Last legs

We don't much have the patience to rifle through the guest houses down accommodation lane. I just smell the pillows and ask how much. I don't have a hat any more because I cut my hair and look like an idiot in a hat. I left the jeans I brought on the railing of an airport in Indonesia. I left a gray long sleeve Old Navy special on a bed in Laos. It's always been too damn hot for either of those things save for in the North of Vietnam. I don't have the sunglasses I bought in the Philippines but I bought an identical pair in Vang Vieng. I don't have a parasite, that I know of.

I don't have a sunburn currently, although I've got another week to get a last one. I don't look at much in the markets anymore. I don't want their stuff, all their same stuff everywhere shipped from China to hawkers stalls from Sumatra to Siem Reap.  I don't have a handle on what's been happening in the world, I don't have the internet much. I know people aren't happy in Quebec and Syria. I don't mean to be crass. I don't get a lot of sleep these days.

I have a not quite healed broken toe from a 3 on 3 basketball game in the Philippines. I have a new scar on my wrist from when I nearly went through a wicker door in Cambodia. I have a crippling addiction to 'Toasties', a grilled ham and cheese pocket that can only be purchased in 7-11's in Thailand. Each day I have a new personal best in the category of "longest elapsed time without shaving." I have learned and forgotten how to say thank you in seven languages. I have a bamboo gun that shoots small rocks for someone as a present. I have bought a plane ticket that says "June 17" on it. I have an affliction much like a child has before Christmas. I have trouble getting to sleep because I am excited to see you.

Don't see the Hangover 2

Tonsai is a hippie beach in the South of Thailand. The hippies come equipped with fisherman's pants, light draw string affairs that pillow from the waist in earth tones. The fishermen of Thailand prefer a poly-thorine/lycra blend for the fabrics quick drying or a simple high-cut speedo for optimum mobility in and out of the boat. I am saved from the cross cultural obligation of purchasing a pair of Thai "fisherman's" pants due to a friend years back gifting me with a pair. Thanks Hamish.

The hippies come equipped with beards much greater than mine. Long time followers will no doubt wince at my approach of this sore topic again. But why do theirs grow so proud and even and mine only find its legs under my chin, along my neck. Why Does the hair at my jawline radiate away from my face like rays from the sun? I will need to be granted strength to bring this beard all the way home to show you.

The hippies come equipped with rope and harness, with chalk in bag and tape for fingers. The hippies like to go up. They walk around the cliffs that cut this beach off from the mainland and make the peninsula a defacto island and study it at dusk. They put their hands above their head and imagine where they could put their fingers in the wall. I sit in an alcove with a tall Leo beer purchased at the corner store offering the cheapest drink and watch the water. I will be friendly the first chance I get. It is beautiful here sitting at the bottom of the rock and I would welcome their company. They are only here to become better acquainted with the rock wall though, not me.

The hippies come with money. The afford the most expensive drink prices at the nicest hippie bars at the edge of the water. Yes the pillows are free but the Leo's are almost double. Shouldn't they be in this alcove with me? Don't the two dozen pictures of Bob Marley feel a bit contrived to them? I can't help but feel like Bob would be embarrassed. Bob would be in the alcove with me I think.

Overnight bus to Bangkok in one hour. I'm going to go stock up on imitation Oreos.

Air Minerals

I am in Kuala Lumpur and the Chinese kids at the far end of the internet cafe are yelling "FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKOKOKOKOKOK WAY! WAY!"

Tonight we're on a bus to Penang which is great because I love to look out the window in the dark and watch the lights go-go-go past me as I move, forward!, to the next-what-comes-next. Also I like not paying for accommodation.

The day we got to Kuala Lumpur we played try-all-the-food-stalls and I lost. The last few days have been Kuala Dumpur, heavy on the ump. Sorry to get so graphic.

Kuala Lumpur is spoiling us. All the rooms have air conditioning and the taxi drivers don't use lariats in their attempts to get you into their cabs and there is India food. Praise Ram there is Indian food. The economy is strong with this one though, things cost more money. Lucky for us last night we had a financial backer, a young 30 English-Man who sat down at our table and, desiring our company for the evening, bought the drinks. He wanted all his money gone and we certainly helped him some. At 4 in the morning I gave him my watch. I hope he made his flight to Jakarta.  Time's up.