Yesterday wasn't the
best choice for me to begin living the local life in Ratburana. It began well
enough with a successful bus ride that took me within walking distance of the
skytrain, but that walk was interrupted by a brief and violent downpour. When
the rain stopped, I found my way to the train, tracked down a copy of the
ever-more-elusive Bangkok Post, bought a lovely guidebook that focuses on
flowers by the floral artist of international fame, Sakul Interkul, had a
mammoth lunch of catfish lahb, cucumber somtam, grilled pork neck, and sticky
rice, and then waddled my way back to the skytrain. By the time I reached
Ratburana, the rain was bucketing down with no intentions of stopping.
Still I was determined
to break out of my taxi bubble and swam to a bus stop. I sloshed on to the
first one that stopped, ignorant of the harsh truth that it wouldn't stop again
until it was over the river and back on Bangkok soil.
It stopped within
walking distance of a skytrain station but the streets that took me there were
flooded and my shoes may never forgive me. I was well-soaked when I got back to
my starting point, the rain was inexorable and heavy, and yes I took a taxi to
get home. Unfortunately the driver was the friendly, chatty sort. (Memo to
self: Speak only English in taxis and when necessary invent a mythical husband)
Today was a dryer one and
I took the correct bus home. One small step...however this part of the city
isn't the most fascinating when it comes to street life. Thank goodness for
buses and skytrains that take me to other neighborhoods and for the deep quiet
that envelops me when I return to Ratburana.
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