A Thailand Christmas
I thought I wouldn't really do anything for myself for Christmas. Here, it's pretty low-key, except in the super-tourist areas, where it's a big, high-spending party. Not really my scene.
So, instead, and especially since today is the Dorn's second birthday (also by known by friends as Dorn Day), I headed down to the southern tip of Phuket. The view was standard Thailand fare: fantastic.
After a quick, delicious lunch, I headed back to my apartment on the bike. Then the rain rolled in.
I have two rules on my use of a motor scooter here:
- No riding in the rain.
- No riding at night.
I'm not supposed to be on motorbikes, as a general rule life has made pretty apparent to me. Those two rules are a détente we've established for my time here. When the rain rolled in, I pulled into a little shopping center.
I wandered around the Thai version of Home Depot (which is huge and gorgeous,) had a passable espresso, then walked into a grocery store looking thing. The first thing I noticed was that it seemed much higher-end than Tesco. The second thing I noticed was that they had a beer aisle. With actual beer. I saw a Porter.
Those who know me well know good beer is one of my great loves/weaknesses (what great loves aren't great weaknesses, actually?). And, since it was Christmas, and I'm way ahead on my budget this month, I threw caution to the wind, and got myself Christmas. There were British Porters and IPAs and ales, Belgian Peches and Krieks, a Korean grapefruit beer, and an American aged Russian Imperial Stout. I put the lot into my basket.
While wandering around, I also spotted two more amazing things: Tortilla chips (made by a "Thai-Mex" company in Bangkok), and Pretzels (direct from Germany.) Both went into my bag, along with some candy canes, and a tiny gingerbread cottage. I checked out, giddy and smiling.
By the time I got back to my bike, the roads had dried up, but the light was fading fast. Ten minutes into my ride, it was night proper.
Thai drivers are an astounding mix of aware and reckless. It's chaos, but the sort of chaos where you just have to make sure you don't hit anyone, and trust that everyone behind you is taking care of not hitting you. Night goes double. The traffic is faster, more aggressive, and the uneven road surface now comes as a surprise. I did my tourist thing. Hugged the left shoulder, hooked onto the back of a relatively slow-moving motorcycle, and followed them, mile after mile.
Finally, and safely, I made it back home. Thank you scooter. Thank you land.
Now, it's time for a Christmas celebration.
Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, however and whatever you celebrate, I wish you a great day filled with joy, and the things you love.
Me, I'm gonna have a beer.