"my sister's the crippled girl?"

In the same way Sonny was surprised to learn that his kid was "the smelly kid" in class, Sis was embarrassed to learn that I was "the crippled girl" on our cruise.
Against my doctor's advice, I went on my family's cruise #2. As we drove to the cruise ship, I kept my still swollen foot elevated the entire trip. My parents decided to rent me a wheelchair- securing the feeling that I might just look like a genuine drama queen.
In the morning as we loaded the ship, I was wheeled through the "special" handicap security line. Not wanting to set off the machine, I hopped through the metal dector, then sat back in my wheelchair. Now even though I couldn't walk, being handicapped did have some advantages. For example, my family didn't have to stand in the very long check-in line. No, we got to go through the "special" handicap check-in. There I sat, noticing the sympathetic looks from the passengers waiting in the long, regular check-in line.
Once in our cabin, I quickly realized what a pain it is being on crutches and having a wheelchair taking up the already small space. I had to hop up into the bathroom, desperately trying not to lose my balance. I had to inch my way into the hallway to get into the wheelchair. Luckily, we were moved to a bigger room which was gave more maneuver room and storage for the wheelchair. Overall, being temporarily handicapped was an enlightening experience. Throughout the trip I found myself very annoyed by the lazy people using the elevator to go up or down one level, leaving no room for me in my wheelchair. Trust me, I would have been going up and down the stairs. But it is hard in a wheelchair or on crutches. So I often found myself waiting on elevators. And then there were the bathrooms. Don't put the handicap sign on the door if there is, in fact, no handicap stall. I was wheeled into there, then had to hop into the stall. But sometimes I couldn't even get in the door. Some people just couldn't be bothered to hold it open for me.
Now, I know that it sounds like I'm complaining. There were in fact many very nice people. In fact, I found that I probably got a lot more attention and even caught some people's attention due to the mere fact that I was in a wheelchair. For example, on Sunday I had to attend the mandatory muster drill. I was wheeled out to the deck. There I sat wearing my orange life vest, drinking a beer. Up until the point when a guy on staff came and took away my beer. I later learned that he not only noticed the fact that I was drinking a beer- which is not allowed during the muster drill, but he also noticed that I am much too cute to be a crippled girl in a wheelchair. Then there were the waiters who fought for the privilege of wheeling me to my table. And of course, my casino friends who made sure I had a seat at a table as well as a chair to elevate my foot. They even stored my crutches for me.
My crippledness gained me nicknames from a variety of people. Sis called me "crutchie." My favorite casino dealers remembering that I was wheel-less the first cruise, took to calling me "wheels" on this cruise. And of course, my dad affectionately called me "the drama queen." But my favorite was "hottie". Okay, not necessarily related to the fact that I couldn't walk, but my favorite nonetheless.
I am happy to report that I wasn't actually a crippled girl the entire cruise. As my foot finally began to get better, I slowly discontinued using the wheelchair. Sis was grateful since she had pushing duty and was soon complaining that her calves hurt as a result. By Tuesday I was just using my crutches. After a small set back on Tuesday afternoon (passing out in an elevator), I was back in my wheelchair on Wednesday. But Thursday was the first day that I could actually stand on my left foot. Finally...no more flamingo standing in the shower. I crutched myself out to the pool that day, then walked around with the crutches in my hand. I looked like a big faker. Friday I was managing without crutches, but simply a slow, steady hobble. But by the final day of the cruise, I was able to walk in heels and with style.
Now that I'm home and looking at my foot, I'm hoping I didn't make another "fashion before comfort" mistake. My foot is a little sore and still slightly swollen. I no longer have the wheelchair, but I still do have the crutches...
I hope I don't have to use them. I'm not ready to be the "cute crippled girl" again. Even if it did get me lots of flattering attention.

Picture was provided courtesy of my good friend, jc.

