train rides and chiang mai
stolen from christy’s myspace page, originally posted on feb 22, 2008:
stress as we try to beat the clock in bangkok traffic
lights last forever and ours are all red
we need to be at the station at 7pm
and it’s 6:54pm and counting
worse yet, i have no idea if we are close or far
but time and luck are on our side
big sigh of relief
we have arrived in time!
quick run up to the tourist office
to pick up our tickets
for adventures that lie ahead…
and we’re off
walk through the doorways into the train station
i feel like i’m in harry potter about to head off to hogwart
there’s a whole new world ahead of me
and i’m sure it’s filled with magic
in the train we settle
2 to a seat just to be close
we toast to singha
and sing songs as we enjoy our excitement about everything
a kind thai neighbor gives me a praying mantis model
made out some form of leaves
i return his kindness with macadamia nuts
and though we struggle to talk
still, we communicate with ease
(there is so much to be said in a smile and kind eyes)
our beds are like overhead compartments
and as the night gets later, i sneak off to mine
restful sleep at intervals of 2 hours down, 1 hr up
but i don’t mind
there’s something about lying in silence that i enjoy
around me others are sleeping silently
i wonder what they might be dreaming…
the young boy and his mother are below
and i picture them curled up beside each other
behind the privacy of their blue curtain
what did i dream of as a child?
does he dream the same?
tonight my dreams are vague
but the same each time…
flowers falling
me standing
a figure i cannot make out
but familiar, nonetheless
he comes to me and holds out his hand
and this is when i wake
maybe tomorrow night i will know more
10am we arrive
bright eyed and full of tourist enthusiasm
we take pictures of everything
our new home is a haven
giddyness and bliss travel through my body
and i can’t stop smiling
we take to the streets
and explore the sights of our new temporary home
chiang mai
i don’t think i’ll ever hear the name
and not smile
it’s amazing how quickly
i can fall in love
after a great lunch of green papaya salad
thai coffee and sweet lumpia
we quickly slip into an air conditioned internet booth
to escape the heat
and check in with loved ones
life has never felt so good
and i wish for everyone
to have an experience similar to this
my request…
do it
whatever you’ve been dreaming of
do it.
it will be scary and stressful at times
but it will be worth it
day 3 and already i feel forever changed
Tags: christy
malia
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