After leaving the school where had just judged a multi-school English competition, we headed to a near by restaurant to get lunch. We had just ordered when I see two foreign guys with major 'back-packing' back packs. They looked lost, and what do you know, they were. They saw us in the restaurant and walk over to us to ask if we knew of any guest houses near by. You would think living in Ubon for almost four months we would somewhat know where things are, but the thing is we don't. I remembered that at the apartment we had a map of Ubon and it lists hotels and accommodations. Since we weren't far, I told them I would run home and get it for them. When I said run, I meant literally. Now it was a good idea in theory, except for the fact I'm totally out a shape, and after running a block I had to stop. lol. I got back and give the map to them and showed them the different places that I knew of. Apparently they were just passing through Ubon coming from Lao and heading to Singapore. I felt good knowing I had helped them out. They then got up to leave, and were about to pay for their waters, when they realized they didn't have any small bills; so we offered to pay. They said they would pay us back if they ever ran into us again (quite unlikely). After lunch Erin and I walked back home, feeling good that we had helped them out. We both agreed that we didn't want to run into them again, to avoid an awkward situation. And since they were only staying a night, it was most unlikely.
But you know, life is really funny sometimes. Later tonight Erin and I walk to the moon river, some kind of Buddhist festival was going on; we wanted to see what it was all about. We remembered that we had mentioned the festival to the two guys, and I hoped we wouldn't run into them there. While we were walking along the river; marveled at the fireworks being lit up over the river, we stopped along the railing. I was taking a picture of a group of people lighting a 'fire balloon' when I look to my right, and sitting right there were the two guys from Belgium. Erin had just noticed them too! I quietly took Erin by the arm and walked away. We hoped they hadn't seen us...and after a little bit, we decided to head back. As we were about to leave the night market near the river, we ran into our Thai nurse friends. We ended up catching up with them for awhile and then we finally headed back in the direction of home. We decided that dinner hadn't filled us up and we stopped in this really cute restaurant/bakery. We took the table by the window and began to browse the menu...when, guess who? the guys walked by! I couldn't believe it. This time there was no chance to even try and avoid the encounter. They spotted us and came inside. I tried my best to control my facial expression...okay that's a lie; anyone who knows me, knows that my face says exactly what I'm thinking! They told us they wanted to pay us back by buying us a drink and we told them that they didn't have to; but they insisted. They told us they were going to go back to their hotel and then would return. So there we were, debating what to do. I suggested we run right then and there and avoid this situation all together. But we thought, what if we ran into them on the way....so we stayed. I ordered some coffee, and half-way through it we decided that we should just leave. Something funny was said while I was in mid-sip and I couldn't hold it in. lol. It was a mess...I'm sure the people around thought we were crazy! But we asked for the check....and rushed out of there; full-heartedly hoping we wouldn't cross paths with the guys. Thankfully we didn't, and I have no idea if they ever showed up to pay us back. I don't even care...the whole situation was weird and awkward. Something that started as us helping two lost travelers ended with us running away in avoidance. Our adventures are never dull, thats for sure ;]
