So today I went for a walk to buy some flowers for Devin (she's coming home today after visiting family in the U.S.) and I was reminded of something that's been going on in Thailand since I moved here.  I call it "The Look."  And it doesn't just happen in Thailand.  I got the look in Japan.  I got the look in Bali.  I got the look in Vietnam.  But I REALLY got the look in Penang, Malaysia last week on vacation with David.

Here's the scenario in Penang:  David and I are walking to dinner and we pass by a group of people fully engaged in conversation.  As soon as one of them spots me, his jaw drops and he immediately taps his friend on the shoulder and points to me.  This continues around the circle of friends until they are all staring at me with "The Look."  I don't consider it rude.  It's simply the cost of being one of the biggest human beings these people have ever seen.  Well, add to that the sunburnt/pale white skin, freckles, big bald head, goatee, and "wraparound" Oakley sunglasses, and I guess I stand out a bit.  I'm convinced there isn't a thing I can do to "blend in" and not get "The Look."

The situation today repeated itself many times.  I'm walking down the sidewalk towards the main drag to catch a baht bus up to the market, and truckloads of construction workers drive by.  Inevitably, all of the people in the back (Let me tell you, there are A LOT of people in the back of these trucks, but that might be another story for another day) stop their conversation and engage in "The Look."  I think the funniest episode of "The Look" happened a few months ago when I was coming back to my condo from the pool at the hotel next door.  Two gardeners stopped what they were doing, gave me "The Look" for a while, then decided to ask me if I was a movie star.

I should have said yes...but I'm too honest.

Until next time, happy trails.