Go with the flow.....

From Bangkok I was picked up by a cab and driven to Ayuthaya, an hour away. I had no idea where excatly the driver was taking me but I just hoped that it would all work out. I was going to meet Sukanya at Thomasaat University. However, the driver didn't know where to drop me off and I didn't know where to go. So I go out, got my luggage and started walking around the campus it was Sunday so everything was closed. Now that I was outside of Bangkok no one spoke English and I don't know Thai. After walking around for an hour in the hot sun with my heavy bags, I got a little frustrated about what to do, but hey I am the one who signed myself up for this. Finally I met Sukaya and she took me to the house where the other volunteers were arriving.

We all get along very well, there are 6 of us- 2 from the States and 4 from Denmark. I will only be with them for this week then I am headed to Bangkok for the TEFL certification. This is all our 1st time to Asia so we all plan to meet up on the weekend's to travel around the country. There are so many weekend trips to take for only about 350 baht- $10!

The first two days was the language and culture class. Thai language is SO hard because of all the different tones/letters/ and sounds that we do not have in our language, but I'm still trying. Sukanya taught us as much as she could but Eastern thought is very complicated for Westerner's to understand. Haha we would ask questions and she wouls answer and then start laughing and say, "something like that."

After the class part we would visit the nearby ruins- I was blown away about how close you can get to them! It was funny because Thai locals would come up to you and want to have their picture taken with you. There are about 15 Wats (Temples) just in the area ( it is considered an island because it is surrounded by a river on all sides). It was nice to have our own personal guide to take us around and tell us about the history. The older ruins are about 750 years old and show the Khmer (Currently Cambodia) influence- they show the corn-loke style temples. The new Thai style shows the Chedi's that are bell shapes. Most of the ruins are blackened due to when the Burmese came in and sacked the the capital in the 1700's.

After seeing the Ruins we went to go feed the elephants. The whole time I could'nt help but feel like I was feeding Dumbo because they were making the elephants do tricks like walk on their hind legs or hula-hoop with their trunks, it was like being in some sort of carny zoo. It was such a crazy feeling to have them suck food out of your hand.

I'm really enjoying my time out here- I felt like I have changed into a new person automatically. Thailand really is magical- I think its because the Buddha is all around. Today we leave for our next stop- a village homestay about 40 minutes from where we are now. The next days will be spent learning thai and how to cook the food. I'm sure there won't be internet there so I'll be back on Saturday when I return to Bangkok. This computer can't handle loading pics so I'll have to wait to show you.

My first days in Bangkok

After spending the morning mourning I remembered how that the last time I saw my grandpa he was very interested that I was going to Thailand and told me that I was going to learn a lot about life. So that is what I want to do- the best way to do that is by completely loosing yourself. I spent the past two days getting to know the area and just soaking everything in. I've been wandering around the city getting to know how to use the transit system and where the different neighborhoods are. I really don't want to do anything touristy right now because I will be living here for a month so I want to keep things new instead of rushing around the city. Plus it is about 90 degrees so you don't want to move too fast. The weather is very similar to Cleveland in August. I guess April is the hoteest moth of the year reachin up to 100! When visiting temples, you have to wear a dress shirt, shoes, and pants. For some reason I thought jeans would be comfortable- now I understand why everyone wears loose cotton clothing. I've never seen so many stray dogs and motorcycles in my life- watch the video below and look at the pic of the dog passed out with a cigarette in its mouth. I really am shocked about how common it is for western men to come here and buy wifes. A couple times in the hostel these guys started talking about purchasing women with no shame. Sexual tourism sadly is one of the countries biggest exports and women move from all over Thailand to find men in Bangkok. For everyone who asks or is wondering- No, I have not and will not contribute to the prostituion, if I could refrain in Amsterdam I can do it here. I'm 22, I don't have to pay for that.

Usually I only have a few days in each town when i travel but I actually have time to really expierience life out here. When I landed it kept going through my head that I won't be leaving for 3 months! Something has already woken inside of me, I just needed to get out of my normal routines of familiar scenery. I am so pleasantly culture shocked, I love being a foreigner! I can probably go one for about two months from what I've been through the past two days, but I'll keep it short. I want to write as much as I can now while everything is new because soon it will all start to become normal.

