08/25/2024
This might seem dull to some, but this photo is one of my all-time favorites. The focus isn’t just on the players but also on each of the 13 onlookers, completely absorbed in the moment, in a setting that feels timeless. What a cast of characters! I love storytelling images.
For me, travel isn’t about ticking off the Instagram hotspots. It’s about discovering those hidden corners that have resisted the intrusions of tourism—places that hold onto their everyday life and traditions. There’s a reason they stay that way; they’re often not very picturesque, and they’re certainly not easy to reach. This is Nonthaburi,Thailand and except for locals who know how to go "upriver" no one goes to Nonthaburi.It takes a certain kind of person to appreciate it.
It’s not unusual to visit a sprawling Thai wet market and be amazed by the sights, colors, and interesting goods, but not many would see fun in going hours after the stalls have closed. We wandered through the empty space and eventually stumbled upon this group of shopkeepers gathering after the hustle and bustle had long gone. So completely engrossed in a game, when I attempted to ask permission for photos, they gave me the quickest hand gesture of approval. Given the Thai love for wagering and their extraordinary level of concentration, it wouldn’t be surprising if a hefty bet was at stake—certainly more than they could afford to lose.
DeeDee and I have found ourselves in situations like this more than once in foreign worlds. She’ll often give me one of her classic “What the heck?” looks, saying, “There’s nothing happening here.” She’s even had a “just give me my F&^%king passport” moment—a memory that’s fueled our laughter for years. “Nothing happening here?” I always respond, “Relax, it just hasn’t happened yet.”yet"
