Tour guides and drivers get special privileges at tourist stops. Free meals seem to be the most common. Because of our way of traveling, these spots are seldom on our radar screen (although we have had occasions to appreciate their toilet facilities). Some guides seem to hop from one tourist shop to the next. What we appreciated most about Sophy was his honesty.  

Nearing town Sophy asked if we might like to spend ten minutes or so at a tourist souvenir shop. The shop was encouraging guides to bring their tourists in by offering a draw ticket for a brand new car each time they did.  We told him we would be pleased to stop. As with most of these shops the moment you walk through the door a personal shopper attaches to you like dust to a swiffer cloth. One personal shopper for each person ... just in case a couple splits up. The sales pressure is high. Within the first minute of meeting you they had asked where you are from. Blink at an item twice and they are pulling out a calculator and calculating the item in your country's currency ... ie: Canadian dollars. We got out without a purchase and we wished Sophy the best of luck in winning the car. 

We asked him to recommend a place for dinner. He named a couple. "If we go there will you and Somba get a free meal?" we asked.  

"Yes."

"Then pick out one where you would like to eat and we will be happy."  

Once we arrived, he helped us choose from the menu. They would not eat with us so we told them that when they finished they should go home and we would take a tuk-tuk back to the hotel.

When we finished, they were there waiting for us and we climbed back into the van and slowly backed out of the parking lot. It was dark and some children were going through garbage piles put out by the restaurants and shops nearby. We saw a lone boy of about four or five years old with two empty plastic bottles tucked under his arm looking for more such finds.  

"Stop the car please, Somba," Terry said and got out.

Terry went up to the youngster and gave him some money. The little fellow's eyes grew huge with awe and delight at this unexpected happening. The sparkle in his eyes must have shone like fireworks because children came from out of nowhere and mobbed Terry so that he had difficulty getting back into the van. Somba opened the door and carefully slid it shut so no little fingers would get crunched. There were some sad faces as we pulled away. A few others were looking at what the little one had received and the little one's face was alight with sunshine.