Tevrita

Cool rain falls softly from the grey Chico sky. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to shiver. The last two months of South East Asia were the hottest of the year. The sun blistered wrapped in a sarong of moisture which saturated the air. Despite having moments where I thought I might pass out almost daily, these were some of the best months of my life. I tried in vain to keep the journal current as I travelled but managed precious few entries along the way. These I will update shortly but the rest will have to be recorded now from what I recall. For now, I feel like I’m recovering. Strange tides of unidentifiable emotions seem to be washing over me. Am I lonely, confused, misdirected or angry? And if any of these ... read more

“8 Hours to Cameron Highlands from Taman Negara” said the kind women behind the information counter. “8 Hours?!! And how much is it I asked tentatively?” It was 90 Ringott, with a discount it came to 80 (about $25). I blanched visably. I had paid the same for day tours in Thailand and Malaysia had so far been cheaper. But as it seems there was no other way to go, we flipped a bitch from our brief stay in the Rain forest and Taman Negara and headed off. A painfully slow curving 7 hours later the views that passed us by were spectacular. I had never seen anything like the tea plantations in Cameron Highlands and they became one of my favorite places. The plantations cover the hills and snuggle next to forests. Quaint houses and ... read more

I miss “Suay, Suay.” I was always a little amused and proud of my "stretchy stomach." I could lie flat and go from a flat stomach to 3 months pregnant. Like a party trick. Not so exciting here.... My non-Asian and occasionally slightly roundish belly has revealed itself. Suddenly it’s, “Teaccchhhher…(points to my stomach), Baby baby?” asks Nanzy, a bright girl in my 3/5 class. The first time I laughed uproariously, “No baby!!” I say, “Your Teacher needs to exercise.”… “Teacher, situps, situps” she says earnestly. Though I laughed I went home and realized I was not very happy about the situation. Then and there I bought a pair of running shoes which I will probably never use. The second time, I decided they were messing with me but now I self conscientiously look at my ... read more

Danni and Paul are that odd sort of non-couple that is ALWAYS together but claims to have no sort of romantic attachment. As a result you get the comments of single people but retain the feeling that you are perpetually the third wheel. Danni is five foot nothing with blond hair and pert, attractive features and an impossibly high voice. She gives the impression of being intelligent, decisive and just a touch controlling. Her arguments tend to consist of her furrowing her brow at what you say and then completely contradicting it and leaving no room for disagreement. . Paul is the easy going body of the pair. I am convinced that he is in love with Danni though I’ve resisted sharing this fact thus far. The only major negative any of us have really come ... read more

Christmas this year was spent sitting on the idyllic island paradise of Koh Tao. There, the sun and the water are warm, the drinks are cool and the men hot. Still I find myself relieved to be going home. Even if it is only for three days I crave the comfort of normalcy and my 20-40 baht (33baht = $1) meals. Still it felt like a vacation through and through. The white sand beaches are littered with beautiful Farang (Foreigners) sitting exposing their skin to the suns harmful rays. We all know it and we lather our skin with sunscreen and convince ourselves that will be enough to protect ourselves. It seems few can resist the warm kiss of the sun and the illusion of health it can cause on one’s skin. At night, the bars ... read more