some cool video (with bloopers) and photos. problem i've run into with sharing all this is that the inernet here is not the one we know in the States. but, i', looking forward to a beer and story session where i can share more. thanks :