Everyone is so blase around here on this island.... no one is concerned about any repercusions from the tsunami..... most people haven't even seen the news since we are somewhat isolated from TV. Either that or they just don't want to think about it. Everyone talks about it, but in a factual way and no one seems to get that emotional. Except me. I've cried like three times. Freaks me out.

We are gearing up for New Years.... although I heard a rumor that the beach party was cancelled due to the fact that the King's grandson was killed in the tsunami. It's a respect thing. The king is very near and dear to their hearts. You can actually get in trouble for stepping on money here (like if it blows out of your hand or something). It's considered defacing a picture of the king. But anyway, I know that SOMETHING will be going on. You can get really big, really cheap fireworks here in Thailand. The really, really, REALLY big booming ones. They are very cool. I am not personally purchasing or setting them off, but have been enjoying seeing the big bangs light up over the water. Should be some good shows tonight.

Do you know that it is the year 2548 here?
Really surprised me when I heard about it, but makes sense since this country is Buddhist and Buddha lived about 543 years before Christ.

A few of us were taking a taxi to Bottle Beach yesterday when we came upon a really bad motorscooter accident. The taxi stopped so we could help because it looked like it had just happened. The guy who had the accident had flown off the bike and gone head first into a concrete slab and there was blood everywhere. He must have been flying down the road (it was a hill) and hit a patch of sand. He was conscious, but in shock. One of the guys I was with (trained lifeguard) did a really good job talking to him, asking him where he was from, giving him water, etc, until the ambulance arrived. I'm glad he did it because I couldn't look at the guy.... it wasn't the fact that he was covered in blood, it was the fact that he was covered in blood and had this very erie distant look in his eyes. Freaked me out and I could only think how crazy stupid it would be to get lucky enough to survive the one of the worst natural disasters in history and then die on a stinkin' scooter. Needless to say, I have not ridden on one nor will I ever (even though they are cheaper to rent than taxis).... Anyway, I'm starting to feel very vulnerable... I'm basically feeling that my life could be snuffed out at any minute. Of course, I've always known I was human.... I just usually have more confidence. I don't like it one bit and think that I'll go have a massage on the beach or a beer and try to forget about the state of the world right now.
Happy freakin' New Year,
Erin