Where in the World is Garry?

Postcard from the Edge - Thailand - January 2003

En Route

The wonders of modern technology have once again catapulted me, bags and all, across cultures. Today it threw me across the pacific ocean and dumped me in Taipei airport at 5 am

... IN THE MORNING.

One minute I am having dinner at Houstons (Hooters was full), savouring my glass of Zinfandel, enjoying my BBQ pork ribs only to find myself disappointed twelve hours later that they have run out of shark fin dumplings at the airport's cafeteria.

When I arrive it is early, too early and so I wonder aimlessly through the deserted airport in search of food. Hunger to me is as heat to a gas molecule in a demi jar. As mine increases I start to bounce around the airport in an agitated fashion bouncing from one closed food stall to another until eventually something opens. I finally settle in the standard airport cafe. I stand in line with other confused and sleep deprived travelers, marvelling at how the photographs of the food can seem so appealing and wondering if the same person is responsible for all such culinary visual collateral. I for one am not convinced since it would be a shame for one person to have so much experience and exhibit such poor talent. The final product being a photo which captures the true blandness of English cuisine.

It's my turn at last. My heart sinks when I am told that there is no food until 7 am;

.... IN THE MORNING.

I opt for the Cafe Latte dispensed from the Nescafe machine whose concept was once, like me, catapulted across cultures, across the miles to perpetuate the relentless march of globalisation and to end up, the finished product, this steaming hot and foamy caffeinated beverage in the paper cup before me. I wonder how long before the concept of the paper jacket for my steaming hot beverage is faxed over here too. Still, pricing seems consistent and adds to my feeling of solidarity with familiar things.

So I sit and reflect. The airport begins to warm up and vendors throw up their security awnings in a clatter, fluoresecent lights flicker and the feather dusters appear.

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