JOKERS ARE WILD

The not so long ago…. Where political correctness and over regulation is still far, far away…….

The train has barely cleared the marshaling yards of Bangkok’s main station of Halamphong, before I’m confronted with yet another first, in a growing list of many. That started only four nights ago, over at my eldest brothers house, back in Werribbe, which is a suburb on the western edge of Melbourne. I’ve just lit another smoke, and am sitting in the trains ‘bar car’, and for the first time in my life, I’m looking at real poverty, with my own eyes. There is a whole community living right beside the railway line, in a shanty town, made out of what ever keeps the elements out. As the train slowly makes its way past, theirs not only houses, but it seems like a school, as theirs a dozen or so kids seated in front of an adult. One ‘shed’ has pigs carcasses hanging on hooks in it, with right next door, is what looks like a hairdressers. It’s not just the sights that are different, but the smell, that especially hit me once I went through the doors at Bangkoks Don Mueang international airport, and here was me, thinking that Werribbe could be on the nose sometimes.

Looking at a Thai family sitting out the front of their home, that don’t even bat an eyelid, to the train slowly going past, I think of where I was last Friday night. At another ‘Taylor’ family get together, with this one being held, as the AFL team that we all support, playing for a spot in next weeks Grand Final. Where I also found myself sitting in between, my uncle Bazz who’s my Mothers brother, who has a striking resemblance, to the Barry Humphries character, Sir Les Paterson. Especially the dribbling, and spitting when he talks excitedly. Also I strongly suspect, the person sitting on my other side, didn’t believe in deodorant. Or have any idea about social etiquette, as I’d told him three times already, I’m not interested in his stupid ride on lawn mower. He’s a friend of a friend, who was told that someone’s sister was single and worth checking out. With no doubt my biggest asset’s, being my perfect set of boobs, would’ve been mentioned. He’s been trying to chat me up, and draw me into conversation ever since he came over and sat next to me, as soon as the seat become available. After 30 minutes he still didn’t get the hint, and I’ve already told him 3 times, that I’m trying to watch the game, but he keeps craping on about his lawn mower.

I’m momentarily taken from my gazing out the window as a Thai staff member, has placed a menu in front of me. Along with a Thai smile, which asks ‘’ would you like something to eat or drink madam?’’. My brother had reminded me about a priceless little bit of travel advice ‘’ Watch what you eat before going on a trip, especially a bus or the train, last thing you want is the runs’’. Even as a child, every one feared the dreaded ‘runs’. Which in Australia, means running to the toilet, before you have diarrhea, running down your leg. So observing the ‘’No food, no runs rule’’ I go straight to the drinks section, even if the kitchen did smell good, and ask for a Bourbon. ’’No have’’ was his reply, ’’Scotch?’’. ’’No’’. ’’Uumm ok then, uumm how about aaaa, Kahlua and milk?’’. ‘’ No ka’oowa’’. As a last resort, and not seeing a fridge, I ask ‘’ You have cold beer?’’. ‘’No. Only Chang beer’’. I start to get the giggles, ’’ Yes but is Chang beer cold?’’. The female staff member who’s was already sitting at the table opposite me, stops eating rice for a second and understood what I was after ’’ Aahh same same him ’’. She says and points to a bloke, who already has some empties in front of him, who had turned around and was trying to get the attention of the waiter, for probably another. He sees her look at him, smiles and sticks a finger in the air, that brings a smile to her face, as she looks back at him and does the same gesture. Saying something in Thai to the waiter, who goes to the big orange plastic bin. Opens the lid, and pulls out two cans of beer. He puts one in front of me, and goes and takes the other to the empty can man.

So a can of beer it is, much to the horror of my mother, if she had of seen me.’’ Samantha you shouldn’t be drinking beer in public’’,’’ Samantha its un lady like to drink out of cans’’, ‘’Samantha, pour it into a glass’’ I need a puff on my smoke to calm my nerves just imagining what she’d say. So with my ‘’Chang beer’’ which means elephant in Thai, and a smoke, I take my first sip of another countries beer. Well the nicest thing I can say about the beer, is that it’s cold, coz it tastes like elephants piss. Like my sense of humor, I had to develop a taste for beer, just to stop my brothers and their friends from teasing me, so by the time my 21st Birthday came around, if I only drank beer and left the spirits alone, I could drink most blokes my age, under the table. It may not be the most proudest achievement, for a supposive coming of age young woman to be able to put on her personal resume, but it could be worse. Just drinking this awful beer, and smelling it, again reminds me of the events that lead me to be in the middle of Bangkok.

The game was so close, that all we needed was a goal to ty the score, to at least force extra time. The miracle goal came so close to happening, but close enough isn’t always good enough, and the siren sounded. So it wasn’t just the swearing, the spit and dribble, but I also copped about a third of a can spilt over me, by a very upset uncle. Since I was on the edge of my seat, I had slumped back into it with the siren, which must have been a signal for the other idiot, to commence talking shit to me. Who had started to tell me about his dart board, that made me slowly turn my head, and quietly say ‘’ Mate, shut the fuck up!’’. Who finally stopped talking and, with a dumb look on his stupid face, let out a goofy laugh. After the result, I didn’t feel like being around anyone, so had grabbed my half drunk glass of bourbon, my smokes, lighter and got up off the couch and finally away from those two, then made my way past half a dozen or so people standing around the doorway, and out the back for a smoke.

Once out in the entertaining area, which is a wooden decking, about a foot off the ground that’s completely covered by its own roof. That like so many Australian back yards has the BBQ, next to a bench, and a beer fridge within the immediate vicinity. Its set up so maybe 20 people can comfortably sit out here and enjoy the regular get togethers, that usually center around the footy during winter, or the cricket in the summer, and the occasions that don’t warrant an excuse. My sister in law, is sitting at a table talking to another woman, that as I walk past, gently gives my arm a squeeze, I return the gesture by giving her shoulder a quick grab as I go past them and step off the decking, and sit my bum down on the wood. Then get a smoke out and light up. I take a deep drag and slowly let it out, and start staring at the trees that line there back yard. Feeling very miserable.

