tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87428209651211532442024-03-21T08:35:54.522-07:00Thai me up, Thai me downAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-24906085487335906552013-11-19T07:04:00.000-08:002013-11-19T07:04:06.114-08:00The Daily GrindMany people want to know what a "normal" day is like for me. It is just that. Not too different from a normal day anywhere, the culture is in the details.<br />
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Normal day in US- wake up minutes before alarm goes off, or to an alarm<br />
Normal day in Thailand- wake up at 3,4, 5, 6 to the sound of gongs, howling dogs, roosters, tin clanging, people "talking"<br />
Normal day in US- stay in bed "thinking" until the last possible minute<br />
Normal day in Thailand- stay in bed "thinking" unless I want to wash clothes before the water dries up<br />
Normal day in US- shower, make coffee, ride in a car to work<br />
Normal day in Thailand- shower, coffee, oatmeal, ride on bike to work<br />
Normal day in US- Teach classes from 8-3 with a 25 minute lunch eaten at desk while working.<br />
Normal day in Thailand- teach classes from 8-3:30 with an hour lunch where the expectation is to socialize.<br />
Normal day in US- Go home and walk dog<br />
Normal day in Thailand- Go home being chased by dogs.<br />
Normal day in US- watch tv, talk on phone, hang out with friends, cook and eat dinner<br />
normal day in Thailand- watch tv, talk on phone, hang out with "friends", cook and eat dinner, take another shower<br />
Normal day in US- go to sleep in a quiet room<br />
Normal day in Thailand- go to sleep to the sound of loud soap opera dramas, motorcycles, and dog howling<br />
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All in all, it's a very similar life I live. The biggest difference for me is not having access to a car and having to ask for rides.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-70139524348259777932013-10-29T00:21:00.003-07:002013-10-29T00:21:54.189-07:00What I did over summer vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Narrative coming soon:)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mznoqWIubEo9rzx-CA_IOzQjunqf6eo-p5zSz4hpMKJsiJxYYdzqvloxKxa1mmpg5cmDznBqRayejV7g5adhRl6mjvzmrBcyxL27rOXcc0RXcDRzz-vf3L4YJBfumwcsV2xIw6-KL2mg/s1600/IMG_3187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mznoqWIubEo9rzx-CA_IOzQjunqf6eo-p5zSz4hpMKJsiJxYYdzqvloxKxa1mmpg5cmDznBqRayejV7g5adhRl6mjvzmrBcyxL27rOXcc0RXcDRzz-vf3L4YJBfumwcsV2xIw6-KL2mg/s320/IMG_3187.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-25064902041370283212013-10-21T05:16:00.000-07:002013-10-21T05:16:27.128-07:00Thailand's antiquities; Ayutthaya and The National Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ayutthaya is located about 70k north of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya river. The same river that flows through Bangkok. Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand after the capital of Sukothai was absorbed by Ayutthaya in 1350 until the Burmese destroyed the city in 1767. Thirty-three Kings ruled over Ayutthaya during that time, and it was the largest city in the world, a center of trade with over a million people, described by visiting Europeans as the most magnificent city in the world. All that ended when the Burmese burned and looted the city. All that remains now are the ruins, the river, and the modern city that was built around these ruins. Many of the items in the National Museum in Bangkok come from the Dhvarti period- before Thailand, the Sukothai period, the Ayutthaya period, and the Bangkok period.<br />
The following is an ancient bell. It looks like a rock to me. I guess a rock, can be a bell, or a bell can be something other than something you ring.<br />
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The following I got into trouble for photographing. I didn't realize there was no photography in this room of the museum. Oops. These are the relics recovered from Wat Phra Mahathat. When a Wat has the title Mahathat, there is a relic of the Buddha interred at the Wat. Archeologists recovered this relic 17m below the main stupa and the ornate package surrounding it to great fanfare in 1956. I can't remember exactly, but I think the first and largest stupa was lead, next silver, then a gold alloy, Next ebony with a gold top, and then redwood. Last was a gold and gem encrusted stupa that held a tiny speck 1/8 the size of a rice seed. Relics would often be bones, teeth, hairs of Buddha, and it is believed that they can create a clone of themselves. Very Indian Jones.</div>
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At the National Museum in Bangkok free tours in English are offered on Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 9:30. I highly recommend this. In fact it might just be the best thing you can do in Bangkok. I learned more here, from my wonderful guide on our 3 1/2 hour tour, then from any other place or book. I will share some of this knowledge in this blog. For example, the meaning of the color red in Thai culture. Here in the mural below, you see a red lighting bolt shape surrounding Buddha. The red is supposed to 1) invisible and 2) it draws attention to an important thing. Often the ceiling of a temple is painted red to signify that even within the walls of the temple, we are still connected to the universe.</div>
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The following shot barely captures the splendor of the royal pyres used for funerals of royals. Again, you see the Naga. A LOT OF THEM! With crystal eyes and colored mirrors and gilded scales. And this is real gold leaf. They were restored last year with gold leaf and q-tips. They are pulled by men dressed in red. That is because the red makes them invisible, and it looks as if the royal pyre is floating in the air pulled by the naga. If you have a strong stomach check out the customs dealing with royal deaths in Thailand.</div>
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Thailand is a land of elephants. Below is some carved ivory tusks. Notice again the point of the ivory is a naga head. The other photo was taken from the Royal White Elephant Museum at the Dusit Palace. Touring the Dusit Palace compound took up an entire afternoon. There was so much to see. There is the largest teak mansion in the world, where kings and queens lived not too long ago. There is many textile museums where you can learn more about Thai weaving and patterns from different Thai regions and ethnicities. Also, there is the elephant coral. Any white elephant born in Thailand is very auspicious and belongs to the king. This was where the elephants used to live. Today, there are 10 white elephants <a href="http://www.thailandelephant.org/en/royalstable.html">http://www.thailandelephant.org/en/royalstable.html</a> Here is a video of HRH and some of the Auspicious Elephants. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1spaYhmFCw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1spaYhmFCw</a><br />
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Those of you who know me know I love beads and rocks. Beads made out of rocks are cool too. Here on display are some very old beads from the U-Thong kingdom. This was located in the area of Suphanburi. This kingdom, later moved to form the Ayutthaya kingdom. Suphan Buri was where I lived for my first 10 weeks here in Thailand. It is where my Thai "family" live. While in Suphan Buri, I purchased a strand of these ancient beads. I love them, and wear them every day. Some are colored glass and some are agate.<br />
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Speaking of elephants, this god is Ganesh. Since learning some of his stories, I feel like I see him everywhere I look. He is a god who always says "yes" if you pray hard enough. Therefore, he is in many boys pockets as they ask a girl out. He is also the patron saint of arts. Therefore, my museum ticket had a symbol of Ganesh on it. The theater has a statue of Ganesh. Many places have Ganesh displayed. Thailand began as Hindu country, and later became Buddhist. Many of the gods of Hinduism are still seen. Here is a Shiva Lingum. Brahma and Vishnu are also represented by the eight and four sided shaft.<br />
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This is Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu. Garuda is the national symbol of Thailand, so you see him on banks, and letterheads. He is also represented on Thai temples on each roof bargeboard as a eagle like shape. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">The Spirit House of Pront Palace was originally constructed by Vice Deputy King Boborn Maha Sura Sighanatduring the Bangkok period during the reign of King Rama 1 (1782-1803). It was constructed at the same time, or shortly after the construction of the Pront Palace in 1782. It was believed the land on which the Pront Palace was erected had a previous owner and therefore it was necessary to construct the Spirit House as a replacement dwelling for that owner. The house is situated on a miniature mountain imitating a natural setting inspired by Chinese art. It was subjected to significant modification during the reign of King Rama 2. Inside the spirit house is a wood sheet on which is painted a Dheva, a symbol of the spirit and God protector of the front palace. </td></tr>
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Today, the spirit house is considered to be one of the most sacred places of the Fine Arts Department.</div>
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Ayutthaya:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjpLuu3MmJhDCHDYpBSexYUiKfDaSxmvxDSF21VG8-rTPMD58SnnaKwNun1ER8ymJEgEB9TAuBtRSkemV-crkvhZlG0js63Jl_cCxQdTbolWvnNgUqpsShEYpB_-2zy9cFsw6ORoMK_L7/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjpLuu3MmJhDCHDYpBSexYUiKfDaSxmvxDSF21VG8-rTPMD58SnnaKwNun1ER8ymJEgEB9TAuBtRSkemV-crkvhZlG0js63Jl_cCxQdTbolWvnNgUqpsShEYpB_-2zy9cFsw6ORoMK_L7/s640/IMG_2917.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQmFpTXoyNrWV0attL3toGxXwkXQX00lXF0eN4RFbDh5rTF48n4OAOJBnDd_T5E1_nG_BNz2IOaLKdXKny7_xx9dBoN3_tjLAzv3hTWtngirLiWra0LEw8nHnICC7zqT_g1GUDdl5mCEg/s1600/IMG_2922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQmFpTXoyNrWV0attL3toGxXwkXQX00lXF0eN4RFbDh5rTF48n4OAOJBnDd_T5E1_nG_BNz2IOaLKdXKny7_xx9dBoN3_tjLAzv3hTWtngirLiWra0LEw8nHnICC7zqT_g1GUDdl5mCEg/s400/IMG_2922.JPG" width="340" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I never noticed the sleeping dog in the corner, until just now. Ayutthaya has hundreds, if not thousands of wild dogs.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-89530934737928228322013-09-25T20:33:00.000-07:002013-09-25T20:33:37.202-07:00Lanna Culture (Chiang Mai/ Chiang Rai)As mentioned earlier when I was discussing my favorite new artist Krissadank Intasorn, Lanna culture is from the North of Thailand. I live in the North East where we have Isan, or Lao cultural influences. Thailand has had many different capitals and kingdoms in its history. The Lana kingdom influenced the culture around Chiang Mai. There are some similarities to Isan in the language and the food. For instance, in Isan and in Chiang Mai, we eat sticky rice (glutinous rice)- Central Thailand eats jasmine rice. In central Thailand, from my understanding, tattoos are traditionally something that is feared, and not done. In Lana culture, and also in Isan, tattoos bring strength, power, and protection to the men. When you look at Opal's artwork, you notice that the thighs of the "mysterious flower" are tattooed. These leg tattoos are very common in males from the north. To learn more about Lana culture you can go here <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanna">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanna</a> or when you are in Bangkok you can go to visit the <a href="http://www.siam-society.org/facilities/kamthieng.html">Kamthieng House</a> off of Asoke road, a short walk from the BTS. Here you can learn a lot about the culture, by seeing the rituals, house, tools, and textiles from the north of Thailand. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIudnQsBpAF-MzGsafUQWJ_wieDYCD7QRn_vRMI6C7FhrOeppBETtjn9Ua2rIqBnrwW5TAARtwDsYatdmgnkkAZU9kXjHwo0Xmj2s7VrD8KJhKsqlTk_SI9_FdW_8Ez1kkdwgKDsF-aSc/s1600/IMG_2517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIudnQsBpAF-MzGsafUQWJ_wieDYCD7QRn_vRMI6C7FhrOeppBETtjn9Ua2rIqBnrwW5TAARtwDsYatdmgnkkAZU9kXjHwo0Xmj2s7VrD8KJhKsqlTk_SI9_FdW_8Ez1kkdwgKDsF-aSc/s640/IMG_2517.JPG" width="544" /></a><br />
Example of tattoos from Lanna culture and the tattoo pen below. The ink traditionally contained cobra venom, and many other tinctures. The tattoo artists are sometimes monks. In "Child of the Northeast" a great book about life in Isan in 1930, a chapter is about some gypsies who come to town to offer tattoos. They cost 1-3 baht! That was worth a lot more then. Men who get the tattoos are well respected by others, especially women. To learn more about these sacred tattoos, and others click here <a href="http://www.absolutethai.com/magic-ink-sacred-tattoos-of-thailand/">http://www.absolutethai.com/magic-ink-sacred-tattoos-of-thailand/</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQDq8UNU5IOM46ihtjVGlUsVVBSonZccTLsZp1noVCmbpaQlfE5dzQ2i_cqtWh5L8uKCqjdVE_lCepUxyxt-uBJy5KyIxrYeIHF5OMwJGRo4NgCISzzw-Qn7viIYGXMVjbaO-K9Of2CNi/s1600/IMG_2518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQDq8UNU5IOM46ihtjVGlUsVVBSonZccTLsZp1noVCmbpaQlfE5dzQ2i_cqtWh5L8uKCqjdVE_lCepUxyxt-uBJy5KyIxrYeIHF5OMwJGRo4NgCISzzw-Qn7viIYGXMVjbaO-K9Of2CNi/s400/IMG_2518.JPG" width="340" /></a><br />
