The Wobbling Sprocket

 We ran into this priest/shaman on the way to Marayoor.  He told all our fortunes.   It all had to be interpreted by Raj.  He was good.  He got most things right on.  I’m going to have an accident, but after that I’m going to be very happy.  I’m happy anyway and I’m hoping he’s got the accident part wrong…..

Well, Graeme and I both did a lot of nothing today. We got on one of the Chao Praya commuter boats and cruised up and down the river for about a $.25 each way. We are easily entertained these days. I am not sure how our departure from the Riverview is going to go tomorrow. We need to leave about 10 or 10:30am for our flight to Hanoi. That is exactly high tide. I noticed a kid today paddling around in a plastic tub, I might try to rent it so I can tow my bag in something. I think they are expecting really high water here. I noticed people trying to fortify their little personal seawalls in front of some homes. The elevator at the Riverview was also out as there was about an inch in the lobby. The floor to the elevator is feeling might soft. No one seems fazed though.

I forgot all about this. I don’t know how I could. I think it was the first time Chantal and I ever came here that this happened. Every nite the tide comes up the Chao Praya River. it inundates everything within several blocks of the river. There is a foot and a half of water surrounding the Riverview (they have built kind of seawall) and about a quarter inch of standing water in the lobby being squeegeed around by a couple friendly ladies.

The people living around here (and there are many) exist with a daily flood coming into their homes for about 9 or 10 hours each day. Electrical stuff will be elevated as will beds, but they will walk and work and live in at least a foot of water all morning. By noon, the tide goes down. Tomorrow, the same thing will happen and the next and next….for what? maybe a month…I’m not really sure.

I thought I was going to go down and see the guy who sits outside and arranges travel things and have hiim get me a Laos passport. His spot is under at least 18 inches and he is nowhere to be seen.

There is a lady down the block with a couple washing machines that I wanted to visit. Her place will be under but I think her machines are elevated.

Anyway, for anyone who thinks it is a pain to have a couple inches in their basement, give this some thought…a foot of suspect looking water up and down in your living room/work space for 9 or 10 hours every day for a couple months. I’ll go take some pics. I will need to be careful not to drop my camera.

This is at the Royal Orchid  Sheration down the street.  There is a ferry that takes a lo t of people here.   This is  with the  River out. 

This is with the river up.   Sometimes there is two way traffic.  That actually is pretty interesting to watch.