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Published: March 25th 2011
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As a literature major, I often enjoyed the manner in which an author would use symbolism in his/her writing to illustrate the concept of "foreshadowing"...a "hint" that something terrible was about to befall our beloved characters. It's a much easier device to employ in film because the musical score usually sets the audience up for the impending disaster.
When I arrived at the port to catch the 20 minute ferry boat to this tropical island off the west coast of Thailand, I noticed there were an awful lot...and I mean awful lot of people waiting for the ship. When it did arrive there was mass pandemonium. Had war been declared? Was this the absolute last ship in existence that would ferry people over to this Garden of Eden? After being jostled, pushed, shoved, abutted, and even a little bit of toe-stepping, I made it onto the ferry. There were no seats to be found anywhere. In fact, there were so many people on this ship that people had to stand in corridors, sit on stairwells and find any tiny bit of space to squeeze into. "Safety" regulations seemed to have somehow been waivered...life jackets no where to be seen...but I
was hell bent on getting to Koh Pha-Ngan for my one week "vacation" from my three month vacation. Sun,surf, good food...the cards were all in place.
After surviving my mini-"Titanic" voyage, I arrived at the port where "taxis" were abound, ready to whisk all of the tourists to their lodgings. Of course, "taxi" in this sense, means sitting on the back of a truck with your luggage along with EVERYONE ELSE AND THEIR LUGGAGE. I also learn that everyone has come to the island for a large "FULL MOON PARTY" event that is THE social event of the season around these parts.
FORESHADOWING CLUE #1: The skies opened up and released buckets upon buckets of rain on us at the back of the truck AND my newly acquired knowledge that it is a FULL MOON today.
I arrived at my destination, all soggy but hopeful...after all, the sun would come out and kiss my "boo-boo" and make everything better. This was after all, my vacation and nobody was going to mess with it!
FORESHADOWING CLUE #2: I take note that the steps in my holiday complex are quite wet from the downpour. I also take
note that the woman next to my cottage is lying prostrate upon the steps, her head bleeding and calling out for help.
I enjoy a lovely day on the beach as the sun has re-emerged and enjoy copious glasses of light refreshments. This resort is divine...run by an Italian/Thai couple...they make exquisite Italian food and delectable Thai dishes...the setting is lovely...yes, this is Paradise!
FORESHADOWING CLUE # 3: I notice two other guests in crutches. They too have fallen and torn ligaments, sprained inexplicable tendons and now must move gingerly for the remainder of their stay. Victim # 1 by the way, has also returned from the hospital with three stitches in her head. A patch of her hair has been shorn for the stitching...she will be a marvellous sight for the person who picks her up at the airport upon her return!
Two more glorious days of weather...sunning...swimming....overeating...overdrinking....unabashed flirting galore....yes, this is Heaven, indeed!
FORESHADOWING CLUE #4: It rains...it pours...the "old man snores" ALL DAY the following day.
FORESHADOWING CLUE # 5: It rains...it pours...the "old lady snores" ALL DAY the following day.
I awoke quite suspiciously the next morning. I no longer
hear the "shshshshshshshshshshhhhh" sound outside that indicates that this "Garden of Paradise" is having another full-day lawn watering. I rush outside into the sun...grab my lotion and my scandalous bathing suit and rush to a beach chair.
FORESHADOWING CLUE #6: A large, fat white duck waddles by me on the beach....takes a look and then continues on his way. A half hour later, he waddles back the other direction, passes by me but for some reason he does not acknowledge my presence this time (had I offended him somehow with my bathing suit?...yet when you consider, he was buck naked!). One minute later, the skies darken and buckets upon buckets of rain falls again.
And so ends my time on this island...back to Bangkok, then Hong Kong to begin my three week tour of Grand China. Due to the tragedies and uncertainties of the disasters in Japan, I have been forced to cancel my trip there (on the strong advice of my contacts in Japan) and am now rerouted to Bali, Indonesia for my final week.
I have experienced a gamut of emotions this week...frustration, elation, disappointment, resignation...the list is endless. However, given the rainy days, I
have had several opportunities to talk with many of the local waiters and waitresses not only at my resort but at other restaurants. So many of them have escaped or come to Thailand from the troubled country of Myanmar. Their life stories (and bear in mind that many of them are under 25) are quite harrowing. They all send money home to help their families. They have essentially taken on menial jobs to make the lives of others a lot better.
They don't have time to sit around and commisserate about the unusual weather in Thailand and that the golden tan, the goal of all tourists who come here, will not be attained. They don't have time either to figure out what their next destination will be because a tragedy of epic proportions has cancelled one part of their journey. And they don't have the luxury of CHOICE to decide what to do on a rainy day..."read"?, "check e-mails"?..."nap"?
So in the end, my "intermission" does turn out to be time well spent. Let the next journey begin and may "education" never cease.
P.S. If you're seated anywhere and a big, fat white duck waddles by....RUN!!!
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Jude
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Intermission
What can I say ....."another great experience" and I'm going to buy you an Umbrella ma dear!! I'm walking into these marvellous pics and dreaming ahhh Thanks for sharing this trip :D ps I don't think I would like the ferry though lol