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I didn't understand these pieces of fabric completely. They are meant to offer protection similar to the tattoos. Why though, are there people copulating with animals? I mean a woman and an elephant? I don't think so. I plan on researching the meaning of these more.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIhtxnDmPoHqcGJgDjsTbSnlxkrj-VnMaMHyZeM74CkG1MgkcZA5inLay5mg91gTvkmT79PGJckY-FVDfr4gBXeTOZFOYXiNvVc1tRSbhnb5GbliHI0-GB3UQMgiwu4T7Ua3HEH01aPd2/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIhtxnDmPoHqcGJgDjsTbSnlxkrj-VnMaMHyZeM74CkG1MgkcZA5inLay5mg91gTvkmT79PGJckY-FVDfr4gBXeTOZFOYXiNvVc1tRSbhnb5GbliHI0-GB3UQMgiwu4T7Ua3HEH01aPd2/s320/IMG_2519.JPG" width="272" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2-9SB-kTrfE434ij_pyIxkHpSnwP3Q3c-2ga01t1IMbDd0UKzTBEDhxmZelbS0qp5nf1JK5X7VNzHBk9ofcPYf7y7WrUwywVVLwZE6GVJ31NC8rFmUae4CdGkE3GYSPwJ5VVLFDGeuYb/s1600/IMG_2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2-9SB-kTrfE434ij_pyIxkHpSnwP3Q3c-2ga01t1IMbDd0UKzTBEDhxmZelbS0qp5nf1JK5X7VNzHBk9ofcPYf7y7WrUwywVVLwZE6GVJ31NC8rFmUae4CdGkE3GYSPwJ5VVLFDGeuYb/s320/IMG_2521.JPG" width="272" /></a><br />
Many cultures in Thailand has totem poles in their village. Here are two. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPOI2xW71kKFRziVi9fDwEtL-zTlIuxPe1yk3okJ1n0ro7Upri6MbUta95WId8xVes__Q8sN2LMmleuOd8flARdhL2yX5ydFsj9frLXS3n-vll4eRr2lEqHbTWNpQaHta4gulOM8J62IC/s1600/IMG_2493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPOI2xW71kKFRziVi9fDwEtL-zTlIuxPe1yk3okJ1n0ro7Upri6MbUta95WId8xVes__Q8sN2LMmleuOd8flARdhL2yX5ydFsj9frLXS3n-vll4eRr2lEqHbTWNpQaHta4gulOM8J62IC/s640/IMG_2493.JPG" width="544" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcqgcAYOJtgqn7r_I8ynIn0_01cOGkrcRyf5_55O0J1vTeQ3BbSMr4lR33evxaWqt5CvDkALQvJu2VVg-Rh0Vpwegl8xJxZF46jt5XvEWBDitawdqTrycIpiWmPjNxnP1GN0Q6pXoDY_d/s1600/IMG_2498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcqgcAYOJtgqn7r_I8ynIn0_01cOGkrcRyf5_55O0J1vTeQ3BbSMr4lR33evxaWqt5CvDkALQvJu2VVg-Rh0Vpwegl8xJxZF46jt5XvEWBDitawdqTrycIpiWmPjNxnP1GN0Q6pXoDY_d/s640/IMG_2498.JPG" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a rice calendar. It uses the moon and auspicious days to determine when things happen like planting and harvesting.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4ZGZLdD-YwkVEG_hW4p5q79s2Y_-F7fmgd89Ym03ut0Vzwcie7ruonxhXF0vJSnQSPwwJbQLrQStOXjGem1o8hrVpfpznQbicNfXwWuJESgH6UJYJ3h09W23HbJkcwHuG_0_i1UK8792/s1600/IMG_2516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4ZGZLdD-YwkVEG_hW4p5q79s2Y_-F7fmgd89Ym03ut0Vzwcie7ruonxhXF0vJSnQSPwwJbQLrQStOXjGem1o8hrVpfpznQbicNfXwWuJESgH6UJYJ3h09W23HbJkcwHuG_0_i1UK8792/s320/IMG_2516.JPG" width="272" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftjGstNuWdx3g0amrANf9xp_CEL1tJAg2daD9YVjB5drEfRDeWPFcp3Ptdx0wnymN3wdfpH02Zwz7yKDHRD-NxEI52aTuJCcMaVUCFH6E9evidwfQD9ERD4HDbTrFubIiEnuWmh0XL6Cq/s1600/IMG_2505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftjGstNuWdx3g0amrANf9xp_CEL1tJAg2daD9YVjB5drEfRDeWPFcp3Ptdx0wnymN3wdfpH02Zwz7yKDHRD-NxEI52aTuJCcMaVUCFH6E9evidwfQD9ERD4HDbTrFubIiEnuWmh0XL6Cq/s640/IMG_2505.JPG" width="480" /></a>This is a loi krathong made from bana leaves and flowers. It looks like the head of Naga to me. Here is a Naga that was the prow of a boat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PuCNutKo3l9HTuVPhGSWdhpHo0Zst7ITZhWbLMAn_oL-YLJoOa8lHl-8M29vVyf-ZYr5KNAzfOjlhdSVHLqRl622bo8mZE_6RPHo46cOrSqm8hhW8ue_Q4bDO7bKfHvasf1aiYpyAUO5/s1600/IMG_2495.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PuCNutKo3l9HTuVPhGSWdhpHo0Zst7ITZhWbLMAn_oL-YLJoOa8lHl-8M29vVyf-ZYr5KNAzfOjlhdSVHLqRl622bo8mZE_6RPHo46cOrSqm8hhW8ue_Q4bDO7bKfHvasf1aiYpyAUO5/s1600/IMG_2495.JPG" width="544" /></a></div>
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This is the rice goddess. Every year a ceremonty would be preformed in the fields to ask her for a good harvest. Below are great alternatives to plastic bags. I hope to bring some home.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-23072519028870575372013-09-25T01:14:00.000-07:002013-09-25T01:14:52.029-07:00Bangkok Part II or should I say pART 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Art!!</div>
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There was a show at the Jim Thompson House called Mnemonics. Jim Thompson is called the King of Thai Silk. He is a fascinating fellow, with great aesthetics. He disappeared in 1967, but his house is a museum and features exhibits that deal with the material arts.<br />
= the following paintings were photographed at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Art. These are national art award winners for this year.<br />
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I love the following painting. The artist has painted his mother, and overlayed images from the stories she told onto her portrait.<br />
Niroj Jarungituittawat- "Since I was a child, my mother always taught me about moral and goodness through easy, funny tales. Nowadays, even though she's getting old, all of those stories will never be forgotten."<br />
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The following shows two naga. The naga is something that you see in Thailand everywhere. On October 19th, I will be going to the Mekong River to see the Naga Fireballs, where the Naga shoots fireballs into the air. I can't wait!! To read more about Naga Fireballs, go here....<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naga_fireball">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naga_fireball</a><br />
The following painting had this written on the placard: "Once Naga Nanthopananda, who has great power, intended to harm the Buddha and his followers by coiling around Mt. Sumeru up to the Tevatimsa Heaven to obstruct the coming of Lord Buddha. Then Pha Mokkalla, one of Lord Buddha's disciples, transformed himself into a bigger Naga with a greater power to beat Naga Nanthopananda. After defeated, Naga Nanthopananda devoted himself to Lord Buddha.<br />
This story implies that nothing is greater than the truth discovered by Lord Buddha which became the guideline for everyone to live in precaution. His purest truth, the Four Noble Truths, will lead us to happiness and forever peacefulness."- Pishnu Poolsema<br />
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I like the way this artwork uses wood, and sewing, with paint and sparkle.<br />
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The painting below is so intriguing to me. It's refracts light so that when you move the colors in the painting change. It is the wheel of life. I thought it was the most beautiful thing in the museum.<br />
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I love the next painting, because it uses recycled cloth from the artists family. Most of the textiles are from passin. A passin is a tube of cloth that Thai ladies, and Jill, wear around the house, or to the shower. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-5543919925139836402013-09-23T23:04:00.000-07:002013-09-23T23:04:39.945-07:00Some Bangkok ArtI have recently spent a lot of time in Bangkok for physical therapy on my hand and wrist. While there I took advantage of the time to see more of the city. I still have quite a few things left to do, but here is some of what I have done... including what most PCVs do while in Bankok...eat! This will be splint into a few parts... Part I- some art.<br />
I love art! Here is some art from Thai artists. You can see they have adopted other art styles and blended it with Thai culture to produce something distinctly Thai. I love it. Especially the "Mondrian" water buffalo.<br />
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My favorite new artist; Opal or Krissadank Intasorn from the Lanna culture in Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand. The screens represent the veil or mystery about transgender people. I keep running into her work by accident. Wonderful accidents. Here is a great article about the exhibit <a href="http://sea.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/946181/krissadank-intasorns-folk-murals-for-our-times">http://sea.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/946181/krissadank-intasorns-folk-murals-for-our-times</a><br />
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The amazing "datoraide" from vegan restaurant <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bonita.c.sc">Bonita Cafe and Social Club</a>.</div>
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At the information center in Ayutthaya is a great museum on the second floor. Best self guided museum I have visited. In it, they had an exhibition on some Thai foods. Here is Kanom Krok. One of my most favorite-st deserts EVER!! It's coconut flour, coconut cream, coconut milk, rice flour, and topped with some green onion. SO GOOD!! I'll have to make them when I come home. Here, I don't make them, because you can buy them 10/ $0.25 So good with coffee..... I realize too much has happened. I'm gonna split up this blog post. I'll leave you with a laugh from Siam Center... heart+fart=smart???? What?<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-6772658432561229332013-09-23T21:10:00.001-07:002013-09-23T21:10:51.757-07:00Siam TulipI woke up at three am last Wednesday. On purpose. We were having a field trip with the middle school students, and I had to be at the school at 4am (ti si). At around 4:30 we boarded a karaoke bus and set off for Chaiyapum. The dancing and singing and light show began as soon as we got onto the bus, and lasted until we arrived home that night. These karaoke buses are getting less annoying. Also, seeing the students have so much fun, helped me to accept my plight. Our destination was Pa Hin Ngam; a park with fields of Dok Ga Tiam (siam tulip) The park was cool, misty, and reminded me a little bit of some Appalachian mountain tops I have been on.<br />
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The siam tulip can be purple, pink, or white. beautiful. Also in the park are many rocks that have been beautifully eroded. In Thailand I see cairns, but I also see sticks placed vertically against rocks so that it looks like the sticks are supporting the rocks, which are sometimes defying gravity.<br />
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After the field trip, I got ready to meet my Uncle Scott in Bangkok for a couple of days. It was a lot of fun. Here he is in a tuktuk. He also rode a khlong taxi, a taxi boat on the Chao Praya, a bus, a taxi, the sky train, but I drew the line at motorcycle taxis. Too dangerous.<br />
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This is a mythical beast that used to eat people, until it heard the dharma. Now, like the naga snake, it protects temples in Thailand.<br />
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Here are some of the culinary treats I enjoyed: Rogue beer, fresh roasted coffee, french toast, and homemade Greek yogurt with mango and granola. Oh, the joy.<br />
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This blog is dedicated to one of my heroes John Saylor for his email yesterday hinting that I need to get back to communicating. Luckily I had already created this, and didn't have to do much work. Now I am inspired to set a blog schedule. Wish me luck.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-20674513888232245312013-08-15T01:23:00.002-07:002013-08-15T01:23:34.764-07:00Visionary environment<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4nfIUmwvjKB4hJ26KzWjh2zud-lH164KMWSGxG5dYdd0BFtl46gB07kjBEUGbLmOPegGShh_ojiB03MKOXfO0qQxn8771C7cdRbPop-QfZaOzPQNFeFgFb10lgO5GGyZPnmORHbD2k8j/s1600/IMG_2071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4nfIUmwvjKB4hJ26KzWjh2zud-lH164KMWSGxG5dYdd0BFtl46gB07kjBEUGbLmOPegGShh_ojiB03MKOXfO0qQxn8771C7cdRbPop-QfZaOzPQNFeFgFb10lgO5GGyZPnmORHbD2k8j/s640/IMG_2071.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Last
week I participated in an English Camp in nearby Kalasin.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_deYze95aznVn5KFUY8E3RU8GARabRMX-3KykaU2Hduh9zZoOTL4leDPvSVS1pDq3FMUVjipfa1qsHiLEtSEK8OS8U8yPsiIu5hWglFhTGw2JbsTfdVgZxixwnJTm9ti2kYQzKwcnJai/s1600/IMG_1968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_deYze95aznVn5KFUY8E3RU8GARabRMX-3KykaU2Hduh9zZoOTL4leDPvSVS1pDq3FMUVjipfa1qsHiLEtSEK8OS8U8yPsiIu5hWglFhTGw2JbsTfdVgZxixwnJTm9ti2kYQzKwcnJai/s640/IMG_1968.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> It was a
fun camp, I was training the teachers about phonics, classroom
language, western culture, and technology in the classroom with
another volunteer that was hosting the camp. Four other volunteers
were putting on an English Camp for Matayom students. The volunteer's
school, and town were very nice. She lives in a town, so she has
stores and restaurants in walking distance. Most volunteers do not
have this luxury. Most of us are far away from stores in a village.
