Market Friday: a restaurant by the river.

Sometimes I caught a glimpse of that special lighting in the sky, I would stop working in the garden and grap my bicycle for a long ride along the riverfront. This light bicycle made it possible for me to go much further than walking along the river. I was so lucky to be able to enjoy myself by cycling around the village and its surrounding within a short time. Being very light, this bicycle made my journey feeling like floating on air or being on a slider. I could observe the river, villagers’ houses and nature along the way.

I heard that a nice resort to the north side of the river was put on the market. My gardener told me that her British husband, who used to be a well known lawyer, had passed away while under Covid lockdown in Britain. The resort business and tourism had been badly affected by the long lockdown. So, the lady owner couldn’t make the resort profitable any more. So, I had to check out the place for some drastic changes and whether the resort has been finally closed.

It would be a shame if this small and lovely resort was closed one day. That’s the place where I would recommend my friends and visitors to stay when they came to visit me. There were five huts in this resort and a big house with a swimming pool for a family of five members. These huts were surrounded by trees and flowering plants. A nice coffee shop could be found just opposite the carpark in front of the hut-compound.

I was quite impressed by the design and decoration of this small eatery as it looked like a jungle full of climbing plants and pot plants in every corner. I never had the chance to have a coffee and cakes there as I often went to the best coffee shop in town whenever I had to do some serious shopping before the lockdown. Perhaps I would treat myself to a nice break there ik the near future. It would be nice to meet the lady owner of the resort one day. I heard so many stories about her that I ought to see her in reality instead of virtual reality in my brain.

The afternoon lighting was very beautiful and warming. Cycled passed by a few big houses on the riverfront. The big house at the end belonged to an expat’s family. I used to see him in the morning with his little boy trying to get ready for school. People around this area tended to live quietly and keep their privacy. There’s another expat living by himself in a farmhouse with high wall nearby. I saw him once several years ago. These big houses were always very quiet as if the owners were on holidays elsewhere.

Cycling gave me more time for thinking in all directions! Ideas, thoughts and memories just popped up in my brain. I just tried to observe these flowings of thoughts and let them go peacefully. My focus was to find out if the coffee shop was closed and the resort was still in business. To my delight, the coffee shop was opened with a live band of country music. There was a new extension on the riverbank: thatched roof restaurant has been set up by the river. This location was just perfect for observing the sunset during the evening meals.

I was too early as there weren’t many customers at the coffee shop; I saw only one table occupied in the restaurant. Recently three new restaurants/bars had been opened for business by the main road. These were very modern looking nightclubs with restaurants by the river, with huge carpark. Sometimes they competed for customers by having life music with famous singers. But I still preferred this small and rustic restaurant which seemed to be in harmony with nature. Those new establishments with bright neon lights and glamours just reminded me of pubs in Bangkok.

I stopped my bicycle to take photos of the setting of the restaurant and country-singers. I was quite impressed by their songs which were like old style poems of old fashion country lifestyle. Young people wouldn’t be able to appreciate the artistic aspect of old love songs. I was very tempted to stop for my dinner there, but I didn’t bring money with me. I didn’t think they would allow me free dinner and o wouldn’t be much good at washing dishes.

Looking around this place, I could see that the owner was very keen on getting back to nature. Most furniture were made from old hard woods and bamboo. The garden was nicely designed to entertain young children. But older people wouldn’t mind having some cold beer during sunsets. This place would be quite soothing for city dwellers who were tired of concrete jungles. So many empty tables during hhf golden hours made me rather sad. There should have been more people to enjoy themselves by the river and basking in golden sunset. Then, this resort could probably survive the low season. Staff could continue to work there without having to search for new jobs.

I began to like this coffee shop and the friendly atmosphere of the place. But I could feel that the musicians needed a lively audience for encouragement. The idle staff seemed a bit lost as there was nothing for them to do, except waiting. If I had lots of money, I would invite several old villagers for a dinner and ask the singers to give us some nostalgic old songs. Then I would give the staff a lots of tips for their good service.

I had been dreaming again on my bicycle. My brain could rarely stop and be still. My senses just perceived and reacted to external stimuli very fast. Sometimes thoughts were ahead of my conscious attention which meant that I wasn’t very mindful! I really have to safe up for a nice treat at this coffee shop one day. There’s opportunity cost in everything I do as the budget is getting tighter. May the crypto market starts going bullish soon! I have to be quiet and pray some more.

Wishing you peace, good health and prosperity.

Stay strong and cheerful.

#marketfriday hosted by @dswigle