I was released early from the hospital because of no funds to pay my bill, within an hour I had passed out, fallen, hit my head on the floor and went in for more xrays and three days more hospital, crap! Well, when I was in the first time for the first two days I lay on a gurney/bed with no sheet, the bloody pajamas I wore since I was admitted, had to beg to have my catheter bag emptied, no pain meds or food or water. I felt pretty neglected, I was pretty neglected. Late that day some of the girls from a local bar came in to see me, adopted me and washed, changed me, brought me whatever I needed. they came in twice a day from then on to bathe and change me and it was a gift from God/Buddah. When I checked out the second time a friend had moved into my place and had set the place up for me so I could stay in bed and not walk around and since she couldn’t be there all the time she got a friend to move in with me. I’m doing better now, have an appetite and just now walked all the way to the internet place, about 1 kilometer! This is a major thing! I have my appetite back, I lost over 7 kilos in the last two weeks but feel sorta ok now, I still get dizzy but the vertigo only lasts a moment now. I had vertigo for over two days once, horrible, I kept my eyes closed and refused to move the whole time. The good news is that I’m ok, I have two girls who care for me and we’re family now. When I was in the hospital several falang(Ameroeuropeans) visited me for a few minutes then left and never returned, the Thai/Lao people who visited brought food, cared for me, sat with me while I slept… I can’t leave here, I love these people…..baba
Vladimir Putin “Blinkinblogs is my favorite read with glass of Vodka.”
Barack OBAMA “Blinkinblogs? Never heard of them.”
Other than the obvious, more good things about Tha(and Lao) girls
There is no such thing as “these people.” They are just people. Some are generous and giving. Some aren’t. As someone who has lived in Asia for 13 years, I can tell you that you won’t really develop meaningful understandings of the host cultures until you can recognize these types of cultural stereotypes as just that – stereotypes. After you have had dozens of similar experiences you will be able to say, “as a general rule, certain types of compassion and generosity are more valued in Thai and Lao cultures, while other types of generosity and compassion, which may be more valued in western cultures, seem less emphasized.”
The world is a complex place. Your posts seem to consistently understate that complexity for the simplicity and comfort of a type of “noble savage” canard.
Jim, I understood some of what you said and agree. The care and compassion I’ve recieved during this crisis were awesome and whatever the motivation I’ll never forget it.
so the American embassy isn’t shipping you back? or do you have to make a monthly payment for the medical treatment?
Not decided yet, I’m still dealing with the Hospital, I’ve given them all my money, 6000 baht and have said I’d get the rest asap, they gave me two weeks, that’ll be monday. I’ll find out soon after monday I guess. Till then I have a pretty 22yr old roommate who took me to lunch and a movie yesterday and to a party last night. Could be worse I guess……….baba