To buy fresh vegetables, I have to take a songtao to Ban Phai, about
45 minutes away, and I must return home by 3pm, when the songtao
stops running. What a luxury to have a 7-11, or a Tesco in walking
distance. I think I would eat a lot of chocolate and ice cream if
that was the case, so I will be thankful that temptation is out of
reach for me.</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">On
Friday afternoon, when the camp was finished, and we had our
certificates of participation, and a beautiful hand woven blanket,
off we went to our adventures. It was a three day weekend because
Monday was a holiday, but I needed to be back in my village to
celebrate the Queen's Birthday, Mother's Day. Some people went to
the beach, some went back to their village, I, went on an adventure,
and was lucky to have my friend Christine join me. She met me in
Udon Thani, a large city full of farangs (white people). Udon was a
very large American Air Force base during the Vietnam War. Many
chose to stay, and thus established a large ex-pat community which
drew in other ex-pats. Mostly men, who have tired of the dating pool
in the USA, and have moved to Thailand to have a “second life”- their
words not mine, and a Thai- E-san wife, possibly with children.
There are white men everywhere you look here. And backpackers on
their way to Laos. They are easily recognizable with their flowy
pants, and wide eyes. We stayed at a hostel which was as hostel as
hostel can get without being hostile.</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Christine
had arrived hours before me, and when I arrived to town I texted her
and made straight for the nearest restroom, the Central Plaza Mall,
which was having a car stereo show. I love these collections of
trucks with hundreds of speakers and lights filling their bed. They
connect all of the systems to a common dj booth, and at this one,
they had gyrating dancers on top of the trucks. As I crossed the
street to go into the mall, Christine was crossing to go to the bus
station to meet me. Luckily we spotted one another.</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">We
had a delicious dinner at an Irish pub. I had a burger, chips, and a
Guiness and Christine had a raspberry crumble with cream. Yum.
Farang food can be quite the treat. We checked out the night bazar,
but I have grown weary of the markets selling the same old same old.</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
next morning we took the bus, to the town of Ban Na Kha. One of the
biggest fabric and clothing centers in Thailand. Wow!!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4vmlCJAfo_tLB-xYLcTi1JkiEGPHG2KNrWtllNug0SszTFFVdQZipy0Tl4Mlg63KGbpcz3B2Os4i0pVffuYgme5rG8pwVeuQ1TwVOm-FkCJ0XK9vB61xhJJM4e2DYApYGRNsTcsRawc4/s1600/IMG_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4vmlCJAfo_tLB-xYLcTi1JkiEGPHG2KNrWtllNug0SszTFFVdQZipy0Tl4Mlg63KGbpcz3B2Os4i0pVffuYgme5rG8pwVeuQ1TwVOm-FkCJ0XK9vB61xhJJM4e2DYApYGRNsTcsRawc4/s320/IMG_2048.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> The town is
known for it's “khit” fabric. "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #67747c; font-family: freight, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 29.984375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">kít</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #67747c; font-family: freight, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 29.984375px;"> is a diamond-grid minimal-weft brocade" according to lonely planet. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The town also
had fabrics and handicrafts from all over Thailand. Materials and
ready to wear skirts, dresses, and shirts. Christine and I met a
wonderful shopkeeper. She was gorgeous, and had quite the aura about
her. Her eyes were crystal blue. She had married and moved to Texas at the age of
17, “too young to know better” in her words. She then moved to
Montana, and after a divorce, moved back to Thailand. Her shop had the
most exquisite fabrics I have seen in all of Thailand. She spoke to
us in Thai and occasional English about her life, the Naga fireballs
in the MeKong, and of her internship to learn how to weave Mut Mee
silk in Chonnabot, the village I visited last week. Here she is with Christine and some beautiful, and expensive fabric behind her. When I say expensive, 100$ for two yards of hand woven, hand dyed silk.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hj-Or5qDUZOAHN_mwMluA4YDXA-1GZMz4JrawG3zfEUyclsQAIVp6jLJJO9IsM3ahR0qMt5h9a1YzpGCcLyMLEsYLZobvZhPX7lT7TvOMxd5D8s-UK0O7i6xjIuF9WLUbnKRxDQX7UMU/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hj-Or5qDUZOAHN_mwMluA4YDXA-1GZMz4JrawG3zfEUyclsQAIVp6jLJJO9IsM3ahR0qMt5h9a1YzpGCcLyMLEsYLZobvZhPX7lT7TvOMxd5D8s-UK0O7i6xjIuF9WLUbnKRxDQX7UMU/s640/IMG_2044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Christine
and I then got onto a bus headed for Nong Khai, it was a full bus,
and we had to go through a police checkpoint where everyone's ID on
the bus was checked. </span>
</div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">In
Nong Khai, we walked to our wonderful guesthouse <a href="http://www.mutmee.com/030010_sculpture_park.htm">MutMee</a> and had
lunch. After resting for a bit, we took the rental bikes and made
our way to the Sala Kaew Koo Sculpture Garden. This sculpture garden
is an amazing place created by <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Pu_Bunleua_Sulilat" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px;" title="Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat">Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat</a>.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5_5xGNrUDXJV7V9cFZNvWalPTxKd8uKibJchsieIs0hQ7sFH2wQasDwtXZq1tnvyk43_Hd8Mbd7pV39Jo_7mw_NaTKqLsjG4p3bKsyio_UwY_4LxEx5rehVjfpFWveXzY4WDEYX7zihd/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5_5xGNrUDXJV7V9cFZNvWalPTxKd8uKibJchsieIs0hQ7sFH2wQasDwtXZq1tnvyk43_Hd8Mbd7pV39Jo_7mw_NaTKqLsjG4p3bKsyio_UwY_4LxEx5rehVjfpFWveXzY4WDEYX7zihd/s400/IMG_2066.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">We
walked around for a few hours as the sun was finishing its trip
across the sky. Huge I-san clouds hung in the sky. At one point
there was a rainbow in the sky unlike any I have ever seen. It was
like the clouds had created a huge bubble. When you look at a bubble
in the sun you see pink and green sheen. The sky was like that. A
beautiful pink and green spot in the sky. Trying to take a photo of
it didn't work for me. It was unlike anything I have ever seen.
Very beautiful. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpB1dpSZ4Z0Urp94jTqbvXlMEH_eQUVxIDVBj0osU4L7XcpWqSC9y8hHGc39YxhH5hyffZFI5pXYIaRmQV41E45q1Q_Hbih5cHmIfnSmYJu5xxYnf_5pxa4_Wwb28ACeE2mNzEFAS8ejn/s1600/IMG_2259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpB1dpSZ4Z0Urp94jTqbvXlMEH_eQUVxIDVBj0osU4L7XcpWqSC9y8hHGc39YxhH5hyffZFI5pXYIaRmQV41E45q1Q_Hbih5cHmIfnSmYJu5xxYnf_5pxa4_Wwb28ACeE2mNzEFAS8ejn/s640/IMG_2259.JPG" width="480" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> The sculpture park has a very quiet feel to it. It
is a visionary environment similar to <a href="http://pasaquan.blogspot.com/">Pasaquan</a> in Western Georgia.
The faces look eerily similar to me. I wonder if there is any
connection between St. Eom and Luang Pu.</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">When Luang Pu was a child he fell down a hole onto the lap of an ascetic monk.
He lived with the monk for several years as an apprentice. He then began creating
a sculpture garden in Laos, where he lived until the communist take
over in 1975 when he relocated to the other side of the MeKong river
and began another sculpture garden. He used donated concrete and had many volunteer\laborers. As is the case with many artists, locals thought he was insane.</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">His
body is on display in a bubble in a building, surrounded by flashing
lights. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElz4dcQEGVu-WmrqoTORGaxXDn7IuqxAHPw8bM3hc5wwZwgsSumK7m5qigJVuLgQbcDm6EZG6T8ja6_UJimdkIBpK91PxflSxJW_dzT0YpTP0EUz0YIYbVC7ebYbdZCIYO5hV1CBb99Py/s1600/IMG_2214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElz4dcQEGVu-WmrqoTORGaxXDn7IuqxAHPw8bM3hc5wwZwgsSumK7m5qigJVuLgQbcDm6EZG6T8ja6_UJimdkIBpK91PxflSxJW_dzT0YpTP0EUz0YIYbVC7ebYbdZCIYO5hV1CBb99Py/s400/IMG_2214.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> The whole building is a little creepy. Full of nice gongs.
