Almost Home and Travel Observations

A couple of thoughts on flying: 1) avoid sitting next to a large Russian man on a flight from Bangkok to Seoul.  Poor man didn't feel like his seat was enough so he used part of mine as well.  I get an aisle seat because it is generally cooler and I can breathe better, but Russian men put off a lot of body heat.  He couldn't speak English and he definitely could not speak Thai or Korean.  

2) Koreans don't necessarily follow the lining up concept.  Did they really think I didn't see them cut in front of the Thai woman in front of me?  

3) Americans help others when traveling overseas.  I was helped by a few others along the way and I was able to help two little Asian ladies sitting behind me from Korea to America.  They were too short to reach the overhead so I put their two suitcases up there for them in spite of being runover by two very tall Korean men.  I needed two large southern men at that moment who would not have put up with that.

I never know how much I miss America until I get home.  I try to be all there when I am in Thailand.  Here are a few observations of being home in America even though I am still in the Atlanta airport for a few more hours.  I came up the escalator from the train and the smells of America swept over me and I wanted to shout, "America smells good!" I could smell fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.  

When I go into a public restroom, I don't have to wonder if they have a western toilet.  Guess what?  I didn't use a squatty potty on this trip to Thailand.  

I blend in in America.  I don't stand out.  98% of the people on my flights had black hair.  

In America, I am short.  I like being the normal height in Thailand. But in Thailand, I am fat!  

I'll have to tell you the stories of having a police officer climb into the back of the van with me in Chiang Rai. Or having to show my passport to a soldier when I was on the bus.  But there is no time now.

I'm glad to be almost home.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone in America.  And at the same time, I miss Thailand and all my friends there!!