The last week has brought me on another journey through time exploring my roots in the motherland.

On Monday I was obligated to an editorial meeting at the office. I used my off time in the office to finish up my column deadlines so that I would be burden free during my small adventure.

Tuesday, I boarded a van Lopburi bound with a few material belongings including two changes of clothes, a book, journalist notebook, some pens, business cards, Ukulele, digital video camera, toothbrush, cell phone, charger, and a portfolio containing all my official identity/educational records and documents.

The ride to Lopburi was three hours along 150 kilometers (aprox 94 miles) of modern Thai paved concrete highway. The first hour had me sleeping through the hustle and mess of suburban concrete---Rungsit, Bangkok 's premiere suburb complete with off ramps, massive shopping malls and parking lots, universities, private homes, amusement parks, and golf courses, resembles any North American heartland city. Just change the Walmart and Target to Tesco Lotus and Big C, and you could never tell the difference.

Ironically, the van's driver was blasting a tape of familiar generic-cut tunes of classics like 'I Started a Joke', 'Mr. Postman' and 'Stay'. The recordings definitely sounded old, but certainly weren't authentic versions by original artists. The plastic soundtrack contrasted with the sprawling suburban setting passing by outside was a reminder of how Thais stubbornly emulate and embrace non-beneficial foreign fads of the west. I became irritated contemplating this reality, shutting my eyes and whisked away into unconsciousness.

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