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NUMBER EIGHTY EIGHT:
"Number 42" the Thai airways desk attendant says.
I don't even have to look at the number I am holding in my hand, I have exactly 46 people to go in front of me. After being toppled over yesterday by disgruntled travelers rushing to get their line ticket number inside the Thai airways reservation office, disregarding the fact that there was already a line formed outside the door, we weren't in a hurry to make it to the office today.
"I need to get to Bangkok" one gentleman says to the attendant.
"I am sorry sir, all flights to Bangkok have been cancelled. There is a demonstration by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in Thailand. They have taken over the airport so at this point the airport is closed"
"But I need to get to Bangkok!" He stresses. "Can you route me anywhere else in Thailand?"
"Unfortunately all our flights connect through Bangkok... It seems that other areas of Thailand are also being affected sir..."
The gentleman slams his hands on the desk and storms out grumbling. I ponder the productivity of that display.
Only a couple hours prior, I woke up to the sound of brooding pigeons outside our window and a little sliver of light through the curtains. I sigh as I realize we are still in Kathmandu, a place I will try to avoid for the rest of my travels. The thought of walking throught the tourist slum of Thamel for one more night, while men on each and every street whisper "hashish" and "pot - good price" while we try to avoid being hit by beeping cars and motorbikes, bought on credit, that fly by with little to no regard for pedestrians, is less than appealing.
"Well," I mumble sleepily to James. "Maybe we can reroute ourselves through India until the situation clears up in Bangkok..."
James turns on the t.v. There has been a terrorist attack at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai. The terrorists are seeking people from the U.S. and the U.K to keep hostage, there are over 100 dead and over 200 have been injured. The hotel is on fire, granades have been thrown and the terrorists have now taken over a local hospital.
"I suppose India is out of the question..." I said as I thought about the fact that we were lying there, together, in the comfort of our ridiculously large bed, while people on the other side of this very small country are being terrorized.
"Number 51" the attendant calls as I am jolted back to the reality of sitting in the Thai airways office.
"This really sucks!" says the Aussie (not James) that is sitting right next to me, who is one week into a 5 week holiday. "It doesn't even seem like they want to help us" He says as he looks over at me. I am too busy thinking about the people in Thailand that are fighting for basic human rights and the victims in India that have been killed, are injured or are currently being held hostage. Although I am aware of the inconvenience that this brings to our 9 month holiday, I also realize that this is part of the world and its politics. The people in Thailand want freedom from the corruption that they have been fighting for for years so they have taken over the airport in an attempt to get the world to open their eyes and see the injustices that they have faced and help to do something about it. I have never felt so intimately involved. Maybe because I am sandwiched in between and have never felt this type of entrapment but my eyes are opening and each day I am able to see more and more.
"Number 88..."
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