Sawatdee ka
I skipped a couple of days because I fell ill. Now, I couldn’t possibly blog about that because you would have worried for my safety, let me assure, all is well and so am I. I had a touch of the Chiang Mai grunge, a bit of a chest cold from the pollution. I took drugs from the pharmacy and am feeling almost 100%. Thank goodness for friends! They are sweet and thoughtful and I don’t know what I would do without them.
On to my grand adventure…
So today pretty much amplified my faith in humanity. It started a couple of nights ago when I was walking to night bazaar. I went into this great shop where they have very good prices for very nice fabrics. I had chosen B 780 of fabric and I had offered B 650, when I went to pay I gave him a B 1000 note. When he made change he gave me B 350 and the B 1000 back. I looked down at the change, with the B 1000 folded in there and I ran really fast through many scenarios where in I get paid back for my action. I immediately gave him back the B 1000. He was embarrassed and delighted and I went on about my night feeling pretty good about the whole thing.
Today I went back to Tiger Kingdom with my friend Jenean. We went to all the tigers and played over an hour. It was great and we had an amazing time. Afterward I went to use their very clean bathrooms before the ride back to town. We were on the road again for a whole other 5-10 minutes when I realized that my wallet was gone. I mean gone. Not in my bag, not in the car, not in my purse and definitely NOT in my pocket where it had been snapped into place.
Here’s the deal; I carry money, one card, a scan of my passport and some local business cards to remember where I liked something. I keep my real passport my debit card and my DL in my room safe locked away nice and sound. I do this for just this reason, I can cancel the card, get more money ( I would be out $100 = B 3000 ) but everything would essentially be OK, right?
I told the everyone, in somewhat of a panic. that I had lost my wallet. I wasn’t too upset yet. I had a feeling that all would be just fine and if anything, this would be a very important lesson learned! And it was, let me tell you.
We flipped a u-ie and headed back somewhat faster than we had gone before. We pulled up and there were even more people there than before! The place was packed with international tourists and children and trainers and a bus load of Japanese business men, complete with ties, and it was basically a zillion to one chance that it would be found. I mean, where had I been? And for how long? How many places had I bent down and stood up? How many meters squared is the park?
I retrace my steps and no luck. I get a sinking feeling a bit and then I head to the customer service deks brimming with hope against all hope that someone had turned it in? I mean they could keep the money and I could at least have my card back? Or, or, or, or….. So I go up and tell them that I had lost my wallet. They brighten up and ask if I’m Bridget? YES! That’s me! She disappeared into her office and produces the wallet – with ALL the money! Can you believe it? I sure couldn’t! I was stunned! I mean floored! The odds of it being returned let alone with B3000 still there is a kagillion to what, point five?
I asked who returned it and it took a few minutes but they found her. I gave her B 500 and thanked her profusely, exclaiming that she had saved my trip and I love Thailand and I love her! I wished her luck and prosperity and assured her that many good things would happen to her for being so honorable.
B 3000 may only be $100 but, let me tell you, that buys you a whole heck of a lot here! You can rent a western apartment in a secure building here for that. You can do a lot with that much money and that’s as a forigner, let alone a Thai lady who probably has a family. I hope the B 500 helps her or at least lets her enjoy something nice for herself, she deserves it.
The tigers, BTW are doing great, if only we would let them sleep!
The rest of the day flowed quite nicely. We came back to town and had an Indian dinner then a cuppacino at Le Petit Paris.
Then I found out some information that I will need to clarify about my visa here. I will need to make a decision soon regarding my activities, schedule and how long I will need to stay here in Chiang Mai. The weather gets really hot in March and that may be a great time to travel again since I’m not looking too forward to sweltering heat. Also I have been invited to do Vipassana at one of the best wats with an amazing teacher. I did travel here to study meditation and massage so I have a lot to check about visa runs, classes and retreat.
I must admit something. I am really scared to retreat. I know it is the key to my life, I know it will change me immensely. I know I will be moved and my ego will be turned topsey turvey. I know it will be difficult. I know it is exactly what I need. I really need to sit down and shut up. I need to hold still and listen. I need to turn inward. I need to stop running and face my fears. I need to do this. Of course, I am making every excuse in the world NOT to do it. I mean, 26 days? in complete meditation? With real live monks? In the mountains of Thailand? With just me and my beliefs about myself in the world? What in the world would THAT do?! I may just slow down or something. I may l-e-a-r-n something.
So yeah, there’s that.
I have a feeling that once that is through, I will know exactly what to do next.
That’s the news, thanks for reading!
Korp koon mahk ka
hat’s great you got your wallet back!
As for your decision, I hope you do what you came to do