Koh Jum, Krabi, ThailandThe continental Americas and their islands take up massive east/west space on planet earth, right from 30 to 165 degrees longitude.
And looking the other way, from north to south they stretch from almost the North Pole all the way to Tierra del Fuego.
Elenka and I had met just five people from the Americas during this trip. Four French speaking Canadians from the Province of Quebec and one United Stateser from Georgia..
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(Note: The Centre of the Universe (CTU) and Toronto are one and the same)
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Pretty much all of the visitors in Indonesia and on the Thai isle of Koh Jum are from Europe, where English is widely spoken. Still, I take a simplistic approach when conducting my nationality survey, like I would at the CTU, where English is considerably less common.
Where you from? Is how I start.
The first non-European I encountered answered, ‘America.’
With a bit of a Latino accent while using my hands to help guide my words, I said, ‘What country in America?’
He looked at me puzzled.
‘What - country - you - from - in - America?’ I said, slowly and succinctly.
‘Hell, I ain’t no country boy, I’m from Atlanta, Georgia.’
The city boy was my one and only encounter with a United Stateser … of America.
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After Daniel and Sara packed up and left for Bangkok, Elenka and I continued doing lots of swimming, reading and walking the almost vacant beach on Koh Jum. Then, a few days ago, American #6 arrived. Michelle lives in Shediac, New Brunswick, Canada. We first met Michelle last winter in Roatan and have been amigos ever since. She’s currently midway through a self-organized three month diving adventure which brought her to Thailand and will finish with a month in Vietnam. Because we knew we were going to be within close proximity, we decided to get together for a week or so.
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A kilometre or so down the beach there’s a sea gypsy cemetery. The other day the sea gypsies had a New Year’s (we think) celebration there, so Michelle, Elenka and I paid a visit. They provided food along with free beer, while a musical band played instruments for the singing and dancing revellers. The party went from nine in the morning until three in the afternoon; and one of the biggest attractions of the day seemed to be me.
Men, women and children smiled, photographed and touched me as though they’d found their own E.T. The white beard seemed to be what it was mostly about. I initially thought it might be a Santa Claus effect, but Elenka reminded me there is no Santa in Thailand.
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While waiting for Michelle to arrive Elenka and I did a little creative writing. Green Acres, a TV series from the 60s had a very catchy theme song.
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We did a little lyrical poaching from the Green Acres theme song and wrote our own tune. One of us sings the first verse, the other sings the second. It might be helpful if you first listen to the theme song link below. It’s very short:
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Koh Jum is the place to be,
Beach livin' is the life for me,
Sea spreadin' out so far and wide,
Keep the CTU just gimme me that seaside
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The CTU is where I'd rather stay,
I am allergic to sea spray,
I just adore a CN Tower view,
Darlin’ I love you as much as the CTU
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An Americas beware news bulletin: We’ve just learned that Red China has bought or perhaps simply claimed the southern territory of Koh Jum.
Daniel
2023-03-10
We sure miss those sunsets. And of course we miss you guys as well 🥰. Eleven days just passed so quickly in a blur of pancakes, sunsets, swimming and happy hours 🍻
Stephz
2023-03-10
Maybe Dumbledore or Gandalf?
Margo
2023-03-10
I think you found your next campfire song. I can hear it now. 🔥 🎶
Irene
2023-03-10
You both are living the dream! Never a dull moment your shared adventures always make me smile and wish I was there. I’m happy we met and continue a friendship distant though it is. Elena your photography is amazing. Every picture is a story of its own thanks for sharing stay happy stay safe my friends
Renate
2023-03-10
Thanks for all the wonderful photos, stories, videos, from your trip. A really great adventure. In some days you will be back in Canada. Have a good trip back home.
David
2023-03-11
United-States-er > estadounidense > USer? Could be pronounced either as YOO-ESS-ER or YOO-ZER...
Leta
2023-03-11
Love reading about your adventures and Ellie, your photos are amazing! Take care & continue to enjoy. xoxo