Guk Gai

Ten years ago, we put up a little notice in the main Toronto Library asking if a native Thai speaker would be interested in exchanging English lessons for Thai lessons. Months passed with no replies, so when the phone rang one day, we’d all but forgotten about the notice. “Hello, ” said a young woman, “do you still want to exchange English for Thai lessons?” “Yes, ” we replied, thrilled as could be. A few days later we began our lessons, and Saratwadee—Guk, for short—has been our good friend ever since.