cam vs. asia

3 countries in 3 weeks. I thought I was up for the challenge. I did it last summer when I went to Greece, Italy and Germany. But this time it was SE Asia. But I didn't think much about it. After all, I had lived in Thailand for two years. It couldn't be too difficult.
Country #1: Thailand
Though I believed I had an advantage, Thailand still beat me. First, I wore the worst possible shoes for walking the streets of Bangkok and developed blisters that still haven't healed after 3 weeks. Next, I lost my new sunglasses. Considering they only cost me $5, the loss wasn't too sad. But still, a loss is a loss. Then there was the wallet incident. I not only lost the wallet itself, but also the important contents. Without a credit card, an ATM card, and with limited cash, I was definitely at a disavantage as I prepared to travel to country #2.
Country #2: Cambodia
I had once before navigated my way into and out of Cambodia, so I considered myself ready this time. Little did I know the challenges I would face. Namely, a sore throat, a terrible headache, and lots of chills in a tropical climate. After 2 days of feeling miserable in Cambodia, I hoped I was ready for another border crossing and country #3.
Country #3: Vietnam
Having slept over 12 hours in the previous country, I began to feel much better as we crossed the border into Vietnam. Additionally, the landscape began to improve and the overwhelming signs of poverty in Cambodia began to fade away. I had hope that Vietnam would finally be a place where I could be worry-free. The first few days there were fine. My feet were still painful due to those shoes I now hate. But at least I was feeling better (apart from the cough that I would develop at night).
At the beach where I planned to relax for 4 days, I slowly began to panic. Not only were my feet still aching, but my left foot was also beginning to swell. And each day it became a bit fatter. I soon began to limp my way to the beach and back. Something was definitely not right. Suddenly, I no longer wanted to be on my vacation. I just wanted to be back in America where I could go to a doctor that spoke English and could diagnosis this very weird condition. Unfortunately, I had to endure 18 hours of plane time to get back to America. I was wrong when I thought my foot couldn't swell anymore.
Home: USA
Ignoring my dad's advice to just drink lots of water and I would be fine, I went to the doctor yesterday. She was worried that I might have developed a blood clot in my leg. Luckily and surprisingly, I had not. I have now been ordered to do nothing this week. I am supposed to stay off my foot and keep it elevated.
And so, I finally admit defeat. I fought a good fight. But Asia beat me. It continues to beat me, and I'm not even there...
No, I'm stuck here on the couch. Where I will be. All. Week. Long.

safety first

While in Bangkok, I took AM and CT to one of my favorite restaurants, Cabbages and Condoms. The food there is "guaranteed not to cause pregnancy." Keeping with the theme of the restaurant, at the end of dinner, the check was presented with after-dinner treats in lieu of mints. I'll give you a hint- it's in the name of the restaurant. And I don't mean cabbages...
Before you start jumping to conclusions that this was one of those type of places that give Bangkok a bad name, let me explain. C&C, as it is more commonly known, was developed to provide financial assistance to the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) in Thailand. The PDA works to promote family planning, generate income in rural communities, develop health care, and educate about AIDS prevention.
At C&C, I get to eat great Thai food in a open-air beer garden with friends and I am helping a good cause. If you ever go to Bangkok, check out Cabbages and Condoms on Sukhumvit, Soi 12.

because it's free

I am currently writing this blog at the Tokyo airport. Why? Because it is free. I believe that more airports should offer free internet. Last year I was at the London Gatwick airport. They offered free internet, but only for hotmail users. I didn't benefit from that free internet.
Before I left on this trip, I was sitting in the American airport sipping on my Starbucks wishing the computers I was looking at were free. For the amount of money I spent on my coffee, the computer use should have been free.

I win

My traveling experience has taught me that in general, not too many American travel abroad. Keeping this in mind, a bet was made in Cambodia to see just how many Americans we would find at Angkor Wat. The 3 of us didn't count. A.M bet that we would only come across 5, C.T. said 9, and I chose 12. Mostly because I had the idea of a dozen stuck in my head at the time. We looked at clothing, listened to accents, and looked for Canadian flag patches to narrow down who we believe were American. And the numbers began to grow.
What did the winner of the bet win? Bragging rights. And so, in the words of Chandler from FRIENDS, I would like to take this opportunity to say, "I win. You lose. One man victory wave in honor of me."

why cam is vietnamese

I only learned one word in Vietnamese. It is the word for orange- cam.

Given my ever-growing obsession with orange, I find this interesting. Very interesting. I did in fact buy 3 orange souveniers while in Vietnam. Just look at this blog and you will see, cam= orange.

phom tham kra-pao satang hai nai rot taex-see

Yes, I can speak Thai. At least a little. So, what did I say?
I lost my wallet in a taxi.
I wish I could say I'm just showing off my Thai, but the sentence is true. Even as I was getting out of the taxi, I was aware that I wasn't sure I had it. I think it must have fallen on the floorboard after I took money out to pay the driver.
I only had about US$10 in my wallet, a very cute driver's license and a credit card. It was the credit card I was most concerned about losing. My reason were two-fold:
1. I didn't want the taxi driver to buy a new taxi using my credit card
2. I feel financially vulnerable and dependent without my credit card
Trying not to cry until after I dealt with the credit card, I began taking the steps necessary to cancel my card- long distance.
I called the company explained the situation, made sure my hotel reservation for Ho Chi Minh had been processed, then closed the account. I thought I had placed the collect call, toll free to the credit card company. I had not. This is when the crying began.
Luckily I am traveling with friends who are willing to help me. C.T. helped me cover the very large phone bill. Both A.M. and C.T. are looking out for me. I do still have some money. So all hope is not lost. And I did pay for 3 of our hotels before the trip. So basically in the end we all end up owing each other money and eventually it might all even out.

