Culture shock, it’s more intense coming back.  I expected Thailand to be foreign, I didn’t expect to be confronted with this strange, familiar yet foreign, feeling upon my return. Not that it’s bad, just unexpected.

I think it’s beneficial to have what you “know” blow out of the fucking water so you can take another look.  After all the map is not the territory, and much of what we think we know, is the map, not the actual territory.

I probably soundly like I’m  rambling now, and unless hits some kind of resonance with you.

Regardless, if you ever wanted to drop everything, and chase a dream, do it.  It won’t likely turn out as you expected, but it will, likely, be a hell of a ride.

I’ll try to be better about documenting the new strangeness I’m finding in the familiar.

Be here now.

Namaste,

Scootourist

4 Stroke Stella Scooter

My Honda Dream didn’t want to start this morning, and it was acting like a spark issue.  First step, check the spark plug.  But on my 16 year old motorbike the tool kit is long gone–probably lost 3 owners ago.  On my lunch break from school, I went by a motorcycle parts shop on Chiang Moi Rd and picked up a couple of plugs and a spark plug wrench.

On my way back I noticed what looked like a P-series Vespa.  Didn’t think much of it because a lot of shop owners used Vespas as delivery vehicles.  Then I noticed Vespa parts inside the shop!  A Vespa parts shop in town I didn’t know about.

So I walked across the street to check out their parts supply and noticed that it wasn’t a P-series Vespa but a brand new Genuine Stella.  The engine side cowl was off and I noticed it was the 4 stroke model they just came out with.  I asked if they could get the 2 stroke model, but I think she was telling me you can’t bring 2 strokes into Thailand anymore.  I asked the price just in case it was tempting enough.  89,000 THB (About $2,977 USD).  A little too pricey for me since I can get a completely restored Vespa Sprint from a reputable shop for 70,000 THB.  Still, nice to know it’s an option.

Songkran Festivities at the Tae Pae Gate, Chiang Mai, Thailand

More photos on my flickr page.

I'm ready for Songkran with my dry bag for ID/Money/Phone and my Doraemon water assault rifle.

I finished level my 1 Thai course, so I am taking a break.  After my Mom leaves, I am going to do a meditation retreat at a temple.  After that, I think I’ll finally go to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.  After that, who knows?   But if I stay in Thailand, I need a job.  Not for money reasons, but sanity.  I am just way too susceptible to boredom.