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July 17, 2005
Grounded
(Day 139) "I'm going to go take a shower," I told Deer. I had moved out of the guesthouses on Khao San Road into her condo overlooking a luxurious pool.
"Do you have anything that needs to be washed?"
My clothes were still fresh, by my standards. I had had them cleaned only a few days ago in Vientienne. Deer still rummaged through my backpack though, and pulled out my khakis which did have a thin layer of dust on them.
"Okay, maybe that needs a bit of washing. But you don't have to clean the rest of them," I said, and went into the bathroom for a cool off with a cold shower. With Thailand being so hot and humid, it didn't take long for me to get into the habit of showering several times daily.
When I had finished, I lounged about in my boxers, watching Thai television for a bit while Deer finished up the rest of the housework. About an hour later, she was ready to go.
"Get lunch?"
"Okay." I went to my bag to pick out a pair of shorts and a shirt. "Umm, Deer, do you know where my clothes are?"
"I washed them for you. They're drying in the other room."
"All of them?"
"Yes. Is something wrong?"
"I don't have anything to wear then," I grinned.
"Oh! Oops! Sorry! I thought you were already wearing something, so I took everything in your bag to put in the washer. Sorry!"
"It's alright. I guess I have to stay here until my clothes dry," I smiled. I found the whole situation rather amusing. I've wasted afternoons waiting for trains and resting from grueling bus rides. I wouldn't be surprised in the future if I spent entire days lying in bed, recovering from illness. But to be grounded, because someone accidently washed all my clothes for me... now that's something that probably won't happen again in the near future!
Thanks to everyone for their support and comments! Knowing people are reading keeps me motivated to continue the updates!
Posted by markyiin at July 17, 2005 02:38 AM
Comments
ok, i'm back. sorry if some people got worried. nothing much interesting these last three posts, but that's just how things went. things will get more interesting.. just completed a tiring journey from bangkok to cambodia, and i've decided to designate today a rest day and try to catch up a bit.
jim: some thais in the more rural parts of the country may only make 1000 baht a month, or maybe even less, but in bangkok, the average salary is still respectable (maybe 10,000-30,000 baht a month?)
siuwah: i didn't want to bring anything i'd be unwilling to lose, and i didnt want to lose pikachu.
blueginger: muay thai isnt as free-for-all as it used to be. it used to go on until someone died or became incapacitated, but nowadays, it only lasts a few minutes :)
steve: if i wanted to just 'live' in thailand, with just the basics, like food and shelter, i could get by on maybe $10 a day? possibly less. but to do things and go places.. that costs a bit more money.
gw: yeah, still around. man, its only 12 days and everyone starts wondering where i am :P
chung: you're pretty much got it on your guess as to where i was the last week or so. it was a dilemma, i didnt want to blog those days, but i also wanted to document everything i did, so my next entry will be sort of a compromise. i'll summarize my entire week in one post. i'm in cambodia now, i think i'll be going to vietnam by bus sometime in the next week or two.
Posted by: markyiin at July 17, 2005 03:00 AM
"I had moved out of the guesthouses on Khao San Road into her condo..."
That explains the absence of posts the last few days :)
I can't wait to hear about Cambodia and Vietnam!
Posted by: Anonymous at July 17, 2005 04:54 AM
I, too, was beginning to worry there. For some reason, though I'm too busy, I've been back and forth to your page, hoping you'd update or something. Maybe I needed to read something that isn't so routine. Been a lot of that lately on my end. Anyway, glad to hear that you're okay. Can't wait to read and see pictures on Cambodia. Take care Mark! -GEM
Posted by: GEM at July 17, 2005 06:55 AM
Im glad ur back and i like everyone else cant wait for you to talk abotu cambodia and vietnam.
i was reading ur gripe about lonely planet. so its not a good guide... I mean all i you really need is a guide with facts and maps and such...and suggested places to eat. some sites.
your gripe was pretty should. what are its shortcoming really? has it not been helpful on logistical matters?
Posted by: matt at July 17, 2005 06:04 PM
YOU'RE BACK! =D Now I have something to read when I'm browsing the internet! Well, it's going to be interesting reading your posts for Cambodia and Vietnam. Did you go all these places on your own? I guess the trend for you nowadays is to travel for a few days/a week, then return to Deer's place for a bit, huh? :o) Sounds relaxing indeed! =D
Posted by: tree at July 18, 2005 12:29 AM
Nice to see you back! When people are vicariously living out their adventures through you, 12 days is a looong time... don't ever do that again. :)
Posted by: Ray at July 19, 2005 09:36 AM
God damm, I'm good :)
To be honest, I was getting M-why deprived for a while there.
Yeah, I'm like alot of other people who are living their adventure through you.
Posted by: Chung at July 19, 2005 02:36 PM