A Head of Curls

One day as I was walking to the bus stop in the morning, I was boldly approached(which is quite uncommon in the Thai culture) by a Thai Lady Boy. He simply asked me if I was Thai. I began talking with him, and we continued to walk down the street together. He was quite flamboyant and vibrant as he asked me many questions, and told me all about his life of 47 years, while throwing in comments about beauty. We were walking briskly, and had long past the bus stop. I was in no hurry and had the time to walk. The sun was blazing, and he thoughtfully gives me a book to cover my head from the sun.

He is on his way to his sister's beauty salon close by. He insists that I come along, and makes several comments to me about my hair. We turn left down a Soi and end up in a maze of apartment buildings, he leads the way, and we enter into the salon. Pii Daaw introduces me to his sister, who warmly greets me. I am ushered into the simple colorful salon, where I take a seat on the gray couch. I am served coffee, and the three of us chat in the brightly lit room. Almost immediately he is suggesting we do something with my hair. When they found out the I cut it myself, they praised my skill, which isn't that good! Along with the praise, Pii Daaw pointed out the white hairs that I have sprouting from my head, and charmingly made known with a smile that he is has none.

They sat me in the chair, and his sister began to curl my hair. Curls all over, when I first heard the word curls, I thought it would be worse than it turned out to be. I love meeting new people, and it seemed that our encounter was meant to be. I have a heart for the LadyBoys, there are so many living here in the city, each one with a story. The ones that I have met have such tender genuine hearts, contrary to the hard put-together glam that is seen on the outside.

Upon my leaving he insisted on giving me his earrings and took them out of his ears, along with some pictures, a sample of laundry detergent, coffee, and his "fluffy" phone bag. I felt so blessed meeting him and his sister, and hope to meet with them again. I had the best unexpected morning ever.