Sunday, November 20, 2011

Enlightenment


It was a shock to find night fall, year round, approximately 6-6.30pm in Bangkok. We have almost exactly 12 hours of daylight and night. But over six years in Thailand I  must have become used to it.

Our summer trips to the UK are welcome and wonderful by comparison; the daylight can go on to 9.30pm…

This time, however… well, I’d forgotten what English autumns and winters were like – at least I knew in my head but I couldn’t remember the experience. I have to keep checking my watch because the visual clues (it’s pitch black outside) are cheating my body. I yawn. I start to think it’s bedtime and check my watch; it’s 6pm!

My parents have made a good recovery from their pneumonia and nearly pneumonia. It’s a relief, I tell you. Never have I been so glad to see my Dad in the kitchen, asking if he can do anything towards supper. Not, I might add, so I don’t have to peel the potatoes but because I realized that he must be on the mend.

When I walk into the village I keep being recognized. In the chemist they ask how M&D are. Someone stopped me on the road yesterday; yes, I’m M’s sister. I’ve seen people I knew as a child. Perhaps I’m starting to belong again.

It has been surprisingly mild here but there’s a definite nip in the air of late so I’m thinking it’s time to go home now; my other home.

7 comments:

D.J. Kirkby said...

Glad your parents are feeling better. Still unseasonably warm here in our part of England.

Unknown said...

A lovely post, and so pleased your parents are recovering.

Jenny Beattie said...

DJ, thank you. Yes it's been amazingly mild but I'm finding the evenings pretty chilly. I hope it stays warm for you all!

Thank you Carole Anne.

Talli Roland said...

Glad to hear your parents are recovering. Wow, I had no idea it gets dark so early in Thailand, all year round!

Unknown said...

Because I live in Mexico, it also gets dark no later than seven-thirty. That was a shock. In Canada where I'm from, it could stay light until ten in the summer.

Chris Stovell said...

Sorry, I've come late to this - horridly hectic here, but just wanted to wish your parents well.

Flowerpot said...

glad your parents are better - and I love that picture, JJ.