Coming Back Home

Coming Back Home -

It's been 18 months since I was last here. When I drove the new train to the city, I wondered what else would be different. The last time I was here the political parties fought. There were protests, bombings and the entire city violence that one of my favorite towns into a war zone. Since my last visit, many of my friends have moved to new locations or returned home.

But as I listened to the people around me and looked at the faces on the train, I felt comfortable. I was comfortable. I knew I was home. Although I had long gone, Bangkok and I are as close as ever.

I checked into my hotel, dropped my suitcase, and practically jumped the door. I needed to explore. I had to be there - in my town. I wanted to wrap around me like a blanket.

I had to run errands. I had to eat. I had to see friends.

When I made my way to the main street of Sukhumvit, I marveled at the new buildings. I felt surprised that the ruined building to see, for more years there than I can remember, was finally demolished. Bangkok has been changed.

But it still felt like home.

to see the sights. The noises. The smells. The tempo.

Everything was familiar.

I was virtually the streets Skipping down.

I familiar haunts moved. I ate near my old house. Fried rice never tasted so good. The guy I buy films from me a big hug and asked why I was gone so long.

"I went home," I said.

We small talk to make, and he smiles, shakes my hand and says not long again to stay so far from me. "I will often come back," I promised

I move

with my day -. There is much to do. Walking into my old hair stylist, I wonder how much of a cut. "150 baht," she says. The same as last year.

"Where have you been?" She asks me. "It's been a long time."

She remembered better than I had it in memory of my face. I feel a little embarrassed.

It would be difficult to explain my last year. I tell her, I simply went home. It is partly true.

"Oh, really? You go to work home?"

"Yes, I work on the Internet, though, so I can work anywhere."

"Why you're not going to work here? "She presses.

We make in a mixture of Thai and English Smalltalk. I'm impressed she remembers so much about me. She congratulated me on how good my Thai is still, although I believe that they will be polite.

It feels good Thai to speak again, but as I stumble my words, I know I'm rusty.

In typical fashion, she asks me if I have a girlfriend.

"No," I say. "I'm not looking for."

She tells me Thailand is a perfect place to find one.

She laughs. I laugh.

When my hair ended, she admonished me. "If you do not come back more, I will raise the price of your deductions. Thailand is your home."

Later that evening, I head to my favorite bar, Cheap Charlie. It is home to many good memories. " Sawadee Krap Satit " I say. "I'll have a gin and tonic." Looking up from his CDs, the bartender is smiling a big grin. He also reminds me. "Of course," he says.

That night, when I have a drink with friends, I can not help but think that my hairdresser was right. I'm home. A part of me belongs here. Like a piece in a puzzle, I fit perfectly. There is nothing strange about Bangkok and every part of it feels normal to me. It draws me back again and again.

We can not stay forever in one place, but sometimes forever in our available spaces.

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