Will that be red or green turkey curry?

Welcome to Bangkok. Sawasdee! (That's Thai for "hiya.")

Getting into Thailand was incredibly easy. The passport line moved quickly; the official didn't even ask for my outward ticket. Customs hardly nodded at me. In the main lounge, I hunted down currency exchange and the airport bus: 100B (about $2.50US) got me to the Victory Monument on the north end of downtown. Perfect.

Claudia gets here late tomorrow night, and we're crashing with her Aussie friend Melissa, or "Mel" for short. Mel lives... somewhere near the Vic Mon, but bugger if I could tell where. I had Mel's address, but no directions. I did have her cell phone number... but it wouldn't dial through. Oh well. When in doubt, ask the locals... one guy pointed me one way, and off I went... a second guy... well, the second guy reminded me of how crap I am at deciphering different accents and English dialects.

"VP Tower?"

"Yes. I know it. 50 baht."

Bloody hell, he wants to charge me, I thought. Did I make a wrong turn and wind up back in Delhi? "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"My mother bought it."

"Sorry... not understanding." His mother bought the building? What? Is this guy having me on, or is he a loony?

"Mo-tor-bike."

Oh. Duh. "No, no, walking."

He nodded, realized I was a verbal dunce, and resorted to mime. He pointed here and pointed there, and even drew a line map on his hand (which I copied into my notebook).

"Thanks." He nodded, and waved. Phew, no charge after all.

After the first turn he pointed out, I asked one more person. She verified what he had said, and even followed me down the street another half a block to make sure I was all right. 5 minutes later, I was in the lobby of Mel's building, headed to the lift.

---

"Happy Thanksgiving!" (I so wish I could render an Aussie accent saying that phonetically, but I just can't.)

In an email to Claudia, Mel had asked if we were coming to Bangkok before or after Thanksgiving. Yes, you read that right: the Aussie girl was checking to see if the Yank oddballs would be in Thailand in time for an American holiday feast. I didn't get it either, until after introductions in Mel's flat.

"Did you have plans this evening Ant?"

"Erm, no."

"I have loads of American friends here, and we're getting together this evening for Thanksgiving dinner. Now, I didn't know if you had plans, so I ordered you a meal for it. You can cancel it if you want though."

"No, that's awesome. Thanks!"

So here I am, halfway around the world, away from my American family and friends, and about to eat a Thanksgiving feast. Festivities kick off... in about an hour and a half. Given that there are Aussies and a swimming pool involved, I'm guessing this particular feast will be rather unique. At least, never in Virginia did Thanksgiving dinner involve a bathing suit-and-alcohol course, but I plan on trying to introduce the idea next year. "Next course, synchronized underwater turkey carving... down your pints first though Dad, we can't make it too easy for ya!"

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.