One had the best re verb I have ever heard. I would love to have that
in my house.</span></div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">When
we got back to the guesthouse and were eating dinner a big storm
rolled in with loudly crashing lightning. The next morning it again
rained really hard, great to sleep and be thankful that you went to
the sculpture garden while the sun shined. It took a long time to
get back to Ban Phai, but when I did, we were having dinner to
celebrate mother's day. The next morning we went to the Amphur to
pay our respects to the queen. I had my new Thai silk suit. I
bought the silk in Chonnabot, and took it to Khon Kaen to be made
into a suit. I designed the style of it, and I am happy with it,
though it is a bit stiff. I think after I wash it, it will be a
little less stiff.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIpa8ibOPvKGvv_TAE2Qn1DZmubMW5VeB0qzkxuQZDnCi7pLWNx9LE3lt8dS7vLd3UZgX68_AhSOJl7ZuFVSpkRA4wgnajz0KpfkicdoOaLtUCPTjzHf-SaG99NKQOgNfi5QZ3qGiEhAz/s1600/IMG_2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIpa8ibOPvKGvv_TAE2Qn1DZmubMW5VeB0qzkxuQZDnCi7pLWNx9LE3lt8dS7vLd3UZgX68_AhSOJl7ZuFVSpkRA4wgnajz0KpfkicdoOaLtUCPTjzHf-SaG99NKQOgNfi5QZ3qGiEhAz/s320/IMG_2290.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOsRUIWpm70W9DrAOSIPO9gKfTHetGmY3DTIwXjg7DBqugm_P7LJKmiJtYC5Tk2bfYMqfli0gCFy71dR4O4bLC0a3enePxTrTu-PjKBaeTm_LCgO0BK9hjlmy6GEbaVshHAz6T6LWvuYs/s1600/IMG_2291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOsRUIWpm70W9DrAOSIPO9gKfTHetGmY3DTIwXjg7DBqugm_P7LJKmiJtYC5Tk2bfYMqfli0gCFy71dR4O4bLC0a3enePxTrTu-PjKBaeTm_LCgO0BK9hjlmy6GEbaVshHAz6T6LWvuYs/s320/IMG_2291.JPG" width="240" /></a>Here I am with my friend Kru A and one of my Thai mothers Kru Pimwara. They are wearing their teacher uniform. I was one of only a few people to not be wearing a uniform. The other person, in a very similar suit, is the mayor's wife. Don't we look like twins?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNYlaDf2Av7gf8kTvwvnyZ8ekWYvHZkkgKn-ozgEIqtKXSR7uxSYvwwTOCyYoGqsZRMp39UqmKePL_J_CfXUsonNf4LCyJzCGB0pb-0krA0aXRFfwKE_sWhKo3oDXJJGo5sx8g6Ct4gRx/s1600/IMG_2301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNYlaDf2Av7gf8kTvwvnyZ8ekWYvHZkkgKn-ozgEIqtKXSR7uxSYvwwTOCyYoGqsZRMp39UqmKePL_J_CfXUsonNf4LCyJzCGB0pb-0krA0aXRFfwKE_sWhKo3oDXJJGo5sx8g6Ct4gRx/s400/IMG_2301.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">We
sat in front of my Thai police students. They were naughty boys
giggling throughout the performance. When I went up on stage, a loud
murmur went through the audience. 1,000 people, were all talking
about me at the same time. I hope they were saying nice things,
like, look how nicely she curtsied. It get's hard sometimes to be
the topic of conversation without being included in the
conversations. Oh well. Then to lunch and to a funeral. It was a
full day. I tried washing cloths when I got home, but the water was
out. Here in WangPue, you must wash cloths when the water runs, and
dry them while the sun shines. In the past, I would throw in a load
of laundry whenever I pleased, and then into the dryer. In Thailand,
much more thought goes into timing of laundry.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DYa9HmXfE54pIGEjkDeW_ZxdiO7UURZIayQfVnA5j89suTUAR8RLGo_Z3g6wHStCxTfdbEVhUsaHSpYw3lkIN-H4tj_4-G4u1soHhbaoUSu3Fm3zVUBseTyabZXaV-kNr78iHcQEO2jf/s1600/IMG_2304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DYa9HmXfE54pIGEjkDeW_ZxdiO7UURZIayQfVnA5j89suTUAR8RLGo_Z3g6wHStCxTfdbEVhUsaHSpYw3lkIN-H4tj_4-G4u1soHhbaoUSu3Fm3zVUBseTyabZXaV-kNr78iHcQEO2jf/s320/IMG_2304.JPG" width="320" /></a>At the funeral, people have given clocks and spoons. I am not sure why they are all set to 10:10. I thought that might have been her time of death, but I was told "no". Some beautiful roosters at her house.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zMYLRtPOiJtgfmX6ONHq_-sy8Edpt6AnUJP_Z3QxaCNl9L8h5znQlDqHKiiCtJVzmobitIgvVQsM9x6pZAFVnZZrdNFnaQ2fFp9nkX77hvOJ70SZbQ8i_ruoBphdwjky5BxtplKdzO5e/s1600/IMG_2303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zMYLRtPOiJtgfmX6ONHq_-sy8Edpt6AnUJP_Z3QxaCNl9L8h5znQlDqHKiiCtJVzmobitIgvVQsM9x6pZAFVnZZrdNFnaQ2fFp9nkX77hvOJ70SZbQ8i_ruoBphdwjky5BxtplKdzO5e/s400/IMG_2303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">In
the evening I had a knock on my window. My friend needed me to act
as a lawyer to create a document for someones daughter. She had
married an American, moved to the USA, gotten divorced, and
remarried. She needed proof of the first marriage to extend her
visa. It was confusing, and stressful, but I think I created an
official document that would stand up in court. The job of a PCV
never ends. Today, the entire school is going to a funeral instead
of having afternoon classes. Tomorrow, me and the Matayom (middle
school) students are going to next door Chaiyapum to look at a
flower. I am excited, except I found out we leave at 4am.</span></div>
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<br />
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<div lang="en" style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Tune
in next time to hear about the flower field trip, and the wonderful
adventures of my uncle Scott and I in Bangkok.</span></div>
The following pictures are from the sculpture garden, and then some Thai fabrics I have purchased, and two from Malaysia.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-91720878091783715702013-08-05T02:15:00.002-07:002013-08-05T02:15:32.443-07:00Silk Road<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKElMFVaQHPOp8vBy8YeN1escU-yby7FQBZ3EKo5f4hQS5r7K5fYOgWEE2tb7GLrPXlQ4mix-8FaqQglNlZR8ht3F9CWB_IvCQxbxV4mfyaSSyjx6ccQXmEbIXKRfhVfy07-gw5IgM5xn/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKElMFVaQHPOp8vBy8YeN1escU-yby7FQBZ3EKo5f4hQS5r7K5fYOgWEE2tb7GLrPXlQ4mix-8FaqQglNlZR8ht3F9CWB_IvCQxbxV4mfyaSSyjx6ccQXmEbIXKRfhVfy07-gw5IgM5xn/s640/032.JPG" width="576" /></a><br />
On Saturday I went off on an adventure. I went to the nearby town of Chonnabot where there is a museum dedicated to the local style of silk weaving called matmee which translates as tie dye. The silk threads are tied and died and then it comes out in a geometric pattern when woven. The patterns reflect natural things like birds, flowers, and butterflies. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-naqjGpODKY_9j7xJ_Ur1bebPrY06nWrDyxln0UT3DNmrEDSX8ZqAuD5wKQmFED-kSNr0PMMy8BJhcAmJL3yKO5jVd5yurSt3oHJ-iZk2TKpzTdRMJGFjcaO0sv58u0M2RboeAOpPk6d6/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-naqjGpODKY_9j7xJ_Ur1bebPrY06nWrDyxln0UT3DNmrEDSX8ZqAuD5wKQmFED-kSNr0PMMy8BJhcAmJL3yKO5jVd5yurSt3oHJ-iZk2TKpzTdRMJGFjcaO0sv58u0M2RboeAOpPk6d6/s320/033.JPG" width="288" /></a><br />
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I didn't want to buy any silk, but, a bolt was so beautiful, I could not resist. It is a butterfly and flower design.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWflnGYFccqLqL2dWRjgJ0Fi0TIyid58UJUQijA0J3AoDT84prEDGZj_KNiftCJI_dUnTEnK1hHFhlgTbkJSkeAB9ZZXHipT_SMQw0VZdivyIvQfLVjUk_fn_YORT0tIbwhz27E8pXaniv/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWflnGYFccqLqL2dWRjgJ0Fi0TIyid58UJUQijA0J3AoDT84prEDGZj_KNiftCJI_dUnTEnK1hHFhlgTbkJSkeAB9ZZXHipT_SMQw0VZdivyIvQfLVjUk_fn_YORT0tIbwhz27E8pXaniv/s640/060.JPG" width="480" /></a> My trip was a lot of fun, and included a stop at the Tesco Lotus Express, which had many more things in it than I expected. I got some French's mustard so now I have everything I need to make potato salad, except some sweet pickle relish. Next week's store run... Coming home I had to wait 3 hours for a songtao to take me home. I arrived just in time for the 1 o'clock songtao, but needed to go buy a papaya for smoothies, so I asked if there would be a 2o'clock songtao and was told yes yes. Well, when he got back he said I would have to wait until 4.... Good reading opportunity I guess. More work on patience and jai yen yen. And it put me walking down the road at the nice light to snap this photo. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oN1nqsd5j3vDqHdnSVdEyvbphmBSoo6giXJA1JApGSOh3oCAQs9pUb2qVs4PUbRkCoiRMgu_Caw0SZ9jlfcgusTDROpOdleEaQg71MaRZRPjrskeOAOT3wBgf3ScJC6zk1Zgzwu8KMbJ/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oN1nqsd5j3vDqHdnSVdEyvbphmBSoo6giXJA1JApGSOh3oCAQs9pUb2qVs4PUbRkCoiRMgu_Caw0SZ9jlfcgusTDROpOdleEaQg71MaRZRPjrskeOAOT3wBgf3ScJC6zk1Zgzwu8KMbJ/s320/056.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBencmw29xFGHT68WLQV_VJQxQ9p1k0rV9rrW9zfdd2WeahOEldJjjkqDzU_ccEWz36gP7MUgAr_0hIaxefkHOpcvSby4n0VZ-aDFXxktqgXGfElJgV-R9DNalBLyEpZzyoF3V5QW7UiT/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBencmw29xFGHT68WLQV_VJQxQ9p1k0rV9rrW9zfdd2WeahOEldJjjkqDzU_ccEWz36gP7MUgAr_0hIaxefkHOpcvSby4n0VZ-aDFXxktqgXGfElJgV-R9DNalBLyEpZzyoF3V5QW7UiT/s640/058.JPG" width="640" /></a>Gorgeous I think. The brown Puey Noi I came to in March, is now the verdant green Puey Noi that amazes me and makes me want to take a thousand photos of it. Rain is to blame. And the hard work of the farmers who hand plant each stalk of rice into the paddies, and the paddies are in every usable foot of space. <br />
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look at this tiny little pineapple:) so sweet.</div>
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An old Issan house at the museum.</div>
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I loved this pineapple dress.<br />
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Mushrooms for sale.<br />
I thought the red and white ones were poisonous. I won't be eating them.<br />
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More fun adventures await. Tune in next week to see Udon Thani and Nong Khai's crazy weird places. <br />
Koi mahk bai tiao yu blahk blahk.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-27988421722562233192013-07-25T00:08:00.001-07:002013-07-25T00:45:00.857-07:00Finally my mermaid dreams come true...almost.Ko Tao<br />
I have just returned from spending 20 days away from my site. It started with a Teacher Training that lasted 4 days in Khon Kaen. When that finished, I took an overnight bus to Bangkok and then a bus north to Chai Nat where I would spend the next 11 days with Peace Corps at Reconnect. The first week was filled with language class and training sessions. I chose to focus on learning my local dialect which has the name Essan, also spelled Issan or Esan, or Isan or E-ssan. It's the name of the region I live in, the north east of Thailand. Sometimes it is referred to as Lao language, though it is not exactly the Lao language that is spoken in Laos the country. Issan language is very similar to Thai, though it is pronounced a little differently, and with some different vocabulary. For example: Pineapple in Thai is sa pa rote. In Issan it is Bag Nat. In Thai "how are you" is Sabaii dii mai ka? In Issan it is "Sabaii dii boh?"<br />
It was great to be together with all 43 other volunteers. That's right, if you were counting, we have lost 8 volunteers since we boarded the plane in San Francisco. It seemed like most of us really appreciated each other much more having been away from one another for three months. We had a lot of fun reconnecting. At least I did. I feel closer to my peers now, than I ever did in the 10 weeks we were together in Si Prachan. Speaking (typing) of Si Prachan, Bridgette and I went back to visit our family on our day off. It was wonderful. What a great family I was fortunate to live with. My Yai (Grandmother) was so happy to see me. She hugged my neck tightly when I left. My family drove us back the 90 kilometers to our hotel and I saw some dewy eyes as they drove away. The same as with the other volunteers, I felt really close with them after reconnecting.<br />