I take another drag and finish what’s rest of the bourbon, that normally would’ve sent me going back to the kitchen for a refill. I suppose having the shed, right in front of me, that takes up half of the back yard, I can’t help but think of what’s parked in there. Even with its double front door shut, and its side door closed, I know all too well, what’s in there, my baby, my then pride and joy. My beloved trail bike. Just thinking of it, brings over three years of happy memories, with about two of them, on that bike. It also comes with the heart break of an unexpected bust up. After 4 years of a steady relationship, when we should’ve been talking about taking the next step, like my other girlfriends were doing. He instead told me, he wasn’t happy with the situation he was in, and wanted out. I couldn’t believe it, it was so out of nowhere. Here’s me thinking things are cruising along steadily, in a nice direction and wham-o. I found out later he had since started to see someone else. She worked as an operator at one of those dial-a –dirty story phone call places, and they were right into the ‘swingers’ scene now. Where the couple’s throw their car keys in the hat, and someone’s wife pulls out a key and they swap. If I had’ve known he wanted to try other things, I would’ve been open to suggestions, as I reckon I could write some pretty good scripts for them to read off.

He had only brought this type of thing up with me once. A week or so before we broke up, he had asked, if I’d be keen to try a threesome with another woman, I didn’t say yes or no. Seeing as I’d never been in the situation before, i told him ‘’Give me a few days to think about it’’. For the next few days, I tossed it over and was keen on the idea, depending on who the other woman was going to be. I even went out and brought a new sexy black bra, with matching knickers and suspender belt. But before I could speak to him about it, he had made his own mind up, and pulled the plug on our relationship. So much for my big surprise I had install for him, about my decision. Which would have been, if I had’ve liked the other woman, and thought that there would be little chance of any one else finding out, that I’d be up for it. Thinking of it made me feel worse, as I wasn’t interested in joining in on the conversations about the game, and how we’ll be there next year.

The staff member finishes her dinner, and after staring at my boobs, asks me’’ You come Thailand, so Dr make plastic big milk?’’, then sits there waiting for my answer, as if she’s just asked me for the time. ‘’ No my mum make, from special recipe’’. I have a smile on my face, though the look on hers is one of confusion. Never the less, she smiles and takes her plate up to the bar, and goes about her duties. After I finish the can, I can no longer taste that its rough, as it’s starting to just taste like beer to me. So I ask for another and lite a smoke. We must be on the edge of the city now as theirs not as many tall buildings, though there’s lots of construction going on, not just more buildings, also raised highways and various other earth works. The sun is bright orange, the lower it gets to the horizon. The sky is a light blue, but closer to the ground that I look it starts to go a purple color. Maybe its haze, or pollution from the burning off in Indonesia, that’s been on the news lately, with whatever the reasons, I’m being treated to my first real Asian tropical sunset. In the fields I can see some sort of tropical trees, though there not palm trees but they look tropical to me, and seeing them gets me excited again, about where I am, and more importantly where I’m going. Five days ago, Thailand, or even Asia for that matter, we’re the furthest things on my mind.

My niece and nephew had come giggling up to me, and with so many people around, had been very excited all day. Now they stand in front of their favorite auntie, with a grinning niece telling me,’’ He has something to tell you’’. She’s only a little older than my nephew, who’s hardly able to hold back his laughter, when he leans over to my ear, as if to whisper me something. Once at my ear, he can’t contain his laughter anymore, and cracks up, so instead of words, I receive more spit and dribble, before running off, killing himself laughing. The little girl, tells on him straight away, ’’Uncle elder Bro, told him to go to Auntie Sammy and whisper to her, fart’’. I manage a smile for her, and say ‘’Thank you honey, you tell uncle elder Bro, that he’s in trouble with Auntie Sammy ’’. She giggles and runs off as well.

My eldest Brother sat down next to me, and gives me a brothers shoulder bump with his own, and says ‘’The offer of the free ticket for next week still stands’’. He knows I’m going through a downer with everything, and had generously offered to buy me a ticket to the Grand Final, if we got in to it. I took another swig of Bourb, and a long pull of the smoke, still just staring at the shed, contemplating what could’ve been, then slowly let it out and look at him. He gives a Brothers smile, as I tell him ‘’I don’t think I really want to go if two interstate teams are playing’’. ‘’ It’ll be fun, well get pissed and have a laugh, so let me know by Wednesday’’, passing me a small bag of dope and some papers, ‘’Why don’t you knock one up?, I’ll be back out in 10 minutes’’.

I go about my business of rolling up, happy for a bit of piece as others have come out for a smoke, since they have a no smoking in the house rule. Though with what I’m rolling well have to go into his shed, since the kids are around, plus our parents still don’t like us KIDS smoking weed in front of them, no matter where we are together.

The eldest comes back out, and we head out to the shed, where once inside I immediately spy the outline of a bike with a sheet over it. Tucked neatly out the way, it’s been over here ever since I broke up from my X. My eldest bro rode it over here, and has looked after it for me, making sure it’s been ridden around the block every couple of weeks, to keep it in good order. I haven’t been in here in a while but it’s a typical guys shed. A work bench, crammed full of god only knows what’s, which is far neater than my other bothers shed, although, they both have car, bike and naked woman posters covering the walls. We both have a couple of puffs each, during which I’ve let him know that I’m not happy, that I’ve had to endure sitting not only next to Bazz, but also next to some lawn mower loving fruit-cake. The look on his face, is not making me feel better, but he seems to be taking great delight when I tell him about having beer spilt on me, spit in my hair and shit dribbled in my ear. Though he puts on a serious face, with his arm going over my shoulders, and starts to tell me ‘’ Sammy, we reckon you need a change, so how about……’’. As his wife calls out to him, so like he and my other brother have done all my life, goes to kiss me on the forehead, but instead, makes a fart sound. Then stands up, telling me,’’ Don’t smoke it all, I’ll be back’’, with the last part in his best terminator voice, as he heads out of the shed, and goes back to the house. He’s a couple years older than my other brother, and since he’s children came along he’s quietened down a lot. Although he still has the ‘Taylor’ sense of humor, which my mother says, ’I have no idea where the three of you get it from. It’s not from my side of the family, and hardly from your fathers’.

I get some of his priceless crap, that was on the old lounge he has out here, and put it somewhere out the way and make myself comfortable. Finally being able to sit, somewhere peaceful and enjoy the effects of what’s going in my mouth. I’m staring straight ahead, and start focusing on what my eyes are looking at, instead of thinking of my bike and everything that goes with it. I find myself looking at one of the girls on the wall, who reminds me of Joan Jett. Ever since I saw her’’ í love rock n roll’’ clip as a girl, I thought her to be so cool, she definitely had the walk.

