While I was having my car serviced in Ubon recently, the owner of the service station introduced me to his three favourite obsessions. Or hobbies, perhaps. The first was unmissable: two bird-cages hanging about 3 metres apart, each with one bird inside. They were very beautiful birds and occasionally let out some loud, strange noises. So of course I asked about them. When he put the two cages next to each other they engaged in a vocal contest that must have been territorial-based and it seems they often take part in contests in Ubon, elsewhere in Isan and even at Sanam Luang in Bangkok. The winner is the loudest and most vocal. Next up we were shown dozens (hundreds?) of photos on his computer of his two dogs which he also shows around Thailand. Only finally were we introduced to his three children, triplets. When I first started taking my car to him four years ago, his wife was working as his receptionist and cashier and she was heavily pregnant. Now we know why she was so heavily pregnant. She had the children by IVF, so I suppose she was lucky not to have sextuplets or whatever. Anyway, they all look really healthy and happy. As do the dogs, but I'm not too sure about the birds.
Then when the termite man came recently he wore his conversation piece proudly outside his shirt. There could be no doubt that he was prepared for a conversation about his amulet becuse he had more in his truck.
I think the amulets were set in pewter rather than silver but I am not sure of that.
He also came with an eye-piece or magnifying glass for anyone who got really hooked. Luckily our friend Add came round and did get hooked.
It occurred to me later that having a specific interest such as these two guys have is a good way to increase your Thai vocabulary (or whatever language you are hoping to improve: both of these men are Thai). Of course, once you have become fluent in one such subject you would need to take up another hobby. Or at least pretend to do so. In my case that might mean taking more interest in Pensri's garden and gardening. Just learning the vocabulary, not actually doing anything more than moving her pots around.
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Lawrence, how interesting. My neighbour is into captive birds and contests. They usually have a type of Bulbul which are noted for their singing.
Duen has loads of amulets so she would have been hooked too!
Posted by: Mike | 22 February 2010 at 12:45 PM