LOCATION: CHIANG RAI, Thailand

The room was dimly lit as my face was buried into a semi-soft pillow that sat at the top of a floor-level mattress. Simultaneously, 4 mysterious hands performed voodoo on alternating sides of my lower and upper extremities. There was a trade of laughter between my buddies Javi, Andrew & I, as well as the masseuses who were present at our sides. My particular masseuse who was working my right scapula like a mechanic had asked if I was Cambodian. I graciously replied "Nope" and stated that I was Filipino. I asked her why she may have thought I was Cambodian (regardless of the fact that I've been mistaken for a local plenty of times during my trek through the Golden Triangle), and she responded "your skin brown". She then went on to comment "our skin no beautiful". I had asked why, to which she replied, "brown skin no beautiful, white skin beautiful". I had tried to make my case but due to the inevitable loss in translation that would occur, I decided to chalk one up to the language barrier and call it a day.

Subsequently, it reminded me of my recent visit to the hill tribes of Chiang Rai, more specifically that of the Long Neck Karen group. It was during our visit to the center, that we learned that the well known rings that embrace the necks of the women of the tribe, which embody the look of an anaconda awaiting to devour its prey, are a symbol of beauty and status. We also were taught that, if one did not have the rings present, that they were void of beauty. The rings could also be found around the arms and legs, and that they are also important, but not as prominent as the ones around their necks. The physical aspect of the "long" necks tends to be one of wonder, but rather is explained quite simply. The rings actually press down on the portions of the upper body such as the collarbone and ribs, thus giving it quite the visual illusion.

Neck Rings

Having grown as a person and having travelled to places where a different set of values are upheld in a manner I may not agree with, my perception of "beauty" has been constantly challenged. I'll admit that my once shallow nature led me to believe that anything less than a perfect coke-bottle-shaped body with an applebottom to match, had no chance at being anything NEAR beautiful.. And that's just being honest. However, this was obviously not the case when I had roamed around the grounds after partaking in a band-like ceremony where some group mates and I formed somewhat of a drumline alongside some of the hill tribe people.

Marja & The Band

I had then spotted a girl whom caught my attention at the drop of a dime. There was a certain "something" about her that riddled my confidence, and pretty much transformed me into a Grade 5 school boy with a crush. When I had the chance to gather my thoughts, I had realized what it was. I perceived her to be "beautiful". By no means, does she match up against any westernized standard of beauty. There was no coke-shaped bottle or atleast I couldn't notice because she was properly dressed in traditional attire. I couldn't tell if she had an applebottom or not because she did not wear the type of jeans that would accentuate that part of her body. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure she didn't wear jeans at ALL. But the thing was, those things didn't matter one bit. Instead, she said not a word. She only looked off as to greet us with eyes that are culturally programmed not to do so. And still, I melted at the very notion of saying "Hello", hoping that she would understand it enough to say it back to me. With the help of some of the peeps in the group (Thanks Katie), I had been able to ask her what her name was, to which she graciously replied "Achoo".

ACHOO

After a slight remark, and a moment in which we both shared the world together (literally), I walked off feeling indifferent and confused. At the very moment, I was trumped by an energy that I couldn't whisk away, regardless of how consumed I was in these new surroundings. We had continued on to meet the other women of the tribes, as they sat on their porches probably wondering more about us than we were about them. We watched as they would try to sell goods, tend to their children or continue bobbing and weaving masterfully with cloth and thread. At one point, Amanda was even able to help 2 of the village children whom had boo boo's on their hands and forefoot respectively by giving them 2 colorful band-aids.

Physically, I kept moving. Mentally, I was still standing at the very spot where I had surrendered a preconceived belief of a concept all too grand for me to ever master in this lifetime. But that's ok because this is why I move my happy feet from place to place so frequently. 

The concept of beauty and travel always go hand in hand. Many of us travel to see all the beauties the world has to offer. I've learned that beauty is by no means, a sole prisoner to physical attributes. This shift in perception has allowed to me appreciate it [beauty] more when I have the off-hand chance to be in its presence. It is not necessarily a concept that is to be "captured within", but rather an energy that is to be reflected outward. And that it is just as important that we ourselves, resonate with such an energy on our usually never ending search for the same in return.

Because when it's all said and done, when two people from completely different walks of life and lifestyle, can sit together for a moment's time to show appreciation for each other's genuine search for meaning in the unfamiliar, a unique parallel is formed. And no matter how peculiar this parallel may be, it only goes to show that we can still be the "same same but different" in ways that are in fact.....beautiful.

Katie C. & An Elder From The Hilltribe Group

-PASSPORT|kenny