My girlfriends called me Squeezy, because of my surname being ‘Taylor’. So they named me Squeezy Taylor, after the 1920’s Melbourne gangster Squizzy Taylor. The Squeezy came about because so many guys would, ’Get a hand full’ whenever they could give my boobs a squeeze, especially in crowded areas, where I couldn’t tell who had just done it. It hurt like bloody hell sometimes, so if I saw who done it id slap them in the head a few times as hard as I could. I once hit a guy with my fist I was so pissed off, but it hurt me as much as him as my hand swelled up, and I could hardly move my fingers for days, so I would slap them after that incident.

I have another swig of bourbon, and a toke on the joint. Just looking around the room, all the girls are prettier than me, though I suppose there professional models, so they should be. I’m certainly no ‘Miss Australia’ but I’ve never had trouble getting guys, I’ve certainly never had to be a slut to get one. After checking out there racks, I still rate my boobs better than any of the girls in the posters. With naturally brown wavy hair, and at almost 6 foot 1, I’m taller than most other girls, and being big boned, I watch what I eat, and try to exercise regularly. My mom always told me, when I was growing up ‘’ A girl needs curves, just as a boy needs ripples’’, so with my long legs, I get away with a good looking curvy figure. Again I take after my brothers and father, the three of them are well over 6 foot, and big guys, with dark hair and an olive complexion, almost Mediterranean even. Although were still not sure, whereabouts exactly Dads side of the family came from. Though what we do know is, that his great, great, great Grandfather came out during the gold rush days of the mid eighteen hundreds, and we think he adopted the name Taylor, or simply just made it up. Where my Mother’s side came out on the second fleet, and her and my younger sister both have fair complexions, and light hair. With my sister’s hair being permanently blonde since she was 15, which is about the same time as she lost her sense of humor, and has been obsessed with looking at herself in the mirror. My brothers had pretty much moved out, buy the time she started to want the attention of boys. So she had missed out on what I grew up with, that being my brothers and their mates hanging out around the backyard shed, working on their bikes, then their cars, listening to Ac-Dc, Rose Tattoo, Cold Chisel and whatever else they could find that was loud, along with smoking dope and drinking booze. Not to mention getting as much attention as a 16 year old girl could handle from guys 5-6 years older than her. The dope, boozing and boys used to be a big attraction for my girlfriend’s. Especially on a Friday and Saturday afternoon with the added bonus, that we could weasel our way into one of their parties that they would go to. As long as we promised not to act like fickle 16 year old girls, which could be quite difficult sometimes. I have another toke, and look at the Joan Jett girl again. Maybe because I’m feeling so shit, I keep thinking about the break up?. Wondering to myself that if he had of known that I liked the idea, providing that I liked the other woman, that I was going to say yes to his proposal, then maybe he wouldn’t have wanted to end things?. I’ve never told any of my friends or family about his proposal. Only a lady that I went to see for counseling, who’s advice was to take one day at a time, and that new paths can open up when we’re not trying to find them, coz were to focused on what we think we’re looking for and that can sometimes be to distant. My problem has been I don’t know where to move on to?. Having my very own Honda XR400 L trail bike sitting in the shed didn’t help matters, as I had brought it new, and it was my baby. I had never brought a brand new car, just the bike, and I was so proud of it, that I use to dread going through mud, as it would take me so much longer to clean. My X had got me in to trail riding, and between him and my brothers teaching me how to ride I soon picked it up. Luckily I never had a bad accident, even after coming off a few times but nothing major. Though they also taught me how to wheel stand, much to my mother’s horror. It was one of the things that got me through the working week was knowing I’ll be getting out of Melbourne riding, especially if it was somewhere I hadn’t been before. I saw so much of southern Victoria, which I never knew existed. If it was too late in the day to drive back home, we’d stay at a bed n breakfast or a country pub. Now it sits there as a reminder to me, of where, I am with my life. Sitting in my brothers shed, surrounded by old cars, motor bikes, bits and pieces of both and even an old kitchen sink in the corner, that’s filled with who knows what’s. I’m 26, found myself single, with all my close girlfriends, either being married or have children and are contemplating divorce. With the thought of having to go out and get involved with the single scene, and after what I had to endure just sitting inside before, it’s something that does not cheer me up at all. I definitely needed a change, but I don’t know what.

Looking at the setting sun, the jolting of the train, with its clickity clacking, the new Asian smells and playing with the ‘zippo’ lighter I had brought yesterday from a vendor in Koa san road. I look again at what’s written on it’’ who dares wins’’, I have no idea what the significance of the dagger is, but the words, I can relate to. I thought that I was pretty daring coming over on the whim, and as for winning, well that’s yet to be seen. Though my parents all ways taught us kids, ‘if you don’t try you’ve lost already’. Yeah, I’m really here, I’m really doing it. After all that’s gone on. I’m on my way. I don’t even know where I’m really heading, but any where’s better than the storm I was in. Fuck Depression. Give me smelly Asia, and cheap booze in any day.

Its moments like these, that outside influences, inadvertently change the direction, of a person’s life. Sitting in the shed, staring at the poster of the Joan Jett look a like, I’m brought back to reality, with the sounds of both my brothers entering. I look at the joint, and think shit, it’s over half gone, as I’ve been in my own little world and haven’t noticed. When they get closer I hold the joint out to them and quickly add ‘Where’s your stuff I’ll knock another up?’’. The eldest takes it and has a puff, while sitting down next to me, as the other sits on the work bench.

‘’ What are you going to do with yourself Sammy? ‘’ ,the younger of the two asks, as the eldest pulls a small bag of ‘green’ out and hands it to me. ‘’ I don’t mind you staying over at my place, as I told you, there’s no time limit on these type of things, it’s just…’’ The elder breaks in, and puts his hand on my shoulder ‘’ We all hate seeing you like this. Why don’t you go on a bit of a holiday for a while?. You know, get out of Melbourne’’. He nods in the direction of my bike ‘’ I know at least two deferent people who would buy that. They know the history of it and that it’s in as new condition ‘’. ‘’ Not to mention it was owned by a girl, so they now it wasn’t thrashed’’. The younger one chips in and emphasized the word girl to stir me up, so I give him a silly look. ‘’ You’ll get top dollar for it’’, eldest tells me. ‘’I don’t know, I haven’t given it any thought’’. The last holiday I had was up in Queensland, almost two years ago with my X. ‘’I don’t fancy going back to Queensland, not yet anyway’’. ‘’ Sammy you need to forget about Australia for a while, and everything that’s here. We reckon you need somewhere different, so go some where different’’. The younger, having had a toke, and now holds the joint out in front of me says, ‘’Remember those pictures of the beaches in Thailand that I showed you? Why don’t you start there?’’. He had been over there only months ago, with a few mates and they had, had a blast. He’d shown me the pictures of Thailand’s white beaches, with the palm trees running along the length of them. Just the thought of them alone got my immediate attention.

