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My crossing back into Thailand was evidential that geographical proximity bears no neccesary reference to cultual similarities, as the shock I received, was apparent:

-- Border crossing: Huay Xai Laos to Chiang Khong Thailand --

In the morning, we stamped out of Huay Xai and went across the river to Chiang Khong; the border on the Thai side. The friendly immigration official on the other side stamped our re-entry visas and arranged for two motorbikes to carry us free of charge to the bus station. The buses were all full and so we purchased tickets on the local bus to Chiang Mai. Seven hour journeys have become a thing of normality and we were happy to board the bus. What we did find bizarre however, was the reverse culture shock we were experiencing. After a whole month in Laos, Thailand (a developing country) suddenly seemed.... developed, orderly and industrialised. Jeez. Shops, roads, houses, banks..

Thailand; round two

Asha Patel
2006-08-23 10:40:55

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had begun traumatically and was not improving. As Kat went downstairs to check her emails, I was stood under the shower open mouthed and open eyed, in the hope of a refreshing, wake-up call. That it was. All soapy and lathered up, I realised that the water gushing from the shower was.... black. So, reluctantly, I stood under the shower just long enough to rinse the soap off me and feel dirtier than I had before I entered. Any other day I might've complained, shouted, or shaken my head in digust. I did none of those. Neither did I mention my aching legs, my sore feet, my pounding head, my upset stomach.
I was simply exhausted, drained and in despair of the whole trip. I hadn't the energy to even compain anymore. All I could summon was a slow, defeated, smile... That evening I dined with the Canadian girls as Carrie was leaving for Cambodia. Once she'd left Kat, Merissa, Brie and I walked the night market until 9pm at which point I could stand no more. Whilst they were headed for the ladyboy show and a night of intoxication, I made my excuses, left and headed for the cool climes of HagenDazs (yes, they have one here - right next to the cultural authenticities of McDonalds, Starbucks and Subway) who I knew would provide me comfort in the form of soft sweet dulce de latte. They did. I returned to more water problems and a now flooded bathroom floor. Seeing as a BA flight bound for LHR did not land outside the guesthouse, I was guessing that the fairies weren't working tonight. Figured I may as well go to sleep. Nope. Looks like that's not happening either. I turned the air-con unit up to maximum, cranked the mp3 player volume to full, and dived under the covers with my book until
I was lulled into some kind of subconscious state of rest. I woke, every half hour glancing over to Kat's empty bed. Perhaps I shouldn't have left her out at night. I knew she was probably in the safe company of Merissa, Brie and lots of alcohol but I couldn't ...