If you can imagine me cowering in the back corner of a boat, screaming (to my shame, sorry, folks) "sh*t, sh*t, don't let them bring it on the boat" repeatedly in a high, shrill voice, you'll know that while I seem to have conquered my chicken phobia on this trip, the same hasn't happened about the snakes... The theory of deep breathing and thinking how fascinating they are went straight out of the window, as a little boat approached with one draped around a little girl's shoulders. Hysteria set in, and although the offending reptile was hurriedly shooed away, it took a while for the knots in my stomach to untie themselves. Back to the drawing board, or therapist, I'm afraid, if I'm ever to venture to India or Africa. New Zealand gets ever more attractive, and Australia less so...
The highs were compensatory, though - the best being a meal in a little village cooked by a family for us, ending in a dancing session with the 16 children (3 sets of parents!). A mixture of western disco, hokey cokey and asian dance - all waving fingers and bobbing up and down in a sexy (well, we tried!) way. Loads of fun and a definite highlight.
The Dancing Road from Siem Reap (sic - I've misspelled it before, sorry) to the border with Thailand lived up to its name - about 100 miles took over 4 hours. It has been known to take 9, so it's improving!
It's the king of Thailand's 80th birthday today, and he is well-loved. All his subjects (and I mean EVERYONE), is wearing a yellow shirt in his honour - he was born on a Monday, which is a yellow day here, apparently. So the streets are a sea of yellow. Luckily it suits the Thai complexion.
That's all for now, folks, just need to say 'ouch' to Pete's punny comment on previous blog - 'Angkor management' - oh, you do take after your father!
See y'all in Auckland...
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6 comments:
I thought that snake bite was one of your favourite drinks too!
Bon voyage to Aoretoa.
Following your journey - arrests and snakes and all - with great pride.
17 days to go here... doing everyone's job. Conducting a carol concert. But all a mere shadow of yourself! Love Alex and Marie talking about the Belfast trip but seeing it in different light.
Love your tales of the people. Nice combo of tales and yourself. And still teh dance shines through! Fancy a doing BBC documentary?
NZ ho!
I am with you on the snakes. I would have hysterics too if anyone approached me with a snake.
Your blog is terrific particularly when reading it here in cold snowy Toronto! Looking forward to hearing about New Zealand.
Can't wait to hear about New Zealand! Why doesn't the snake thing surprise me one bit? I can't say we really made much progress before you left...
Your boxes arrived today! Using the wonders of the internet I've deciphered the red t-shirt; apparently it's a Chinese symbol meaning "wealth"... It is now instantly cool becuase I know what it means and nobody else who sees it in the street will be able to! The "Same Same / But Different" shirt is totally baffling, but that also makes it really cool. Thank you!
I do hope you didn't go to any clubs in just your pants...
Much love and big hugs
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Hey there - have had fun reading multiple blogs today....you are having great adventures and we're very envious.....
BTW - I see from Alex's comment that you may have snagged a couple of "Engrish" t-shirts.....have you checked out www.engrish.com ? If you see anything that looks fun, buy it for us!!!
You are very brave doing all these new things. Life will just not be the same afterwards, I'm sure. Take care, Sarah & Randy
I just left you an impossibly long and boring e-mail, so I'll keep the comment short. Sort of.
Some people might be afraid of endeavoring to go on a one-woman world tour and taking on unknown worlds, one at a time, just as they are, just for the sake of being there, and living life to the fullest.
You...you're afraid of snakes.
So many people are afraid of living, of being, really. For you, it's a snake thing. Don't try to get over everything all at once. We're entitled to a phobia or two. And hey, you conquered chickens!!
And kudos for not being afraid of...being. :)
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