big fat clash of cultures

Yesterday, James and I went to the northern border of Thailand and stepped foot, however briefly, on the soil of two other countries - Laos and Myanmar. Really cool to think that Hazel has been, in utero, to 6 different countries already. I know that really doesn't count, but she's a pretty well traveled fetus, wouldn't you say?

The trip was fun, but I had a bit of shock and humiliation. I've heard that Indians will tell you very bluntly if they think you're fat. They will say you are looking healthy, but we all know that's code for fat, especially since they puff up their arms and cheeks when they say it. Well so far, I've never had that happen, so I wasn't expecting it from the Thais or Europeans on the tour with us yesterday. I know I'm getting bigger, obviously, but I thought for being just a few days shy of the half-way point of 20 weeks, that I haven't grown some drastic amount. "You're only 19 weeks? I thought you were 32 weeks!" "Are you sure there aren't two babies in there?" "You are so big!" And yet another, "Is it really just one baby?" (and also a "You're too young to have a baby," although that really doesn't fit into the same category) I was practically in tears by the time we finished the tour. I'm not sure why I had to bear remarks that wouldn't be right to tell any perfect stranger, pregnant or not. I felt like justifying that I was wearing loose clothes because of all the van-riding we did. I mean I was wearing gauchos - no one looks amazing in gauchos except models, we all know they are a comfort item. And hey, loose clothes at this stage in the game must be a good thing, right? Oh well. Looks like I need to grow thicker skin.