Jerusalem, Thailand

Backpack, check. Map, check. Course set, bike’s being signed, spirit’s high, we’re all set to go. It just one of those moments when you feel everything’s going to be alright, that’s you’re gonna have a good time. Yet she had it planned somewhat differently. There were signs all over, but I choose to look the other way.

It started with the big blackout. I was waiting for my evening fried rice with pineapple & chicken after the long walk with gorgeous Sandra at the local market. No was smiling at me, looking somewhat excited that I finally took the time to come visit her family’s “Na’s Kitchen” small resturant. Prices were unbelieveably cheap, even compared to the local standard. You could eat yourself to death all day for 50 baht, and the smell coupled with the upfront cooking show tempt you to do just that. Suddenly, the lights started to buzz and the resturant went black. Emergency code red, bravo-acho-charlie-tango, and like a well planned military exercise it took’em exactly 10 seconds to have the whole place light up in candles and then go back to cooking just like nothing happened. It was beautiful, the whole city’s electricity went out. No lights inside the resturants or out at the street, no more music or movies. Just plain blackness, with the occasional candles. Suppose you’re arranging this party, and no one knows each other and you want people to get closer then what you should do is just cut the electricity out. It works like magic, black brings people together. Joined up on each candle, laughing about the wierd happening, it was an event to remember. No western knew why this happened… we just had wild guesses.

Next day, it was fuzzy and cloudy as usual. I woke up at mid-day with the intention of getting myself ready to leave here. I walked around town, went to say my farewells to the Momo Shakshoka and was a bit puzzelled when Roey’s Thai wife told me I should take extra clothes for the ride. She followed with a misterious remark saying that I should make sure I get myself a raincoat at the market. I looked at the hot weather outside, did a complete physical check to make sure I was really sweating the 32c degrees, and laughed thinking she was joking. She returned a shy smile and a nod.

So it began. Gradually, then suddenly, it stormed down like you never imagined possible. Rain, strong rain. A reminder from the woman upstairs that what you ever you have planned is worth nothing if she doesn’t approve. I was back home with a freezing 10c+- at night and neverending showers. Guess I’ll be spending some more time at Jerusalem-Pai, Thailand. Na’s kitchen should be open by now…