Next, my co-teacher Dork-Or joined my in Chainat and we began the second counterpart conference. I think it went really well. It was nice to have people available to help us communicate anything we needed communicated. Chai Nat was having a rowing boat race festival and we had a good time walking around the booths and watching some funny boat races. The CC ended on Wednesday at noon and it was TIME TO GO!!! I had decided that I would spend the long weekend going to Ko Tao and getting my PADI open water certification.<br />
I had planned on October as my SCUBA certification month. I am glad I did it when I did, because I did it with friends, and the weather in October is supposed to be terrible. I also wanted to make sure I liked SCUBA before I spent a vacation planned around it. Unfortunately, it was a perfect storm for crowding on the island. For one, it is July, which means that western schools are on holiday. Secondly, it is the full moon, which means thousands have flocked to next door Ko Pangnan for the monthly full moon party. And, lastly, the full moon in July also means a big Buddhist holiday, which was Monday, and also Tuesday- Kao Pansa which is the beginning of Buddhist Lent and the "rainy season" though it has been raining for two months. For the rain retreat Thai monks are not allowed to travel. Many lay people are ordained as monks for the three month period. In Thailand, businesses will give you up to three months off to ordain as a monk. This meant this was a four day weekend, so, many local vacationers were also on the island. It meant it was CRAZY CROWDED><br />
I booked us two rooms to hold the group of four. It was a dive center with rooms. We were diving at the wonderful New Heaven Dive Center. Buddha View was where we were staying. The second day of our four day stay they asked us to move out because they "needed the rooms" We had nowhere to go. Stressful. But, the wonderful people at New Heaven told us not to worry and that they would find us somewhere to stay while we were on the boat diving the next day. Well, luckily as we were studying PADI, I saw many backpackers leaving their guest house and snagged us a cheaper, more awesome room right on the ocean on some rocks. We slept with the sound of the ocean, instead of the sound of backpackers slamming doors.<br />
The first day of SCUBA open water training was about physics, equipment, safety, etc. and then we went into the water to practice. The next day we did two dives, practicing more, and then swimming around the coral. It was really beautiful. The next day, our first dive was CRAZY! The current was really powerful and a lot of stuff went wrong, it was really hard, but it was a great teachable moment. Glad I had it. The next dive was much calmer and nice. Then, final test and I am open water certified. Once I learned to relax and breathe slowly and deeply, I fell in love. It took a little coping and mind control. Self calming behavior. It is certainly not a natural feeling. But, it also is. For me I have always wanted to be a mermaid and live underwater. With a scuba tank I had a chance to experience that a little. I caught the SCUBA bug. Monday, I went snorkeling on nearby Ko Nang Yuan with my Moo Ban mate Molly. It was nice. There is a site called Japanese Gardens. I picked up a lot of trash from the thousands of tourists who swim in the coral garden every day. All of those years of diving for rings in the deep end came in handy so that I could dive for plastic bottles and snorkel and mask packaging.<br />
As I write this I am on a bus heading to Bangkok full of non Thais (farangs) I have enjoyed traveling around Thailand, but I don't love being a tourist. I will add the photos as I get them. :)<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-67691268827996773512013-06-26T01:19:00.001-07:002013-06-26T01:19:30.530-07:00More MalaysiaBoy and Girl Scouts has once again taken over class time, so I will post more about my trip to Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. I realized there were a lot of photos I didn't post, so let's see 'em.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIgHLQ8N10vuNmFGV25EaGIlmJxcdRyfd7U1a9zzbfEwnDM1LCVt2Oqm2RYAIxzUkBJvyuSYL0jMcwJtFeDPeWPiofpOE-CfdaCqtvu6lRU4teAoqLX1wIpDhvwj6IAd0Y8PpY3PHXd54/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIgHLQ8N10vuNmFGV25EaGIlmJxcdRyfd7U1a9zzbfEwnDM1LCVt2Oqm2RYAIxzUkBJvyuSYL0jMcwJtFeDPeWPiofpOE-CfdaCqtvu6lRU4teAoqLX1wIpDhvwj6IAd0Y8PpY3PHXd54/s320/IMG_1748.JPG" width="240" /></a>Sky buckets we took to the tackiest hotel in the world, I mean the biggest hotel in the world. 6, 118ish rooms.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it is in all of its tackiness.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">And tacky on the inside too. Casinos, McDonald's, and roller coasters. And American pop culture.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking away from the hotel towards the beautiful, chilly mountains.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcMh1vMCnwOZvoAbHAWaXixAdCNooWAbG1dQ_4PzXBMxUJd8bkDCzp7qW6q4IUJHX7_M0f7h_nZrQPN0bcX7iIChCnyXVm3G6RqnWTYZoKP-UqIVZ2e7np78POzs8rDIWkB3uCgnAdo5n/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcMh1vMCnwOZvoAbHAWaXixAdCNooWAbG1dQ_4PzXBMxUJd8bkDCzp7qW6q4IUJHX7_M0f7h_nZrQPN0bcX7iIChCnyXVm3G6RqnWTYZoKP-UqIVZ2e7np78POzs8rDIWkB3uCgnAdo5n/s320/IMG_1733.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A model. I think they included all of the buildings to make the 6,000 rooms. See the sky buckets coming down the mountain.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_mhd1657C-GMJy9c83BYf5NQOE_sVGDEAC9miH7R83gHdWTDwQ6D_kQSgstWO8m6GpW5WlteliwMjiW6dbxh-7N2qbm4GqaXkK7rwcEuBZkoi9t_Kdh0CW0GB9GrSuYOXCxruUXzCSwP/s1600/IMG_1758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_mhd1657C-GMJy9c83BYf5NQOE_sVGDEAC9miH7R83gHdWTDwQ6D_kQSgstWO8m6GpW5WlteliwMjiW6dbxh-7N2qbm4GqaXkK7rwcEuBZkoi9t_Kdh0CW0GB9GrSuYOXCxruUXzCSwP/s320/IMG_1758.JPG" width="320" /></a>A really good public school in Malaysia. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaMspvuQQ-38fufo_JgCZnDyR_bRbxDigksDsORPVRTVjz9ivrmvzEILLj21jM-cU6Pa5YXRWxgffuriE9WLveXH7W2y3BVvh8DhnvdcRiyhP0VUgZwkon0IzdPOzgRys_LN8U8lyHped/s1600/IMG_1760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaMspvuQQ-38fufo_JgCZnDyR_bRbxDigksDsORPVRTVjz9ivrmvzEILLj21jM-cU6Pa5YXRWxgffuriE9WLveXH7W2y3BVvh8DhnvdcRiyhP0VUgZwkon0IzdPOzgRys_LN8U8lyHped/s320/IMG_1760.JPG" width="320" /></a>Word of the week, English!!! All of the students are bilingual in English and BM, and some other languages too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPiNghMPFZ2XtJQGYvBf55XRIArArjy6c9bFpvfgsIDaxvQ8fR0m_9ZNVO8KdOkPGUqt8cIx6Ub0h9BgZxWpaOmpIs_AcSptqP9qOHlfKWFIcU3ISGDe0ZBRCPDa1sFaAuPN0EzQkkwTm/s1600/IMG_1764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPiNghMPFZ2XtJQGYvBf55XRIArArjy6c9bFpvfgsIDaxvQ8fR0m_9ZNVO8KdOkPGUqt8cIx6Ub0h9BgZxWpaOmpIs_AcSptqP9qOHlfKWFIcU3ISGDe0ZBRCPDa1sFaAuPN0EzQkkwTm/s320/IMG_1764.JPG" width="320" /></a>Principal of the school.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iNVNJiYSQ69wklSA_Tt35H9xyzckFnVVAF8PvNR_EyTbV87Qwrmgk00YohDiR49FORO_SbFMkJ-v63ND2TuDnZgttO2p4ogC0BdGel8WOVmvpOabngZx-Tq1kMKFdxYLIsHOvq75666j/s1600/IMG_1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iNVNJiYSQ69wklSA_Tt35H9xyzckFnVVAF8PvNR_EyTbV87Qwrmgk00YohDiR49FORO_SbFMkJ-v63ND2TuDnZgttO2p4ogC0BdGel8WOVmvpOabngZx-Tq1kMKFdxYLIsHOvq75666j/s320/IMG_1769.JPG" width="320" /></a>Achieving excellence if you ask me.</div>
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I think this bridge is gorgeous. Putrajaya is the seat of the government, but the capital is Kuala Lampur? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylJdvCVN6-DLecAu0G54DxQ5ovD9aDyF2y_f-dmbnle-kHt0hT9WHShMTkyO-DDvpqkGPulLOAD0bI-Cy2e9xhVIQfJ1rQ4KGhd7egcaydi3MYZqs8Hy5WuVHwseFe5nkx6WXc4it425J/s1600/IMG_1774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylJdvCVN6-DLecAu0G54DxQ5ovD9aDyF2y_f-dmbnle-kHt0hT9WHShMTkyO-DDvpqkGPulLOAD0bI-Cy2e9xhVIQfJ1rQ4KGhd7egcaydi3MYZqs8Hy5WuVHwseFe5nkx6WXc4it425J/s320/IMG_1774.JPG" width="240" /></a>This is in Putrajaya</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMY9tUKt_jB_tj6bcPytSRbME1yYbhBI5oC6SvhYHnpjMgcUjtfm34TAcSte8T0Un5vANnLd5hKWibIgtSKY2LoD0VD6LZKoDll_rbhXRvlrQyRTnE1ieTmUSLaSJjEh8QstJh5l9bKeM/s1600/IMG_1784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMY9tUKt_jB_tj6bcPytSRbME1yYbhBI5oC6SvhYHnpjMgcUjtfm34TAcSte8T0Un5vANnLd5hKWibIgtSKY2LoD0VD6LZKoDll_rbhXRvlrQyRTnE1ieTmUSLaSJjEh8QstJh5l9bKeM/s320/IMG_1784.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1R81m7Nn2Lk2mB1qwmwqzgQfchcOm94h9cUYp5kEUqOdVNx0L-b2LZ08AjHkRhYN0mwZ86hZcweWcJReWHaH4dWyx45mb0NlSgCfaOBH_uCG63_UsS_5ZQ69ljMBhDSQU3FoTDGs5CrhP/s1600/IMG_1787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1R81m7Nn2Lk2mB1qwmwqzgQfchcOm94h9cUYp5kEUqOdVNx0L-b2LZ08AjHkRhYN0mwZ86hZcweWcJReWHaH4dWyx45mb0NlSgCfaOBH_uCG63_UsS_5ZQ69ljMBhDSQU3FoTDGs5CrhP/s320/IMG_1787.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPAXzNQVaXNoF0RjtROwCfUJyeGPp0y6NpPxw-Ty6rKhMBxam8bkSqmmGuOn-NFNsirKoqNNWKJosEHn7dK5yaRCcnquxJEOqIsxBpywoYboCFsV5Oq-_l_R9EH0w2vVu6IjSjHdrKB2f/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPAXzNQVaXNoF0RjtROwCfUJyeGPp0y6NpPxw-Ty6rKhMBxam8bkSqmmGuOn-NFNsirKoqNNWKJosEHn7dK5yaRCcnquxJEOqIsxBpywoYboCFsV5Oq-_l_R9EH0w2vVu6IjSjHdrKB2f/s320/IMG_1706.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petronas tower in Kuala Lampur Malaysia. Not the tallest or biggest anymore.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv9Ktf6sdfEO9V_OY6F1sVJwYdfew_YwlrSJ7tdxFdu7NUkjDzO2rDmnfes-SP_fTtrtBV_Mvzrrii6nUQtHA8MvHTpzDHoWB7U9-ezQo6mhxpShd2JfPzNahYbuE17UqUsRhZ3xn1HW8/s1600/IMG_1711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv9Ktf6sdfEO9V_OY6F1sVJwYdfew_YwlrSJ7tdxFdu7NUkjDzO2rDmnfes-SP_fTtrtBV_Mvzrrii6nUQtHA8MvHTpzDHoWB7U9-ezQo6mhxpShd2JfPzNahYbuE17UqUsRhZ3xn1HW8/s320/IMG_1711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kV4vfje9mbc4iJm0bqkZLQIBdRyZ9WQLKpYv0QohDa0INlYUNwO0H_dZ4WJP_DydRu8o0P2d2-FIdO1T_eFziTemrqFULscjF6BOFhcoL_CnS-NzkpcFE-8E2UO1PhTIGWdAoPalWEsM/s1600/IMG_1713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kV4vfje9mbc4iJm0bqkZLQIBdRyZ9WQLKpYv0QohDa0INlYUNwO0H_dZ4WJP_DydRu8o0P2d2-FIdO1T_eFziTemrqFULscjF6BOFhcoL_CnS-NzkpcFE-8E2UO1PhTIGWdAoPalWEsM/s320/IMG_1713.JPG" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bottom of the Petronas towers is a mall where you can spend your oil money. I think that is a petroleum molecule up at the top floor.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-42891368043263726062013-06-25T02:36:00.000-07:002013-06-26T01:25:49.238-07:00Singapore and Malaysia<div class="MsoNormal">
Shanghaied to Singapore.
Over the weekend I was swash buckled into a trip to Malaysia and
Singapore. I am not complaining too
loudly. “They” say that you can find out
a lot about a relationship by going on a trip together. Well, me and 34 Thais went on vacation
together and I decided we are not soul mates.