The train has built up to speed, once it had cleared the confines of Bangkok, with the railway crossings ‘’Ding dongs’’ only just heard, before there gone. It seems that were out the middle of nowhere, and then they’ll be some big multi storied building all on its own. The architect must have been tripping to come up with some of the designs, as they certainly don’t fit into any images of Asia, that I had before coming here. Which was of everyone wearing pointy hats and talking about ‘flied lice’. I’m glad were out here, to witness the sunset, and are looking forward to seeing more. Though hopefully, with a nice bottle of Bourb, or maybe a good drop of red wine if I can find some.

What I’d give to have a joint in my mouth.

I had headed back toward the verandah, with different thoughts running through my mind, rather than dwelling on what’s put me into this situation, for the first time in a long time. That since the end of the game I hadn’t even noticed Bazza’s laugh, which is getting louder as per usual. The only way I can put it into words is when a person sneezers they go aaaagghhh-chew. With Uncle Bazza’s laugh it’s the aaaggghhh but there’s no chew, he usually does 4 of them in a row, with each one getting a little quieter than the one before, so its aaaaaggggghhhhh aaaagggghhhh aaaggghhh aagghh, ever since we were all little it has amused us kids. Now, as in my case, after 26 years of it, the amusement value has well and truly worn off.

My Mom and Sister in-law are still in the kitchen, with me now at the bench starting to put another Bourb together. ‘’I’m making a drink ether of you two want a refill?’’. ‘’No we’re fine thank you darl.’’ She says while still drying a serving plate. I finish making my drink, and go and lean against the sink next to her. I’ m looking at the kitchen fridge, which is on the other side of the kitchen, directly in front of me. Like most households, with young children in them. It has the compulsory school drawings and paintings covering its door, held on by magnets. The magnets are usually the ones you get in the letter box, from some bizarre local business. Like one of the one’s that’s on their, ‘’ Ernie’s window cleaning ‘’. It’s in the shape of a man dressed in a striped prison uniform, with a cloth in one hand, with his other hand up against the window stopping the reflection, so he can see inside easier. Where theirs the silhouette, of a large busted woman, in the shower. I look at the two pictures I was shown earlier in the day, the latest additions. It’s never a difficult task to work out who has done what. My niece loves everything to do with horses, and she’s done a horse with something sticking out of its head. With a bit of translation from her mother, she’s done a nice drawing of a unicorn. She also explained to me, that the little one watched a children’s animated fantasy two days ago, about a princess and her magical horse, which explains the picture. The other one is of a car, with stripes down the side of it, the same as his Dads, GT Falcon. In the back window of the car there is a small circle, with some squiggle’s in it, that I’m told is my nephew with a sad face. In the front window there is another sad faced person, this circle and squiggle’s are larger, it’s my eldest brother. Standing In front of the car, is a stick figure woman, who’s wearing a skirt, a cap and holding a gun(was his interpretation of a radar gun) She also has large boobs, as he had told his mother, she ‘’Was the same as Auntie Sammy’’. Sis in-law told me that bro had been caught speeding again.

I waited till my sis in-law had left, before speaking to Mum, ‘’ I’ve been speaking with the boys’’. She shoots me a glance, and continues to methodically clean and put things away, if it were her kitchen. ‘’You know I don’t like it, when you smoke that marijuana stuff’’. I’m feeling nicely stoned and mellow, and don’t want to get into another pointless argument, not to mention I’ve been on the Bourbs for almost 5 hours. ’’They reckon I should take off for a while. You know, get out of Melbourne for a bit’’. She finally stops needlessly cleaning, and takes a swig of her red wine. She’s looking in the direction of her brother, who’s still trading spit and bullshit with ‘Dennis’. Then slowly closes her eyes, and turns to me, before opening them and telling me, ‘’You definitely need a change of scenery’’. Puts the traditional wine glass to her mouth and has another swig. Then asks very calmly ‘’Do you have any plans on where you want to go?’’ and takes another swig. ‘’I don’t have any plans as yet, but the boys reckon I should try Asia’’. It was the first time I ever saw my mother, almost bring up a mouthful of red. She quickly turned to the sink, with her hand covering her mouth, coughing and spluttering. Then turns to see that no one else had noticed, and then checks herself out, to see that no red wine has found its way on to her. Luckily she’s wearing a top that, the wine has gone onto the red part of and not the white part, with Murphy’s law there’s no way red wine would spill onto a black bit of clothing. Normally it’s my Father, that ends up with half his dinner down the front of his chest, with both my brothers sharing the same trait.

Once she’s satisfied, that no wine can be seen, she turns and looks at me. In a low but deliberate voice so it’s only for my ears ‘’Samantha, they have severe drug laws over there’’. She’s the only person who still calls me by my name, and with my eyes so glazed over, she had reason for a parents concern. ‘’Yeah. I’ve read about them, and heard lots of tales on the subject’’. Then try to reassure her ‘’I do like the idea of sitting under a palm tree, drinking bourbon for a$1’’. She did agree on that ‘’ Yes I can see that would attract you. Though don’t get me wrong darling, I don’t think it’s beyond you’’. She takes a more careful swig of red and continues ’’I couldn’t think of anything better, than for you to get away for a while. Both of us, your Father and I, have discussed this before. Though we didn’t want to bring it up with you, because we thought it better for you to decide for yourself, when you were ready’’. She starts getting my hair out from off my face, and fiddling with it, like she always has done with these little talks. ‘’ We both didn’t want for you to feel, that we were pushing you in any way. We know you Samantha, we knew that sooner or later, you’d start walking your own path again. Just like you’ve always, done. No matter where you decide to go, well support you 100%, if you decide Asia, is the place for you, so be it ’’She gives me a hug, and adds ’’Promise me one thing’’. Here we go I’m thinking, ‘’Yes’’ ‘’Your in a different country, so be mindful of their laws’’. We stop hugging, but she keeps one hand on each of my shoulders, and is looking straight in my eyes. ’’ Please just promise me that’’. ‘’Alright Mom I promise’’ I then added ’’ I’m more interested in finding that dream tropical beach, with a bar under a palm tree. That’s why I’m going there’’. Being a mother she just couldn’t help herself, and added ’’Don’t forget they’ll probably have some type of drink driving laws’’. ‘’ Yes I know mom, I’ll be careful’’. ‘’And watch your drinks, they could spike them’’. ‘’ Yes I get the picture’’. ‘’They drug girls like you, they sell them or get their body parts’’, I had just about heard enough. ‘’For Christ sake Mom, where did you hear that?’’. I started to laugh at that one, so added ‘’ Someone’s going to drug me, cut my boobs off, and sell them on e-bay?’’. ’’I don’t mean those parts Samantha.’’ She knew I was making fun of her and looked at me accordingly. I smile at her, thinking that the more I think of those beaches, and what I’m looking, and hearing here. I tell her ’’The more I think about it, the more I want to go’’. After yet another raucous outburst of ‘Bazza’ laughter, we both turn and look in the direction of uncle Bazz, and his new best friend, Dennis. ’’Sooner, I leave the better’’.

