The blog of writer, photographer, Randy J. Cole. The blog will include personal thoughts on todays issues as well as stories I have written of interest from travel,Thai food,to politics. Randy is a published writer whose stories have been featured in Northwest newspapers. One such story was edited by Mr. Ben Stein.
It was a great day in the Northwest today and I was introduced to a sport that I was unaware of until I accompanied my wife and her friend Ben, to a small Buddhist temple in Portland. The occasion was an open market where Asian food products are sold. It also happened to be the location of a Takraw tournament. I never heard of it either but I am now a fan This sport has been around Southeast Asia, since the 15th century. I have never seen anything like it. Each team has three players that do battle with a hollow woven ball about the size of a cantaloupe. The teams are divided by a net not unlike a volleyball net but just a bit shorter. The object is to blast the ball over the net and onto the ground before your opponents can react. Now your saying well it sounds a lot like volleyball but there is a catch. You cannot use your hands. I watched with slight interest at first until I witnessed Takraw emerge as so many things. Volleyball, ballet, modern dance, ballet and martial arts. I was stunned. Although this round was won by the Portland team, everyone was amazed at the skill of the visitors. They were from Boise Idaho and more than once made the crowd gasp at the skill they displayed. The gentleman on the Boise team that was set up by his team mates to score defied gravity as you can see in these photos. He only failed to land on his feet twice during the match. Anyway, if you have a chance to view a Takraw event, don’t pass it up.
While visiting the Royal temples in Bangkok 2006, this half bee half eagle flew by me and did the pollination thing on some foliage. It was the largest bee I had ever seen.
This is another photo from my first visit to Thailand. February of 2006. This area along the ocean was the scene of the tsunami, Dec. 29, 2004. Thailand wasted no time repairing the damage done. Perhaps the man seated was reflecting on that day and the 5000 plus people who perished.
One of the interesting things about traveling to unfamiliar lands is the comforting feeling one gets when he or she runs across a familiar piece of Americana. Example given, my first trip to Thailand, February 2006. My then future wife, Chaniya, took me on a boat ride on the River of The King. This is a common destination for those traveling to Bangkok. The ride was very entertaining until some of the water splashed into my mouth from a small rouge wave. I was a bit concerned because of the questionable purity of the water. I remember breaking into a sweat for awhile worrying about the rouge wave exiting my body from the other end with the same ferocity that which it had entered. Never happened! Seeing the familiar Coca Cola sign had that comforting effect I spoke of above.
This young lady above is my daughter, Miss Elie. My wife Chaniya was recently home in Thailand visiting her family in the north part of the country. Miss Elie was ready to ride one of the many floats taking part in the celebration known as Loy Krathong. I have never experienced the celebration as of yet but look forward to doing so.
While waiting for my then girl friend to receive clearance to come to the states, we went through a lot of lonely moments. Chaniya had a very sad conversation with me one day and I responded with this design. Soon I will be taking her to the airport in Spokane and she will return home for three months. Loneliness is a great inventor of inspiration but i would prefer to be with her. The photo was taken on the island of Phuket and that is Chaniya enjoying the beach on a lovely evening.
This is a creation from my second trip to Thailand. We were at a resort at Hue Hin on the Gulf of Thailand. You may have to click it to read it. It was a poster I sold through random Stone Productions. The colors are real and untouched. The back ground was a cement wall. The flower is a Bird of Paradise.
Top Photo: Piano player and violinist with Chaniya and myself. Second: Wonderful hostesses Century Park Hotel. Third: Front of Century Park Hotel.
Do you ever find yourself looking for signs that the decisions you make are the right ones, you know, little things that validate the way things are. A good example is seeing a rainbow after having your favorite dog of all time put to sleep. It’s a sign! Well anyway you get the picture. I often ponder this notion and when I do, it takes me back to one of the most amazing places I have ever been, “Thailand.” Now, here is a guy who at the age of fifty, had never ventured outside the U.S. any further than Canada. Even serving in the Air Force I never left South Dakota, and yet, with love at the helm I set course for Bangkok Thailand. I had met a young lady online and I took the steps necessary to meet her in person. A passport in hand and a 16.5 hour flight and I was there. The sounds and smells highlighted what my eyes could see. Although it was night the heat radiated off the pavement like a stray dog humping your leg. The woman I had flown so far to meet was there and gave me a big hug. It was a very exciting adventure that Mr. Cole had booked himself I thought to myself. Chaniya was as lovely in person as she was on the web cam. We had spent many months talking by E-mail and of course by phone, thank the powers that be for yahoo phone service. She has a degree in English literature and communication was not a problem. My first night in Bangkok, where Chaniya worked as a tour guide was spent in a very small hotel which was located down a very narrow alleyway. To be honest I was rather apprehensive as we traveled down this path. The space on either side of the taxi was not enough to open the doors. Just as I started to feel like I was in a submarine with no escape, the driver turned into a space in back of a large and unattractive building. We were greeted by a snappy security guard who took our bags from the taxi into a spotless white hotel room, not a great room but it was white everywhere and not even a speck of dust. We spent the first hour talking and then I found myself sicker than a dog. Not sure what caused it but I thought I was going to die. Chaniya