Camera Aquatica, Part Deux

What I like about this picture is that it is taken with my back-from-a-watery-grave camera. Sure, the center focus is a little gauzy, but I'll open up the casing and hang it in front of the A/C overnight to continue drying. And all it cost me to fix my camera was a 65-baht mini-screwdriver set and a little patience.

I am half-tempted to taxi back to Mall Bang Khae and share this wonderful news with the sales fellow at the Sony Style store, but I know he'd feel sheepish: last night he takes one look and tells me, "Ohh, this camera ruined. Cost more to fix than replace. But here! Let me show you this new camera ..." As in, new camera for 11,350+ baht, not quite $400.

But all I can think about is how Mr. Sony Boy just popped a fresh battery into my camera and it fired right up. Sure, the image was murky, but certainly moisture-related. Dry it out and ...?

So I skedaddle to track down a screwdriver and then head for the taxi station downstairs, eager to begin repairs. "Metro Park," I tell the attendant ... who stares back, uncomprehending. And then I realize that I do not know the Thai name for my own apartment complex. How am I going to communicate to get home?

Solution: I race back up to the top floor of the mall, where the Internet cafe is, pull up the Metro Park Web site, and ask the clerk on duty to write down the name/address in Thai. Thirty minutes later, I'm back in The Room dissecting my Sony Cyber-shot.

The operation is successful and we expect a full recovery.