Yesterday up at 8 to meet at 9, today up at 6 to meet at 7. Yesterday took a longtail boat to the island of Koh Wao, today took a big boat to Racha Yai. Yesterday freaked out a bit when I first had to breathe in the ocean, today cool and collected. Today certified in Open Water Diving! Tomorrow begin Advanced. My dive instructor, Maik, is a jolly ol' German fellow. Even underwater he's hilarious - putting a lobster on his head, provoking an eel, making an obscene gesture with a sea cucumber. But he can flip a switch and mean business when it comes to attaining neutral buoyancy, dealing with a free floating regulator, making a controlled emergency ascent, etc. On the longtail yesterday I was with a bunch of other Germans, laughing at them laughing though I had no clue what they were saying. As I lounged on the small boat, I began to wonder whether the wet drops on my face were coming from the ocean or from their mouths as they spoke. Then today I was surrounded by Japanese girls. No complaints. Even underwater, I could spot the stereotypical (but accurate) peace sign held during photos. It's a whole new world down there. Just like the Aladdin song. It's weird having to concentrate on breathing, especially when burps distract me with a rush of bubbles. With each dive I'm becoming more comfortable, using less air. Maik tells me that it would also help if I didn't chase after every pretty fish with my camera. On land, things are just as good. Kamala is a quiet little stretch of beach, but the wild town of Patong is a 10-minute tuktuk ride away. It's interesting to see the effects of the tsunami here in comparison to Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, the wreckage was depressing. There was no light at the end of the tunnel, people seemed to be waiting for help to come or to be paid for helping out. Here, there is a sense of urgency, drive to get life back on track before high season really begins. There is construction everywhere, but the damage is being dealt with while Thai spirits remain high. Group trash sweeps on the beach, for example. The owner of my hotel caring for 14 cats and 3 dogs ever since. I'm quite impressed.

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