sunburn days

I need to get into that “what’s next?” mindset, and in order to get there, I need to not be in a place that drains all the ambition out of a person, i.e. an island paradise. The first day on the island I ruined my one-dollar Vietnamese watch while swimming and from then on I officially existed on island-time. My decision-making skills went straight out the window. It was great for a while, but it’s time to buy a new watch and get my head out of my ass.

Bangkok

Which brings me to Bangkok, population ten million - a city full of hustlers, pollution that makes Los Angeles seem pristine, and confused weary tourists just off the plane. Bangkok is a port of entry for most, but for me, it is a catalyst for some decision-making activity, mostly because I don’t really want to be here but also because it has a major airport in case I want to jump on a plane. The funny thing is, I haven’t done shit since I’ve been here other than buy a three-dollar Thai watch, which I’ve barely glanced at. I did make use of it to catch a movie last night but found out I’ve had it set two hours behind for the last three days.

So, what to do, what to do? I’m sending out some emails to various international cities to see about some work. Money isn’t a problem as of now and as long as I stay in SE Asia, but I wouldn’t mind maybe settling down somewhere for a month or two or six or… – somewhere that may be expensive – somewhere that has less backpackers (god bless ‘em) and more locals – somewhere that my one and only language will be an acceptable long-term form of communication. I could also make a border run to re-up my Thai visa for another 30 days or… I could just come home. I don’t know, but I do need to decide this week.

full moon

Oh and I was going to tell you about the Full Moon party on Ko Phangan. Supposedly the largest international party of it’s kind. I was going to do a full commentary about all my initial trepidations and so forth, but I don’t have the energy. I’ll just say if I were with friends from home and maybe ten years younger, I would see the attraction of 20 thousand people trippin’ balls on a small strip of beach until the sun came up. Needless to say, I did not stay that long. Here is a short clip that really does not do the party justice (narration by Tom Waits).

Get the latest Flash Player to see this player.

I’ve been a little depressed today. Nothing serious. Nothing a prescription of clear blue ocean and a white sand beach can’t cure. I’m on the island of Ko Phangan in Thailand and it is a place that I’m finding very difficult to leave. But the reason I’m a little down and out (and again it is very little) is that I keep meeting people, most of whom are likable, then once I get comfortable with them they are gone, off to another place. At first this suited me just fine, but now it is starting to wear thin. Especially when the person (woman) is really nice (irresistible).

High Life, Hat Yao

DSC_0029

I met this woman who I will call… “Lovely English Girl,” being that she is English and for the reason that her real name is so uniquely searchable, while the Internet is so uniquely public (I don’t want to embarrass or upset anyone). Anyway, I met Lovely English Girl one night during dinner at one of the few places on the beach - and I mean literally on the beach – and I did my best to be cool and engaging. Yeah right, I was just being myself, friendly and clueless. Long story short, we hung out for the next two days and I learned quite a bit about her, including that she was going to Bangkok to meet her man. Which is why I made a conscious decision to tone-down the “Beagin charm.” No but really, I’ve learned that when people are traveling alone sometimes they need someone who is just friendly and reliable without any sort of agenda. Besides, let’s face it, I’m a sensible guy, I’m pretty sure she was not attracted to me and I pretty sure she is in love with her man. Or I’m a really stupid guy (I can’t decide), considering Lovely English Girl is one of the most kindhearted, captivating, and, yes, attractive women that I have ever come across. And I mean absolutely stunning, seriously, that knock-the-wind-out-of-you kind of beauty. I could go on and on about why she is so attractive but I suspect that some of you are probably starting to feel nauseated so I’m going to go ahead and stop. My point being that she was a pleasure to be around but is now gone, off to another place.

Ko Phangan

Hat Yao

High Life, Hat Yao

So, Thailand. Yeah. I should mention that I have been here before. However, I have not been to southern region where all the island paradises are situated. When crossing the border from Laos I considered staying up north for a while and then slowly making my way down to the islands but then decided that I was just too drained and needed a break so I came straight down to Ko Phangan and then went directly to Hat Yao Beach. Its funny because I met another German couple, Daniel and Vera, waiting for the bus to cross the over the Lao/Thai Friendship bridge and I was a little concerned about the Thai visa and whether the bus would wait and what have you (this is what I mean by feeling drained). Anyway, again, super nice people who happen to be going straight down to Ko Phangan as well and after not seeing them for a few days, there they were sitting on the beach. From taking a dark, rainy and uncertain bus ride across the Mekong all the way to snorkeling off of Hat Yao. And of course they eventually moved on as well.

Daniel & Vera going fishing

With each passing day that I’m here my batteries get more and more recharged so I’m getting new ideas. Like where I should go next and what I should do when I get back. I’m even considering trying to find some work, maybe in Singapore or New Zealand.

Next up… the full moon party.