There's something about Liam. I truly don't know what it is, but it is definitely something. We have experienced this strange phenomenon during the past few months and it is intensifying each day.
Liam can be a charming guy. It takes him a while to warm up so those who initially meet him are not sure what to make of him. Like many of us, there are many shades to Liam. He is often a cynic....the glass is half empty kind of guy. He seems to always have some sort of conspiracy theory. He is, however, quite colorful in his accounts of experiences. If you read his blog you'll know what I am talking about. That is the charming and entertaining part of Liam.
That is the part of him that people noticed on our travels. Liam would charm fellow travelers with funny stories at the dinner table. His antics became more attractive to others in Tanzania. Judith, our host in Arusha, loved his stories. She laughed constantly at his travel stories or childhood memories. Every time she saw him, she would get this huge grin and call him by name. She did not want him to leave.
The same thing happened in Dar es Salaam. Our host Rahma seemed smitten by Liam as well. It must have been a maternal thing because she easily accepted his boyish tendencies to want to watch TV or play with technology more than chat. She could tell that he was clever and it would just take a sentence or two from him to keep her entertained. By the time we left there, Liam had an offer to stay, an offer to come back as an adult and the piece de resistance, an offer to pay for two nights at the Burj Khalefa's hotel on his honeymoon (don't think he will be forgetting that one soon)...all from his "Aunt Rahma."
This intoxicating charm followed us into Dubai. Our lovely host Maha was also taken by Liam. Again, I think there was a mother factor here, possibly pining for the days when her son was as young. There was nothing that Liam could say that could offend or discourage affection. He had gained another "aunt" and another offer to return as an adult. He also was offered a job there when he finished his schooling (something else Liam will not forget any time soon, oh and his response to both pleas to stay was "I wish").
But now we have entered the heart of Asia and the 'Liam Effect' has spiked. It is no longer only hosts or acquaintances that are taken in by him, but complete strangers. Remember that Liam has a cynical streak. He often has to be convinced to go to a new place, dwelling on how long it will take or how much it will cost or how many vendors we will have to dodge. He isn't usually chipper or over animated. So when a complete stranger touches him (and he snaps his head around and cringes) and asks if they can take a photograph of him, he looks disgusted and confused. Well, we were all confused. But he passively allowed the photo to be taken. I am not sure of the quality, but I can assure you he did not look happy.
Then it happened again...and again....and again. Yesterday, he was stopped four times. The last event was when he was approached by three Japanese girls. Each one had to pose with him. They all high fived each other after the 'shoot'. Seriously? Today he was stopped just as many times and that's not counting the times I caught people secretly snapping pics. It is becoming a 'thing' and I just don't get it. He is a ten year old boy. Yes, he is cute....of course, I am his mother and slightly biased, but HE'S 10!
I have asked local people (tour guides mainly) why this happens. Why do so many people want to take a picture of him? The only response is that he is good looking. Well, so is Maeve. She stands out. She is tall, blonde and pretty. She is sweet and kind. She is the glass is half full kind of girl and has always wanted to be a model. She exudes positivity (well, most of the time...every other day there is a ten minute period where we think we may have to request an exorcism, but we accept that with a teenager)..but no one asks her for a picture - poor thing. Thankfully she is so good natured that she is handling it all in stride.
But come on...we have all seen cute kids. We don't stop and take pictures of them. It's not like George Clooney was walking down the street. Then I would snap a pic. Heck I may even be the type to pretend I'm taking a selfie or checking the weather on my phone while I take a picture of a super handsome guy (well, back in the day...if there were such things as cell phone cameras).
And how does that conversation go when you return home from your holiday and you want to share your pictures with friends? 'Here we are at the palace, and here we are at the war museum, oh, here's a cute one with this handsome boy on the street.'
It just goes to a whole different level with children. Imagine trying to take a picture of a good looking child you see just walking by you in the mall. "Excuse me," (talking to the child, not parent) "Can I take your picture?" Every Paul Blart mall cop wannabe would zoom through the mall on their Segway and snap handcuffs on you faster than you can say pervert.
I understand this must be a cultural thing, but it seems so strange to me. Lately it feels like there is some sort of new scavenger hunt app game being played. "I got the picture with the handsome boy, now let's run down the alley, I think I spotted a cat with half a tail. We might finish the list before the Karaoke bar opens."
I don't know. Maybe there is a sign in this. Who knows, but in the meantime, we will enjoy the ride. At least Liam no longer cringes, but we may have a new problem. Liam is no longer surprised by the photo requests. Now he says, "Hey Mom, someone else just stopped me for another picture."
Stopped on the street so three girls can take a picture with Liam individually
They have to touch him
This little girl asked to have a picture taken with Liam (those are manikins in the background)
I guess the world can't resist this face!