Tea Please

I would think that this culture would be a Green Tea drinking one, but it’s not so.  I can’t believe how difficult it is to find a cup of tea.  Working in the Middle East has turned me into a tea drinker because, for the longest time, instant coffee was the only thing available besides tea; now I don’t particularly care for coffee of any sort…well, depending on how it’s served.  If you want a tea with milk in Australia, you ask for a ‘flat white’.  Since the coffees there are prepared with a cappuccino machine, milk is heated with the steamer but on a low setting, which results in a flat cappuccino (versus fluffy).  I can’t believe, but I actually found a place which serves extremely good coffee in this small section of the city in which I am staying.  It tastes amazing.  I was having difficult conveying my desire for milk; I had to resort to making cow noises while acting as though I was milking myself from imiginary udders.  haha!  After I began doing it, I noted the facial expressions of the people in the shop, and I paniced when I realized that they weren’t sure if I was doing something sexual in nature!  LOL!  One lady finally understood, and they all burst with relieved laughter.

I am pretty excited to go to Australia.  I’ve made a few friends since I’ve been going there.   I am pleased to report that I’ve been on contact with Ken, and he is meeting me at the airport and doesn’t have to work. 

The girl sent me a text message yesterday, and I replied, telling her that I’m to leave today.   She contacted me, and said she wanted to meet me.  I was extremely reluctant of dragging a heavy heart to the other side of town…to what end?  She persisted, and I relented.  She plied me with tears, gifts, and sweet words spoken with a soft voice. 

Her family has been so extremely nice to me.  When I was here the first time, they went so out of their way to take me to different regions and let me experience this culture in a way I never would have if I was taking tourism tours.  I told her I’d like to return to their family compound to say goodbye to them.  I asked if her family knew what happed, and she said her  aunt (who she calls mom) knew and that she was very  upset with her for doing what she did. 

At her family compound, once you leave the main road, you enter through a locked fence.  There are houses on the right, slightly concealed by veggitation.  To the left is a waterway, which runs perpendicular to the drive.  There is a small isolated spot  just before her house, and it’s filled with palms and banana trees; we stopped there, looked around, then we kissed.  It was the first time she kissed a man…a very big thing both to her and in this culture.  WHOA!  Talk about a confusing moment! 

We went into her  house, and her Aunt/mom arrived after a bit.  I told her I was leaving for Australia today, and she was totally  taken back, and asked, "WHY?!"  as she  cast an odd glance at Jimlim.  I didn’t know what to say.  Jimlim said she’d tell her later.  I returned to my hotel where I was called several times by my lady friend.  I felt badly about that, but what am I to do?  I most certainly don’t want to take a chance and sit in a hotel room on Xmas Eve.  A broken heart really sucks; add confusion from a kiss, and…I don’t know…it sucks.  I really wish she had been more considerate of my feelings and the time we planned to spend together.  I’m a bit sad that I’m leaving and won’t get to spend time with her.  I really like her.  I will probably get to see her a couple of times as I pass through over the coming weeks.  If we see each other, I hope she is as she has shown in the past and not how she has been with decisions she has made since my arrival here. 

I really like the temps in this country this time of year.  I normally sweat all day/night long and take numerous showers every day due the heat and humidity.  This is a very nice time to be here.  I’ll have about a total of five more days here as I’m using Bangkok as a hub for these travels so at least I’ll be able to have a bit more time on the ground here.  

My jetlag is finally over, and I have to go through the process again!  haha!  UGH!  Ten hours to Sydney.  I hope I can sleep on the plane…a hope I always have, and a hope which always elludes me.  (I just stepped next door for another cup of coffee.  As I was leaving, an old man bumped into me and knocked me into a sign, which is attached to the front of the store.   I lost my balance and fell forward, completely ripping the sign from the front of the store!  Oops…) 

Am off to pack.  Happy Holidays to everyone.