Yep, I deserve the flack I've been getting for not keeping my blog up to date. When I think I've had a busy month I have to remember back to what stressed busy was. Now I've slowed my life down it's still full, just not stressful.
So I'm currently in Thailand, Ko Samui to be precise. I arrived on the 22 Jan after nearly 2 weeks in Singapore. The 'busy' comment reflects the amount of jumping about I've done in the last 4 weeks. I went to Italy after my time in Oz. I spent 3 or 4 weeks in Sydney and then nearly 2 weeks in Adelaide with Rolf. I did a few sketches and water colours but because of the moving around and generally poor weather making it difficult to sit out, nothing of value was produced. So after a 40 hour journey to Italy, I had a great Christmas with the family and the went on to Budapest to have a piss up with my mates. On the 9th I left for Singapore which was fun, it was very easy to get about and of course lots going on with the social Schrimpff family, who I stayed with.
Singapore was an interesting place. The people appear to obey what they are told without question, they don't like saying no or making decision. I was refused entry into one nightclub because they hadn't seen a wheelchair their before and didn't know what the boss wanted, so it was easiest to say no. The next night I went to The Ministry of Sound and I was treated better than almost any club I've ever been to, it helped being befriended by a local senior Mafia guy - that was a 6 O'clock finish.
My computer crashed big time in Singapore so I stayed to try and get it fixed with no luck. I was playing with the idea of upgrading my camera, since I was in the electronics capital of the world so that idea was overwritten. I bought a new one really cheaply figuring my track record with expensive electronics is poor at best; it's quite a neat little one so I can carry on writing. The problem is don't remember when I backed up, and my backup disc is in Italy. Probably lost all the pics from Oz onwards, so a good argument for updating the blog more often.
I'm getting settled in Ko Samui. At first I wondered what the hype was about, it seamed a bit shit with ether a blackpool environment or rough main road cafe's. With the difficult under wheel conditions, deadly on-road anticks, not being able to wonder along the sand or scooter around all seamed to eradicate the joy of the place. Fortunately I've been chatting to a bunch of people and been introduced to smaller, much cheaper fishing villages and in a moment the place has taken on a whole new complexion. Once I've shaken of this cold, which is making me feel pretty rough, I think I can get into a good grove here. It's also cheap to get to the main land so weekends away will be easy! I've found some nice coffee houses, a guy who will make canvas' for me so I can start painting again and the stir-fried food isn't giving my guts any trouble (tempting fate).
Eating vegetarian here is more limiting than I thought, with it being a predominantly Buddhist society. It tends to be stir fried veg with rice or noodles and egg if you ask. That cost about 40Bt (55p) and while there are western restaurants, the prices go relatively skyward. I also prefer the little guy's, you watch them fry the food in front of you and it's piping hot when it hits your plate - no bugs. Having to manage a cut toe again, which is as predictable as the day is long.
Well, it's time I signed off for now. I'll get some pictures up very soon.
This was in China Town, Singapore week or so before the year of the dog.
