Getting to know you

In the last couple of days I have been walking around the market where I live, trying to get to know it better.

The other day I realised that I tread the same path every day - from the condo, to the place where I buy lunch; from there, while I am waiting for my food, I walk down to the canal. Then I walk back. I seldom take detours from that tired route, unless Maiyuu asks me to buy him something at a convenience store.

I decided it was time to do some exploring. On the first day, I walked for about 30 minutes, past the railway line which passes through my market, and out towards a temple I last visited about 12 months ago, when returning from Mum's place early one morning, with one of my friends of the night. We ate breakfast there, while waiting for Maiyuu to leave home.

The route took me past rusty shophouses, computer game parlours (invariably with the windows covered in posters, so no one can see in); run-down vehicle repair outlets, tiny hairdressing salons, and motorcycle taxi stands. At one, a couple of middle-aged men stopped me to practise their English. At another point in my journey, a man selling ice-cream from a little cart reached out for my hand as he walked past, and kept holding it until I let go, which I had to do, as I was walking in the opposite direction. 'Helloooo!' he said.

The route was getting narrower, and above the roofline of the shophouses and small apartment blocks, I could spot large, familiar-looking buildings which face the main road. They helped guide me along. Eventually my route took me right under an expressway. It was narrow and tight down there, but still big enough for motorcycles to pass through.

A walk into the depths of Talad Phlu...

Motorcycle taxis, and folk living in the area use this route as a shortcut off the main drag. At this hour of the afternoon, parents were darting about on their motorcycles, with their children perched on the back. Teenagers who live in the area had finished school, and were doing what teens do best: milling.

Yesterday when I left home I headed off in another direction, on the other side of the main road, down the street immediately behind it, which I had not ventured down in more than two years.

Last time, I suspect, I did not go down very far, because I didn't remember most of it. The street took me past a large karaoke barn, which from the main road looks like a dump, but from this side looked like a small palace. I never realised I was looking at the rear end of it, all these years when I passed it on the main road as I headed for my place, which is about 20 metres further on. How bizarre.

Further on, I entered the confines of a large temple, which once again I never knew was there. The temple was so large it contained a school. I took a left, to take me back out onto the main road. Walking back home, I passed a popular moo gra ta restaurant, where a group of school children was taking an early evening meal.

A little further on, I passed Mr Noodle's noodle stand. He saw me coming, as he always does through special eyes he keeps in the back of his head. This day he decided not to hide as he usually does, but to strut about making manly-sounding conversation to the other boys who work at the noodle cart.

He was walking in front, with his back to me, but I managed to catch a sideways glance of his face.

In the blazing sun, he has become tanned, almost dark brown, which can't please him. However, his handsome features blazed with their usual intensity. I wanted to take a better look, but I am afraid he will get embarrassed, so I kept walking as if nothing special was happening.

Thais in the neighbourhood must be wondering what is going on. I have only chosen two of the hottest days of the year to embark on my walking adventure. But it is opening my eyes to parts of this place which I never knew existed. It's a fascinating journey, and one which I plan to carry on.