MUSINGS FROM A WEIRD MIND: THE MASSAGE

riverside scene

A long walk through a part of town previously unexplored ended at the Anusarn Market. This area which by day appears to be no more than a parking lot blossoms each evening into one of the ubiquitous night markets. Around the periphery there are restaurants and food stalls of every description. The Ping Ping boasts 'the best seafood restaurant in Chiang Mai' while just across the way another boasts 'the freshest seafood in town.' There are Italian restaurants, an Irish pub, Indian and vegetarian choices and some even selling Thai food. And there are several massage parlours - well, not really parlours but areas where one
can get a 1 hour neck and shoulder
massage for 140 baht (that's about $4.75)

After eating a nice meal at a place we'd dined at before Noni suggested I get a massage to try and work out the kink in my neck that's been bothering me. She explained to the masseuse that I was having a problem and the lady told me to tell her if she was causing any pain. She had visibly strong arms and hands but knew how to use them gently and effectively. She also used her elbows and forearms to set up a rolling type of motion on my shoulders on either side of my neck. At times she approached a pain point but seemed able to sense my reactions and ease off. There were moments when I wanted the hour to end and other moments when I hoped it never would. She worked my neck, shoulders, back, arms, ears, hands and head.

During the course of these manipulations another very attractive masseuse started doing a leg massage on a young girl to the left of me. The masseuse, probably in her early 40s had smooth, honey brown skin and pretty smile lines around her eyes. At one point I caught her looking at me. I looked back and gave her one of my small, winning smiles and expected her to turn away as do most Thai women. However she not only made direct eye contact but smiled back. I thought that maybe I was grimacing with pain and she was laughing at that but adjusted my face to turn off all grimacing. The looks and direct eye contact happened again as did her lovely smile ........ several times.

Something was happening here! She knew I was married. She was standing there when Noni and I first walked up. Well, perhaps she was just trying to lure me as a customer should I decide to come back. I still have a bit of a kink in my neck. I guess I'll just have to go back and find out.

Some random photos for your viewing pleasure.