Cathay Guesthouse Straw Poll

John Kerry 8,

George Bush 0

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Cathay Guesthouse is located in Hatyai in Southern Thailand. The town is often referred to as the mini-Bangkok because it has miniature versions of all the nuisances of Bangkok- the traffic, the pollution, the red light district. It’s not a tourist destination. However, it is a gateway between Malaysia and SE Asia subcontinent. Everyone coming from Indonesia, Australia or Malaysia and going north to Chiang Mai, Laos, Cambodia or Vietnam, must come through Hatyai. Most all backpackers know of Cathay from traveler’s gossip or infamous Lonely Planet. Its really quite shabby but the prices are cheap and the staff is all polite and sincere.

I have been here in Hatyai for 5 months teaching English. Most other time I have been in an apartment, but recently I moved into the Cathay Guesthouse. I have only 10 days left here before I hit the road and become a real backpacker.

November is fast approaching and I received my absentee ballot over a week ago. People all over the world seem to be interested in this election. Since people from all over the world are around me all the time here, I decided one evening to do an informal survey. At least it gave me a good excuse to talk to everyone. I walked around the common area of my guesthouse in Hatyai and asked everyone his or her opinion about the upcoming US presidential election.

I talked to 8 people representing France, Singapore, Thailand, Australia and India- 7 men and one woman. The French man was the most visceral in his response. Just asking him the question, "If you could vote in the US presidential election who would you vote for, George Bush or John Kerry?" he got very agitated and went off on a 3-minute tirade on how I could ask such as stupid question. He said Bush was the worst man in the whole world and that he doesn't want to hate Americans but it’s becoming difficult for him.

The Australians and the Singaporean were all quick decisions as well. There were no questions or misgivings in their choices. Not surprisingly they both recently voted against John Howard in the Australian election.

The young, quite Japanese man could barely understand anything I said. When he finally figured it out he was too deferential to place a vote knowing he might upset me with his answer. But I was insistent and finally he gave in and very subtly raised my left hand which represented Kerry.

There was an Italian man who seemed to have no idea where he was or what he was doing much less whether there was an election in the States. The only other American there was John, the resident ex-patriot. He's lived in the Cathay Guest House for 15 years and apparently worn the same cloths the whole time. His favorite t-shirt is little more than threads holding together with faith. He doesn't like to talk. Neither John nor the Italian were counted in the poll.