Ten minutes later, I’m sitting next to my sister in-law, as she’s driving me back to my other brothers house where I’ve been staying, so I can get my passport, to book the next possible flight out of there. Once back at the eldest’s house, my sis n law gets online on the family computer, which is in their spare room, the one I sleep in when I stay over.

I head to the computer where my Sis-in-law is seated, who simply asks.’’ So, how soon you want out’’. Eldest had rang his mate, who was still keen for the bike, and would have the agreed amount in my account first thing tomorrow morning. That gave me tomorrow to pack, which was Saturday. I could look up getting around and places to stay on Sunday, so. ’’What about Monday’’ She has a look and replies, flight ABC 123, Thai airways, leaves Melbourne Tullamarine 0900 arrives Bangkok Thailand , she pokes me in the leg when she says Thailand and grins,1730 Bangkok, Don Muang, international airport. ’’ Sounds perfect’’ I say, getting excited, and handing her my credit card, that she refuses. She has a genuine smile on her face when she tells me, ‘’ This is a little present from the two of us’’, then presses the ‘accept’ button, and a few seconds latter the flight details came out on the photo copier. I had a ticket to Thailand.

I’d never been over seas before, so the flight was a mixture of apprehension from the unknown to excited at the prospect at what lay ahead. After taking out my Walkman, head phones, ’ loony planet’, and the new book that my father had given me ‘Brother fish’ by Bryce Courtney. Which between them I hoped they would help make the flight seem shorter. I started to go through the inflight magazine. There wasn’t anything in Bangkok that interested me, except for the shopping, and I was told and agreed, to save that till last, so I’m not carrying it around. Looking at the map of South East Asia. Laos was land locked, and not being much of a river person, it didn’t have much appeal to me. I had heard one of my brothers friends, talk about Vietnam, who had been there a couple of times before, and didn’t bother with Thailand anymore. He just flew straight to, Ho Chi Min city. I told him, I didn’t know where that was, and he smiled and said it used to be called, Saigon. That I had heard of. I knew all too well, that Australians had gone to a war there in the 60’s, but nothing else. The subject of the war in Vietnam was one we didn’t talk about at home. He told me they like Australians, and we’re a friendly bunch of people. Also, more importantly for me theirs nice beaches all along the coast. I had seen the T.V series ’China Beach ‘about the nurses there during the war, and thought it would be cool to go to that same beach to drink and chill out. Looking at the magazines map. To get to Vietnam, from Thailand, I’d have to ether fly, or go through Cambodia. All I knew about that country was a song called’’ Holliday in Cambodia’’ and they had ’Killing field’s which I didn’t understand or know anything about, as it was also supposed to be were dirty old men went to get under age prostitutes. Elsewhere in the magazine, there was a section of the old temples that were in the north of the country, and apart from that, there was one beach side town. However, the magazine did say ’’Even for those with no interest in history, the temples of Angkor Watt are a must see destination. That rivals the Great Pyramids of Egypt, India’s ‘Taj Mahal’ and the Mayan structures of central America’’. . Wow. The thought of actually going to the temple where Angelina Jolie shot the movie ‘Tomb Raider’, got me excited. Gold queen was still asleep, so no one could see the smile that was on my face, I was having little adrenaline rushers, over the fact that I was really doing this. I was going to be seeing these beaches for myself, I could stay as long as I wanted, with no one to tell me to hurry up, or let’s get going now, it was up to me. If I wanted to go see the ’Tomb Raider ’temple I will. If I want to hang out, at ’China Beach ’I will. I’m starting feel alive again, and was liking it.

The two seats next to me were taken, by a pretty young Asian woman, who had dozens of gold bracelets on each of her wrists. Gold rings on her fingers, some of them doubled up, three to a finger, on one of them, more anklets of gold, around her ankles. AT least, from what I could spy when I would take a peek at her, five different gold necklaces, and massive ‘gypsy’ type ear rings, and her sunglasses would’ve made Elton john jealous. Yet with all this fancy gear on, she had on her feet, a pair of cheap looking kids sandals. With each having a ‘Tom and Jerry ’ mouses head on them, that look more suited to something my niece would wear. He just looked like your typical middle aged Aussie bloke, jeans and a collared top. With a dumb, dopey look on his face. This trip, is going to be such an eye opener, for me.

Lighting up another smoke, with my view about to disappear, there’s fields with trees in them, which are definitely some sort of palm tree. Ponds, even more canals and in the distance the sun is just about to touch the horizon. A country road runs parallel with the train line, that every now and then, along it, there’s some type of house. One house might be made out of bricks, with a large wall around it, while next doors is made out of bits and pieces and looks like one of the shacks that were along the railway line back in Bangkok. Though out here there’s a buffalo standing in a mud puddle out the side of it. With the sun below the horizon, the sky has gone purple, with an orange glow just above where the sunset. The lights from the train, only barley illuminate the side of the track, so much so that I can only make out houses and structures if they have lights on now. Most of what I’m seeing out the window is black, with the only color just in the sky, so the outlines of the trees in the foreground, which look black to me, only help to richen the color of what’s remaining after the sunset. The breeze that’s coming in through the window is warm, and I let my hair down, to feel more part of the moment, as It would have been nice, to have had someone special here with me, to share this with. So a few swigs of elephant urine, and some puffs on the cheap smokes will have to do.

