2 - 'nine weeks post-op'

At 'nine-weeks post-op', I was walking +0.5 miles everyday, with the aid of a single-crutch.

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"The Long Arm of the Crutch"

The primary means of transportation I use in Chiang Mai is called a 'red-songtaew'.

definition: a songtaew is an Isuzu pickup with two bench seats in the back, which will pick-up and drop-off passengers anywhere in Chiang Mai. It's essentially a communal taxi. It's painted red, thus the name, 'red-songt...'.

The problem I have with taking the songtaews, is I need to cross a VERY BUSY street. It's diffficult enough with 'two-functioning legs', but with only one, ...

The Thai people, and I luv 'em, have zero, I mean ZERO, understanding of what we would consider, normal "Rules of the Road".

And Safety? fagetboutit!!

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For pure survival sake, I had to develop a technique.

The TECHNIQUE:

I leapt off the curb, and then because it hurts a little to 'leap', I gimped the rest of the way to the middle of the road.

I then stopped, and GLOWERED at the drivers like a 'crazy-little-old-woman', and THEN I'd pointed my crutch at the driver.

Since I am 6'-6", I call my technique, "The LONG ARM of the CRUTCH".

Note: I haven't had anyone 'Throw it into Reverse', YET, but I'm still very hopeful.

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I'm now 'crutch free'; however since I KNOW the drivers will NOT IMPROVE, I'm continuing to carry my crutch.

And for a little extra effect, I carry it like a proud, yet a little crazy, Samurai !!!!

arigatou goizamasu,
Number 8