Something Is Calling You

Someone said " I need to touch the snow... real white cold which fell down from the sky "

Softly and gently ... and it will take all of sense away into white scene.

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Bump! ... I've shutted the door.
Checked everythings already at yesterday ... and the cameras are ready with films.
Silence ... maybe 9 degrees .. in a middle of April.
3:30 am ... dark ... just some light comes from streestlamps.

Grasped the key ...
Ignition on ... the engine got wake up.
The sound of absolute power when starts ... then turned to smooth.
Soon, water temp goes to right zone and the heater fan running with some noise.

Lights on and I released the blake pedal.
More than 2.5 tons of steel vhicle has started to ride on a narrow road like big ship goes on the canal.
Felt like wearing massive armor suits.
It left red lights in behind.

Handled the nose to the high way.
80km/h : 50mph is like sleeping in a room.. the engine sing a hummings.
2 headlights were ripped of the dark blue curtains.

After 2 hours ... the sun rises on the highway ... deep blue sky ...
There are still in the winter ... no sign of springs ... just a brown fields around.

But now could see some mountain peaks which wore white snow robes.
Something is calling.

Turned the steering wheel to local road to the mountain...

Tet - HCM at Vietnam 2006

New year's day at Vietname, it's called " Tet " : 29th of January.

28th of January afternoon, I arrived to " Tan Son Nhat " International Airport.
Uuu!! ... When I got out from airport building ... I really suprised by hot temparature.
More than 35 degrees??!! ... I got sweat very soon.

This few days, I stayed at Bangkok, my hotel was near the Lumpini park.
This city is famous for hot temparature in tropic area through the year.
But..." Ho Chi Minh city " was hotter than Bangkok!
I felt like standing in a big oven...wow.
Many people were waiting passengers at the hall with no air-conditioned...so, now I see, it's not a Bangkok here.

Couldn't find any taxi service counter, so no choice to get it by myself.
Under the sun shining, one driver came... but he was a tricky man with crazy high priced.
It seems all taxi has meter in it, but no chance to escape from negotiate.

Got a claim to the police man.. then one unlucky driver come.
But he also insisted high price ... I gave up by that .. anyway, it was too expensive but not so much.
While driving, he appealed price of gasoline has increased a lot.
Mmm! ... wait .. he is going to ignoe the fair rate?
Of course, it's a battle field of negotiate taxi charges.

Some of the places, I have these experiences like this.... even in Europe.
But ... but ...now I'm ready for fighting with that price.


oops ... this time, it didn't work well.

sawadee pii mai

สวัสดีปีใหม่
sawadee pii mai : happy new year to my Thai friends.

I really missed my Thai friends, hot weather and spicy foods.

Maybe it's over 40 degrees at center of Bangkok ... phew ...
But dining outside at night in Thai style, it's still hot but comfortable.
Gai yaan (baked chicken), khao pad(fried rice) and naam manau sob(Thai lime juice).
It's a taste of Isaan ... I can't forget.

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Driving in the night of Bangkok .. wind is still hot and heavy.
Just diceded to go one restaurant for dining.
Place was just out of city center...maybe not so far, I thought.

But our car was standing on a traffic jam.
Just watching red wave of tail lamps .. and look up the lights of office from skyscraper.
It's a night at Bangkok ... sure, changed a lot ... but feeling is same from my first visiting.

Audio makes the sound of Orathai while in the cabin.
Songs are changing with time passed, but the car was still moved a bit.
I've found that I'm enjoying it.

Turned Rama4 to Din Daeng..crossed Phetchaburi and passing Pratuu Naam..
Then drive a while Rama 9, to near high way junction.

There are many nice Thai restaurants...some are looks so gorgeous.
Isaan style, sea food, I enjoyed some of it.
Inside is comfortable with air-conditioned ... but also outside is nice, enjoyable.
Breeze by huge big fans and no mosquitos.

While dining, one party played Isaan karaoke...some were nice.
Having it outside is not so delicate but there are really relaxed feelings.
My friend asked them to made not so spicy, so .. I enjoyed a lot these dishes with spicy taste.
Simple .... but I like Isaan taste.

To let me had such a wonderful time .... Thank you my dear friends.