Back to the Past

My weekend became a time travel when I visited Khao Yai Floating Market in Nakhon Ratchasima.  When I walked through the wooden floors that creaked and wobbled, I was transported in a past that was quite interesting to reminisce.

When I was young, my grandparents have a small restaurant and during summer days or holidays, I am actually my grandfather's helper.  Not that I was selling drinks, I was in the kitchen helping out.  I was the runner when things needed replenishing. I was also helping out one of our food servers to sell barbecue and it was always sold out.  Our helper was a pretty gal and men were always our customers. 

My mum used to have a small portion of that restaurant as a shop where we sell candies and ice cream.  I remember siting with her while she taught me how to draw, or when I am doing my school work.  

We also had long playing records of various musicians and I remember sitting down on a lazy afternoon listening to the music of Matt Monro and Louis Armstrong, and musicals like Fiddler on the Roof. 

The barber shop I used to visit was manned by a person with a Short Leg Syndrome.  His peculiar walking earned him the name of Litong Pilay, which wasn't offensive at that time.  All four male members of the household went to  to him for our haircut.

The tables and chairs, albeit upside down, were reminiscent of our old and cherished chairs and table in our restaurant.  I recalled doing all my drawings on one of them while my grandma watched me.  She usually gave me some money after I finished one. 

And this photograph reminded me of my father's business as we used to supply petroleum equipment to different petrol stations around manila and its vicinity.  When others came up with the same idea and had more money to invest, ours simply dwindled and was eaten up by neglect. 

Last but not the least, the three characters reminded me that I should not stop being a child, a child of inspiration and wonder in his everyday dealings with the world. My short walk at those old quaint displays was filled with delight, with some tears, but definitely with gladness.