Looking out the window, into the blackness, I think of someone who I would’ve loved to have had with me to see this. Where I had worked, when I worked, was doing administration. Answering phone calls ( a quarter of them would’ve been my brothers and their mates, or guys who worked in the building giving me prank calls) sorting what letters went to what room, typing, checking invoices, and the like. I worked behind a big desk with another girl, and we got along like a house on fire. Worky was attractive and had a very outgoing, center of attention personality, needless to say she was fun to have Friday knock off drinks with. We’d go to one of the nearby bars for a few drinks, once wed stop work. When we entered, guys were like seagulls, hanging around trying to chat her up. If she was busy talking to a guy, usually his friend or friends would come up and start talking to me. It was alright for her, she rarely had the same guy for more than a couple of weeks. I was in a steady relationship, and enjoying it, at least at the time, so I had to behave. Most Mondays, she’d come to work and tell me about her sexual adventures over the weekend. I’d call her a slut, and she’d pull a face, open her eyes as wide as they’d go and say ‘’ And loving it’’ and we’d both laugh. Working alongside her, certainly made the day go quicker.

When I did break up from my X, there were a few, one nighter’s, thanks to the Friday knight drinks, with Worky. Though I would inadvertently end up by myself as she had hooked, and was gone, so I would usually call it a night and go home, but sometimes I thought ‘’Why not?’’, and end up at some guys place. It stopped me from getting rusty, and that’s about all, they were ok, but i never really got into it. Thinking of her, reminds me of one particular Friday night, when the two of us had gone out for our customary ‘’After work drinks’’.

I never realized then, that it was the turning point in my life. At the time, it was just another Friday night, one of many.

We were in the bistro of the bar wed sometimes go to, with Worky, of course talking to a couple of guys and I was trying my best to pay attention, and be a part of the conversation. However, my beloved footy team was playing, and the game was being shown on the bars TV. Well into the match, with my team, only just in front, and the other team starting to get the better of us. Our star forward gets what seems to be a heavy knock, so much so that he trainers come out and help him off the ground, and he’s on the side line sitting on the team bench. He looks very sore, and I can’t hear what the commentators are saying about him, as there’s so much back ground noise from conversations, around us, as well as what was being said in our group of people. So I tell Worky, ‘’ I’m going to find somewhere quieter, to watch the end of this’’ and point at the screen.’’ Ok , catch later’’, she says and goes back to flirting with whoever she had her eye on. I had gone off in search of a quieter bar, and after finding one upstairs, had settled in to watch the end of the game. Once the game had ended, I had a look around the bistro, to see if she was there, but was not surprised when she wasn’t. Nor did she come to work on Monday, which was not that uncommon for her, especially if she’d pulled a good shag. Though it was uncommon for her, to not have at least text me, as she’d tell a passing nun, if she had a raging root. So by Thursday morning, I was starting to get concerned myself, that only became worse, when i Looked up from my desk and saw two woman. One in a police uniform, the other about my size, that’s in plain clothes and a Guant look on her face, walking down the pathway towards the glass doors. Who stride up to the desk, with Guant face taking her I.D out of her bag and showing me a police badge. Who, in a quiet but matter a fact voice says ’’Good morning. I’m detective Gaunt face and this is constable Blue uniform. Does a miss ‘Worky Mate’ work here’’. I have extreme, pins and needles, goose bumps, and feel as if I’m about to morph into my chair, as I answer ’’ Yes she does’’. ’’ Is she here today? ’’. I reply still shaking, ’’No she hasn’t been in all week’’. ‘’I see. Wed like to speak to your boss, thank you’’. ‘’Sure thing I’ll get him’’. I get on his intercom ’’Sorry to disturb you Mr Drake, but there’s a couple of police officers, that would like to speak to you ’’. I hang it up and tell them ’’ He’ll be right out ‘’. In quick time, Mr Drake appears still adjusting his suit top, that he’s just put on ’’ Good morning officers, Rupert Drake, how can I help you’’, holding his hand out, which the plain clothes detective shakes, but the uniformed one doesn’t, she just gives a quick smile. With Guant face telling him ‘’ Wed like a few minutes of your time, please Mr Drake’’. ’’ Please, come through to my office’’ and the three of them disappear. All I can think off is, what have you got mixed up in now Worky?. As it would’ve been no more, than five minutes, if that before I got my answer, with the buzzer on Mr Drakes intercom goes off, and asking me to come to his office. I knock on his door, and he answers it, ‘’Come in dear, and take a seat thank you’’ motioning for me to sit on the seat he’s directing me to. I look at him as I walk past and he reassures me ‘’ It’s ok Dear, the officers just want to ask you some questions’’. Guant face starts,’’ Its Samantha, isn’t it?’’….’’Yes’’….’’Were of the understanding Samantha, that you were out drinking with miss Worky Mate last Friday night, is that correct?’’ ‘’ Yes that’s right’’. ‘’ Samantha, where and when was the last time you saw her? ’’.

When Guant face said that to me, it was like my world caved in. My thumbs started to twitch, my eyes started to water, and my stomach knotted up. I felt very cold, as if something terrible had happened. Where when good things had happened to me, it felt like all my sensors were on high alert to catch as much as they could. This was the complete opposite. I’d imploded. Blue uniform came over and knelt by my side, and put her hand around my shoulder. ’’Take your time Samantha, can you remember where you were?’’ I felt like being sick, and got up and went to the toilet. I was dry reaching and had started to cry, so tried to start to breath into my stomach to hopefully slow my breathing down, but my hearts going a thousand miles an hour, I’d wandered over to the mirror and was staring at it, when I look, I can see her as plain as day, ‘’ catch later’’, with her flirty smile and glazed eyes, living like there was no tomorrow. Guant face comes into the bathroom, and asks in her monotone robotic voice ‘’ Are you ok Samantha’’. ‘’ About as good as I’m going to be, after being told that one of my best friends has gone missing’’. ‘’We don’t know, where she is, that’s why we’ve come here’’, I looked at her, ‘’ We were in the bistro, at the brick walled bar, and I told her I was going upstairs to watch the rest of the footy ‘’. ‘’So what time you think that would’ve been?’’. ‘’ Maybe around nine o’clock, not long before half time’’. She’s jotting my answers down in a note pad. ’’ Was she with anyone when you left her?’’…. ‘’ Yeah two guys’’… .’’ Did you know them?’’….. ‘’No’’… ’’Can you remember their names?’’.. ‘’No’’… ’’ Did you ever see them about before?’’ … ’’No… look, she likes guys, and guys like her, they were just another couple of guys who we’re talking to us, same as every other week’’… ‘’ So the two of you are talking to two guys, and that’s the last you saw of her?’’. ‘’Yes’’… ’’ Can you tell me what happened then?’’ .. ’’ Because I couldn’t hear what had happened to one of the players, I told her I was going to find somewhere quieter to hear what happened. I was told there was a quieter bar upstairs, so I went up there’’… ’’Did she say anything to you, when you left about where she was going?’’. I was just staring at her by now, with no emotion on my face, nor could I feel any. ’’No, she just said ’’Catch later’’… ‘’ Would you recognize the guys again if you saw them?’’. ‘’I don’t know. I was drunk and more interested in what was happening in the footy’’… ’’ Ok thank you Samantha’’ and she left.

