I am returning to Thailand to fulfill my lifelong dream - Competing in Thai Muai in Thailand (Pt3)

Not a lot of action to share this post. This is Saturday. Tiger Muay Thai is closed, but the rest of Soi Ta Ied is not.

After leaving my hotel room in Soi-Ta-Id after a long nap, he felt great. Soi Ta Ied is perhaps the healthiest street on the planet. Tiger Muay Thai is here, as well as half a dozen other world-class Muay Thai world gyms, half a dozen world-class CrossFit gyms and many other fitness-oriented businesses. Everyone walking down the street seems to have just come out of a fitness magazine. Baked biceps, abs abs, and thin, tanned, healthy people - this is the norm, not the exception.

This is a very tourist area with people from all over the world. Splashed among the fitness business, as well as shopping and dining with tourists are good old-fashioned Thai places. My favorite place on this road is an open, dirty, restaurant that we affectionately call a chicken hut. He doesn't have a name, but people know what you're talking about, because the owner, who does not speak a word of English, stands out in front of a smoking hut and chicken barbecue, as well as fish and other Thai dishes all day long, while as his wife is in a hut that cooks rice and vegetable roasts, and green curry ... all she likes to do on that day.

I met these people when I first came to Thailand. They worked from a cart that sat in front of the hotel where I was staying. Over the years they have become a full-fledged hut. Most Thai people, such as Muay Thai trainers who work on this street, often visit this place. This is an amazing food, and the road is cheaper than in other restaurants nearby.

I don't know their names, and I'm too embarrassed to ask again. They spoke to me several times, but they have complex Thai names, and I never remembered them. Over the past three years I have spent a lot of time with them. She taught me to cook some Thai dishes. She brought my son to a Buddhist church with her on Sunday. When I had the last fight, she bought me a small Buddha figure, which she said was blessed for my luck. When I showed it to the manager of my hotel, they told me that it was very expensive, and I should take good care of it. I have.

When they saw me leaving the hotel today, they both shouted: “MIK!”. I got a huge hug and smiled from both of them. She speaks good English, but I honestly think Mike. is the only English he speaks. She always insists on not charging for my food, saying, "You're my friend, Mike." And I always tell her: "That is why I am going to pay you!"

Today was a slow day for them, because it was raining, so I spent hours with our husbands. He made a board from an old piece of lumber and used a magic marker to draw squares. We used bottle caps. If the lid collided, it was mine, those who stood down were his. Many of the Thai coaches from all the nearby gyms stopped to eat. It reminded of the comedy of the 80s, where everyone knows your name. All the coaches who stopped, sincerely acted glad to see me.

One of my favorite trainers, Sawat, stopped at a chicken hut. He is about my age and still shoots regularly, so he has all my respect. He took off on 500 fights. He is a Muslim, which is quite rare here. Thailand is 95% Buddhist. Sawat was my first trainer in Tiger. He got a promotion on the Tiger team, so he started working with different coaches. Savata's voice is unmistakable, especially when he shouts my name. He calls me "Mac" (he can't pronounce my name correctly).

Pong also stopped. He is a hairpin. I like to watch him fight. He is either going to knock out his opponent, or knock him out. He has a very reckless fighting style and is very interesting to watch. As usual, he had a young lady in the back seat of a motorcycle. He sees that his half of the time is flirting, and half of his workout. He is quite a character.

Creu Robert, head coach of the advanced team, also stopped. He had nothing to say. He never does that. He asked me: “When will you get there?” I told him that I arrived today. Then he said, “How much?” I told him that I would be here for two months. He said, "Good," and left. He is very nicknamed "The Terminator."

When I left, Kunchan stopped on his motorcycle. He suggested that I go. I told him that I was going across the street to the hotel. He insured me anyway. So he literally moved me across the street (lol).

I decided to go to the tattoo artist and talk to him about doing some work while I'm here. The store is right across the street from Tiger Muay Thai. This is called Ang Mo Lao. I have deceived them and have since met with ink, but never again. He does an amazing job, and everything I did with him turned pale in comparison. The most interesting thing about him is that he has no tattoos. I have never met a tattoo artist who has no tattoos. He and his wife run the business, and their children are always there. They knock in adolescence and are the most educated cute, funny children you have ever met. This is a tattoo parlor, in which there is a real family element. They are the salt of the earth, good people, and I highly recommend them. Oddly enough, they are also Muslims.

Returning to the hotel, I heard “DAD! causing from behind the counter of a small shop. Store owner loves my son, Nick. She calls me "Dad" because I’m just her dad Nick, but she was very happy to see me and told me to bring Nick next time.

My last stop on the way back to the hotel was a Vanisara massage for Thai massage. I hugged the owner and knees and elbows from one of her girls. It was a great way to end the day.

My first day in Thailand was very enjoyable. Be sure to tune in next time, for tomorrow we are Muay Thai.