Reflecting back: I should have seen one of these days coming. I had had too many "successful " travel days in a row which,looking back, probably made me overly confident. I suppose i should have seen the warning signs when I boarded the plane from Krabi to Bangkok and realized I was seated next to the most annoyingly overly affectionate and obnoxiously giggly couple this side of Southeast Asia (at least). In fact, I blame it all (the entire day) on them. Had I not been so disgusted by their canoodling everytime they checked off a person on their "to buy for" list, I wouldn't have been so desperately anxious to bolt off the plane the second the seatbelt sign was no longer illuminated. That's where it all began.
"Ding!" Round 1. Exit the plane. Breathe an intense sigh of relief to have escaped the honeymooners. Casually stroll to the nearest coffee shop until.. Wait! My artwork. My soul candy! No! It's still on the plane! I run back, 60 lb backpack thumping up and down on my spine, daypack strapped my front like swaddling a child.
They (the high flying gate keepers- such a powerful bunch really) refuse to grant me access. Damnn. "ok, think fast." I run to the security officer (they must speak English, right?). Negative. Coffee man? Think again. Tourist agent? Ummm...good enough. "4 floors." ok. I hussle as much as the escalators packed w/elderly people will allow. Finally, I spot the AirAsia sign. In my best simplistic, kindergarten style English possible, I explain what i left in the plane.
"already left."
"no, no. I was just there."
"yes, yes. Gone. Back in 6 hours."
enter crying spell #1.
"ohhhhhh, no cry."
"yes I cry. YES!"
this was my soul candy...gone. Sola (the artist) made that piece for me. It was my also my first real piece of artwork I had ever purchaed and so much work went into the process of the aquisition if this piece. Yes, I cried like a babe.
So, I did what any emotional and defeated female would do in a foreign country...I headed for the nearest Starbucks to seek comfort in a Venti whatchamacallit and a heaping slice of addthistoyourthighs. After realizing that what I really needed was a Beng Beng and my artwork back, I ventured to the bus station to book my ticket for my 9 hour journey North (mind you this was following a 2.5 hour boat ride that began at 530am, and a 2 hr flight with the Jones'). After purchasing my ticket sucessfully (or so I thought) I reluctantly sauntered my way to 7/11 country to forage anything that looked remotely edible. Mind you, nothing has nutrition facts here (something i rely heavily on) and everything is written in worm (translation:Thai). Although I pride myself on being an adventureous eater, I must say my thrill seeking radar was at an all time low and so I opted for Gummy Bears and a yoghurt (you know, fruit and protein categories, right?). I still had 3 hours to kill and so my gummies and I took to holding up a wall and observed the following for a bit:
1) I've never known so much food to be consumed directly from a bag. Soda included.
2) I never been in a place where the whole world stops when the national anthem plays. I too now stop.
3) i have no idea what anyone us saying
4) oh look! Another fallang (foreigner)!!
5) I could really go for a Beng Beng
6) I never seen so many pairs of hideous high heels (Claire's style)
...I could go on.
Fast forward to 20:30 (8:30pm). I board the bus, am escorted to seat A1. Greet my neighbor, open my blanket and settle in for the journey.
Enter the stewardess.
She asks for my ticket which I proudly provide thinking, "sorry sucker, this seat us taken."
hmmmmmm...
She points. My ticket says 21/11/2010.
It's supposed to say 19/11/2010.
Red flag.
No English - red flag #2, bus departing in 10 minutes and I'm being thrown off. Long story short, when I told the ticket lady I needed a bus for "today," she booked me for one in 2 days. Yup. Love the language barrier. Now the bus is full, and me and my 2 backpacks, all the bagged good you can imagine, the patriotic citizens, And the high heeled galaxy, are stuck in Bangkok.
"Ding!" enter crying spell. Round 2 (as enbarassing as it is).
Before I could take action, I thought it best to seek comfort on my Western ways again and did what any sulking American would...I made a beeline for the closest KFC (albeit passing by the Dunkin Donuts on the way). Luckily, the short jaunt pressed sense into me and I settled for a Beng Beng detour. Mmmmm...
Refocused and ready to conquer the day (Beng Bengs effect me much like Wheaties)I studied my Thai phrase book and approached the ticket counter ready for a war of words. Although the war wasn't necessary, I did successfully navigate getting myself on the next bus which would arrive in Uttaradit the following day. Good enough.
Settled back in with the high heel goers and the flourescent lights of the endless 7 Elevens, I crossed my fingers hoping my hand would soon be raised to take victory over this day.
...and 8 hours (and 5 random stops in the middle of the night later), I claimed victory over 11/19/2010 as I watched sun rise and the eles trumpet to welcome me to the most peaceful place on earth. A place where love (and food) is served on platters as nourishment for the soul, high heels are nonexistent, Bengs Bengs aren't needed as stress is limited, and the time the world stops is to fully embrace the peace and joy pulsating through the veins of these once pained and scarred pure souls. A place where days like yesterday fade away b/c in the end, all that matters is the present.
Peace,
Me
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