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March 28, 2005
Chapter Two - The Domino Days (And Nights)
So within days of arriving in the city, Ray and I left. It wasn't a planned departure; nothing on this trip was planned. We left because of Matt and Judy. Ray didn't like the city life that much anyway, but we had gone out dancing every night and lay by the swimming pool during the heat of the days. I was enjoying myself, what wasn't to like?
It was on one of those nights out to our favorite disco for drinks and dances when we met them outside as we were leaving. How it happened was a bit of an embarrassing situation actually. I was maneuvering the rental bike out of it's tight spot when my loose pant-leg caught itself on the kick-stand of the bike next to me, and trying to recover, I hopped backwards straight into the opposite row of bikes. From that moment it was like an unstoppable setup of dominoes as each bike took the next one down as well in a thunderous roar. All I could do was watch in horror and think about how much I loved dominoes when I was a kid.
As the last domino, I think it was a double-six, took to the ground, a couple on their way out of the disco came over to help. They were there out of kindness I thought, but it turned out that last bike to fall was theirs. I fixed the bent mirror then apologized and thanked them for their help. With smiles and laughs, they invited us out for some more drinks at a bar down the street.
After what had just happened, we decided walking a block and a half to the bar was the best choice. They were still open, well past the supposed city curfew law. Must be because of an oh-so-common police payoff for those on patrol to turn their heads the other direction after 2AM. The bar was empty except for one other group at a table in the front. Before we had even picked a table, an Irish-accented voice called out from their table and insisted we come drink with them. Okay.
After learning a new drinking game involving a number of toothpicks, we had downed a few shots of flaming sambuka and were halfway through a bottle of Sangsom when Phil, the one who called us over, starting getting a bit aggressive. I think I shouldn't have sat on the other side of his girlfriend, but there was no calming him. He had to be escorted out of the bar by his less-wasted friend before I got a pool cue to the back of my head. We decided to mozy on back to the hotel.
Matt and Judy weren't tired a bit and came with us for some more partying in Ray's room. We talked about life, the passage of time, and food of course, as the Chili Peppers blasted their tunes at seven watts from the little travel speakers we carried with us everywhere. At about 5:15AM, We found out our new friends were leaving the next afternoon on a minibus to a little town just three hours into the mountains from there. Soon after, we all passed out.
Spontaneity makes memories, memories are key to slowing the passage of time, and the passage of time is just relative to your state of mind. The very next day, after an afternoon wake-up swim, we bought tickets on a minibus departing just hours after Matt and Judy's. It wouldn't be our last stay in the city and I was having fun, but a stint in the countryside can't do anyone any harm. Now it's fruit shakes by the riverside because of a few toppled motorbikes. Did you ever play with dominoes? Who hasn't?
Posted by Tom Bodhi at March 28, 2005 01:44 AM
Comments
So what do you know about Hunter Thompson? I haven't really read much of his work, but this piece about late night parties seems to remind me of him. I can easily imagine the row of bikes-- flashing on Center Camp with all the bikes outside. Yes, I used to set dominos up just to see them fall. Synchronicity in action.They say that falling is essential for walking. That's why it's so hard to build a robot that walks naturally. They say the same thing in modern dance-- it's all falling. Late night parties, falling bikes, falling asleep.....
Posted by: emma cornell at March 28, 2005 05:23 PM
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