When a guy I like disappoints me...

Usually if I like a guy and I get hurt, it's emotional. But recently I have experienced real, physical pain. Steve Madden has not only caused disappointment, but also lingering pain. Steve Madden is my favorite shoe designer. I own at least 8 pairs, and I'm not a girl who owns a lot of shoes. I love all of my Steve Madden shoes. At least, I did...
On the day I went to visit my school in Bangkok, adhering to the dress code, I wore a skirt, a jacket and shoes with a back. Putting fashion before comfort, I wore a pair of my brown Steve Madden shoes. I wish I had gone with my running shoes. Or at least brought my Steve Madden sneakers. Within 5 minutes of walking to catch the skytrain, I realized I would need band-aids to protect my heels. After my 5 minute walk into the schoo, the band-aids had been shredded. My heels didn't fare much better. I quickly went through all the band-aids I brought, the ones I bought, and the ones C.T. gave me.
A week and two countries later, my feet still hurt. I blame Steve Madden. I foolishly overlooked the pain I knew would come from wearing those shoes. And now I have been hurt... and quite possibly scarred.
And yet, I still have the Steve Madden shoes. They'll go home with me. And I'll probably repeat the same mistake. I'll hope that this time I'll be wrong. That these very cute, brown Steve Madden shoes will not hurt my feet. Again.

cam in bangkok

I was in Bangkok last week. Here is a quick hit of things I did while I was there:
-I visited my old school which was really great, yet so surreal all at the same time
-I found C.T. in the airport without problem
-I dragged C.T. all around Bangkok to a surprising number of malls (considering I don't like malls or shopping)
-I've been upset to discover that much of BKK is under construction or renovation which makes finding places much more difficult or impossible
-Our one hour massage made me forget all that made me stressed in my previous point
-I took C.T. to my favorite Thai restaurant where I am still remembered for my karaoke singing skills
-Everyone who sees me and remembers me says I'm thinner... which I am happy to know
-This morning we went to the Grand Palace- the same one where Anna claims the King of Siam fell in love with her(or at the very least was friends with her), but actually she made the whole thing up and Thai people don't so much like her story
-Later we went to see the Reclining Buddah- the same one Richard (in The Beach) saw, but it is actually not just out on the street but rather it is inside a temple
-We ate lunch at my favorite noodle bar where a Thai friend randomly walked in and was very surprised to see me, though I was just as surprised to see him
-We watched American 4th of july fireworks which was a very frightening experience as I watched flaming shrapnel fall to the ground less than 20 feet away from me
-After surviving the fireworks we went to my favorite pizza place to get Pizza A La Vodka and Singha beer
-We went shopping at the market even though I really don't like shopping...
-Picked up A.M. at the airport, though a little less successfully since her plane beat our taxi
-Got a 2 hour massage
-Got a manicure/pedicure
-Enjoyed one last great Thai meal before leaving for Cambodia

I hope you are all very jealous and wish you could be here too. Luckily it isn't too hot or rainy.

full body massage... and I don't just mean mine

Yesterday I took C.T. to get a traditional Thai massage. The first time I got a Thai massage I found it to be the most painful experience I had ever endured. Unlike a Swedish massage, the Thai massage doesn't not involve oil or gentle kneading. Instead it is a fine art of manipulating pressure points all over the body. It's been said that this type of massage is very beneficial for increasing circulation and overall health. I try to keep this in mind as I mentally prepare for the pain.
C.T. and I were given very large pajamas to wear for the massage. Then two, rather small, Thai women entered the room ready to massage our worries away. They began with the feet, slowly digging their fingers into the muscles. The process continues all the way up to the arms, hands and eventually the head. But not all massaging was with their hands and fingers. At times, I was accutely aware that it was their feet, elbows, knees, etc. they were using. Additionally, my body was arranged in bendy fashions that I didn't believe possible. But the final act was one of great accomplishment for both me and my Thai girl. She was on her back with knees in the air. I was lying on my back on top of the pillow which was resting on her knees. She stretched my body in what most likely resembled a back bend. I really don't know if I have at all created the picture for you. But trust me, it was a massage for C.T. and I to remember. And we'll be going back when our friend A arrives. Because we care about our health. And it makes a great story.