Author: Gonzo Girl
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Alone
About 30 years ago, I was on the city bus in Seattle. Coming or going to work, I don’t remember. I do remember the woman who sat next to me that day. I remember when she got on the bus and she was looking for a seat – our eyes met, and I must have…
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Thai Massage: It’s Complicated
Rick makes an audible sigh from the cushion next to me. I barely open my eyes and glance over at him. The woman is standing on my husband. Feet nimbly embedded on his thighs, slowly shifting weight from side to side, she works her toes into his tired muscles. I smile. Thai Massage. Typically weighing…
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Sour Spicy Yummy
“What are ya eating, John?” I called down the hall at school. John, 11, turns around and smiles. He’s holding a snack package with a kid friendly design and Thai writing. “It’s my favorite Miss Melissa! Do you want some?” I walk closer. It looks interesting. Long brownish strips on sticks. They look a little…
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It was everything.
2016. So many have said it was a lamentable year. No matter what side of the coin you are on, it seems that we have all grown tired of negative rhetoric and pessimism. However, I can truthfully say that I have learned so much from this “less than perfect; very UnHallmark, don’t post that on Facebook”…
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Weirder Than Bangkok
“This is weirder than Bangkok,” Rick mumbled and looked at me in disbelief as we stood in the middle of Fred Meyer wondering where our full-to-the-brim shopping cart had gone. We had just finished a grueling, grocery marathon of Christmas dinner stuff – two days before Christmas. Rib Roast, fancy IPA beer and local wines.…
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War & Peace
Saigon My earliest memory of the Vietnam war remains starkly vivid. I was at my best friend Murphy’s house eating luke warm Campbell’s Tomato Soup for lunch. We spent the morning playing Mystery Date and arguing whether the Prom date or the Beach date was better. Typical day in the late 60’s for a couple…
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Stories at 10,000 Feet
“Have you ever been to Tibet?” I asked our guide, Dzoji. He was quiet for a minute, took a sip of grain whiskey from his plastic camp cup and smiled. “Yes. I’ve snuck in twice.” “Really?” I hadn’t expected that. “Tell us!” Dzoji went on to explain that while Bhutan has always welcomed the Chinese…
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Simple
Yesterday, I bought a “Hello Kitty” toaster. It wasn’t an easy decision. Not because it was inanely silly but, because up until now, all of our purchases have been made with the intent of bringing said item home to the states. But I can’t use this toaster in the U.S – wrong voltage, it won’t…
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Humbled — Going Global
So now that I’ve been here in Thailand for about 12 weeks, I like to consider myself more than a tourist. More than a traveler, even. A bit of an expert. I’m an Expat. I’ve made the commitment and I deserve the respect. When Thai’s ask “Where are you from?” I proudly respond, “I live […]…
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Humbled
So now that I’ve been here in Thailand for about 12 weeks, I like to consider myself more than a tourist. More than a traveler, even. A bit of an expert. I’m an Expat. I’ve made the commitment and I deserve the respect. When Thai’s ask “Where are you from?” I proudly respond, “I live…
Gonzo Girl 