"Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can.  There will always come a time when you will be grateful you did." ~ Sarah Caldwell

A number of years ago I visited a remote Nicaraguan fishing village.  Sitting on a small pier was a tall, thin American woman who appeared to be in her mid 60's.  (I no longer remember how I knew her nationality or that she was living here.)  She wore a rhinestone covered baseball cap and at the end of a leash sat...her monkey.   I walked by thinking how really odd she looked in this place, or in any place.  But when I lost sight of her I realized I missed an opportunity.  I should have stopped to talk to her.  I mean, really, how interesting must her story have been right?  American, older woman, obviously living here in a remote Nicaraguan fishing village, with a monkey???  How could I not have stopped to chat.

So frustrated that, then and there, I made myself a promise.  Never again would an opportunity pass me by.  So while I regret not learning about the blinged-out Nicaraguan ex-pat I have appreciated the lesson learned.  

Today I went to the market to browse.  It got really hot so I sat at one stall while the family who owned the business laid out about 1,000 scarves for me to look at.  They practiced their English and I practiced my Khmer.  They taught me a few more words to add to my vocabulary and it was a great little visit.  I played with their little girl and of course bought too many scarves.  So much I'd be missing out on if I remained introverted.  Thank you monkey lady - wherever you are!

Some pics of the market treasures... The last one was the BEST.

How seriously creepy is this guy.  He was in the
back of a stall, tucked away by himself.
Nothing like him anywhere else.  I might
have thought about purchasing this but
he totally gave me the hebe jebes!