Sometimes life deals us experiences with a common connecting thread. This week, when looking at the handful of pics I wanted to share it felt like maybe something was there. We'll see by the end of this post if I'm able to connect the dots without stretching too hard.
Speaking of stretching - started this week with my first Thai massage. Initially planned to be a Jo+Erik couples massage, she wasn't feeling 100% at go time, so I went it alone. The place is only about a mile away, it was a nice evening so I decided to walk. Schedule was a little tight but I figured I could get there if I hustled.
Unfortunately discovered that my favorite little shortcut bridge over the effluent ditch was blocked off. So now I'm moving at sweaty speed, and tromping thru some overgrown weeds. But I made it, just a couple of minutes late. And discovered that there was very little english spoken or understood at the place. I'll spare you the misunderstandings we had to work through (one of them was the word underwear...) but things got going with a footbath. Which should have been great. Except as I sat in the chair with my feet in the bowl full of rocks, the massage therapist and I simultaneously discovered to our horror that my leg hair from the knees down was covered in what I thought were bugs. Turned out they were the little velcro-like seed burrs that get stuck in dog's hair. And apparently man hair. So the footbath turned into a "what the heck is wrong with this guy" calf and shin bath.
Things got better from there - relaxing new-agey music, a tiny woman's elbows grinding into the sore parts of my shoulders, everything I look for in a massage. What I did not see coming was the contortion portion of the program. Hands over my head, knee in my back, twisting me in directions that I hadn't previously imagined. Definitely a repeat. Minus the offroad sprint thru the brush.
On my way to the massage (and several other times this week when we went walking) I passed this guy. Thursday I asked if I could take his picture
Exhibit B of improvisation is awarded to our lunch taxi driver. Fridays are the day for in-person prayers at the mosques. Muslim or not, everyone's work schedule adjusts to include a 2-hr lunch that day. It's a little easier to explore new eateries outside of the work cafeteria with the extra time.
The drivers all have a device we call the flyswatter. That's just what it looks like, except on the business end is a holder for your card that gives you access to open the security gates to pick up your customers. Our guy this day had fashioned one out of the bright green wire that gave him extra reach
Saturday we explored the botanical gardens here on the island. More than a few plants and creatures we'd never seen in person before
Whether its velcro-ish seeds, green wire, a fish-catching beak, or giant leaves to crowd out the competing jungle undergrowth, I found myself appreciating adaptation in many forms this week. On a personal level, normal things are starting to feel like normal life here. 90% humidity doesn't feel nearly as suffocating as it did when we arrived. Basics of like food acquisition, driving, getting up at 5:15 to avoid traffic are becoming routine. It's nice.
Also, we went for a walk on the beach last night. The variety and quantity of shells continues to amaze. Didn't really even have to hunt for these. There's some form of adaptation at work here I'm sure. No idea what it might be
Speaking of beautiful things on the beach, check her out. I'm the luckiest ever.
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