I travel solo too. I have learned to anticipate that acid-trippy cocktail of heat, humidity, severe jetlag, dehydration (I do loves me my Singha), lethargy, and loneliness....all of that combined tends to really lay a mindfuck on me for a few days.
And why would I be willing to pay such a price for a vacation?....Because it's worth it!
In the midst of that semi-stupor, I always find it a bit cathartic to be sitting at some roadside bar and hearing the tinny flutes of that rolling muy-thai truck, hearing over-and-over....."Bangla Boxing Stadi...Bangla Boxing Stadi...BIG fight....BIG fight....tonight.....tonight".
It's a bit of a cartharsis, actually.
So I tend to crawl into some mental and physical dark cave of my own construct for a few days and lay low (though the mind is willing, the flesh is weak. I hate feeling this way). Then, the fog lifts. The mojo returns. ....and it's good again.
I remember meeting that mafia guy you talked about on a prowl with Jimbo one night. My sentiments exactly. Very friendly in a goomba sort of way. You get the sense that behind that big grin lies something potentially ominous. Based on the stories that Jim probably told you about that guy, those instincts are probably best heeded.
And nothing like a good stimulating game of Jackpot to smooth out the rough edges and keep one mentally sharp. I actually did buy one of these games and bring it home, where it sits in my den. I've had a few good times with Jackpot, where I'd sit down and challenge some lucky girl to a game where I'd simply offer her a 500-baht prize for hitting Jackpot. Given the Thai affinity for gambling, these games generated a lot of enthusiasm and interest from the other girls. I'd always just do it on a whim, and once a sweet little gg actually did win the prize. It was fun, actually.
Enjoying the report man. Great stuff.
Nix