Here is a quick video of some of the pictures I have taken so far. The background music was the top hit in Thailand in 2004...haha I thought it added to the pictures.

Thailand really is "The Land of Smiles", everyone here is so friendly and it is not just because they want your money. All my senses have been overloaded- The architecture, clothing, billboards, sounds, all the different languages being spoke here, the smells of the market, the tastes of different foods, and the thick smell of pollution. That is the only downfall, some people walk around with masks over their mouths and nose to avoid inhaling the exhaust from all the cars, scooters, buses, and tuk-tuks. The thai language is so different from any other language I've tried to learn, especially since they have a whole different writing system. I have been practicing my thai- just with knowing a few words you can really impress the Thai. I am really excited because in a few hours my supervisor for my language and culture class will pick me up and I will get to meet the people taking the class. I am ready to learn more about the language and customs to make sure that i am not offending anyone.

So it is true, everything is really inexpensive out here. They use Baht here in Thailand and one US Dollar amounts to 32 baht. Here is a breakdown of some of the pricing:

My hostel was only 190 baht (about $6)

20 minute cab is about 160baht (less than $5)

20 minute motortaxi ride is about 70 baht ( about $2)

15 minute Tuk-Tuk 100 baht ($3)

1 litre of Gas 30 baht ($1)

A good size meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner 65 baht or less ($2)

Fresh squeezed OJ 10 baht (30 cents)

Red bull 10 baht ( 30 cents)

A 22oz beer at a bar 68 baht ($2)

1-hour Internet Cafe 30 baht ($1)

Phone calls- using Skype 2 cents a minute

1 hour massage 180 baht! ($6)

It is easy to get around town, the have a fast Sky train hat is similar to the BART in San Francisco and buses on every corner, a subway system, and trains to take you all over the country. The skytrain is very easy to use and I'm usually the only faraang (pronounced falang means western white man). The moped/scooter/motorcycle taxi rides are ridiculous! You see whole families sitting on the back of one with no helmets and these things whip through traffic! I've ridden a motorcycle for about 3 and a half years and I took a 20 minute ride and was scared out of my mind- maybe because my legs kept rubbing up to the busses we were passing. I guess I'm just not used to sitting on the back of a bike. The tuk-tuks are 3 wheeled open taxis that are pretty cheap to get around- they are not just for tourists either- locals commonly pack about 5 people inside each cart.

Well I have to pack my bags and take off for the next leg of my trip. I'm really glad I had 2 days off before my classes started to adjust myself to the city and lifestyle. I got to know some people and the area will- it was funny I actually ran into the people I met at the hostel around town- it's funny to recognize people on the streets and stop to talk to them in a new city. I'm loving Thailand!

Goodbye Grandpa

Traveling is always good for the soul and helps you learn more than you ever can in a classroom, but sometimes you don't realize how much you are separating yourself with the ones you love. I just found out that my grandfather has passed away and his funeral is going to be today. He lived a long life and although it wasn't a complete surprise to our family, I didn't think that it would happen so soon. He was the biggest gentleman I've ever met and I learned alot from him. Although I can't be there in person, you are in my mind and I am saying my own last words. I can't help but feel completely selfish that I can't be there to pay my respects, give my grandmother a huge hug, or just be there for my family. Being so far away makes me realize that with always traveling I am distancing myself away from my family. This has made me question a lot.
Goodbye Grandpa.

Made it!

