#back-packing

Back of Beyond   by C.J. Box

Rebel Voice has reviewed a number of C.J. Box’s novels in the Joe Pickett series and found them all of a high standard. Back of Beyond is not of the same story-line nor level of writing.

Detective Cody Hoyt is an alcoholic (is there any other type of cop?) maverick in the police department of Lewis and Clark County in Montana. He gets called to a potential crime scene…

I have something I need some help with. This summer I'm going to be travelling through Asia and I'd like some advice on what to bring. I've read that for shoes a simple pair of flip flops and some close-toed shoes should be good but I'm not sure if I'll need to bring some more hiking-appropriate type shoes? I'll be going through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China, from early May until mid June. 

Has anyone have any experience with that area of the world and could perhaps give me some advice? 

I could not stand the thought of 8hr layover at Kuala-lumpur LCT (low cost terminal) until I actually landed in the chaos-land. The 500yen cup noodles(?) bought in the earlier flight had earned me a change of 4MYR(100yen/2$). This was all the Malayasian money I had for my 8 hrs stay at the airport. Though I did have few thousand yen and couple of credit cards in my pocket; just to train the backpacker in me; I decided to take-up this 4MYR challenge. First problem was drinking water! I walked the whole terminal building wagging my empty water bottle but there was no drinking water available anywhere. I went to KFC asking for water, before listening to me fully the lady brought me mineral water bottle and the very moment she said “2.20MYR sir..”; I told her I did’t want to buy water! Got a weird, puzzled look!! I explain her my situation. She suggests me to try at coffee shop. I goto coffee shop with my pledge statement. Coffee shop was pretty classy. The guy at the counter looked puzzled but he generously granted me permission to get my water bottle filled. My bottle was filled but before my thirst could quench, the container was already empty. ;-( Damn it.. I moved on to the next challenge; “Food”! This was gonna be real challenge. I checked out every single restaurant, food chain shop and stalls in the terminal. The least cost for lunch portion was 9MYR, snaks were about 5.00 which too was out of my budget. Arrgh, “Nik don’t be such a cheapo! Exchange some money and spend like a king..” Hunger had started affecting my thought process. Damn I was not giving up so soon. Simple idea flashed in my mind, why not try going out of the airport and look for some street food? It was already midnight and chances were minimal. Stepped out of the terminal. I was in middle of nowhere! I saw a cargo worker. I am sure he didn’t eat in the costly airport shops. He must know something! I asked him where I can find some food. He just pointed his finger somewhere in the dark and murdered “go right from signal”. I walked off on the dark lonely streets. I was tired and sleepy after the long haul flight but to my surprise my brain was working super fast; in multiple directions. “Nik, are you crazy!? Is this even safe!?” I had no answers. After walking some 10 odd minutes I reached a shady looking streetside food stall. 1.80MYR read the letter pained against a picture of some burger like thing. I ordered one. Two chaps ran the stall. They looked talkative and friendly. As they grilled my burger I told them about my 4 MYR challenge. There were giggles… I was poured some ice-tea! I suppose they had never seen a specimen like me before. Then we talked about their work, my work etc etc. There were no customers anyways so the talks went on. I didn’t even realize when we three were sitting at the chairs in lawn under the stars, sharing life stories. They offered me some ice tea and cigarette. I don’t smoke but sometimes sharing a cigarette is the quickest way to connect with strangers. The two guys Zyali and Aamy who ran the stall, also worked at the airport part time. One was a Cop(!) and other was an ambulance driver! Simple and hardworking people. I really liked talking to them. Sometime later they invited their two other friends Farid and his brother. We all were almost of same age. We talked about Bollywood films, work, marriage rituals, nightlife and of-course girls! :p

Two hours passed and it was time to head back to the airport. Farid’s brother poured me another cup of tea and quickly grilled me an extra special burger. We took pictures and exchanged emails. Farid insisted that he will drop me off at the airport in his car and he actually daid! I was delighted with their hospitality towards a total stranger. Simple but warm people, interesting talks and my two hours felt like a blink! This was the first time in life I was able to connect and have a great time with total strangers. Long way to go.