[sarasaraseda]

As iGNT mentioned, the real Thailand is many places to many people. Here is one of my places.

I find the real Thailand when I am sitting on our big teak bench on the front porch of our house in Trang. I sit out there for hours on end reading or watching the real Thailand float by. Behind me, through a window is my ¤Ø³áÁè sewing a new dress (the whhiirrrr of the machine blends in to the sounds around me) I look to my right and see the neighbors house. Directly parallel to my bench is the neighbor's window and there she sits. She is quite old and spends her time looking out the window, watching the real Thailand float by, too. Across the street to the right. Three sleepy motorcyle taxi drivers who are lucky to give 1-2 rides a day. In the mean time, they sleep on hammocks awaiting customers. Across the street to the left is the village gas pump and a few tables where one can get food. I like to watch all of the people come and go - definitely the village center. In my vision to my left is the wall to my house with a German cookoo clock that cookoo's on every hour. It is the most peaceful place on earth. For me, it is the real Thailand.