Back on Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. The weather is perfect with light rain every now and then, so the heat of the season is cooled nicely. Sunshine in the morning and a comfortable room to get work done, an amazing friend to spend the evenings with, Island life is good.
On arrival, the plane swoops into landing just above the restaurants and resorts nearby. A open air bus slash tuktuk greets the tourists who fill up every seat of every plane. Apparently it is Italian season as applause erupted as the plane touched down. I impatiently waited for baggage before almost running to the meeting area for big hugs with Rachel, who has grown a lot since I last saw her. She is due in December.
We drove, in her heap of a car, to the place she had booked for me in ChoengMon, but the owner said he is renovating, so must stay in another place further from the beach, but closer to Rachels house. It is nice and comfortable, but will move to the hotel soon to get some beach time in, and working hard in isolation on assignments (as hard as can be expected while on a tropical island).
In the evenings we go out to dinner, to markets to watch her friend;s reggae band play, or just hang out at the house. It is so relaxed and this style of life is quite infectious. Why get up before lunch time if you don't have to go to work? Why worry if the bike breaks down, it keeps life interesting. Why worry if it rains, the tanks will fill up and it will be cooler. Why worry if you have no money or job, there's always something you can do. Mai bin lai is the catch phrase of the week: no worries.
Last night Sun, Rachel's partner, and his friends cooked for us, we set the floor (as the commonly eat sitting on the floor)and
enjoyed super spicy curry and rice and fried fish, very authentic haha,
I held tears back and smiled, my tolerance for spice is devastatingly
low. Always fun to experience local culture though, and have been talking loads with Rachel about the coming baby and her situation. If anyone can roll with the coaster it is Rachel, or Chel as her Thai friends call her.
I find the second time round I am taking less photos, and focusing on my uni work more each day. I have decided to treat Rachel to a tour of the Ang Thong National Marine park when I get my work done, so head down and reading boring language teaching books. I wonder how, or if, this qualification will help me in the future. Who knows, but I am glad to be doing it anyway.
