A First Date

What can I say?  It was a first date.  All the usual boring questions.  I went with a girl I met through my penpal ad.  She was quite lovely, spoke excellent English, but was a complete bore. 

I must say that I wasn’t overly excited about the meeting because I’ve been carrying on with phone conversations with Jimlim…I’m such a fool sometimes.  While I was on my way, I called her once I got in the cab as she requested.  I was to meet her near her place of work, which was on the other side of town.  When I called, she asked, "Where are you now?"  HUH?!  Hell if I know!  haha   I responded, "I’m in Bangkok."  She asked where, and I replied, "I’m a foreigner!"  She laughed and told me to pass the phone to the driver, which I did.  She told him where to drop me and, before I knew it, I was dumped on an isolated street someplace in the city.  After ten minutes, I thought perhaps someone was playing a joke on me.   She finally called.  I said, "I sure hope you know where I am because I have no idea!"  <More first date giggles from her>  She showed up a couple of minutes later, and I was imperssed that the photos she has at the site were spot on. 

We went for dinner at a river restaurant…not the wisest idea for her to make…but then again, she couldn’t possibly had any idea how much mosquitos enjoy sucking on my very sweet blood.  I asked the waitress for and received repellent.  I doused myself and raised my eyes and met hers; her nose was squinched up at the repulsive odor of the skeeter spray.  Who knew?!  haha

Conversation was boring, the bugs were many, and I was tired.  When I’m tired, my lips have the habit of parting and allowing my brain to discharge whatever it wills.  The conversation turned to pets…

Her:  Do you like pets?

Me:  Of course.

Her:  What kind?

Me:  <Thinking…don’t like fish…too much trouble to clean the tank.  Don’t like snakes…too slippery.>  I went for the easy answer:  I like anything with fur."  haha!!!

Her:  Do you hunt?

Me:  Only humans.

<LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AS THE CONVERSATION SUDDENLY CAME TO A STAND STILL!>

Me:  I’m joking.

Her:  I certainly hope so!

Me:  CHECK, PLEASE! 

One for the books…

I always knew that we ’round eyes’ are charged more for street sales in Thailand.  I had NO idea we are also charged more for hotels and flights.  While I was making my bookings yesterday, I was able to glance at the always closely guarded travel agents’ bible.  I noted two prices:  Asian, European, and American.  I asked her if I’m actually charged more because I’m an American.  She nervously said that I am.  I gave her my opinion about that and how Americans always welcome tourists from any other country and NEVER charge them more.  She had no response…undoubtably because she was then actively engaged in a deceiptful game of robbery.  When she called a travel agent in Vietnam, I distinctly heard the word, "american."  I said, "HERE WE GO AGAIN!"  hehe  I had already researched loads of places to stay and told her I’d locate rooms when I arrive there.  The nerve!

I’m off for Cambodia in the morning.  I’ll spend four days in Phenon Phen, then I’m off to Vietnam.  Will be spending three days in Ho Chi Menh City, five in Saigon and the surrounding countryside (which looks quite lovely), and three days in Hanoi. I am most excited for Saigon.  There Cong tunnel networks there and loads of military things to see.  Will keep posted…

Jimlim arrived back in BKk today and of course I was weak and accepted her invitation to visit her.  Curse St. Valentino…at least I got a kiss on this famed holiday!  But oh yeah…we’re ‘just friends’.  ha!