“Let’s just be friends”. Mostly
it was a strengthening exercise in patience and keeping cool.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTILyN5SF9TVEON1olsHU1H2dmC3LcyQFZ0C17gWnxR6G5dNFwEpVeivK8mBap12iZDvV6unzRBfalPN7KxqgYC6rjUdqF7gYGSvTJxlFWZJ39KSlNjf2mC6T9eHaY1pwdKHXd_mafDpv/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTILyN5SF9TVEON1olsHU1H2dmC3LcyQFZ0C17gWnxR6G5dNFwEpVeivK8mBap12iZDvV6unzRBfalPN7KxqgYC6rjUdqF7gYGSvTJxlFWZJ39KSlNjf2mC6T9eHaY1pwdKHXd_mafDpv/s320/IMG_1466.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything in Bangkok sweats. This is Don Muang Airport at 4:20 am.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xbWZoSGNndiANRikuzASQsJHBrKCb_AveoqV5X9ondpFu0OJ3BRU-_8xodhtzvzsMJ2VZOymJ2JZ5lJ4v05dlOguDIwgy8Ocl8ADqqOkVJShf_D0pPpYXkHHYf0BFNf8D5etyn54AI-N/s1600/IMG_1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xbWZoSGNndiANRikuzASQsJHBrKCb_AveoqV5X9ondpFu0OJ3BRU-_8xodhtzvzsMJ2VZOymJ2JZ5lJ4v05dlOguDIwgy8Ocl8ADqqOkVJShf_D0pPpYXkHHYf0BFNf8D5etyn54AI-N/s320/IMG_1478.JPG" width="240" /></a>Melaka is a neat town in Malaysia. This is where my group of 34 Thai friends left me to find them about a mile down the road. I asked them how long we would be here, but Thai people don't usually like to give out details like that. So, I had fun wondering what to do without a phone, without a number to call, and without any idea where our hotel was that night. Thankfully, it all worked out, I found our bus, again a mile down the road, and we all lived happily, ever after.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkf3M-uyMUlbbKtbtrFoX3YbAgqAE8Mu5vX5Xe7qgsrSGAih8Lrj6RzU_KqXb6NENqsaali5AtAGCcmR2xnMi6zAHsM1xiTIbkqjO-bjz-vrASBQfw70B-qsC5Hh2uHAwcLoKolMlkJrx/s1600/IMG_1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkf3M-uyMUlbbKtbtrFoX3YbAgqAE8Mu5vX5Xe7qgsrSGAih8Lrj6RzU_KqXb6NENqsaali5AtAGCcmR2xnMi6zAHsM1xiTIbkqjO-bjz-vrASBQfw70B-qsC5Hh2uHAwcLoKolMlkJrx/s320/IMG_1477.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Melaka, and all over Malaysia and Singapore you find these tricshaws. They compete for customers with crazy decorations and sound systems, and harassment.</td></tr>
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<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROTC7a9-sai-mOzyssaFHq7oA0no4e88FV4s0rTLK4rWHiXAr1Z7Z6t_7r9mDal1cv5skFHMHhO9YrDhtGoAPSj7RvZ4-Yn37Jft5SN_Z5PwXh7YUrwzbeZCDgBRPCc1TJOTys9k9PZ3c/s1600/IMG_1474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROTC7a9-sai-mOzyssaFHq7oA0no4e88FV4s0rTLK4rWHiXAr1Z7Z6t_7r9mDal1cv5skFHMHhO9YrDhtGoAPSj7RvZ4-Yn37Jft5SN_Z5PwXh7YUrwzbeZCDgBRPCc1TJOTys9k9PZ3c/s320/IMG_1474.JPG" width="320" /></a>Melaka has an arch as you come into town with three towers. The three towers represent Chinese, Islam, and Indian settlers that populated the town. Europeans are seen in the architecture everywhere else, like the Dutch church in the previous picture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-pYD5V_yefW365cMnUp345Uf66i6ius9GMSw5ID8wlecU2hBWJ9JI3v31TuUIq1LUSnZdkWT2oZLrIV8VBiPETe4N3Xz5ztWNR8cbVV8k50K5efYAY0h_R-WERrEOL48fiGpdckY8x75/s1600/IMG_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-pYD5V_yefW365cMnUp345Uf66i6ius9GMSw5ID8wlecU2hBWJ9JI3v31TuUIq1LUSnZdkWT2oZLrIV8VBiPETe4N3Xz5ztWNR8cbVV8k50K5efYAY0h_R-WERrEOL48fiGpdckY8x75/s320/IMG_1469.JPG" width="320" /></a>Malaysia is 62% Muslim. Many bathrooms had showers, so that people could shower before prayer, 5 times a day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLMLxHl6gyPotAufQIS-4Gm0Y0SJ1LYj6_e1cfM7Dv8f9zMElp-fxk4IhUR5sVU-qkx09V6lpnb5l8HCWCTpg1eIsQ3Bdp53WP6ws91Kil2vY-UrW7UIIn88M39vJohw8slZu6BFItI-E/s1600/IMG_1489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLMLxHl6gyPotAufQIS-4Gm0Y0SJ1LYj6_e1cfM7Dv8f9zMElp-fxk4IhUR5sVU-qkx09V6lpnb5l8HCWCTpg1eIsQ3Bdp53WP6ws91Kil2vY-UrW7UIIn88M39vJohw8slZu6BFItI-E/s320/IMG_1489.JPG" width="320" /></a>This waterwheel was used to create a current so that large ships could get into the port. This is where I first started to get a feeling of "old seaport" from Malaysia, and then again from Singapore. I learned: this is a mariner society. I could just start to imagine hundred to hundreds of years ago, the pirates, and the adventurers, and sea captains, and naval vessels that sailed these waters. The next photo is a beach in Singapore at sunset. The sand is imported from Malaysia, but you can see the ships all around. Singapore is a mix of English, Indian, Malaysian, Chinese, and many many others. It was the most diverse place I have ever seen. Similar to New York City. Singapore is the second largest container port in the world.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZpTk-_AY_UTkdCm5bn4HXI7Ous_njbnyMpZMEwRpsAzPdKDC-fHFsREnXCvjzsGh-iArve0q6DlaZW9080r6KVUZwOBWA8fxZomhuT5-h1tf2LhY3gZQYc7FzDUPp8NyU8jRvmEw02rZ/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZpTk-_AY_UTkdCm5bn4HXI7Ous_njbnyMpZMEwRpsAzPdKDC-fHFsREnXCvjzsGh-iArve0q6DlaZW9080r6KVUZwOBWA8fxZomhuT5-h1tf2LhY3gZQYc7FzDUPp8NyU8jRvmEw02rZ/s320/IMG_1656.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2cgufrgVdUCk3rDtN0mNHAPN_O5YnrFOiAIUE-IuRevdszD8UItWu52_qv9POOFjNkm5H_6I7Zkwz5Vpw1mbjBhVF1iLBZ0UzDydky4wXJgJuvjF_B0GLHZl6eXvZS_OWsKLSzAWGMbG/s1600/IMG_1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2cgufrgVdUCk3rDtN0mNHAPN_O5YnrFOiAIUE-IuRevdszD8UItWu52_qv9POOFjNkm5H_6I7Zkwz5Vpw1mbjBhVF1iLBZ0UzDydky4wXJgJuvjF_B0GLHZl6eXvZS_OWsKLSzAWGMbG/s320/IMG_1571.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore is a very green city, and they keep trying to be more green. Here is a city park. these cool "trees" are towers you can climb up to see over the city, and it is also a botanical garden with a raised walkway. Beautiful, but I didn't have time to go and explore because we had to go visit another mall or something.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZZ91-q-haGp78e2AwUw3J21H936k1Vf7cXz3-H4aXEysAJ3nWT9was2a0SYIJfr1CXIkBrhZdd4_LA8AhEArD6k-GhF9jUqYZNU0s3RpWK_SUyOws9f4ClHHbrlBqxuYJuXoKvNdMxJZ/s1600/IMG_1662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZZ91-q-haGp78e2AwUw3J21H936k1Vf7cXz3-H4aXEysAJ3nWT9was2a0SYIJfr1CXIkBrhZdd4_LA8AhEArD6k-GhF9jUqYZNU0s3RpWK_SUyOws9f4ClHHbrlBqxuYJuXoKvNdMxJZ/s320/IMG_1662.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a really cheesy light, laser, water show. Thai people loved it, but I took the time to read on my kindle. It was about a guy trying to wake up a village with his magical song. Basically a bad, short, Disney water show. Singapore had a lot of tall buildings. this is the financial district where they sleep during the day, and work when the USA is awake. They are exactly 12 hours ahead of the USA right now with Daylight Savings Time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYL4jn4lMvpWmJ_vxwriM80ubW9fYZViX9pHBuFLxyr3a3C9N6bgQlvlTkIGFPzFK6OgTF9bwJYwbtI2xQvybBi0k9AQh_UZ-VNHvyINNhmx4IyvF89-EmeoIcaX-NKZoMu6mSnaEGagKF/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYL4jn4lMvpWmJ_vxwriM80ubW9fYZViX9pHBuFLxyr3a3C9N6bgQlvlTkIGFPzFK6OgTF9bwJYwbtI2xQvybBi0k9AQh_UZ-VNHvyINNhmx4IyvF89-EmeoIcaX-NKZoMu6mSnaEGagKF/s320/IMG_1539.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAC0n7uKVtNyjwwoGjM89EJcFyQbwddLUMBk1b-r9GtrdNgsXagYHXv8oeqS_FK-4tQWEeVyV3N7fxtjLTmkVQS2aIFeQW5YJY_HWFx3R14BkEFsgPn_dZPSppLUWV20vdRz6gRabBtLW/s1600/IMG_1500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAC0n7uKVtNyjwwoGjM89EJcFyQbwddLUMBk1b-r9GtrdNgsXagYHXv8oeqS_FK-4tQWEeVyV3N7fxtjLTmkVQS2aIFeQW5YJY_HWFx3R14BkEFsgPn_dZPSppLUWV20vdRz6gRabBtLW/s320/IMG_1500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71OKXHnUKXYroLLCJkj88EzqVwU7EVUQ_SkA3h-sHhoRCdxS-VHLWyMZC6hW2WbTm_Tk3OyEjcE15sogf03sZo7kl0Ny0k6s-c0H_dcs3v6g7ZV9_Ysri9iHBqis9CyDtDsRqgrH7GG8K/s1600/IMG_1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71OKXHnUKXYroLLCJkj88EzqVwU7EVUQ_SkA3h-sHhoRCdxS-VHLWyMZC6hW2WbTm_Tk3OyEjcE15sogf03sZo7kl0Ny0k6s-c0H_dcs3v6g7ZV9_Ysri9iHBqis9CyDtDsRqgrH7GG8K/s320/IMG_1575.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very interesting hotel with three towers, and a swimming pool balanced on top. This is in Singapore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAfglnv9bePuMcYdN5Qy2OtDQ44V_axpSXHWobSPfaRz52mjVj7OVZS8GN9L2RsHeF4CMJMKrJm0GYJsn9qY_JTBPWfDBqW0Zwv1R7Er4PjFO6TYtkL29Zh3euqw14c6tpCXjYM9NkaA3/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAfglnv9bePuMcYdN5Qy2OtDQ44V_axpSXHWobSPfaRz52mjVj7OVZS8GN9L2RsHeF4CMJMKrJm0GYJsn9qY_JTBPWfDBqW0Zwv1R7Er4PjFO6TYtkL29Zh3euqw14c6tpCXjYM9NkaA3/s320/IMG_1540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous, for tourist created Merlion of Singapore. It was hilarious watching the people try to get shots of him spitting in their mouth. Hundreds a day. I passed on that one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbqtZJLHi6rbDW62YCHE0UYz6HgBX5viv5KnCtidRC-1h0YBD8mrjgiXkSh6zDzu3r3RXjGE67IlzAEQqYig_fw5NN0Nqe5UrDcrASRCIL1b1wEPKO-X7bcK8HloYSO-Ezic_z52wJPF_/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbqtZJLHi6rbDW62YCHE0UYz6HgBX5viv5KnCtidRC-1h0YBD8mrjgiXkSh6zDzu3r3RXjGE67IlzAEQqYig_fw5NN0Nqe5UrDcrASRCIL1b1wEPKO-X7bcK8HloYSO-Ezic_z52wJPF_/s320/IMG_1541.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZpTk-_AY_UTkdCm5bn4HXI7Ous_njbnyMpZMEwRpsAzPdKDC-fHFsREnXCvjzsGh-iArve0q6DlaZW9080r6KVUZwOBWA8fxZomhuT5-h1tf2LhY3gZQYc7FzDUPp8NyU8jRvmEw02rZ/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>We were lucky to have such beautiful weather, because this week, people can't even leave their houses because of the pollution from slash and burn farming in nearby Sumatra, Indonesia.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZpTk-_AY_UTkdCm5bn4HXI7Ous_njbnyMpZMEwRpsAzPdKDC-fHFsREnXCvjzsGh-iArve0q6DlaZW9080r6KVUZwOBWA8fxZomhuT5-h1tf2LhY3gZQYc7FzDUPp8NyU8jRvmEw02rZ/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91R9SCTnhwvObfPMEGS2f6XXUAftm-IlWSCqO2IThdheXcVg9tcp-m4E7B43mXYtdw0dWYaB1UG7iZyyT9Fc4RYYteKha8JRLZuc7BG5CmhTms4c5Kl4bCBePhpoxftjUvZ8JzLWAdEUv/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91R9SCTnhwvObfPMEGS2f6XXUAftm-IlWSCqO2IThdheXcVg9tcp-m4E7B43mXYtdw0dWYaB1UG7iZyyT9Fc4RYYteKha8JRLZuc7BG5CmhTms4c5Kl4bCBePhpoxftjUvZ8JzLWAdEUv/s320/IMG_1536.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a view of the Singapore Opera house. It looks like a durian.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9SfYep5Cvdj81zFlvmuNlkLjgEKqymxSZ4JeaMpAzGbruTi4ahNOiy-wwZ3mwrP4hFinvqep3U2kxCJd_LQycdlM7jKlxLadzB7m94-vqXpCEuPpYgGOpS2Y3pTk8a15sgWHt84v4oMo/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9SfYep5Cvdj81zFlvmuNlkLjgEKqymxSZ4JeaMpAzGbruTi4ahNOiy-wwZ3mwrP4hFinvqep3U2kxCJd_LQycdlM7jKlxLadzB7m94-vqXpCEuPpYgGOpS2Y3pTk8a15sgWHt84v4oMo/s320/IMG_1625.JPG" width="320" /></a>A beautiful Chinese temple in China town in Singapore had a great museum on the fourth floor, and a great garden on the fifth floor. Monks chanting and playing music in the main sanctuary. Definitely worth visiting.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid52pS0YUqMCazvhHO6kHIh0u7D_hHAsssIsu7QB9UPr57udSl-qE_ysWJErlW4IDYkSEvew8MPmEhAWlihoHVn6sFm5KulOQj00ocHr-GHrNmd5BGhtNNMm5P0sL3msT86OnfQmtXZjPO/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid52pS0YUqMCazvhHO6kHIh0u7D_hHAsssIsu7QB9UPr57udSl-qE_ysWJErlW4IDYkSEvew8MPmEhAWlihoHVn6sFm5KulOQj00ocHr-GHrNmd5BGhtNNMm5P0sL3msT86OnfQmtXZjPO/s320/IMG_1619.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijid0UwLdOcGtg0KZdjF-pW2kyM9vHFswY81P6ekPEji9_rrPqOkIoyn1ttS5ajjM32pBzNktXewX0N8xWWiBS1yoHjs2XiUV_Hzrg5KW0gYyKs43wvsPHUODb4wspJ1YnmvJfqxefmHxd/s1600/IMG_1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijid0UwLdOcGtg0KZdjF-pW2kyM9vHFswY81P6ekPEji9_rrPqOkIoyn1ttS5ajjM32pBzNktXewX0N8xWWiBS1yoHjs2XiUV_Hzrg5KW0gYyKs43wvsPHUODb4wspJ1YnmvJfqxefmHxd/s320/IMG_1603.JPG" width="320" /></a>Singapore had a great art cafe/ art class/ studio/ gallery.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1Hkg61_Ny2r4gvS6lZe2hmL5Rj1XYzcy-4k744Vrhh-TAX5mNwcWsjEtGqGngijC6qy1s7-1Qz2iEWuf6Fy3nvfwxwCwrR-lqX0nIFAG8jIqJTMryNA4qWZVT1pC6bhT7iYS2SEWr0Kj/s1600/IMG_1607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1Hkg61_Ny2r4gvS6lZe2hmL5Rj1XYzcy-4k744Vrhh-TAX5mNwcWsjEtGqGngijC6qy1s7-1Qz2iEWuf6Fy3nvfwxwCwrR-lqX0nIFAG8jIqJTMryNA4qWZVT1pC6bhT7iYS2SEWr0Kj/s320/IMG_1607.JPG" width="240" /></a>Habitat for Humanity Singapore. What what!</div>
