Today at opthamologist Samtavej hospital. Pictures in the waiting area showing happy Thai sporting around in semi-undress. I asked the nurse what time period in Thai history this must be.
"Must be before Rama 5 because after, no can do like this." She is referring to the topless dress. King Rama 5 along with his father was an Anglophile especially after his visit to London in Victoria's time. Now both are widely revered by Thai. They say Rama 5 modernized Thailand (then called Siam), freed slaves, abolished interogatory torture, introduced public sanitation.
The doctor says I have cataracts. Happy birthday, mid seventies. I feel like the captain of a rusty old freighter plying the tropical seas, only three cylinders firing and bilge pumps going below. My eyes dilated, the colors seem accentuated and beautiful. I walk from Samitavej back to my condo, the Christmas lights are still up, a wonderland of sparkling color, car headlights with angelic rainbow halos. Warm pleasant evening, I stop at a pub and treat myself to a Belgian brown ale.
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