Stop the Bus!

One of the benefits of being a farang (white foreigner) in Isaan is that fact that you stick out. Everywhere. While sometimes this can be a little trying on the nerves most of the time its just funny and entertaining. In certain situations though it can have its perks....

After running some errands in town on Sunday with friends we decided it was time to head home and prepare for our week. We stood on the side of the road waiting for a Songtaew (a popular mode of public transportation) to drive by and pick us up. However, for some reason every Songtaew that passed us was completely full and refused to stop. They drove by beeping meerily with passengers hanging off the sides waving at us as they passed.

As we were waiting, with sad faces on no less, two police men drove by smiling at us as they went. After a few moments they turned around and pulled up beside us. To truly appreciate this moment and the hilarity of it you should know that they were on a moto, the two of them, and to get back to us they drove on the wrong side of the road. They came back on their scooter to rescue the poor farang!

They asked us where we were headed and upon hearing our answer looked at the time and then shook their heads. A tan songtaew drove by and one of the officers ran out into the road to stop it an inquire which way it was going and what villages it would pass through. He came back shaking his head and told us to go to the bus station, and pointed the way across the street. We thanked them and went on our way.

We crossed the street and were walking down the dirt road towards the town bus station when we heard the familiar buzz of a moto coming up behind us andmoved aside to let it pass...but no, it was the policemen again! They drove slowly beside is for awhile smiling broadly and saying bus station while pointing towards it. We were getting our own special police escort....

As the station came into view it was apparent that a bus was just about to leave as it was backing out of its designated spot. The policemen quickly zoomed to the station, jumped off their bike and ran towards the bus motioning for it to stop. One of the policemen had a few words with the driver and then motioned towards us to get on the bus. We quickly jogged over, thanked them profusely, got on and collapsed into giggles.

This is what I will miss about Thailand, especially Isaan. People go out of their way to help you and make you feel welcomed and appreciated. No one ever passes you without smiling and no one is ever intentionally rude. People generally care for on another and have such a sense of community that you cannot help but feel included. People notice if you need help or if you look lost and they actually stop to assit you instead of just passing on by. I want to remember this, how it feels to be such a part of something, a member in a community. This is how we all deserve to live!

Our Hero's Stopping the Bus
We made it! Oh how we love Thailand...