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Why not have a river with boats in the bottom of a mall?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCt7IrTd66t7asOM22DEb0sVLLBG5bK_Yt3lg_pwXdwb4VXBq_sWaEA0qGf-qnNFq2eRCgWlUMaZLVUWDwW7k1-DbQHvXv2BMkB9Rhd7vmPS2iB80oZNLHvsORy7pv4VACti8NMqdd_EC/s1600/IMG_1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCt7IrTd66t7asOM22DEb0sVLLBG5bK_Yt3lg_pwXdwb4VXBq_sWaEA0qGf-qnNFq2eRCgWlUMaZLVUWDwW7k1-DbQHvXv2BMkB9Rhd7vmPS2iB80oZNLHvsORy7pv4VACti8NMqdd_EC/s320/IMG_1582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was in Malaysia for Father's Day, with no phone connection, but I was able to proudly show my Thai friends what reminded me of my father most, by pointing to the work belt. I love you Dad:)</div>
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Notice the date: Day/ Month/ Year</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-9153268662940741642013-06-19T18:59:00.002-07:002013-06-19T18:59:45.622-07:00The big tomato put his foot down and said, "Ketchup" to the little tomato<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JEJIQ0-bG6iIn_nkx1uuMf5_zWeYTCBW6iP8pDNpW0qwweV2H_TRnqHuyCDHtep2MPFuD1vKnarMQRjfW9S-z-HWVXKazINVmakwRI4FhOaNMSA7FzPRPlvgfHC91RTsSxhKLcmGkQ2U/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JEJIQ0-bG6iIn_nkx1uuMf5_zWeYTCBW6iP8pDNpW0qwweV2H_TRnqHuyCDHtep2MPFuD1vKnarMQRjfW9S-z-HWVXKazINVmakwRI4FhOaNMSA7FzPRPlvgfHC91RTsSxhKLcmGkQ2U/s320/IMG_1395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is a catch up blog of some photos I have taken. A photo journal of sorts. Here is a family on the train in Bangkok. Notice how many hand held devices they have. This is very common in Thailand. Children and adults spend an exorbitant amount of time playing bejeweled, and watching television. At least they do it "together".<br />
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Here is my bedroom window with boxes to transport expensive fighting cocks. This is around 5am.<br />
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Here is a typical meat counter at your nearest market. Definitely not Publix. Notice the choice cut of pigs head and the cow leg hanging. You probably can't, and don't want, to see how many flies there are on all of these cuts of meat. And yes, we are buying some pork to cook for lunch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB24x3x7VGvwR9dE4HUV9ebdYIt9JaYEo18LOdZ5p80xb2wDuVOOx-Us8V9IKF0fWQPJynH40vF4ezYjJiVin3aQZlM9tFI-4N_vynSTMI412lX4IL9vqCix_G-IXp12wZq5jASoFnRLoj/s1600/IMG_1378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB24x3x7VGvwR9dE4HUV9ebdYIt9JaYEo18LOdZ5p80xb2wDuVOOx-Us8V9IKF0fWQPJynH40vF4ezYjJiVin3aQZlM9tFI-4N_vynSTMI412lX4IL9vqCix_G-IXp12wZq5jASoFnRLoj/s320/IMG_1378.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Here are my new friends Toni and April. They are both from the USA and love to walk and eat healthy foods. We had a lot in common. They are also educators like me. We took a long walk along the Klongs in Bangkok. A klong is like a waterway. They have these sidewalks going along them making them nice trails to get around on. Motorcycles use them also, so watch out that you both don't end up in the polluted water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTchor4_RlMgXW3EafSowaTS3hk7Si4jDjDwL-EeAi4rPVA6NNm3j1NWpQbpMfozrevdP3BA0i5grQTZLvHoha-sKiTdRhcEiKQ7ZtRTgeB-YCh9z0jAFWl53f-Ex5lqGjp0b6mJqA5Iu/s1600/IMG_1367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTchor4_RlMgXW3EafSowaTS3hk7Si4jDjDwL-EeAi4rPVA6NNm3j1NWpQbpMfozrevdP3BA0i5grQTZLvHoha-sKiTdRhcEiKQ7ZtRTgeB-YCh9z0jAFWl53f-Ex5lqGjp0b6mJqA5Iu/s320/IMG_1367.JPG" width="240" /></a>My Dennis: Bam. Sweet girl who lives next door. She is 10 and loves her dog- Nam Wan- juice. She talks and talks to me, and I understand 1/1000, but that does not stop her. She does not get frustrated at all.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh779DU3cZ7US9Mmfz-_qDp2m8n4wrDyXa8Ger0byoPlDeooLIMsiRRM5DdbCKOH-YWuq-k0nJ_LQnKCmroMoQS0K3bTank6vAi-SeQ3AgaEa678FCxHXSoCBmy9-_zqA8O5fA0Y08B7TBz/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh779DU3cZ7US9Mmfz-_qDp2m8n4wrDyXa8Ger0byoPlDeooLIMsiRRM5DdbCKOH-YWuq-k0nJ_LQnKCmroMoQS0K3bTank6vAi-SeQ3AgaEa678FCxHXSoCBmy9-_zqA8O5fA0Y08B7TBz/s320/IMG_1200.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Beautiful tree that grows all over Thailand. The flowers turn from bright red to yellow slowly. It is called a Flame Tree. Khon Kaen Wat in background. Temple with nine stories that you can climb. Background to my blog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-04qA6rUwFKIXqlgNjaax8O7W9r7rX1do6g7-VqjopG9rx9E83U1bZO_z3RuLL7lUePByV1c47aVjHWVm622uCjtXp4ebPkO1XbNk2LKCTZnbeap1cmaoa4eUba9AH9DeXCPEyDTmN8RY/s1600/IMG_1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-04qA6rUwFKIXqlgNjaax8O7W9r7rX1do6g7-VqjopG9rx9E83U1bZO_z3RuLL7lUePByV1c47aVjHWVm622uCjtXp4ebPkO1XbNk2LKCTZnbeap1cmaoa4eUba9AH9DeXCPEyDTmN8RY/s320/IMG_1436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Working with my principals wife. We don't have anything like this in the United States, but it is an offering of sorts. I don't know much about it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuun8fZTCV6VVuk1do0LmnKt-P_iFDEEc932XZAU8eUpHWe4ShtXMrthCaOblBZTMH3Khav0fhj2hmzOUKjjg7u1mP3QPd4d28Ezfkw-4JkuaDaPBlTKSCRdvKzp1UNVTVkpfx20HCnk0R/s1600/IMG_1437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuun8fZTCV6VVuk1do0LmnKt-P_iFDEEc932XZAU8eUpHWe4ShtXMrthCaOblBZTMH3Khav0fhj2hmzOUKjjg7u1mP3QPd4d28Ezfkw-4JkuaDaPBlTKSCRdvKzp1UNVTVkpfx20HCnk0R/s320/IMG_1437.JPG" width="320" /></a>Favorite past time of Thai people: EATING!! This is early in the morning on the last day of the monk ordination.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhII8um61EJ5sb054l6lyt1MwlvNmBeWZcPyLJ9MwUD8PMvVBWJm6NReuoUaJ7sKde15ensd47wFyVksOKepIZIv2iWA-D7ff_qSGvtJI5_w87Fepcuoe6-p2JnnstW0fWaToEP0bLrkzuC/s1600/IMG_1439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhII8um61EJ5sb054l6lyt1MwlvNmBeWZcPyLJ9MwUD8PMvVBWJm6NReuoUaJ7sKde15ensd47wFyVksOKepIZIv2iWA-D7ff_qSGvtJI5_w87Fepcuoe6-p2JnnstW0fWaToEP0bLrkzuC/s320/IMG_1439.JPG" width="320" /></a>The monk ordination shuts down traffic down this street. My house is on the left with the sign for the monk ordination hanging on the wall.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvnL8yAUwSDmKRGY4LYVqxjXFQlrz0V5zbLhwaVQ_Rg-COT5KjK2UqAvCHmgM2OU9xyDKaw2QJzm4v7Ui8t880QawQXHTmxJyKjsu7wZHytgozhYvFQXerWfL4dVtELloE8kahNCVuW50/s1600/IMG_1440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvnL8yAUwSDmKRGY4LYVqxjXFQlrz0V5zbLhwaVQ_Rg-COT5KjK2UqAvCHmgM2OU9xyDKaw2QJzm4v7Ui8t880QawQXHTmxJyKjsu7wZHytgozhYvFQXerWfL4dVtELloE8kahNCVuW50/s320/IMG_1440.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here are my buddies chopping green papaya to make som tom (spicy papaya salad). I helped peel papayas for a few hours.<br />
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Here is the view from my hotel room over the hotel.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jtSdpmYwWzaEQq8fURftde_8T2S-wcLhBhPD8QNL5hWQ030NMNy7sY2BKI_ctzoJEw3EiP-nytNo0MU9Ksa988DmolTgmHxKgBC3DBFk7JJcPlHn5jow7iXdZJG1bGjUAVS4bMrKifV8/s1600/IMG_1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jtSdpmYwWzaEQq8fURftde_8T2S-wcLhBhPD8QNL5hWQ030NMNy7sY2BKI_ctzoJEw3EiP-nytNo0MU9Ksa988DmolTgmHxKgBC3DBFk7JJcPlHn5jow7iXdZJG1bGjUAVS4bMrKifV8/s320/IMG_1443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJjxUJuEICw7xJEnjraVe-2XmKMGksFU6qHyCJOKjQY2NBN0fKTyGfuQmAUN_vBg0pX2ioJqZaYt4N-lERSq3LDOlN1mrKwDbQbctXni32EhGCUjDrv3T5uXIMTFmzvVofQOg9mO-N3O0/s1600/IMG_1458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJjxUJuEICw7xJEnjraVe-2XmKMGksFU6qHyCJOKjQY2NBN0fKTyGfuQmAUN_vBg0pX2ioJqZaYt4N-lERSq3LDOlN1mrKwDbQbctXni32EhGCUjDrv3T5uXIMTFmzvVofQOg9mO-N3O0/s320/IMG_1458.JPG" width="240" /></a>Delicious. Coconut ice cream served in a coconut with coconut meat and an unidentified fruit.</div>
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Rainbow from my hotel room.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-otkvk50sh9UFa8MWY_FxyL7ysqUfagxo1VQumDB5L_TduTMy9pAu4mHku6KLBhWCcB0xF6a-Agbv20JIUIAo6NazNRGiZwWzel6NViQ9WucDNZkbTXObNwOeXSHrV-Tz7nbyrTTB2Dz/s1600/IMG_1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-otkvk50sh9UFa8MWY_FxyL7ysqUfagxo1VQumDB5L_TduTMy9pAu4mHku6KLBhWCcB0xF6a-Agbv20JIUIAo6NazNRGiZwWzel6NViQ9WucDNZkbTXObNwOeXSHrV-Tz7nbyrTTB2Dz/s320/IMG_1464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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sunset over Isan. Essan is known for it's spectacular clouds. No joke.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivBxbnCTu6aGz1BQsfv25yHGsODLAGE7IvFhDSFSxmWgIK1Xce3z_jtGc4BKJR8DLn2fhGFMrD5lkJVU0tUF7g5DvjK0yg7PA4QsRA2mwElgq8HW9JZZvEfBcL2L8xAY0IpUNFNy1Bk-8/s1600/IMG_1465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivBxbnCTu6aGz1BQsfv25yHGsODLAGE7IvFhDSFSxmWgIK1Xce3z_jtGc4BKJR8DLn2fhGFMrD5lkJVU0tUF7g5DvjK0yg7PA4QsRA2mwElgq8HW9JZZvEfBcL2L8xAY0IpUNFNy1Bk-8/s320/IMG_1465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtfxXh0Ih-vdngvHdXKEqcaZoVq9lztzewfqD-41Vcvtqwz1hKXFvPlNN22vB4uCFE0xO7mhY2b8hK-bBrs09ngBZWzndTgS2fFyHtPOjaOSEIKzyfkehpPlprXb8ciTYP2yuvUYJ8Qd2/s1600/IMG_1441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtfxXh0Ih-vdngvHdXKEqcaZoVq9lztzewfqD-41Vcvtqwz1hKXFvPlNN22vB4uCFE0xO7mhY2b8hK-bBrs09ngBZWzndTgS2fFyHtPOjaOSEIKzyfkehpPlprXb8ciTYP2yuvUYJ8Qd2/s320/IMG_1441.JPG" width="320" /></a>here is the new monk. He's done with his monk service. Everyone in the village gives a pillow.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-57074238827598841972013-06-01T07:01:00.000-07:002013-06-01T07:01:41.373-07:00Another brother becomes a monkWell, today was the monk ordination for the son of the wonderful lady I live with. Things might get awkward from time to time, but she has been very kind to offer a spot in her house for me. Some of the details get lost in translation, but we generally can find some level of understanding if we try. Except for the bag of mangoes she asked me to take to school last week. I am used to people giving me mangoes, so I didn't understand I was supposed to take the mangoes and give them to someone else. Mangoes literally grow on trees here though, so not too big of a mix up.<br />
