Then it was back to the villa for a swim.
After that, I was tasked with procuring some charcoal and firelighters for our barbecue. After heading into Patong with J, E and T, I said goodbye and began my task.
Off to the big C (it's a supermarket!!!) and after discussions with three staff - none of which spoke English, I was pointed to the second floor. That didn't help... and then I spotted a westerner looking at silicon. He can't be a tourist I thought so I walked up to him and said "if you're looking at that stuff, you must live here" yes he said. After a brief chat he pointed me in the direction of a hardware store near Bangala street. Off I go and after many a proposition for ping pong shows, massages, cheap beer, photos with monkeys and iguanas - I realised this wasn't the right place. So I stopped and talked with three (reputable looking) massage ladies who pointed me towards the hardware shop back where I came from...
Thanks I said and after exchanging smiles I'm off again. This time I find the place I'm looking for but alas, they have no charcoal. After a non English chat, they somehow give me directions to a locals market so off I go again...
I almost gave up and rang Chris to let him know I wasn't having any real success but that I'd give the market a quick go. I must have walked about 5km by this point and my lack of sunscreen was beginning to play on my mind a bit. As was the many bars that I passed with their cold, cheap beer!!! But I stuck at the task, even though I couldn't find the f3ck!? Market...
As I was walking to the line of tuk tuks, I happened to spy some people cooking on a makeshift BBQ, with charcoal. I hurried over and tried explaining my plight. I was actually very close to the market at this point so after they handed me a piece of charcoal to break the language barrier, in I went to the market...
With nigh a westerner in sight, I managed to come across a place with the bags of charcoal I'd been looking for. Firelighters I asked (well it was asked with a series of hand gestures, all of which indicated explosive gestures with me saying the word fire) :)
Next shop the man said so over I go and begin the language dance again. Another 5 minutes it so later, I'm presented with a box that has fire and BBQ symbols on it (I can say they prove to be very flammable). Back to my new friend at the charcoal shop and he agrees to take the bag out the front for me on a sack truck while I get a tuk tuk. 5 tuk tuks later I finally agree on price and away I go, back to the house.
I have no idea how much time has passed but I do know that I've actually had a fun experience and one that allowed me to be less of a tourist and more of someone that was making real connections with the people here - and without speaking the language :) it was seriously fun and left me with a sense of satisfaction.
