TripLekLek, the world as seen by a thai girl

admin May 2nd, 2007

It’s in the morning of 2nd of April, on the way from Milan airport Luca’s friend ’s house.
Along the way I always worried and tired from travel.
I was thinking what should I do or say to Luca’ friend and Luca’s family. They will like me or not.
I still remember my mother and my father’s face when I had told them that I will be in Italy to visit Luca.
Their are shocked and worried because I will travel alone and my father asked me one question “Do you love him?”. My answer “Yes” but I decided to go.
It’s because I want to see Luca’s family and a very important person: Luca’s father.

In Asian culture it’s very important to meet the family of your boyfriend, because if Luca’s family doesn’t like me it means everything is difficult in the future.
It’s not a kind of joke, but we believe it and my family is very serious about it.

I still remember what happen with my mother. She had an unhappy life because my mother is poor and my father’s family never loved her.
But she is lucky because my father loved her but that is still not enough to be accepted by the family.
It’s not just only Luca’s family but his friends also are very important, because I am Asian and maybe they don’t like me.

I am lucky because the first people that I will meet are Luca ’s friend from the tripcentre meeting (travelers’s meeting).

I got more nervous when we arrived to Luca’s friend house.
Luca told me the owners are a nice couple, Marco and Laura.
That time I was getting even more worried so I didn’t hear what he said actually.
I don’t know how I will greet them by using their way or my own Thai way. So I think I will do both ways.

Getting off the car I saw a lovely house surrounded by mountains, houses and a big lake.
The weather very cold for me, not like Luca always told me on the phone “it’s warm”, but maybe it’s warm for him, not for me.

So, I saw an Italian couple and Luca introduces me to them:
“Lek these are the owners of the house Laura and Marco“.
After finish Luca’s voice I feel very shame and I forgot to do the way I plan before and I said “Sawasdee Kha” by low voice then followed by “Ciao” and I give the hand to them. The lady, Laura, comes to me and hug me and kiss me on the left and right cheek.

I feel really shy and said to myself “It’s normal and it’s not polite if you not give them hug or kiss” so I think I will feel used to it soon.
Laura and Marco give me a big smile and let me choose the room for my own.
I feel more relaxed and very happy to meet them.

In the meeting. I met many Luca’s friends but I don’t understand what they say because I cannot speak Italian so I cooked Thai food for almost 20 persons and I made steam rice.
It did not come out well so I was very sad but Laura said to me “It is o.k. Lek nobody know how is Thai rice cooking style actually”.
I am looking at her and I am smile because she does not blame me but she’s very kind to me.
When the people eat they were happy with Thai Food and for sure I was happy too.

My father always teach me when you are somebody’s guest, don’t just be lazy but help them to clean or whatever you can do for them.
So I start to help them wash dishes even if Laura and Marco said to me “It’s fine and you are my guest, please don’t do it” but I continue and I never forget what happen in their new house I used to much water then make their toilet unusable as the pipe is broken.

I feel really sad as I just want to help but I broke it.
I said sorry to Laura and Marco but the answer I get back is “Lek it’s fine don’t worry, I can fit it with a smile” so it’s my first couple of days in Italy with Italian people and I will never forget the friendship they are giving to me…

Sawasdee Kha.

Lek.

You can see the pictures of the Tripcentre’s meeting here

• My Travels , Italy