Whoa! It flushes?: Arriving in Mae Sot

I arrived in Mae Sot yesterday and this place has changed.

There used to be maybe 3 restaurants that had gringo food, a 7-11, a small supermarket which was very new when I arrived and...I think that was about it in terms of big city-type conveniences. Now there are at least 4 7-11's, a KFC, and more gringo-serving restaurants than I would have ever expected. There's also a new bar called "Expat Bar." If that isn't telling, I don't know what is.

My new place is very different from anywhere I've lived in Thailand. It's an apartment in a concrete building across the street from a small market and maybe 15 minutes biking to the city center. I have wifi, aircon, a tv with cable (3 english channels!) and a flushing toilet. I've never lived with a flushing toilet in this country! I don't know what to do with myself, it feels like all of the things that made life interesting, challenging and fun are missing from my experience this time around. I suppose that just means that I'm going to have a whole new experience, which is just fine.

I'm going to start Thai lessons later this week. I never studied Thai when I lived here before and I really should have. I learned plenty to get by, but it would be fantastic to be more competent. I am a little torn, though. Given that I work with Burmese it would be so useful to learn that as well, or even instead. I know that I'll have opportunity to practice both and in two months I can't learn much of either, let alone both.

Seeing old friends and feeling as though things are very familiar is helping me feel grounded, though it's definitely strange to have been gone so long and then come back like this. Everything's changed and nothing's changed.

3 people I adore and used to have some great times with back in Umphang. (DotCom! Karaoke! Chuckles!) are going back to Umphang today for meetings. The plan is for a karaoke reunion. I'm so jealous! If only I weren't starting work today I would be on my way back to the place I called home to drink some Hong Tong and sing some Cher. Oh well, another opportunity will present itself, I think.