In the dark

While changing after swimming this evening, the lights in my little changing room cut off. After fumbling my way out, I quickly saw that the entire complex had lost power. So I broke out my little phone with its built in flashlight, paid for my swim, and found my bike. On entering the street, I saw that the entire street was out. People were emerging from homes and shops with lit candles. It was so dark - raining, so not even star or moonlight. Every once in a while candlelight would reflect off someone's face, but nearly impossible to see anyone or anything. Feeling that this could last for a while, I decided to try and get home anyway. Riding to the end of the street, I saw that the hospital at least still had power - I had to ride past it for a ways, so at least I would be able to see there. As I headed across town, the extent of the blackout became clear: all of Mae Sot had lost power. It was really quite odd - a town that is normally bustling at 7:30pm was eerily still and quiet. Shops started pulling down their grates as I rode by, and unlit bicycles (like my own) tentatively wove in and out of the few cars on the road. Eventually I made it back to the main road (Intharakiri), which splits into two one way streets in the center of town. One half still had power - and was the only street in the whole town that had it. I don't know how that one little stretch managed to avoid the blackout. Unfortunately, it was not the half of the road going my direction. I fully expected power to be out at home, but since we live off Intharakiri, we must have been on the same circuit, as we still had power. Which I'm glad of, but it was pretty neat to see Mae Sot to quiet and still, for once.