I love having a blog, but sometimes I run out of things to write about. I post at least every Friday, its Thursday already, and I still have to write that weekly blog post. I sit in front of the computer and nothing comes to mind. I stare at the blank screen of the word processor. Nada. Nichts. I check the news, what’s Putin doing now? 🙈 Shute.
I move to bed, it is almost eight o’clock and soon I can fall asleep with dignity, when its nine o’clock. Yes, I am old, I sleep early, and I sleep poorly. But today I can’t fall asleep. War in Europe? Seriously? I pick up my iPad, and a window pops up with memories from 2019: my trip to Thailand, in March. So many photos. I close my eyes, and I remember a story.
My story is simple, quick, peaceful, and I think its worth telling to accompany the featured photograph.
We were a crew of five entomologists and a driver, traveling through Thailand to collect fruit flies for a research project. Thankfully, four of us spoke Thai, but unfortunately, I was not one of them. One hot and humid morning, like every morning in the Loei province, we stopped alongside the road to explore a banana field. The entire crew grabbed their nets and disappeared into the fields, while I stayed near the van. I don’t remember why I stayed behind, I only remember that I did.
After a few minutes alone, I looked to the side and noticed a large bunch of bananas on the ground, by the roadside. Behind it, an elderly man, smiling. When he saw that I had seen him, he started talking to me, in Thai.
Make no mistake, in Thailand, smiles are the default. There, they believe that a smile solves many problems, and it is very rare to see someone frown. I wondered if he was mad at me. My colleagues and I were literally trespassing, walking into the fields without having asked for permission, and I wasn’t in a position to explain myself. I don speak a word in Thai. I don’t understand a word either. And the crew was nowhere near.
Our conversation lasted what seemed a long time. I have been in many situations with languages in foreign countries, but I usually can at least say, “ I don’t speak your language”. Not in Thai. So I sat there, looking at the man while he talked, and with my iPad, the only camera i had with me, I snapped the shot above.
When the crew returned, we learned that the banana man was the property owner. The bananas were a gift to let us know that he was not upset with us. He lived alone, worked the land, and was happy that we stopped by.
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Wall Art landscapes and miscellaneous
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It is all about the light 
What a wonderful story and emotive photo! Never would have guessed you made it with an iPad. My son went to Thailand about two years ago and loved it. If only the whole world had gratitude like this fellow.
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On my second day in Thailand, I broke my camera and lens. The iPad an phone is all I had left for nearly three weeks. I’m glad your son liked Thailand. I wish I had more time to explore, but I was there for work.
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More uplifting than Billy Joel’s song, you’ve “told us the tale of the banana man.”
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Yes, I thought an uplifting story would be welcomed in view of the present situation.
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Thanks for the much needed feel good story. Love love love the photograph. Those bananas look so good ! He is definitely a special soul. Thank you.
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The bananas were very good! We enjoyed them for a few days. It was the first time in my life when I was rewarded for trespassing!
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What a sweet story! There is kindness in the world.
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People in Thailand are generally very kind.
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thank you for that
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you are welcome!
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The photo is wonderful. Such a kind, direct expression on the man’s face, and a delightful story. It reminded me of my first week in Liberia. A small boy showed up at my door with an entire stalk of bananas on his head. He asked if I “wanted banana.” I said that I did, and asked how much they would cost. He asked for a dollar, which of course seemed more than reasonable. What I didn’t expect was for him to take the dollar and leave the entire stalk on the kitchen floor — about a hundred bananas! After checking around, I learned it was customary for two or three families to share a stalk!
Your mention of traveling with entomologists reminded me of another story. Many years ago I was with a group at the home of friends, drinking wine and just talking. We got onto the subject of gravestones, and were sharing the epitaphs we’d like to have on our stones. One woman, who happened to be an entomologist, said if she had a choice, she’s go with “Maybe Now You’ll Stop Bugging Me!” One couple, who happened to be news broadcasters, went with “Stay Tuned ~ We’ll Be Right Back.” That was the night I decided — given my occupation — my epitaph should read, “She Varnished From Our Sight.”
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A lot of bananas, the man gave us! Fortunately, we were six!
Funny story about the epitaphs!
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What an uplifting story and a picture worth a thousand words! What a shame the rest of the world couldn’t be like this kind gentleman.
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Yes, a simple act of kindness goes a long way.
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Great story. I image the experience was a bit unnerving before the rest of your team joined you to interpret. I’m somewhat amazed at the quality of photos that ipads and other mobile devices create.
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Yes, it was strange, he didn’t seem to understand that I could not understand anything, but he was also not frustrated about it. Just kept talking.
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Great story and shot!
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Thank you.
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