Arshi

I’m a lousy traveller. I under pack if I pack at all. However I found myself preparing to pack an item weeks before my departure date. A young Thai lad, my partners nephew, was 7500 miles away awaiting my arrival. I had a tip that a Lego set would be well received. I settled on a bush plane.

Upon arrival within moments he grabbed my hand, his positive energy making me feel less tired by the minute. This was the beginning of our friendship. I was there to meet Poupae’s family, and we soon became fast friends. Perhaps one of the reasons was he seemed to learn English by the minute. He and his wonderful sister Anya began to teach me a few Thai words:

khàawp khun khráp (Thank you)

Yindi khráp (my pleasure)

If you add a mâak (very) or two you can really express how welcome someone is. And so Yindi mâak mâak mâak khráp became our fun response. Whenever someone thanked me for something I would reply in this manner, followed by Poupae having to explain to them Arshi was my instructor, seemingly explaining it somehow.

We went swimming, played chess, had an epic game of Uno, made paracord bracelets and built Lego as we listened to Keith Whitley. At a dozen amazing restaurants we tried to teach each other our language. The truth is we didn’t need it to communicate. Arshi radiates kindness, humour, excitement, intelligence, love and as his Grandfather best expressed, cunning.

I’m sitting in my room at Arshi’s house. It’s past midnight and the cab is coming in 2 hours to take us to the airport. I’ve said my goodbyes to Arshi. I told him I didn’t have the words to express how welcome and loved he made me feel as I experienced a world where everything was new. I told him he was the best friend a guy could ask for when travelling to the other side of this world.

Arshi, this one is for you. I figured I owed it to you to find more words.

Khaap khun mâak mâak mâak khráp.

-Tris