The View from Here, Part III (Bus edition)

As I see it: window seat, bus #79.

food on the brain (and on-the-go)

Pictures, few words.  A new addition to the blog roll. Starting today.

a local businessman:  walkin' and grillin'

No more water, please.

I really love this picture. It was taken underneath the chandelier in the lobby of the condo building where we (and many other families) had relocated temporarily to escape the floods. There's a hint of 'i'm-underwater-bubbles-rising-to-the-surface.' It at once symbolizes the moment of feeling underwater (for me, at least mentally), and the goal of rising out of it all to the light at the surface just like a little air bubble escaping the deep. It pretty much sums up my physical and mental location at that moment.

We were among the lucky ones whose lives were only momentarily upended by the devastation of recent flooding, but for many who have lost homes, property, lifestyles, it is a continuing battle to get back to the way life was. In some cases, they are just starting from scratch: rebuilding homes, trying to recreate their previous life or perhaps start a fresh one.

The Thai people are quite adept at picking up and getting back to life. Streets are once again full of vendors. Food and bottled water are plentifully stocked. Sandbags still litter the sidewalks of some spots around the city, almost as if their owners aren't sure if they should keep them 'just in case.' Chatter has turned back to the weather and politics. No longer am i approached with the line 'are you flooded yet?'

This is what lay in front of me as i sat down to lunch the other day. A perfect sum-up of the way that the people here get right back to the important things. So here we are.  The beginning of a new year:  laughing, fat and dancing.