Last Thoughts on T-Land.

I've returned from my sunny paradise to a world less aesthetic.  Outside my window I can barely make out the view because of the surrounding fog.  Thinking of where I was only a few days ago, I would let out a huge *sigh* except I'm reminded of the call that He's placed on my life, and oddly enough, there's no other place I'd rather be (even if I did drag my feet in coming back here).

Here are some thoughts from my trip:

• Sitting first class is everything that it's pumped up to be.  Due to a flight mishap on the way to T-land, a few of us got bumped up to first class (see below photo).  I remember sitting right behind first class on my flight last Sept, dreaming of a reality that was so close at hand yet so far away.  You can imagine that after experiencing the curtain separated clinking of silverware, a dainty doily to rest my orange juice, hot towels a-plenty, slippers for a cozy ride, and personal attention to my needs, I was a pretty grumpy coach seat passenger on the return journey home. 
• Charm is everything. I love getting what I want, and usually that's not the case here in the motherland.  But in T-land, charm works like magic.  All I had to do was flash a smile and I had the T people in the palm of my hand (well, at least when it came to bargaining).  I think I do well in polite societies.
• Stand up for the national anthem in the movie theater.  Good thing I was told this beforehand otherwise it would have been a case of bu hao yi si.  Apparently the king of T-land gets the utmost respect, and when the national anthem starts playing, all must stand at attention.  And I was in the middle of stuffing a gummi bear in my mouth, too :)
• T-land food portions are small.  Food is cheap, but in small portion.  Is that how these people stay so thin? Luckily for me we mostly had resort/hotel buffets for two weeks.  All you can eat, baby.  And oh, can I list some of my favs?  Banana chocolate roti, mango sticky rice, fried banana, green curry, coconut ice cream...
• I'd rather cross the street here.  In T-land the roads are reversed, and even with the traffic light, I couldn't figure out how to cross the street.  I never thought that I'd say this, but crossing the streets here is almost easier.  While I'm on the subject of streets, I couldn't quite figure out why the sidewalks were so narrow.  I guess it beats seeing spit on the ground everywhere.
• Elephants can draw better than I can.  Just how do you train an elephant to draw?  Beats me.  See elephant drawing below. Who says that an elephant's brain is the size of a peanut?
• Them bee hives were huge.  If you read my previous entry, the below picture should shed light on why I was screaming (I don't just scream willy nilly, you see)...