The Smiles
I have noticed an incredible difference between my experience of commuting to work here and commuting to work in NY. Here I smile. Everytime. Every day. At least one ear-to-ear grin every ride to work and home from work - and this over a 6 day work week compared to my 4 day work week in Brooklyn where a smile on the crowded train was a rare and special event. Not in Mae Sot though. Seriously, every day. What evokes it? A small baby in a bicylce basket, a 100 pound golden retreiver wedged between the motorcycle driver’s legs with its paws on the steering panel, an elephant blocking the road, a Thai man in short shorts and a large wig, a truck full of school kids all practicing their English with me as I ride behind, a child sitting backwards on the bike that his dad is peddling, a family of 5 on one motorcycle, a large dalmation with a collar that matches the color of his owner’s coffee shop, a man carrying a goat over his shoulder, Karen sisters with matching thanaka patterns, and on and on. So, am I different here - more observant, less stressed, more aware of my environment, less rushed, more able to appreciate these gems? Will I experience these same spontaneous smiles on my subway commute in NY when I get back? I hope so.