Way to leave Thailand with a bang! As I was running away from the angry ladyboy at the bar I gouged my toe on a stone step and left a trail of blood to my hotel room.  Luckily her vampire senses weren’t up to snuff and I survived the night.

It was my last night in Thailand. I was supposed to leave earlier that day but I missed the boat. Literally. My taxi boat from Railay Beach to Ao Namao left on time, and I was five minutes late. The ladyboy at the travel agency helped me reschedule for the next day, then we had a lovely lunch together!

The ladyboy saw me at the bar that night and waved, so I gave her a friendly wave back and mentioned to my new friend “that’s Jazzy, the ladyboy I had lunch with today! And that’s Amy, her ladyboy friend. How funny that we have the same name?!”  There happened to be a busload of Canadians in the bar and one overheard me. She asked “are those two ladyboys?!.. I knew it!” Ten minutes later Jazzy was escorting me to the washroom. She was angry. “Why you talk shit about me?!” …I didn’t understand so she explained, “You tell everyone we ladyboy!” I profusely apologized, realizing that the news had spread and the busload of Canadians were getting a kick out of it. Amy asked me “are you Canadian?” I didn’t answer and continued to calmly apologize, adding that I think they’re beautiful. The buttering up didn’t distract her and she kept asking until Jazzy answered for me, “yeah, she Canadian.”  A local guy pulled me away just as Amy kicked me in the butt, Muay Thai-style. A couple guys in the bar joined in and held them off, but the ladyboys followed me across the bar and promised to fight me outside. The local stayed with me to wait out the situation, but the ladyboys paced the bar like lions waiting to prance. I was getting nervous. We tried to leave but they stood outside, ready to fight. We waded back inside, through the crowds and out a back door. I ran for my hotel.

A million thanks to Julien and Vivien for being my guardian angels. I met this sweet duo from France at one of the most delicious restaurants in Thailand – Cozy Corner in a tiny town called Trat. Almost two months later on the other side of the country we found ourselves on the same beach, at the same hotel, and by total coincidence, in adjacent rooms! We went to the bar together that evening, then Julien and Vivien took me under their wing. They mended my wound and guarded me through the night. Merci beaucoup!