noi

NOI

Noi in Thai means small, and Noi is definitely small.  I asked her how much she weighs (it's okay to ask these things in Thai..).   She weighs 38 kilos.  She's twenty-nine years old.  Her parents divorced when she was twelve.  She comes from "banok", countryside, outside Sisaket just near the Cambodian border.  She came to work in the city when she was fourteen years old, and worked many years in a supermarket. 

I met Noi dancing in a bar.  We were both dancing by ourselves, off in a corner.  She had on a pair of running shoes and a hoodie, and as we started little by little to dance together, we both laughed, two very unlikely dancing partners.  But dancing...  Dancing is its own world.

"You want to go Tawan Daeng?" I found myself asking, having no idea.

"Okay," said Noi.    She took off the black hoodie and underneath she wore a bra sort of thing and miniscule shorts.  We caught a taxi, arrived at Tawan Daeng, and danced our brains away. 

Noi's gay.  She's lived with the same woman for nine years.  Never in my life have I danced with such a dancer, limbs, rhythm and incredible intensity.   Sculpture in motion. 

Chance met.  I just hope Noi well.  And a little bit, sure.  I'm sad. 

---

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!