I had a mild coronary this morning during my search for cappuccino out here in Hat Yai. My heart attack wasn’t about my engine fuel – it was about the discovery of the crazy swarm of bumps on my left shoulder and trapezius muscle. Yesterday, while on our bus rides from Krabi to Hat Yai, Sue Ann said to me, “Hey babe, there’s all these bumps on your back.” I didn’t feel a thing, so my response was “Ah no, it’s nothing. It’s from leaning on my money belt.” “Are you sure?” she asked. “Yeah yeah, it’s nothing.” Well well well. In the midst of my panic, all I could think about were those darn Thai jungle hikes! “I knew it” I said to myself. Disregarding my sixth-sense once again. That would be what I like to think of as my ‘heightened’ intuition. In actuality, it’s probably a section of my back that was exposed and attacked by the morning mosquito feeders the other day while peacefully writing on the bungalow porch. The witching hours of 5-7am, and 5-7pm, where the insects search and find their prey with a mad frenzy.
Alas, we’ve purchased train tickets to Kuala Lumpur, and leave tomorrow afternoon! I’m so excited to see Malaysia and depart Thailand. Not that this hasn’t been an incredible experience… but I just don’t feel at ease in this country. I’ve turned into a female “Woody Allen” with all my whining and complaining about this trek and that trek. Now I have proof of injury – self manifested I’m sure. There’s no one to blame here except me (and that nasty swarm of winged-meat-eaters).
Here’s the other thing about Thailand. White lady pays three times what the Thai locals pay. Especially in this commuter town of Hat Yai. There’s no hiding or escaping the big ole white flag I’m waving. Maybe I know about it because my travel companion is Chinese. Sue Ann passes for any variety of Asian out here. What might cost her 30 baht, surely costs me 60 or 90 baht. To her dismay, I’ve become a bargain cock-block.
We’ve done some reading up on Singapore. Still undecided as to whether we’ll be traveling there. Yesterday, while waiting an hour plus for our longboat exit from Tonsai, a friendly Swiss couple had an adverse reaction to our heading to Singapore. “Why are you going there? They fine you for chewing gum.” What?? Google also says the country banned men with long hair. There’s a funny bit about how the Bee Gees got sent home at the gates of Singapore in the 60’s. They had to cancel shows and leave the country because of their pretty locks.
Out of sync train and bus travel has turned today into a rest day. So, we’re sauntering around town at a leisurely pace. I’m also slow moving with a belly full of Benadryl, taking the healing into my own hands and working my not-so-white-lady magic the old fashioned way, with ginger and garlic.
You can follow Cynthia’s stories, and become a “fan” at The Huffington Post.
She is also writing for Amnplify – the Australian Musician Network.
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