Southern Belles of Thailand

Today I found myself using an umbrella against the sun as I walked down the street. As I looked around me, I wasn't the only one. Previously, the only image in my head was a lacy parasol that ladies of the high society use when they walk in their big dresses through the gardens. Nope, surprisingly now, I've joined the club--minus the lacy umbrella and big dress. The sun is strong here at 15 degrees latitude. I passed a church member's store the other day without an umbrella. She stopped in mid-calculation to give me her umbrella. She said she'd pick it up on Sunday after church.