I stayed in the bathroom, not really doing anything, just leaning against the bench, and looking at nothing, so much had happened recently I couldn’t take it all in, highs, lows, sideways, now this.

After a time had passed, which all I was doing was staring into the mirror, another girl who works in the building comes in, ‘’ Hi Sammy. Mr Drake asked me to check to see if your all right. He wants to know if you would like a cup of coffee? ‘’. ‘’ Ok’’ is all I said and wandered out. My boss then told me, that he had rung my father, and he was on his way to pick me up. I can’t remember any off this, as the last thing I remember was being asked ’’When was the last time you saw her’’ after that it was all a blur. I shouldn’t really call her Guant face, but I can’t remember her name. If she had’ve smiled she would’ve been attractive. But I suppose she was dealing with murderers and cut throats, so as the same for undertakers, cops don’t usefully venture in to the standup comedy circuit, as a second job.

About a week later, she phones up, and asks to come around to my brothers where I’m staying. ‘’ Yeah, no worries’’ I told her. She rocks up with a brief case, and asks me to look at some mug shots that she’s pulled out of it, ‘’ Are any of these guys the ones that were in the bistro?’’. None of their faces stood out to me, ‘’No, I really can’t remember even if they were’’. ’’ Ok’’ then she pulls out three more. I have a look. One of them is a real good looking bloke, another all right looking, but as for the third. I wouldn’t want to be in a public swimming pool if he was swimming in the same water. ‘’ No. Definitely not’’… ‘’Ok. Why are you unsure on the first lot of pictures, and are definite on the second?’’ I point to the unsavory looking character, ‘’I would remember him, coz he stands out’’. After I had put my finger on the scum bag looking guy, and told her my reason. Her eyebrows raised up, just a little. It was the first sign, she let off that she was still a human being that I saw out of her. ‘’ Are you sure on this?’’ … ‘’Yeah,very’’… ‘’Thanks for your time Samantha’’.. ‘’ No worries… is there any news at all ?,, anything?..any hope at all?’’. The second slightest reaction, was when her face sunk, ever so slightly ‘’ There’s always hope Sammantha’’. Her face said it all, as she got up and left, and I never saw her again. As, I never saw Worky again.

I eventually learned that she was seen later that night, leaving another club with a guy that matched the description of the really good looking guy. That was in the second lot of pictures that I had looked at. That was picked up on a neighboring shops surveillance camera, who was one of the new up and coming, wanna be gangsta types, who was trying to fill the void after all the underworld killings that had happened in Melbourne. There were many rumors and stories floating about, especially because she was a stunner, the media lapped it up. As soon as there was mention of her maybe accidently seeing, a shonky dealing between a low life and a corrupt cop, the media and the journo’s didn’t want to know about it. To this day, her bodies never been found. The new chapter in my life had begun.

After another beer and a smoke, and instead of looking out into blackness, where I’d just see Worky’s face. To cheer myself up, I think of the strange little incident that so discussed me this morning, that now amuses me. After an uneventful night I had wandered into an travel agent, who had a shop over the ‘soi’ from where I had stayed. The Thai woman was very attractive, spoke good English and dressed like any fashionable girl would from a western country. She has a nice little air conditioned office, that’s covered with attractions of Thailand posters. People with big smiles on their faces, riding elephants, snorkeling, standing under waterfalls, looking at Buddha statues, and patting tigers, which is the one that’s grabbed my attention, the most. She then asks ‘’Where would you like to go?’’. I told her, I wanted to catch the overnight train to Samui, ‘’Aahh Samui, very beautiful, no problem ‘’. She starts looking something up on the computer, whilst telling me, where and when to catch the train. ’’Train leaves, Hua Lamphong station at 19:00’’. Then starts typing with one hand, as the other one makes its way up to her face. ‘’The train arrives, Surathani, at 4.30 in the morning’’. Rather than scratch her face with the free hand, she loses her middle finger, straight up her left nostril. ’’The bus to Samui, leaves at 6.00, and that will take you to the port’’. Even being able to multi-task, I was having trouble concentrating, on what she was saying. She was having such a party up there, that the side of her nostril would bulge out. ‘’ The ferry then takes you out to Samui, and that takes about 2 hours ’’. I did my best to smile and look composed, but even with the air conditioning, I was feeling uncomfortable. She finally hooks her prize, and then after a quick inspection, starts shaking her hand, as It’s very persistent, and won’t let go, though without, a second thought, she asks me, ’’Do you have anywhere to stay there?’’. All I can think about, is that my brothers would’ve killed to see this. As she’s flicking, and shaking her hand, I tell her ‘’ No I haven’t thought that far ahead yet’’. The lovely Miss Booga, then leans out of her chair, and must have wiped it on the floor, as when her hand comes back to the table, its free of its Nasel Hitchhiker. Then hands me a brochure, of nice looking bungalows around Samui, with most from what I can see, situated around the towns of either Chaweng or Lamai. One of the ones in Lamai, takes my eye, as it looked nice, wasn’t that expensive, and it was ‘Close to beach’. My brother did tell me ‘’Don’t worry about booking accommodation, just find somewhere, you can always change rooms if you don’t like it’’. With that in mind, I did like the idea of knowing where I’d be staying for at least the first night. Though Miss Booga, then starts to try and loosen something, that was in her throat, thats making me feel, as if I’m about to dry reach. I can’t take any more of this, if she spits something out, I may throw up. ‘’ Would you like to buy a ticket, kkkHHHcccaaa , and book a room?’’ Innocently, asking me with a models smile. ’’I’m feeling a bit hungry. I’ll think about it, over some breakfast, and maybe I’ll come back later ‘’. Feeling like my airline food, is about to make its presents felt. I left the gorgeous nose picking, travel agent to her own itchy nasal affairs. Not to be deterred, I thought ill just simply walk into another, so I try one around the corner, where I see one that looks nice enough, although they all appear to be the same. It’s almost a carbon copy of the last one, except the young woman behind the desk, doesn’t appear to have seen me enter, as she had turned around and started fiddling with something on a table behind her, only a moment before I entered. She’s also talking on her mobile phone, at a thousand miles an hour in Thai, as well as laughing out loud, every now and then. On and on she goes and still hasn’t noticed me, if she was having a break, she could’ve at least put a sign on the door, ’Talking shit, come back in half an hour’. Bloody hell, I could’ve booked it by now, I wait a little bit more, then ‘’Hello, excuse me’’ I say softly. Still nothing , except her ’’jip, jip jip,jip, jip,jip,kah’’ aagghhahahahaha’’jip,jip,jip,jip, jip, jip,kah’’ aagghhahahah’’I try again ‘’Hello excuse me. Hello miss’’. Still no response, so I decide to try somewhere else, and stand up to leave. As soon as I stand up, of course, she turns around. AAAGGHHH, not only has she let out a very loud scream, that made me jump, she’s let go of her phone with fright, and it’s taken out some of Buddha’s bananas and his soft drink, that was in front of the little Buddha house. Which looks like a little gold dolls house, with offerings of fruit, and flat soft drink out on its porch. That’s for keeping Buddha happy while he keeps dead spirits away, or something along those lines. The drink that was in her other hand has gone straight on the floor. She has her hands on her chest, and starts saying something that I can’t understand, then puts them in front of her and starts praying, all the time jibbering away in Thai. I tell her that I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to give her a fright, but I don’t think she’s listening. She then spots her phone, over amongst the now messed up Buddha house, gets out of her chair and goes over to it, holding it out in front of herself, at me, and starts jibbering away at me. ‘’ I’m sorry, but it’s not my fault’’ I say again. Still, she points the phone, at me and continues to speak who knows what at a thousand words a minute. I don’t need this crap, i think to myself, I’m out of here and head out the door. With her, still standing at the doorway carrying on, i go along the street till I’m out of her ear shot, and find another travel agent. Who thankfully was not only quite sane, but also easily booked my ticket. Then after being impressed with the station, as I had never been to a train station like this before, with it straight away reminding me of an old Hollywood romance movie. With even the Eastern & Oriental express parked there, a full first class train by the looks of it, complete with a caboose that was the bar car, with the last 20 odd feet or so in the open air, with nice tables and chairs. Wow, sitting out the back there drinking Bourbs, would be my idea of the ultimate way of seeing Asia, travelling around like the princess of Werribee. They’d never get me off it.

