Rivers

 There is an old saying I am quite fond of. 'You can't step into the same river twice ...' More on this later.

I am about half way through my 3 week trip to Thailand. It did not start well as my 24 hour flight turned into almost 40 hours. My flight from Ottawa to Vancouver was delayed, due to a staff shortage, which meant my flight to Narita in Japan did not happen. However Air Canada rescheduled me from Vancouver to Singapore, a 16 hour flight, which I could handle, but it meant a 12 hour stopover in the Vancouver airport, Twelve hours in an airport is just a pain in the ass, no getting around it. The only good part to it was that I logged about 15K steps,

The 16 hour flight was llllooooonnnnggg, another pain in the ass, despite getting up regularly for a walk. In due course, I arrived in Singapore and waiting another 2 hours for a 2 hour flight to Bangkok and arrived at my hotel about noon, on October the 2nd, rather tham 10 pm on October the 1st. Time for a nap and then a bite to eat, and then a walk-a-round.

My initial observation is that many businesses have come and gone on Sukumvit and the immediate sois, I don't think many Thai startups do the correct market surveys to see what potential, or lack of potential is available. Hence the failures.

The new trend appears to be restaurents, especially craft beer types and hiso hamburgers, neither of which I am interested in, I will stick with San Miquel Light and some inexpensive Thai food.

I tend to see more Indians and farang families with kids. Also more Gen whatevers in pairs, male and female. That is during the day. At night, not much has changed, except fewer as it is the tail end of low season.

The bars are much the same, although the traffic is lighter and the girls tend to be more pum pui. The drinks are a bit more expensive but happy hour is still available. The lady drinks are more expensive by aout 50 baht. Apparently that is how they make a living these days. Better days ahead as high season starts next month. Thais grasp of English has not improved much.

This being the rainy season, I have experienced only 3, three hour storms which is not bad. I have usually forgotten to bring my umbrella so I usually duck into a beer bar and indulge in a few beers as I wait out the rain.

I try to get my 10k ssteps in but it is more tiring in 34 degrees and high humidity. I prefer my laps in the pool which are progressing quite nicely.

Back to the river ...

The meaning behind the phrase is the river has changed and so have you. I have found that so true this time around as father age catches up to me. I indulge less as the next day hangover, both mentally and physically have to be dealt with. Just means the get up and go has gone for the next day.

Also the bar routine is still much the same so there is not much novelty for an old hand as myself. Also many of my drinking partners are either dead, out of the country, or just not available. I have always said partying by yourself is boring.

Time to get creative ...

TTYL