In Phuket, I wanted to check out a shooting range, so I asked a worker in the hotel how to get there.
She told me that it was kind of far so she would give me a ride.
She also called me on my room phone, asking how I was doing, so I was very impressed with her kindness.
When we got to the shooting range by her car, some guy got off his bike and started running towards us.
The guy was also a worker at the hotel.
He looked very angry and was yelling something at her, then came to me saying "She is my wife!"
She was almost crying. He was almost crying too.
So we got back into her car and headed back to the hotel.
In the ensuing super-awkward atmosphere in the car, she said,
"We've known each other since we were kids, and got married, but I don't love him..."
I glanced at the rearview mirror. The guy was following us (to make sure we went back to the hotel).
I left the hotel the early morning of the next day.
I checked in another hotel, I talked with workers there too.
The receptionist was very outgoing and nice. I talked with her for a long time.
Once she told me how much money she makes in a month, which was about $130 or something.
Without thinking much I responded, "You can earn that in a day in Japan!"
She said "Oh really?" but looked kind of sad.
Of course I realized I shouldn't have said that.
When I am in a developing country, I often get guilty feelings like that.
When I see retired American guys putting their arms around the local hookers, I think like, "What a loser..."
But is there really much difference between me and him?
I don't buy hookers, but I spend a considerable amount of money on eating, drinking, and partying.
Maybe I shouldn't even call those girls hookers... They probably have to do it because of a family problem or something.
They are not like Japanese hookers who "work" to buy new Louis Vuitton bags...
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