The Bubble

1. Life feels somewhat like a closed order in the land behind the gates. A large land with many houses and streets. The house with its mosquito nets and closed doors and air conditioning.

2. Yesterday we walked 25 minutes to the epicentre. What was in the epicentre you may ask - a supermarket, hairdressers, starbucks, restaurant, gym and olympic sized swimming pool (yet to be tried out). There is a bike here so perhaps I can cycle down one day for a swim.

3. Public transport does not exist here. How does one get out other than the driver or phoning for a taxi. I understand the housewives here attend classes at the local international school.

4. My morning usually starts with a swim about 8 a.m. - well sort of a swim round the little pool for many laps, then a cup of something and sit on the balcony to read and wait for noises from the other bedroom. The morning is normally sunny but then deteriorates later in the day either rain or black clouds.

5. We are so far removed from the riots in one street in Bangkok. How often have we talked about being at the bottom or the close and not knowing about the unrest in the London Road. They want democracy and not corruption. There should have been a coup they said, but no-one moved swiftly enough.

6. Back to the daily routine - walking the floor with the little lad when he is restless, whilst Kaaren works and Karstein is playing squash. He has had permission whilst I am here. Proper lunch cooked by the maid then more walking the floor or reading. There is not much else to do on the domestic front as it is all catered for. As I said a different world.

7. News from Evenley. Sam has drawn up a job list for Evenley and asked for responses none apart from me have been forthcoming. I am wondering whether to send it to you to see what you think.

8. In the shadow of Mao is an amazing book and I wished I had read it before I left. I would have questionned our minder a lot more about human rights. The accounts were extraordinary

There seems to be a bit of hard crying so I had better attend.

Keep enjoying the patio. I shall think of you there.

Grandma W