Day 217: Happy Blog-lated Birthday

It is not unlike me to forget an anniversary or birthday or pretty much anything of social importance. Let's call it mindlessness (as opposed to selfishness). And I've done it again. Missed Blog's First Birthday. I toyed with the idea of a 'Best of Blog, Blog', but does the King of Poop Island feel pride? So, if it's a montage you crave your requests will be attended to. Until then, let's just move on.

I've just returned from an undeserved holiday to Thailand and Cambodia. I read a blunt and painfully generalizing  article in an English language Thai newspaper. Thankfully, it was in the Opinion Section. The correspondent (If she can be titled as such) led with an apology for her absence from the paper due to holiday. As offering, she listed several punchy statements about London. The details escape me, but her lazy observation and purge style did not. I do not want to commit the same fallacy of judgment.  But as I was an (Thai-Cambodia) un-educated pleasure traveler, I probably will.

On Thailand:
*The Thai Smile is not a lie. I was overwhelmed with friendliness and the best gift of all, relative anonymity--which is nearly impossible as a tourist.

*There's a reason that Thai restaurants do very well around the world. Thai food tastes damn good.

*It is a delightfully punny place. Thai not to make a pun about Thai-ing your shoes, or 'What Thai-m is it?', Et Ce-thai-ra. (too far?)

On Cambodia
*Eager Tuk-tuk drivers and hawkers were suspiciously polite.

Tuk-Tuk Man: Hey sir, where are you going? You need tuk-tuk?
Me/Casper: No thank-you, we'll walk
Tuk-Tuk Man: Okay, Goodbye! *smile & wave*

Maybe this doesn't sound like much, but in other countries there are some violently forceful drivers, especially to tourists.

*Baguettes. Cambodia's French history left (among other things...) Baguettes. Imagine a country whose people make well under $100 a month; there are few long-distance paved roads; mangy street dog gangs chew on last weeks trash which rots just beside a lovely cart of fresh [and delicious] baguettes!

Okay that's enough naive-observation-time.

Back to the real task: The Book.
Remember voting? Do you remember it ended in a Thai? (last one). I must chose between 1) Rainbow Bench and 2) Pole Hole.

The temperature has plummeted in Lund but will not disturb the first page. Tomorrow, Day 218, the decision will be posted. Friday (weather willing, we can't have my holy pages drenched) I will read the first page. Today, you may persuade.  I'm accepting passionately personal to strictly objective pushes for either location.

Email jhakimarie@gmail.com  --or-- Post a comment here.

Until then, I'll Thai-d you over with 1 travel shot. From Thailand. Just outside our guest house.