Monks On Parade over, I hop off the wall, slap the dust off my butt, and head to the deck overlooking the Mekong at the Saffron Cafe. I order pancakes and milk (at least 120% milkfat and amazing) which I would never, ever permit myself back home (calories). But, since my last meal was probably Thanksgiving turkey, my conscience is clean. The coffee here: perfection! Even if they do charge Starbuck's prices. A cup of this stuff costs about the same as my villa for a night. And worth every Kip.
Belly full, I walk to Mount Phousi and assess the steps ascending into infinity. 138 to the office, another 190 to the top. And the hike isn't too bad. To the office, anyway. I fork over my 20,000 Kip -- only slightly winded -- and proceed to the peak. Nice view.
I follow a narrow path leading down the backside of Mount Phousi and Buddhas of all shapes, sizes, and colors greet me. My favorite is the Diana Ross Buddha, urging me to think it over.
I descend and land at the Nam Khan Road. Returning to Broadway, I follow it back towards Mount Phousi, pass the big hill, and pause at the very-cute Joma Bakery Cafe. I know a good expat haunt when I see one, and this looks like a good expat haunt. I order a Diet Coke, grab an English-version Bangkok Post off the rack, and immerse myself in it. I always find foreign journals' takes on U.S. events fascinating: I re-realize that our homegrown news is stilted and censored.
My own state of Illinois is honored with an article on our esteemed governor, Rod Blagojevich, who was recently wiretapped while selling a senate seat. Way to go, home team!
But -- even better -- another piece lauds Mr. Zaidi, the Iraqi who threw a shoe at W. Since "sharing his love" with our Soon-to-Be-Former-But-Not-Soon-Enough-to be Former-President Bush, Mr. Zaidi (labeled a folk-hero) has received two marriage proposals, gained 14,500 Facebook fans, become the subject of an Egyptian pop song, and has inspired a 65,000-member internet group with the catchy name of "I'm a Fan of the Great Hero Who Hit Bush with his Shoes in Baghdad."
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