Haircut in Bangkok

I've been very good about following doctor's orders.  It's in my own best interest to do whatever it takes to get better and get back to Mandalay.  I was very excited when he told me yesterday that I could walk a bit, as long as it didn't increase swelling or pain.

I didn't want to overdo but am getting a bit stir crazy.  Plus, after just lying around for almost two weeks, I need to get moving to get my energy back.

Luckily for me, I'm staying at the Dubliner Place on Sukhumvit, which is close to everything I need.  Yesterday I walked the 50 yards or so to a Chinese restaurant.  I was extremely happy with the quality of the food.  On my way back, I noticed a small beauty salon advertising full hair services.

Today, I decided to stop by and see if they could fit me in.  No problem, it was just me and two charming young stylists.  They seemed a bit surprised that I wanted a cut but were up for it.  The treatment started with a lovely shampoo.  About 15 minutes of head massaging.  Lovely.

Next I moved to the chair for the cut.  We started to discuss what I was hoping for.  I told them I wanted them to make me "look like her - young and beautiful" and I pointed to the woman holding the scissors.  Both ladies burst out laughing.  Seems they don't do magic.

She did do a fabulous cut, though, followed by almost 20 minutes of blow drying.  I love to have my hair blow dried.  Actually, I enjoy it almost as much as a good massage.  On the rare occasions that I can't get to sleep, I'd love to have someone on call to blow dry my hair.  Puts me out, every time.

It wasn't the biggest outing, but I enjoyed being off my back and out of my hotel room for an hour.  It was nice to have someone other than a doctor or nurse touch me, plus it didn't involve needles.  And, I look beautiful.  I hope that doesn't make my doctor want to keep me longer in Bangkok.  I'm really, really hoping he'll clear me to fly to Mandalay on Thursday.

Still in Bangkok

I've caught on...my doctor, a charming and attractive Thai man, is in love with me.  He hasn't said it out loud but the fact that I keep wanting to go home to Mandalay and he keeps saying "No, it is better for you to stay in Bangkok." leads me to believe he has a crush.

Sure, it could be that the infection isn't responding as quickly as he or I would like.  But really, isn't it more fun to think he has a crush on me rather than just being concerned about my health?  Seriously, he seems to be a great man and doctor.  My only complaint (on behalf of his wife and children) is that he works too much.

I'm trying to look at the bright side of this.  While I'm burning through my sick leave from school, I'm enjoying cable tv and internet, both of which I don't have in my apartment in Mandalay.  I'm feeling at home here at Dubliner Place.  They've been very kind about continuing to extend my stay.  The cleaning woman is also great - she keeps the place sparkling clean and now, rather than putting all the pillows back where they belong after making the bed, she puts them where I need them - some to lean on and some to prop my leg on.

I asked the dr. if I could get out of bed and do some walking.  He said that if it doesn't increase the swelling or pain that I can walk.  I commented that just standing up causes pain.  His logical response?  "Then you shouldn't be walking too much."

My journey to become the consummate couch potato continues.