A few years ago, the company I was working for at the time sent me to Bangkok for a couple of weeks. The first thing the local management did, when I arrived, was to give me a big wad of money for entertainment and incidental expenses (yes, really!). They must have thought that I had extravagant tastes because there was far more than I could have got through - even if I'd been an alcoholic or (this being Bangkok) a sex maniac!

Anyway, that evening I wandered out of the hotel looking for a restaraunt or a bar. It was a hot, sultry tropical night (par for the course in Thailand, of course). Walking towards me were two women with children in tow. From their small stature and clothing (tan smocks)I think that they were probably tribeswomen from 'up-country'. They looked utterly exhausted and dejected (but were certainly not begging) so I just stopped and gave them some of the money. The look of utter delight on the faces of their children will live with me forever! I often think about them and wonder what happened next ...