Being so taken with the whole place, and now seeing this particular train, my imagination got the better of me, and I had visions of it. Pulling out with Humphrey Boggart running after it, with his sweet heart Betty Grable, standing on the back of the open air caboose, encouraging him to run faster. As a pack of dodgy looking Nazi’s, appear at the stations entrance and start chasing him. No doubt. He would’ve stolen some secret Nazi technology. That’s probably to do with their U.F.O research, or prototypes of a super army made out of Big foots. Although I don’t know how they would’ve incorporated a Hitler moustache, on a creature that already had a hairy face?. Though I suppose with German efficiency, they would’ve had a mad scientist working on that problem already.

Then while sitting on the platform waiting to get the nod to board, I was reminded that I hadn’t slept on a proper overnight train before, with the only time I had slept on a train, was when I passed out on the way home after a heavy night partying with my girlfriends. I had fallen asleep and started leaning on some guys shoulder that I didn’t know. My girlfriends thought it was so funny that they didn’t wake me up, as the longer the journey went the more my head dropped . By the time we arrived at Werribee station, my head was in the guy’s lap. They were taking pictures of me, and killing themselves laughing, because it looked like I was giving him head, every time the train bumped around, as my head would wobble about. They showed me the pictures, and told me the next day, I was so embarrassed. The bitches couldn’t wait to show my brothers, and once they found out, they gave me shit for months, and still do at every opportunity. Once aboard and having found my seat I’m thinking this is all nice and well sorted and prepared, then go to sit in my seat, when ’Harry Wong’, who was sitting in his designated seat opposite me, decides he wants mine. So Quicker than an Australian politician can put their hand up, when theirs a vote to give themselves a pay rise, he’s shot over and sat in my seat, so he can look out the window in the direction that were heading. ‘’Maaaate, what the fuck?’’, I say as I only just stop myself from sitting in his lap, all most giving myself hemorrhoids in the process. He just ignores me and stares out the window. I get the attention of the porter and show him my ticket and the corresponding number to the seat, he looks at Harry, than at me and points to his vacant seat. I point to mine, and say ‘’ This one’s mine’’ as i tap the correct seat, with my finger. He points again at Harrys seat ‘’You sit ’’. ‘’ Ok, no problem’’ I say, and the porter goes about his business. No doubt, Harry was waiting to see if it was another Thai who had the seat. If it was, there’s no way he would’ve pulled that stunt.

Just after thinking of those odd incidents, has put the grin back on my face. With not wanting to stare out of the window anymore, along with feeling drunk and tired, the bunks looking good, as I thank the staff again, and head off in the direction of my carriage, after a quick stop at the toilets. Having to walk through, numerous other carriages with people asleep in their chairs and even a few in the isles, brings me to the end of one of the carriages, in the area where the doors are to go in between one another. Theirs a group of ‘Farang’ guys who were drinking in the car bar, and are having a ’night cap ‘before going to sleep. As I walk through them, they ask in there, somewhere in Europe accented English, if I’d like to join them ‘’ No thanks guys, goodnight ’’I say as I step carefully through them, and come across, the empty can man leaning against the wall, with cans in a bag of melting ice at his feet. As I go past him, with him looking at my boobs again, tells me ‘’Goodnight ladies’’. Giggling at his own stupid remark, I stop and look at him, then say ‘’You idiot’’, that only makes him smile, and gesture to the floor, saying ’’There still cold, you want one?’’ I didn’t even bother to reply.

After having to wake the door attendant up to get into my carriage, I was again pleasantly surprised to find a clean bunk waiting for me. Though after seeing ‘Harry Wong’s’ shoes, which were at the bottom of his bunk, the thought of throwing them out the window crossed my mind, but I thought the better of it not to, as I climbed up into mine. With the bunks curtains closed, and before I turn the light off in my bunk. I look in the travel guide book at a picture of a beach on Koa Samui, imagining myself lying on it, drinking Bourb and finally getting to a place, that I’ve only ever seen in post cards. Tomorrow, just can’t come fast enough.