October 9, 2012

• Tough Break

  The last few weeks have been a literal washout. At my school we were preparing for final testing and looking forward to some time off before the start of the last half of school. What we got instead was several inches of rain covering the roads. Flooding was expected, which was why they moved up the testing schedule. When I got up on Sept. 24, the water was ankle deep in front of my place. I live about 50 yards from the main four-lane road into town. It was down to two lanes. I called a fellow teacher from school and found out school was closed until Oct. 15.

  The last week of September I celebrated my 48^th birthday on the computer. It was rather boring. That Friday I got my pay and headed to Bangkok, and experienced some places where the water was rather deep. Where I live, the water got to be about knee deep. However, it was receding nicely by Friday, and I got to get out so I could prepare for my trip. Thing is, my right knee was swelling up for some reason, and even now I am still dealing with the pain.

  I spent the night in Bangkok, and in the mid-afternoon booked a train to Nong Kai, the end of the line of the Royal Thai Railroad Service. I needed to hop the Thai-Lao border on Sunday morning, and so the overnight train was the best way to get there. The train left late and arrived late. I hoped the border successfully, limping slightly because of the knee. I guess most of the pain was caused by the overloaded backpack I was carrying, as well as a slightly overstuffed book bag with a busted zipper. It got cold on the train, so I was wearing a sweat jacket, but it had to come off as it warmed up rather nicely. My taxi into Vientiane, Laos, was an A/C van, and the ride was smooth. I got dropped off at the Talat Sao mall and walked the rest of the way to the guesthouse where I stay when I am in Vientiane. It is conveniently located, an easy walk to downtown, the bus station, and the Thai consulate. I had to reacquaint myself with the town, as it was my first time back in two years.

  I spent most of my free time playing on an Android tablet, as well as reading A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. I tried to sleep as much as I could, as well.

  Monday I went to the consulate, and was told there might be a problem as I only had three blank pages left. I was told they were cover pages and could not have a visa stamp placed on them. I was not happy about this. I paid extra to have someone process it for me, and was not in a good mood when I left. The SDA Mission in Laos is located three blocks from the consulate, and I dropped by for a brief visit, and told them about the possible problem I was facing. They invited me to have lunch of fish, rice, sticky rice, and vegetables. I had the vegetables and rice, as well as some sticky rice. It was good hanging out with them for a little while. I walked to Talat Sao, got some bottled water and a drink with electrolytes, and looked for some information concerning a bank with Western Union. The exterior of the building is interesting, not the most attractive mall exterior in the world, but inside it is rather pleasant. My knee could only take so much more, though, so I went back to the guesthouse.

   Anticipating a problem with my passport, I paid for one more night at the guesthouse, then went to the consulate. I was given good news. They used one page that I was counting on, and now have to apply with the American embassy in Bangkok for a new passport. The rest of the day went by smoothly.

  On Wednesday I checked out, and headed to the bus station. My next destination was Udon Thani, where I would pick up the train to Bangkok. At a mall near the bus station I found a Western Union at a Robinson department store, and then got a kiwi-flavored ice cream cone. From the mall I walked to the bus station, got my ticket, and learned that the train was running late. It took about 12 hours to get back to Bangkok. I spent some time walking Sukhumwit before going to Victory Monument for a van home. I still do not feel rested up from the trip.

  School is back in session in six days. I should have the novel finished by then, even though I know how it ends. Other than that, I’m going give my knee a rest, and get over a sore throat. Over the last two days I have been dealing with a swollen tonsil. Let’s just say it has been a rough few weeks. More to come.

  • 8:02 am
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