made me as comfortable as she could and even went out and found some Ginger Ale and crackers to help settle the stomach. The next morning we checked into the hotel that I had booked for the next three days, “The Century Park Hotel.” This is where later that evening I would find the sign that would tell me all was well and that I had made the right choice by coming to this place once called Siam. I recovered from my illness and basked in the suite fit for a king. It was beautiful. It was also almost twice as big as the duplex that I called home in Montana. The lobby was amazing, full of beautiful things both living and inanimate. A large grand piano sat polished and awaiting the arrival of its pilot. Chaniya and I decided that we would go to the lobby that evening and have something to drink. We sat in a large comfortable sofa and moments later a beautiful hostess came and gracefully floated to her knees before us and asked if we would like to have something to drink. By this time the piano player had arrived and he was accompanied by a violin player. You could not ask for a better marriage of instruments. Now here is where my sign comes in. I am a lover of the notes put down on paper by McCartney and Lennon. Solo work as well as the miracles they put together as the Beatles. Chills went up my spine as I listened to one of the most beautiful renditions of John Lennon’s, “Imagine” I have ever heard. I no longer felt like I was so far away from home. All was right in the world at that moment. I talked to the piano player during one of his breaks and told him how much we had enjoyed the music especially “Imagine.” He was a very nice person as was the violinist. It was magical. They entertained us for another hour playing McCartney, Lennon music. I can’t say enough about that experience. It was moving and oh, what a sign. I made it a point to stay at The Century Park on my follow-up trip and the results I am happy to say were just as grand.
The power of song can blissfully persuade us to sleep, dance, and sing along, lifting our hearts, as well as our spirits to inspired levels. This can be found in every nation, no matter the language or culture of that nation. May 1st. will mark what would have been the 21st birthday of a young lady by the name of Siranee Thongniyhom, whose given Thai nickname was, Nahm. Nahm was gifted with a beautiful voice which was surrounded by a beautiful physical appearance as well. Nahm was also blessed with a strong sense of responsibility, and love for her family. Her family life has been described as strong, with two little brothers, a father, and a mother. Like so many families, hers was having a hard time making ends meet and she left middle school to take a job in an effort to help provide for them. This could not have been an easy decision as education is so very important in Thailand, more so than in the States. A few years later, Nahm’s mother was arrested for possession of illegal drugs and imprisoned with a two and half year sentence. Many would have fallen down at this point but Nahm stood taller. Opportunity comes to us and if we are lucky and talented enough, we grasp it, and let it carry us to places which once seemed unreachable. Nahm’s opportunity came when she started to audition for a Thai television program Called, “The Star.” A show, not unlike, “American Idol.” Nahm’s voice and her abilities as a singer took her farther than most. She was one of the favorites and one of eight finalist. She had an underlying drive surrounded by sincerity. The thoughts of one day being on stage and being able to support her family and making those who heard her music feel good, must have been at the forefront of her thoughts. With everything seemingly going so well for Nahm, it is inconceivable to me that this beautiful young human being was struggling with yet another contest. Nahm had been diagnosed with Leukemia. The strength that Nahm displayed continuing to compete is of the best example of inner strength and conviction. Striving to make life easier for her siblings than it had been for her. Cancer has no concern for its victims. It can take you no matter how hard you pray, and it cares not to which God you pray. Concern grew for Nahm’s well being and she made the decision to make a stand against the cancer through aggressive treatment. Her last performance on “The Star,” took place at the end of March. She had already announced that she would not be able to continue in the competition but producers of the show allowed her to perform anyway out of respect for what she had already accomplished. The performance full of emotion, was well received and the song, “Mai Yom Mhod Whang,” Is all about never giving up your hopes and dreams. Shortly after this performance, Nahm entered a medical facility to begin chemotherapy treatment. On March 31st it was announced, that due to complications from the chemotherapy, Siranee Thongniyhom (Nahm), had unexpectedly passed away. The news stunned and saddened millions of Thai’s who had come to know her and respect her talent and her outstanding courage. She had grasped that opportunity when it was in front of her and it was for the right reasons. My new hero stood just over five feet tall, but what a beautiful and huge shadow she cast. Her name was Nahm.
The video below is all in Thai but it bridges the cultural gap with it’s emotional message. Please listen and enjoy Siranee’s last song.
In 1923 when Thailand was known as Siam and ruled by King Vajiravudh Rama the VI, it was decided that because of the Kings poor health that a new palace be built for his rest and relaxation. King Rama decided to design the palace himself and did in fact complete a rough design. The palace was constructed out of golden teak wood. The entire structure was erected on top of 1080 pillars as shown in the photo. At the base of each pillar is a small mote. Each mote was filled with water to keep ants and other unwanted insects from gaining access into the palace. After the construction was complete, King Rama only enjoyed the structure as a summer getaway for two years before dying. The palace and grounds over the past several years have been renovated and is a favorite destination for tourist and locals alike.
This photo was the motivation for the words. Created in 2006 for my company. I hope they mean something to you.
