I packed ALL the wrong stuff. I brought dry-clean-only suits to a climate where the record LOW is 61 degrees. I brought my backpacking gear to a countryside that has the most land mines + unexploded ordnance (i.e. bombs) per sq. kilometer of any place in the world (thanks, vietnam war).
+ nightmare of all nightmares, I forgot to pack FLOSS
I was in a state of utter panic. I dragged my friend to every bathroom supply vendor in the market, asking: "jao mi FLOSS baw?" while madly running an imaginary string in between our teeth.
I should probably mention that before I left the states, I spent $200 at the dentist doing a "full mouth debridement" + was told that I need to floss better.
Living in a developing country, I've discovered that I can live without Listerine ($3 for a small bottle)
and I'm even willing to brush my teeth with 2 fingers + salt (it was good enough for my granma)
but I cannot go to sleep if I do not floss in between my teeth.
I was a bit indignant with these people + their dental hygiene nonchalance. None of you guys floss? Are you serious? What the heck is wrong w/ u all? How can you live + sleep w/ gunk stuck in your teeth? You all need to get out of the stone age + get with the modern world, people! + while ur at it, get some supermarkets that are clean + well-lit!
Finally after scouring the entire town, I find a mini-mart: where the upper class local kids can buy American nacho cheese hot dogs. + where tourists can get their Listerine. + floss.
I look for my favorite brand: GLIDE mint-flavored, ultra-waxed
but all they had was the cheap thin unwaxed kind that gets shredded by your teeth
It only cost $1.50
Outside the market, floss in hand, I run into a kid covered in dirty rags and no shoes on. He looks at me plaintively w/ outstretched hand. I want to give him something but I'm also kinda annoyed he thinks i'm a tourist. I don't know how to tell him that I live here, so instead all I can say is: Bopenyang (which kinda means, don't worry about it) which probably made no sense. He turns around, expressionless, and walks away.
I used to floss like a rich kid eats eclairs
these days, I floss more carefully
I'm trying to see life through the rotting teeth of a beggar boy
+ I know that $1.50 cheap unwaxed floss is a king's luxury
