Well, I got home from Koh Tao eventually, and was sitting in Bangalore thinking "What the hell am I going to do now?" Studies finished, monsoon season looming and little prospect of anything interesting and exciting on the horizon. Those of you who know me well will realise how frustrating this would be for me. After such an intense lifestyle in difficult and often dangerous situations; to go from that to a relative vacuum, both professionally and socially, was really killing me. All day with only the cats to talk to was less than satisfying.
Of course I could have joined the Bangalore Overseas Women's Group, but the thought of an endless stream of discussions and presentations on "How to use Tupperware", "The unavailability of feminine hygiene products in outlying Bangalore" and "Controlling my own orgasm" did not exactly fill me with overwhelming enthusiasm for the otherwise baron months ahead.
Of course I could have joined the Bangalore Overseas Women's Group, but the thought of an endless stream of discussions and presentations on "How to use Tupperware", "The unavailability of feminine hygiene products in outlying Bangalore" and "Controlling my own orgasm" did not exactly fill me with overwhelming enthusiasm for the otherwise baron months ahead.
As a result I was becoming more and more intolerant of everyday life situations. Living in India can be so frustrating. It seems like everyone is putting unnecessary obstacles in your way just for the sole reason of being awkward. This stretches not only to those in positions of authority, such as Government officials, but also in everything you try to achieve on a daily basis. For example - order steak and chips in the restaurant, and the chances of both steak and chips arriving on the same plate at the same time are slim.
I digress somewhat. The result of all this, as well as Jen getting seriously pissed off at me being a Meldrew every day, was a decision that I would go back to Koh Tao to become a Divemaster, and then work on for three months.
So, I arrived on 1st July and got some temporary accommodation and introduced myself to the dive organisation I had chosen for my course. The dive shop suits me well. It is administered well, to what some might call an exacting military standard, which, considering my background, I find comforting. The instruction is professional and above all, the staff have all made me feel most welcome. I have met many really great people since coming here, and the social life is hectic. I won't go into the details of dancing in the sea at 2AM and having to buy a new phone as a result!
I am really enjoying the course, especially by the fact that I am kept really busy. Some mornings I will be at the shop for 7AM to do two dives before lunch, and then even go out on the afternoon boat for two more dives, getting back to my room after 6PM to meet the others for dinner and drinks after 7. I enjoy this lifestyle, but it is really easy to get carried away with it, especially after spending so long with very little meaningful social contact.
I have secured some long term accommodation which is really smart, if not on the slightly expensive side for Koh Tao at £280 per month, but compare that to the £1100 per month for our villa in Bangalore, and it is not worth worrying about. Still, it is quiet, and central; only 5 mins walk to the dive shop and convenient to shops, bars and restaurants.
It is only about 15 or 20 mins walk along the beach road between Sairee and Mae Haad, and although the road is only about 6 feet wide it is very dangerous as it passes AC Bar, The Fishbowl and The Star Club. These establishments employ the use of a futuristic social tractor beam to pull you inside, Once they have captured you, they administer you a cocktail of various liquids which effectively erase your memory of all subsequent events. You wake up in your own bed the next morning with absolutely no recollection of anything that happened from the moment you walked inside the night before.
Most disconcerting.
I recall walking back from Sairee one evening past those above mentioned commercial sirens of demise. I was in my bare feet and as I had earlier suffered a wardrobe malfunction involving my footwear. I remember nothing further until the next morning when I woke up with one of my sandals stuck to the front of my shorts with Superglue. Just one of those Koh Tao things that you can't explain. Thinking about it only further confuses the situation, and so it is just best to forget and move on.
I suppose, to be honest with myself, I have spent the last 5 weeks reliving my 20's. I really appreciate the opportunity that I have been given to do this. Not that I didn't enjoy my 20's but I was too busy running round the streets of Belfast with a gun, rather than seeing the rest of the World and having fun.
It is good that there is no social age distinction here. Everyone is having fun and equally accepted. People are here to enjoy themselves, but in a measured and non destructive way. This is certainly no Ibiza, Magaluf or Malia. I hope it stays this way, and its simple rustic charm does not become destroyed by the spread of cancerous commercialism.
It is only about 15 or 20 mins walk along the beach road between Sairee and Mae Haad, and although the road is only about 6 feet wide it is very dangerous as it passes AC Bar, The Fishbowl and The Star Club. These establishments employ the use of a futuristic social tractor beam to pull you inside, Once they have captured you, they administer you a cocktail of various liquids which effectively erase your memory of all subsequent events. You wake up in your own bed the next morning with absolutely no recollection of anything that happened from the moment you walked inside the night before.
Most disconcerting.
I recall walking back from Sairee one evening past those above mentioned commercial sirens of demise. I was in my bare feet and as I had earlier suffered a wardrobe malfunction involving my footwear. I remember nothing further until the next morning when I woke up with one of my sandals stuck to the front of my shorts with Superglue. Just one of those Koh Tao things that you can't explain. Thinking about it only further confuses the situation, and so it is just best to forget and move on.
I suppose, to be honest with myself, I have spent the last 5 weeks reliving my 20's. I really appreciate the opportunity that I have been given to do this. Not that I didn't enjoy my 20's but I was too busy running round the streets of Belfast with a gun, rather than seeing the rest of the World and having fun.
It is good that there is no social age distinction here. Everyone is having fun and equally accepted. People are here to enjoy themselves, but in a measured and non destructive way. This is certainly no Ibiza, Magaluf or Malia. I hope it stays this way, and its simple rustic charm does not become destroyed by the spread of cancerous commercialism.
I have almost finished my course now, and looking forward to actually performing the role. After discussions with several people here, I am considering trying to become a qualified instructor, and it would be great to return at the end of January or February, after I come back from skiing, to give it a go.
Jennifer will be arriving on 25th August which will be great, and she hopes to try to get certified on her open water course while here, which would be good for us both to dive together.
More updates later...........
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