Trip Report Part3: Khao Lak to Siem Reap
Apr 15th, 2008, 05:46 PM
#21
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No, I do not use a wheelchair in my regular life... I walk. I am handicapped as in not strong (can't run, very hard to climb stairs, weak lungs) due to a medical condition that I was born with. Most people that have what I have are either dead or in wheelchairs.
So, being called a diva is a vile insult... it's also callous & heartless...
I'm recovering from a broken sacrum, standing or walking for too long starts back spasms, Tek was aware of that... so we planned the trip to maximize what I could see by my hiring porters.
Every guide I spoke with said they wanted to borrow the wheelchair from our hotel. I interviewed two other, highly recommended male guides. It is not unusual for disabled tourists to hire porters to push a wheelchair.
Gene is 13 inches taller & 100 lb. heavier, it is effortless for him to snatch me out of a wheelchair... I am NOT 'dead weight', my legs function... it's not like lifting a paraplegic.
I PAID a porter every day we were in Cambodia, whose sole job it was to help me out of the chair... and push the chair.
On strenuous temple days (Angkor Wat) I paid 2 porters... 2 young, strong guys who were thrilled to make easy money riding around in an air conditioned van, eating fruit from Raffles, working light hours & pushing an Asian sized woman in a wheelchair. They made $15 each per day...
Of course, I could stay home & learn my place...
but the meanness here does not merit any further effort from me.
I have no interest in sharing my experiences any further, some of you don't deserve it... I don't want to expose myself to the venom.
So, being called a diva is a vile insult... it's also callous & heartless...
I'm recovering from a broken sacrum, standing or walking for too long starts back spasms, Tek was aware of that... so we planned the trip to maximize what I could see by my hiring porters.
Every guide I spoke with said they wanted to borrow the wheelchair from our hotel. I interviewed two other, highly recommended male guides. It is not unusual for disabled tourists to hire porters to push a wheelchair.
Gene is 13 inches taller & 100 lb. heavier, it is effortless for him to snatch me out of a wheelchair... I am NOT 'dead weight', my legs function... it's not like lifting a paraplegic.
I PAID a porter every day we were in Cambodia, whose sole job it was to help me out of the chair... and push the chair.
On strenuous temple days (Angkor Wat) I paid 2 porters... 2 young, strong guys who were thrilled to make easy money riding around in an air conditioned van, eating fruit from Raffles, working light hours & pushing an Asian sized woman in a wheelchair. They made $15 each per day...
Of course, I could stay home & learn my place...
but the meanness here does not merit any further effort from me.
I have no interest in sharing my experiences any further, some of you don't deserve it... I don't want to expose myself to the venom.
Apr 15th, 2008, 06:04 PM
#23
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Oh grow up Oksana. I am enjoying your report and you are an excellant writer.
As a "handicapped American" I am insulted by your whining and your expectations that everyone kowtow to you because of your "Handicap". I wonder if the busboys who had to trot around at the buffet at the Pen for you were the recepients of your largess?
Sorry for your troubles, but I again recommend the purchase/rental of a lightweight wheelchair. It'll set you free.
As a "handicapped American" I am insulted by your whining and your expectations that everyone kowtow to you because of your "Handicap". I wonder if the busboys who had to trot around at the buffet at the Pen for you were the recepients of your largess?
Sorry for your troubles, but I again recommend the purchase/rental of a lightweight wheelchair. It'll set you free.
Apr 16th, 2008, 02:21 AM
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<b>Gene later remarked that he’s always wanted to know what it felt like to be royalty.</b>
He'll have to settle for being a Contessa's consort, I guess.
I recall, many years ago, going to the Brockton Fair, probably around 1970 or so. They had a midway, and pretty much everything (World's Fattest Woman, guy who picked up a bucket of water with a hook in his lip, etc) cost 25 cents if you wanted to see it. The Rat Eater was the big attraction, and you had to pony up half a buck if you wanted to see this big-time show. The Rat Eater was a nasty-looking fellow -- hollow eyes, frighteningly bad teeth, and a gruesome scar down one side of his face. The show lasted a good 2 or 3 minutes, as the Eater held up a live rat by its tail (though it looked much more like a mouse, in retrospect at least), and dangled it while wearing a hideous grin. We customers cheered wildly, though I'm not sure if it was for the Rat Eater or for the rat/mouse. After a few moments, the moment of truth came for the Eater and the unlucky rodent, the crowd filed out feeling more than a bit queasy, and that was that.
I'm not exactly sure why this thread somehow reminds me of that Moment of Culture in my life, but it does.
He'll have to settle for being a Contessa's consort, I guess.
I recall, many years ago, going to the Brockton Fair, probably around 1970 or so. They had a midway, and pretty much everything (World's Fattest Woman, guy who picked up a bucket of water with a hook in his lip, etc) cost 25 cents if you wanted to see it. The Rat Eater was the big attraction, and you had to pony up half a buck if you wanted to see this big-time show. The Rat Eater was a nasty-looking fellow -- hollow eyes, frighteningly bad teeth, and a gruesome scar down one side of his face. The show lasted a good 2 or 3 minutes, as the Eater held up a live rat by its tail (though it looked much more like a mouse, in retrospect at least), and dangled it while wearing a hideous grin. We customers cheered wildly, though I'm not sure if it was for the Rat Eater or for the rat/mouse. After a few moments, the moment of truth came for the Eater and the unlucky rodent, the crowd filed out feeling more than a bit queasy, and that was that.
I'm not exactly sure why this thread somehow reminds me of that Moment of Culture in my life, but it does.
Apr 16th, 2008, 02:28 AM
#29
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AO-your attention to detail is remarkable. Please continue. Do not let the slings and arrows deter you from completing your report. There are many bitter and small-minded posters, their comments and reports should be taken with a pound of salt.
Apr 16th, 2008, 03:34 AM
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Divas? What's wrong with divas? Divas give the world color--like commandos and people like Gpanda and Bob.
Frankly, I don't think being a diva is vile or wrong. Having been one all my life, I'm glad to know there are others out there getting the bulkhead seats. Makes me fell less self centered
Frankly, I don't think being a diva is vile or wrong. Having been one all my life, I'm glad to know there are others out there getting the bulkhead seats. Makes me fell less self centered
Apr 16th, 2008, 06:33 AM
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I am still reading... in amazement.
Everytime I read a chunk I have to summarize it to Tim and update him on the adventures of AskO. I don't think he believes that this all really happened/ is happening.
Everytime I read a chunk I have to summarize it to Tim and update him on the adventures of AskO. I don't think he believes that this all really happened/ is happening.