Whoa. wow. whoa.
My internal clock is a mess and I am confused as to what day it is but I made it to Thailand! After Ryan dropped me of at the Amtrak station in San Diego I took a 3 hour train to LA then a 1/2 hour bus to the airport. I don't know how it happened but my flight was leaving in 40 minutes and the security line was over an hour long. I caught eyes with one of the workers and for some reason she came up to me randomly and said, "Are you traveling alone?" when I said yes she brought me to the front of the line and I just made the final boarding call. Haha no matter what plane I take I am always the last one to get on. From LA was a 15 hour flight to Hong Kong and they gave you a fresh pair of socks and a toothbrush when entered the plane. It was a surprisingly comfortable and quick flight with good food and free drinks. From there was a 3 hour layover in Hong Kong then a 2 1/2 hour flight to Bangkok and when we landed at midnight it was 85 degrees.. A guy from Israel sat next to me and told me some great stories about his travels in Thailand. I was pumped and ready to explore. After landing was a long process of of immigration and baggage check and I guess I had someone from my volunteer project ready to pick my up but I didn't she her and took a cab to my hostel. They drive on the opposite side of the car and street so I was sitting passenger (which is normally the driver seat) as we zoomed through the city. Apparently its normal to drive in the middle of the road- haha. We got lost through alleys looking for the hostel but finally we found it. The area reminds me a lot of neighborhoods of Tijuana with stray dogs and people running businesses out of houses. It was nighttime so I couldn't see much, so it was great to wake up this morning and see the view.. I checked in and then had some drinks with the people in the lobby. The hostel is in a great part of Bangkok away from the hectic tourist areas. I met Jessie, Carrie, and Aaron and they were visiting from China as they are teachers as well. They funny part is that they were from Chicago- even though I'm so far away I still gravitate towards mid westerns! haha Good times, I'm off to explore until Sunday when I get picked up for my language and culture class.
laa Kawn!

No more count downs, last day in San Diego!

It’s always easier to leave town when you are fed up and sick of your situation at that moment, however, these last days in San Diego were great. That doesn’t mean I’m not ready to leave by any means, I need a change of scenery and an escape from my overly structured life to let loose for awhile. Whenever I become too comfortable I feel like I’m not challenging myself enough, in order to keep my mind alive I need to put my soul to the test. That test is adventure and it is what I have been mentally preparing myself for these last few days. I am really interested to see how this trip is going to change me and if I will even come back in May. Thoughts keep running through my head that I might meet someone who will offer me a job I can’t resist or opportunity to continue traveling or better yet fall madly in love and change the course of my life around. Optimistic? Of course, but who knows what will happen. Next time I post I will be in Thailand (well, knock on wood)! I’m ready for this trip to begin, there have been too many “last” things, haha for example last Friday, last Saturday, last day at work, last night in my apartment, last time here or there- I’m ready to switch it around to be “first” this and “first” that.

This is my packing gear- to anyone who knows me this is nothing because I tend to be a pack rat (Right James?) Anything else I need I am sure I can buy while I'm there but I can't travel without a few cameras. The bulkiest of what I am bringing is first aid- I bought heavy duty mosqito repellant and this stuff to spray on your clothes. I have over 100 pills for malaria, a bottle of pepto, advil, 12 horse size pills for stomach sickness, and so on. That waterbottle is amazing, it filters water from any river inside of it and makes it ready to drink. I figured that might come in handy in the jungle! We'll see what all comes back with me.

Ten days to go!

Everything is finally coming together for my trip to Thailand, I just received my visa, my scholarship, and placement details for the volunteer project. I will be traveling with Global Crossroad with the help of the Gilman Scholarship. I am ready for the journey to begin as soon as I take care of a few last minute errands. Before now I was a bit unsure about the whole trip, not knowing if it would work out or if I'd be comfortable leaving everything here in San Diego but now I am ready. In ten days I will be on the opposite side of the planet.
Living in a non-Western country is what I am most excited for so I can really open my mind and learn something new. I'm ready for the culture shock to really make me question everything I do and expose me to a new concept of the meaning of life. I love to travel and push my limits of comfort to the threshold. This trip is going to take my independence to the next level and hopefully assure me that Cultural Anthropology is the major I want to continue with. This is a time for me to see the world and see things with new eyes.
I just got a new toy that is going to help assist me in making this blog worth checking out, an underwater digital camera with video. I hope that I will be able to show everyone who checks out this website a glimpse of what life is like in Thailand, the land of smiles. I'm incredibly interested in seeing everything I can and being about to share those experiences. I will be in Bangkok for about a month and from what I have heard there is Internet access available almost everywhere. However, while I'm staying with a host family I don't know what kind of access I'll have in Chaing Mai- We'll see!