Almost died...again

Who knew that Asia could be so dangerous? (or really, that I am so clutzy)

It started when I first went to Thailand and almost died falling off a boat into the super polluted Chao Praya river in Bangkok.

Then, I almost died falling off a startled elephant in Chiang Mai.

A few weeks ago, I nearly died by rolling down the side of a mountain after jumping out of the way of a speeding car on a way too narrow and steep mountain road on my way to Gujo Castle.

And then, there's last night. Last night, I woke up and was really thirsty, so I got dressed and started to walk to the convenience store to buy something to drink. The convenience store is only 2 minutes away, and to get there, I simply must walk down a path between a very old and traditional Japanese house, and a rice patty. Well, as I entered the dimly lit path, I heard a strange noise. The noise got louder the more I walked, and after a few seconds, I realized that it sounded just like the sound that the creepy dead Japanese boy makes in The Grudge right before he kills someone. (If you haven't seen the movie, here's a clip so you know what I'm talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUs_28OwFvI)

Well, even though it was only a movie, it was dark, I was in Japan, I was standing next to a somewhat creepy old house just like in the movie, and I was definately a little scared. The noise kept getting louder, and I was pretty sure that either it was nothing to be afraid of, or I was about to die. So, I fearfully kept going. Finally, as I passed a tree which appeared to be the source of the noise, I looked up to see if anything was there, half expecting to see the creepy dead boy from the movie. Well, instead, as I looked up, a giant black cat jumped out of the tree onto the path right in front of me! I was so startled that I tripped, lost my balance, and fell off the path into the rice patty 3 feet below!

It had been raining, so the rice patty was basically just a big sunken field of mud, rocks, and twigs. I was fine, just covered in mud. Well, I did hurt my ankle a little bit, but I could have died. (probably not really, but it was a little traumatic)

Imagine the obituaries I would have here:

Chris Thomas: Was a great friend, was a great son, fell into a rice patty and died. 1981-2006
Definately, I think it's a good thing that I'm going home. There may not be any crimes here and I never even lock my door, but I'll take my chances on the not so safe streets of America over falling off a mountain or off an elephant any day.