Vanishing Tattoo --
Trip Updates
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We check out of the Madame Guest House. I find myself waxing nostalgic already despite the lack of hot water. Pretty tough to beat six bucks a
night. So if you're looking for a great deal, go to 11 Soi Saphan Khu near
the Malaysia Hotel on Sibamphen Road, Bangkok, 10120, Thailand (662)286-9289.
Tell them Vince and Tom sent you…
We head straight to Gulati's for a quick fitting. Tom and I both have a few minor adjustments. Sam assures us they will be done in ninety minutes. This is just amazing. Tom has his suit made, a few shirts and I get a half dozen shirts made of the finest, silkiest long-staple Egyptian cotton I've ever run my paws across. And at a price that can't be beat. Tom and I wander the streets for a bit and then go back and pick up our clothes. The adjustments are perfect. Sam and the rest of the shop bid us a fond farewell. We promise to return on our next trip. We call for a taxi. The rest of the day is spent in transit. A three-hour flight out of Bangkok and then six and a half-hours in Kuala Lumpur Airport. I try to file more dispatches over the Internet but my connection keeps crashing. I am now at least a week behind. I long for the days of the cyber-cafe in Kuching. Hard to believe the best international internet service on the face of the planet is in Borneo, but trust me, it's been true so far on this trip. Thomas is enjoying a beer and a comfortable stuffed chair. He is diligently filling out the elaborate expense account system that our co-producer Jack Silberman has saddled us with. He hums contentedly to himself while compiling receipts and making enough notations to keep Jack happy. The Malaysian Airlines Lounge is an oasis, even if the internet connection keeps crashing. There is a buffet and a cooler filled with the beverages of your choice. I get caught up on some fresh fruit juices. Finally I quit worrying about the paper work and settle down with a newspaper. No matter what airport in the world you're in, you can always count on those folks at USA Today to have a newspaper waiting for you. Still nothing resolved in the American election. This is an astonishing event, made even more remarkable by our observing the fishbowl of media coverage on the election from the distance of halfway round the world. Finally an eight-hour flight to Sydney. Oh joy, oh bliss. We, of course, get little or no sleep. I suppose I should be disciplined about such things but I long ago learned to accept my many failings as a human being. Last time I heard, only the Pope was infallible and apparently even that was only his own opinion… The Malaysian aircrew is simply the best in the world. Can't say enough good things about them. They make the long flights a pleasure and Thomas and I have never been treated better. Trust me, if you have a choice, fly Malaysian. Of course, it didn't hurt that they were interested in The Vanishing Tattoo! I have now watched Gone in 60 Sixty at least half a dozen times. It doesn't improve with repeated screenings. I could make a spectacular documentary for what they spent on a tenth of the car crashes... Australia awaits! |
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