Next Stop Kolcata January 10, 2008

Next Stop Kolcata

My eyes got misty as we lifted off from the tarmac in Thailand. Goodbye Bangkok, hello India.

I love my new life, I am grateful to God for steering me here. Praise God I listened. It does not work any other way. Trust your gut, Allah, the divine, inner nudges, just do it. When it feels good and true; act on it. My heart is full with freedom. I had to let go of a lot to get here. For example, the backpack my son gave me two years ago in Nepal as it was ripped and unrepairable, most attempts at normalcy, and my preconceived notions at how I think things should turn out. I just go where God tells me to go. It's very simple this way as usually the answer to any question is just wait for the clear answer.

Things to know about Thailand: Men stare at your chest in a lewd manner.Thai women are kind, helpful, and abundantly affectionate. Although I did have to teach one how to hug today. She did not understand the body-squeezing pure affection gesture of a simple hug. Perhaps I will start a new trend in this country.Thai massages. Get one. You will be thrilled. It's delicious to feel so limp you're parboiled.

The food. Heavenly, powerful, slap-in-the-face spicy. I eat street food every day so I can point to what I want without knowing what it is. It's always yummy.

Thai silk for cheap. The worker bees at the hospital wear Thai silk uniforms. Exquisite and elegant. Secret: there is amazing, affordable, medical care in Bangkok unlike the Sicko USA. It's efficient, professional,and speedy. I walked into the hospital today with no appointment and saw an opthamologist within 30 minutes for my eye exam and prescription. Then I had my teeth cleaned and examined by a bonafide dentist. Total price for everything: $77 US. I was formerly Miss Skeptical North American when my son told me about it but the care is better than what we get at home. Remind me to become an ex-pat. But maybe I will wait until I get to Italy.