Not only “Plengdab 100 Rivers” is the name of the position that Ogami Ito uses in the movie, “The Lone Wolf and Cub,” but it is also the pen name of Chollada Theaosuwan, commonly known as ‘Kawao.’  She has been writing for almost two decades – writing columns, movie scripts, book translations, including dozens of pocketbooks.  But the one activity that follows her like her own shadow is ‘travels’, which she defines as a process of ‘to see, to know, to travel’

Let’s go to see how she spends her relaxing days on the Nakornchaisri river, where the Lampaya market meets the nature-oriented school of Pe Seenam.

To see the Lampaya market

“I come here often to buy groceries and snacks and these are some goodies for my good friend, Pe Seenam and others,” Kawao declared and we could hear her decline putting her purchases in plastic bags.  “I like to get on the boats on a nice day and come out here to draw.”

To know the art of this lady

“I’ve always loved drawing, playing with water colors without knowing the basics at all.  I started learning from Pe Seenam four years ago, initially drawing still models and then moving on to sceneries.  It’s not at all like writing because you don’t have to think too much!  If I see anything intriguing or worth drawing, I just sit down and do it.  To me, the only similarity between drawing and writing is happiness.”

“I first wondered if drawing would be time wasted until everything seemed to make sense and fall in place, so I would sit down until I completed a drawing.  It was fulfilled bliss.”

“I think drawing is dependent on how you observe details.  The colors and brushes come later.  In studying art, I was able to see beauty like I’ve never been able to notice before.”

To travel with the songs of a hundred rivers

“My parents loved to travel then I was lucky to do so as a child.  Travel has become a part of my life and not a hobby.  The most important factor of traveling is my readiness.  I always have to feel prepared to go see, watch and learn new things.  Those who are ready do not need the budget to go travel because they know how to manage their time and money to go to various places.”

We continued to sit at the school and Kawao turned to finish the drawing that has not been completed.  We didn’t feel like going home but Kawao’s words echoed, “Think of going home as a travel and adventure – we go back to see our family.”

OOM Magazine
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