I am in southern Thailand on the island of Phuket...pronounced Poo-Get, not F*#* It. I'm visiting my Mexican buddy Carlos, who I got to know well over a bottle of good tequila while I was working in a hostel in Uruguay. He moved here about seven months ago and is opening a Mexican restaurant and guesthouse so I thought I would drop in and see what's going on. Quite simply the place is crazy...full of bars, restaurants and night clubs. It's a little too glitzy and commercial but that also means it's a good place to have a business. So I have found myself helping out here to get the restaurant open. Carlos has employed me as a painter and I've been spending the last week painting a Mexican mural on one of the restaurant walls and a Real Mexican Food sign. It's taking me forever so I'm glad I'm not in a hurry to be somewhere.

Phuket is fun and I have come to the conclusion that the Yamaha scooter I rented is the best invention ever after air conditioning. Thanks to my scooter, I have been all over Phuket Island. Gone are the days of walking in the hot sun. I scoot everywhere now. And renting the thing was even easier than riding it. With my passport, international driver's license, Pennsylvania driver's license, and credit card in hand, I went to the rental place with Carlos. I was prepared to hand over all my documentation and explain why nothing says that I can actually ride a motorbike. Carlos did all the talking. "This my friend. He need motorbike seven day." And the guy took my money, gave me the key, and I rode away. No documents were ever shown. I've now had the thing for over two weeks and I can't take it back... I love the thing.

I will need to go on a border run soon. Thailand only gives me 30 days at a time in my passport so I need to renew by the 18th. This is easily done in a day with a quick trip over to Myanmar(Burma) and back. Unfortunately, I cannot take my scooter there.