in Bangkok
How do I know that I'm in Thailand? Because there are pretty flowers and fountains and Buddha shrines everywhere - even at the gas stations. Because there are so many markets with so many interesting fruits and vegetables and other things I don't know (including all pieces of the pig - the face, the feet, etc.). Because when I went to the 7-11 down the street, the fountain drinks were Coke and Green Tea with Pomegranate. Because all the dogs and cats are much fatter than the humans - and pacifists.
The best thing I bought today? Three notebooks that say on the front: My name is "Delight." And on the back: I am a pretty girl. I had a student seven years ago named Delight Aukon; she's one of the few still in school there - must be a senior this year. And she usually was a delight, in a very quiet, almost stoic way; she was little for her age and quite slow with learning - she was pre-literate in 6th grade when I got her but then with a new reading program we got, she moved ahead leaps and bounds and I loved to see the glow of pride on her face. She was extremely mature about all non-school things and I always trusted her judgment. Anyway, I miss her and the other kids and I'm happy to have a reason to send a note.
Second best thing: a wallet with a map of Africa on it, so when I'm talking about Liberia and people don't know where it is, I can show them the money, so to speak. And all this for only $3. I love bargains!
Everything went great today with travel - and the hotel in Chennai only charged me for three nights when they could have charged me for four. See? Money flows. I gave lots of tips and money came back to me. All good with check-in, and while security asked if I had an ornamental dagger in my checked bag (I do), they didn't take it as they did from Ahmed when he tried a couple years ago.
Indian Airlines is no Emirates though, that I'll say. No personal TV and 57 channels of radio? No footrest? No friendly flight attendants? It's all good; I made it across the Andaman Sea. And I feel like such the savvy traveler - I declined the taxi drivers inside the Bangkok airport and got a good one outside for 1/3 the price. And I do love being an American sometimes - no visa necessary here. And I'm staying at a great place - Asha Guest House. Great central location, but as soon as you enter the gate it's peaceful and quiet; no private bathroom, but everything's very clean and less than $10 a night. And thank Krishna for the books here - I'll exchange the awful Henry James novel I have for Catfish and Mandala, which a friend raves about.
So, it looks like George Weah is winning the Liberian election. He's a former footballer who is wildly popular with the youth. Hopefully he will provide the stability and lead the reconciliation necessary.
Tomorrow is for exploring Bangkok - looks like a fabulous transportation system.
And then on to the US. Unbelievable.
The best thing I bought today? Three notebooks that say on the front: My name is "Delight." And on the back: I am a pretty girl. I had a student seven years ago named Delight Aukon; she's one of the few still in school there - must be a senior this year. And she usually was a delight, in a very quiet, almost stoic way; she was little for her age and quite slow with learning - she was pre-literate in 6th grade when I got her but then with a new reading program we got, she moved ahead leaps and bounds and I loved to see the glow of pride on her face. She was extremely mature about all non-school things and I always trusted her judgment. Anyway, I miss her and the other kids and I'm happy to have a reason to send a note.
Second best thing: a wallet with a map of Africa on it, so when I'm talking about Liberia and people don't know where it is, I can show them the money, so to speak. And all this for only $3. I love bargains!
Everything went great today with travel - and the hotel in Chennai only charged me for three nights when they could have charged me for four. See? Money flows. I gave lots of tips and money came back to me. All good with check-in, and while security asked if I had an ornamental dagger in my checked bag (I do), they didn't take it as they did from Ahmed when he tried a couple years ago.
Indian Airlines is no Emirates though, that I'll say. No personal TV and 57 channels of radio? No footrest? No friendly flight attendants? It's all good; I made it across the Andaman Sea. And I feel like such the savvy traveler - I declined the taxi drivers inside the Bangkok airport and got a good one outside for 1/3 the price. And I do love being an American sometimes - no visa necessary here. And I'm staying at a great place - Asha Guest House. Great central location, but as soon as you enter the gate it's peaceful and quiet; no private bathroom, but everything's very clean and less than $10 a night. And thank Krishna for the books here - I'll exchange the awful Henry James novel I have for Catfish and Mandala, which a friend raves about.
So, it looks like George Weah is winning the Liberian election. He's a former footballer who is wildly popular with the youth. Hopefully he will provide the stability and lead the reconciliation necessary.
Tomorrow is for exploring Bangkok - looks like a fabulous transportation system.
And then on to the US. Unbelievable.
posted by NOLA at 5:01 AM
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