Back to the Land of the Rich

After receiving our early morning wake up call at 5am, I wake up with the worst migraine ever. Down to not drinking enough water and too much beer, too much sun, I stood up and nearly fall down with dizziness. 'I might die' I whisper to hubby who is quite alarmed at my pale face.

Walking carefully to our car, we say goodbye to our porters and staff that cared for us so well during our stay and give them their tips. It was dark when we set off and sleeping dogs lay all over the road lying on their backs with their legs up in the air. Cars avoided them and drove around them and they didn't move either. I have never seen so many wild dogs roaming the streets. As we got further away from the tourist area, we saw what must have been a pack of about 20 dogs patrolling the streets. This was their territory and their time of day, humans had no place there.

Driving past Tsunami damaged houses; you could see Thai people living in shells of properties. No protection from the elements, families crouched around one another in full view of everyone. Huddled on the floor they slept alongside their dogs, cats and kids for comfort. That was where you could see the real damage from the big wave and you know what? It was heartbreaking. The odd motorbike drove past us with mum, dad and baby on the seat with the usual dog stuffed in the basket. As the sun rose in Phuket, shop keepers gradually opened their shops and more people appeared smiling and waving at our car as it went past. Spotting a tiny brown whippet in the middle of the road, I thought of my dog Rema, straining my neck to get a better look, the little whippet waved at me and shouted 'Give my love to Rema'. (Actually that never happened but it could have done).

Arriving at Phuket airport, we were led through security to have our suitcases x-rayed and our passports stamped and photographs taken once again. 'Promise you will be back?' Our rep asked me as she clutched my hand. It was as though we were the only tourists to grace Phuket. I suppose every tourist counts at this stage don't they? Security guards and Customs officials smiled at us as we went through and waved us off. I shall miss that you know, smiling people.

The flight to Bankok was fine and we bought some duty free there and then boarded our flight to the UK. It was however one of the most uncomfortable flights ever as my ankle was so swollen I thought my skin was going to split. The stewardess moved us to seats with more leg room and brought out bags of blankets to raise my ankle. We met this young guy that had been travelling round Asia for two years and he was so excited at the thought of seeing his mum, he polished off two dinners during the flight. Everyone on the plane seemed so unsettled, it was as though we had all had our lives re-thought and our values re-prioritised. Brown faces, arms and legs, flip flops, evidence of living not in luxury but poverty, insect bites, smell of repellent filled the air but everyone had their own tale to tell. Twelve hours later, the Captain announced; 'Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to land at London Heathrow Airport.

Just as we touched down on British soil, the young guy looked at me with a big grin on his face and a self satisfied nod in my direction. The sun shone on our arrival and we were met with the hustle and bustle of London. 'I hope everything is OK' I whispered to Abdel. You always have visions of your flat falling apart when you're away. 'Everything is the same' Abdel announced as we opened the door. Staring round at everything, yes it was because our friend had left it as we did but some things were not the same and never would be. Abdel and I were not the same; thanks to Thailand and its wonderful people and for that, we are grateful. (You're never too old to change.)

This article is dedicated to Ice at the ladyboy bar in Patong. I hope you find the person you want to be.
The end......