Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2016 19:22:49 GMT 7
As you know, I've been in Isaan for a few days. Myself and my Muay Thai boxing trainer went down to see his brother fight. He wanted to go on the bus, not a chance. I paid the flights, near on 10,000 baht ( relevant, before all of that don't like me talking about money start moaning ). To be fair, my trainer paid his pal to act as taxi driver for three days. Unlike certain other Isaan residents I know, he's not a mooch.
Anyway, I took sick and found it hard to stay awake. I slept most of the day Monday, while the buzz for the big fight built in the village. Dozens of people showed out - and they were excited at the idea of one of their own winning a 200,000 purse. The fighter in question stuck 20,000 baht on himself to win - and the village held a round-robin and bet multiple thousands of baht. I was in for 3,000 baht myself.
Anyway, I said to my trainer that we should head home early as I could do with charging my camera battery. I had been invited into the corner to take photos, and was looking forward to seeing genuine Isaan fights, not the tourist variety. In my dreams there would be people waving cash in the air and screaming their bets, a la The Deer Hunter scene.
"7.00 is fine," he said.
For some reason known only to him he woke me at 5.30 and had me sit with him for a while. I got fed up and went back to bed. Anyway. we arrived in my hotel in Chaiyapum after 8.00 p.m. By the time I pulled myelf together, it was 9.00. The trainer said that was fine as the fight started at 11.00. We jumped in the car, and headed for the stadium in Chaiyapum, as I was told.
"How far is it, one clicks, two clicks?" I asked.
"No, seventy clicks."
WTF
"I thought you said it's in Chaiyapum?"
"Chai, Chaiyapum Province."
So off we went - through ever more deserted roads following the monotone instructions of the Sat Nav.
"Kwa," it said - and Kwa we did. And ended up in a rice field in the middle of nowhere.
"Phone your brother and ask for directions," I suggested. Ring, ring - blah blah, blah blah, okay okay.
"He fight already - he won."
"You are forking joking me."
"But good news, you won 3,000 baht."
WTF, again.
10,000 baht out the window - I didn't get to see the fight, but good news - I won 3,000 baht.
That'll be fine then.
Effin Thainess.
Anyway, I took sick and found it hard to stay awake. I slept most of the day Monday, while the buzz for the big fight built in the village. Dozens of people showed out - and they were excited at the idea of one of their own winning a 200,000 purse. The fighter in question stuck 20,000 baht on himself to win - and the village held a round-robin and bet multiple thousands of baht. I was in for 3,000 baht myself.
Anyway, I said to my trainer that we should head home early as I could do with charging my camera battery. I had been invited into the corner to take photos, and was looking forward to seeing genuine Isaan fights, not the tourist variety. In my dreams there would be people waving cash in the air and screaming their bets, a la The Deer Hunter scene.
"7.00 is fine," he said.
For some reason known only to him he woke me at 5.30 and had me sit with him for a while. I got fed up and went back to bed. Anyway. we arrived in my hotel in Chaiyapum after 8.00 p.m. By the time I pulled myelf together, it was 9.00. The trainer said that was fine as the fight started at 11.00. We jumped in the car, and headed for the stadium in Chaiyapum, as I was told.
"How far is it, one clicks, two clicks?" I asked.
"No, seventy clicks."
WTF
"I thought you said it's in Chaiyapum?"
"Chai, Chaiyapum Province."
So off we went - through ever more deserted roads following the monotone instructions of the Sat Nav.
"Kwa," it said - and Kwa we did. And ended up in a rice field in the middle of nowhere.
"Phone your brother and ask for directions," I suggested. Ring, ring - blah blah, blah blah, okay okay.
"He fight already - he won."
"You are forking joking me."
"But good news, you won 3,000 baht."
WTF, again.
10,000 baht out the window - I didn't get to see the fight, but good news - I won 3,000 baht.
That'll be fine then.
Effin Thainess.
