The monsoon comes and goes and conditions ebb and flow depending on how close we are to full moon. The closer we are to full moon the more the currents rip making diving conditions more challenging. The farther we are from full moon, the easier it seems to be.
There are stories of manta rays and whale sharks and whales around the island, making those of us who believe in such things dream of large and glorious underwater encounters. For two days now I’ve been searching for mantas and coming up with morays. I’m not sure why we can’t just take the boat out in the morning and go looking for such things and once we spot them from the surface, then go diving. Why must I search such a large sea for such a big fish? It is perfect conditions for these critters as the sea is rich with plankton, making the viz a bit hazy, but certainly giving mantas and whale sharks a reason to stick around.
I just hope that when I see my first whale shark it is as awe-filled as the first time I stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon. I certainly am anticipating it in much the same way.
We’re settling into a nice routine I think. And I’m starting to feel like I’m really a part of this little expat community. And I really like this little expat community. Everyone has a story, a reason why they’re here. Some had what we would all consider “good” jobs back home and chucked it all to come live a bit of this incredible dream. Some are young kids just prolonging or avoiding settling into a 9 to 5 life or maybe they’ve just figured out that’s just not the way to go.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about life and living and dying. I think that the Existentialist movement was nothing more than the midlife crises of a few eloquent, creative men. I think I might be going through a bit of a midlife crisis. I don’t know what you call the funny emotions and thoughts I’ve been having, but I have concluded one thing – you only get one of these and you better make it count for what you want it to count for and enjoy the most of it. I feel like I’ve spent the better part of my life doing things that I was supposed to do, living up to imaginary expectations of imaginary ghosts. No more! No matter what comes next, from here on out my life is on my terms.
I think our society propagates fear and keeps us in a constant state of anxiety (and then puts us on Prozac to numb us). I haven’t seen the news in months. I have absolutely NO idea what is going on in the world and I am 100% okay with that. In fact I feel healthier for it. And I’m sure it hasn’t changed much – there’s wars going on somewhere over something stupid like religion or oil, massacres and persecutions are abundant, I’m sure, and someone’s still not happy with who’s president of the U.S. And have we figured out yet that the only way to reform healthcare in America is to get rid of lobbyists known as insurance companies and pharmaceuticals? No? So still not interested in watching the news or reading CNN.com.
I also think it’s strange that the human body can’t go more than 16 hours without getting sleep. That’s not a very efficient machine.
It’s a funny life we’re living at the moment. Ryan and I see each other very little but for the 8 or so hours that we’re sleeping. We work incredibly hard and I think that we’re both feeling very rewarded in what we’re doing. We’re living like gypsies in a tiny little room (though very large by island standards) with a bed, two seats that we never use, a clothes rack that we’ve converted into a “closet,” a small vanity and a 3 drawer Tupperware thing that houses undies and bathing suits. And a fridge atop of which we keep the kettle, the catfood and the Tupperware I use for my take-away. I wish Ryan would use the Tupperware for his take-away as well. It’s a small contribution to reducing my carbon footprint – this island is Styrofoam and plastic bag MAD!
I had an argument with Ryan a while back after he opened the flavor packet for his cup o salt and the contents went flying all over the bed and I asked what the frick he was doing making dinner on the bed anyways and he argued that we didn’t have a kitchen and I said, “yes, but we have a food prep area, it’s on top of the fridge. If you’ll just take the cat food down off of the fridge…”
We have chores. I still do the dishes, he picks up water from Water Hill and feeds the cats (mostly). I pay for laundry and drop it off and pick it up. He buys me chocolate and ice-cream. It works out okay. Sometimes we’ll argue about our chores, but since neither one of us wants the other’s chores we always agree in the end.
Well, it’s almost time for another visa run and I’ve got the whole thing planned for Vientiane (Laos) this time. We fly up on the 21st and will return to the island on the morning ferry Christmas Day with double entry tourist visas. The flights were hella cheap at $41 roundtrip. From what I’ve heard, Vientiane is actually supposed to have a certain charm, unlike KL, which everyone agrees is a shit-hole (I really wish people had coughed up that bit of info before we went on our KL run).
I’ll sign off with New Rule! If you’re reading this blog update, you’d better be thinking of a few lines to put in an email and send me! I know that you all think that nothing’s new, that it’s all same, same and NOT different, but believe me, hearing about how and what you’re doing makes me happy.
I’ll write more after I’ve seen a whale-shark.
Love to all. Peace, out!
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