Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Kind and Lovely People

While I was writing the doorbell rang.

It was Khun Cherd. My parents were guardians to his son while he was at boarding school in England. Khun Cherd divides his time between Chiang Mai (Thailand’s second city in the north) and Bangkok. His son is back in the UK doing a photography degree. (My parents having Thai students was nothing to do with our coming to Thailand.)

I looked disgusting because I wasn’t expecting visitors. It was a writing day. No make up, old baggy clothes, glasses. My hair was washed, but bad hair days, when I scrape it up and pin it back, are rather tidier than clean washed hair. With clean hair I look like I’m wearing an unwieldy curly mop on my head that’s threatening to eat my face.

He brought me a present which I wanted to show you. The box is made of coconut leaves and the sweet things inside are wrapped individually in another, more papery kind of leaf and garnished with a little bit of raffia. They are called kar-ai-mai (or something) and are black sticky and totally delicious. But aren't they beautifully presented?

He was completely charming, promising to bring a bag for Daughter and green tea for Husband next time he comes to Bangkok. He left me with four phone numbers in case we should ever need help.


9 comments:

Yvonne said...

That box is beautiful! Lovely story, thanks for sharing.

Pacha said...

This is the kind of stuff I hope for when my doorbell rings...that is a rather magical story (although I think we should have a fairy Godmother to do a quick tidy up job on our appearance) and that box is beautiful and I wish I could try the Kar-ai-mai!

Jen said...

How beautiful... people really are lovely, aren't they?

Carol said...

They look absolutely beautiful all packaged up like that!! I don't think I've ever tried them....

C x

laurie said...

wow. how wonderful! the box alone is great.

and i'm glad to meet another curlette!

Flowerpot said...

beautifully made - how very inspiring. Think of the handiwork in that...

Cathy said...

When we visited Bangkok many years ago we were impressed by the friendliness and generosity of the Thai people. Things obviously haven't changed.

Cx

Leigh Forbes said...

What lovely people the Thais are. I hear this is many places.

Liane Spicer said...

Absolutely lovely.

No one ever drops by unexpectedly when I'm all presentable. It's always when I'm looking and feeling wretched. I hate when this happens, but your visitor's kindness would have made up for that.