So the time finally came to leave Vang Vieng behind before I turned completely into a butterfly or something of the sort. So I came down to the border in the back of a pick up Laos style, crossed the border and have a few hours to kill here in Nang Khai before the night train leaves for BKK. It will be my first time doing a sleeper couchette in Thailand, and while the cost is more, I can handle it. Monday is the king’s birthday and the country will be at a standstill, it isn’t surprising that the friday before things would be filling up, only second class with AC available. It’s cool to have a place (the Mut Me) to swing through and say hi to some folks from weeks ago, see how much Sid the puppy has grown, find his English Mum hasn’t opened her bar yet, chat with Simian from Kent State, a game of chess with young Ben, who is half Thai but has an outstanding English accent, harang his tutor from LA - who very much deserves it (but I still love ya, S).
I’ll go back to do more time in Vang Vieng, to kidnap Miss Nan - or perhaps her younger sister, but it was time to move on for now. Too much fun, and seedy characters showing up: imagine a Swiss junkie/alchy Willem Defoe playing a live action drama Gollum and you have one impression. Though no one did me wrong, it seems my ‘traveller’s karma’ has sort of played itself out in the short run and I’m not just running from one great set of characters into the next for a bit. But that’s OK, because other cool farang distract you from yourself, dealing with the locals one on one, etc. All in it’s place and time.
As my budget is partly in T cheques and partly ATM, I wasn’t sure exactly how much I had until the end of the trip. But looking into an ATM here in Thailand, it seems I’m in good shape for my remaining days in BKK, even if I can’t get a hold of Oh to repay her loan. I won’t be burning down the house, but I’m in shape for food and lodging, maybe some shopping, maybe some expensive fun if I go frugal for a few days first. Big walks in BKK and just a little food once or twice a day, mixed drinks from store bought Mekong, Sang Som, or Lau Cau rather than expensive beers in bars. Some more writing recap…everything is gonna be just fine.