It's bad. Very bad. But yes, I am safe on a tropical island just off Chumphon, my school is closed until Nov 9th. It may be closed for longer. I'm hopeful. I don't want to celebrate Loy Kratong in Bangkok. Although I guess, technically, you wouldn't have to go far from the house to celebrate. Aheh. Forgive me, that was a joke in poor taste.
The truth is, Thailand is in a lot of trouble right now, and I worry about how long it will take to recover. Businesses are gone, people are forced to flee their home. Food and water is scarce in some areas. Even this far south, you see evidence of the flooding. Not in the trees and the beach, but in the 7-11 and the restaurants. Everything is routed through Bangkok, you see. And since Bangkok is under water, many things just can't be gotten. The most alarming is bottled water. Rain water is not safe to drink, and neither is the water from a faucet. Even water stations (the kind where you can fill a big jug, it just pulls the water in from a line and purifies it) are turned off in many places. The news may be good for reporting how many people have died from a strong underwater current in their street, or how a family lost their business and everything they own, but I'm sure they're failing to report the effect that this is having on the whole of Thailand.
I'm safe, but so many people are not. I'm hurting for money, but I have a family who is able to help me, so many people don't. If you're the type to pray, toss in a quick line for all the people of Thailand. I stopped by an alter to Ganesha earlier today. If you're able, donate some money to help, but everyone will understand if you can't. No matter where I go on this earth, part of me will always consider this country my home. These are my people, so let's all band together and take care of them, na.
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