Last night I spent the night in a house of another teacher in my school, so that my room could be used for the many many friends and family that had traveled to come to the three day celebration. Women cook and wash dishes the entire time. Men drink and children play for three days. And people are always eating. A three day family and friend reunion. Everyone helping, everyone happy.<br />
The father of the monk became sick last year and died on this day one year ago. The family and village loved him very much. You can tell he is missed every day here. He was a teacher at the school and drove the children to school every day. Now his widow, who teaches at the school drives the school van. <br />
Buddhism in Thailand is a mixture of Buddhism, animism, and ancestor worship. Buddhists believe that when you die, your spirit is put into a holding pattern until you are reborn. If you have lived a good life, you are born better off than before, if you have acquired some bad karma, you might be reborn as an animal, or into a more difficult existence. Family members can dedicate good deeds to help their loved ones to be reborn into a better life. <br />
I spent the day first helping to tear banana leaves to wrap rice into, then cooking ground pork for lap moo. Then eating and drinking beer and of course sleeping. Next came the part of the ceremony I am not sure about. It always involves an MC all in white, maybe a Brahman priest?. All of the grandmother's gather around for this part. I always joke that I am a Thai Yai (grandmother) although I have in no way earned this title of respect. I just dress like a yai, smell like a yai (tiger balm), walk like a yai at times (hunched over), like to eat dinner before 6pm, and today as I sat with them, I realized I had a small hand towel thrown over my shoulder, just like a Yai. It was hilarious to me that I unwittingly took on another characteristic of a Yai. All I need now is the hair comb, I'll skip chewing beetle nut which dies your mouth blood red.<br />
As soon as the ceremony got going a huge down poor came and lasted for about thirty minutes creating a river out of the street. Once it ended the ceremony continued, then, of course, we had a parade of dancing around the village while the monk to be throws baht decorated with ribbon and everyone scrambles to gather as many as they can. It's like at an American parade, only better. My sweet neighbor Bam, who is eleven and is my shadow joined me at the end and when we got muddy going after some of the baht she cleaned my hand with her scarf.<br />
My students have really brought joy into my time here in Thailand. They are super cute and very sweet. They are picking up what I teach them quickly and taking it home and teaching their parents. After teaching one week, I hear twice as much English as I did one week ago. I will begin teaching the teachers at my school one day a week when I get back from a seminar in Khon Kaen. I will be teaching how to teach speaking in an English classroom to teachers who did not major in English. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-32915502465619449952013-05-31T00:53:00.000-07:002013-05-31T00:53:44.880-07:00Today I learned to make Ratna<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I learned to make Ratna<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today at school I learned to make one of my favorite foods I
have had here. Ratna. After making it I know why I love it so much. It has noodles, sugar, salt, msg, pork, kale,
soy sauce, and vinegar in it. Yum
yum. It was nice to serve it to the teachers
who feed me every day. Here I am cooking
it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFuD2_oFzI6XwYi5cVvalJYEauWZKqJwNpl2xzyd38XLvG-qFaSmLQuO58dMfnHM3ZGoaTtNEWG6G8AkPXarn_bxZS7t8ebtF0f6UeMKeADAcQ7EfYpxyUk3WooVN88LwF4K4fgkK7zZd/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFuD2_oFzI6XwYi5cVvalJYEauWZKqJwNpl2xzyd38XLvG-qFaSmLQuO58dMfnHM3ZGoaTtNEWG6G8AkPXarn_bxZS7t8ebtF0f6UeMKeADAcQ7EfYpxyUk3WooVN88LwF4K4fgkK7zZd/s320/IMG_1424.JPG" width="320" /></a>This is our school kitchen. A little different than an American school cafeteria. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBHJFLifvPZcKMkYdPL7eq8xCKbVBeFZFgtDfIGMdHeUqgL8tVp03DKTaX9XergKikKdr9Ut5106m9O_dKKPhnBMSDboatna2VFAjpg2FCZI7hk_tA6p937YT3214kxnRqVVi9TlbNxVy/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBHJFLifvPZcKMkYdPL7eq8xCKbVBeFZFgtDfIGMdHeUqgL8tVp03DKTaX9XergKikKdr9Ut5106m9O_dKKPhnBMSDboatna2VFAjpg2FCZI7hk_tA6p937YT3214kxnRqVVi9TlbNxVy/s320/IMG_1430.JPG" width="320" /></a>Finished gravy to go with the fried noodles. Delicious, but now that I know what is in it, I think I can only eat it once a month on special occasions.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-14146403242013378072013-05-28T18:20:00.003-07:002013-05-28T18:20:51.499-07:00Who does that?<div class="MsoNormal">
Who does that?
5-28-13<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What would you think if someone placed three roosters around
your bedroom windows? If you are from
America you might have thoughts and emotions of vengeance, anger, persecution,
confusion as to “why me?” and “who did this?”.
And maybe in some parts of the United States, this would be normal and
acceptable, but not in my hometown. I
think in my hometown, as in a lot of towns around the US, roosters are
illegal. I don’t agree with that, but I
do understand why they are illegal; as opposed to the anti-cloths line laws
which I don’t agree with and don’t understand.(don't let me get off topic.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both laws obviously do not exist here in Thailand. If I tried to explain that we had these laws,
I don’t think any Thai person I know would understand. Roosters walk the streets everywhere,
including downtown Bangkok, and no one has a dryer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, putting three fighting cocks around someone’s bed room,
especially the town farang, or foreigner, still feels like a sign of aggression
for me. But, honestly, I think that is
more a feeling than a reality, and that is a thing I am learning to keep in
check.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Story:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My host mom’s son, the father of the “grandson” that lives
with us, is in town because he is going to be a monk next Monday. I think for 15 days?. When I came to Thailand for the first time, I
had ideas of Buddhist monks to be a pure species, above worldly temptations and
materialism. Back in 2000 that illusion
was shattered when I saw monks smoking, talking on cell phones, and now in 2013
I see them at ATMs. Men are expected to
become a monk. So you get all kinds of
men who put on the orange robes. Last
weekend in the Bangkok post was an article about gay and transgender boys who
choose, or are forced into being monks because their family thinks it will
change the “way they are.” <o:p></o:p><a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/investigation/351847/gay-and-transgender-katoey-struggle-with-buddhism">http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/investigation/351847/gay-and-transgender-katoey-struggle-with-buddhism</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My “brother” who will become a monk next week lives far
away. I have seen him come home a few
times, and he usually has his fighting cocks with him. This trip to be a monk is no exception. He likes to drink beer and smoke cigarettes
and spend his day gambling. Maybe he is
becoming a monk to have some time away from that, I don’t want to falsely guess
his reasons for becoming a monk, but often people will dedicate the merit of becoming
a monk to a living or deceased ancestor.
It is believed that it can change the luck or fortune of a family by
working in karmic ways, as a kind of karmic cleanser for a family. My family will have a three day, loud,
probably expensive, definitely a lot of work party Saturday, Sunday, and ending
on Monday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, back to the roosters, placed safely under my windows out
of the morning sun; who does that?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, let’s analyze this for “fun” because it is 5:30am, I
am up and have already done a load of laundry because those fighting cocks are
LOUD!! Really loud.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Does no one in Thailand get upset about things like
this? Loud music and roosters that
disturb you are so normal, they are not even annoying? Do people know it bothers people, but don’t
care? Do we in the US worry way to much
about what people will think? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope that I can find out the answer to these questions,
and bring that understanding back home with me.
Just two days ago I stated my goal for the next two years to use this
time to transform anger in me, existing anger and future development of anger,
and thank you brother, I was able to get hot and cool down about three roosters
this morning. And, maybe in the future, it will take a lot more to get a rise out of me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the words of Bob Marley<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Don’t worry about a thing, cause every little thing gonna be
alright.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rise up this morning, smiled with the rising sun, three
little birds, is by my doorstep,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Singing sweet songs, of melodies pure and true.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Saying this is my message to you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Singing don’t worry about a thing, because every little
thing is going to be alright."<o:p></o:p></div>
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This song will forever mean something different to me than
it did before Thailand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To me it used to mean that whatever bad circumstance, it’ll
get better. Now I think, "don’t get so
caught up in the small stuff."<o:p></o:p></div>
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Both good lessons to marinate on as the beautiful sun rises
on a new day in Issan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-74149413900281227062013-05-20T23:36:00.002-07:002013-05-20T23:37:42.158-07:00Khao Yai- Thailand's oldest National Park<br />
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Khao Yai<o:p></o:p></div>
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After the pawaw training in Surin five of us took a trip to Kao Yai national park. We took the full
day tour which started with a drive up into the mountains in a songtao. Song means two and tao rows: a songtao is a tuck with two benches running down the bed and a roof. It
is essentially a minibus used for cheap transport in a city, or for a tour trip
like this in Thailand. We enter the park and pull
off at a scenic view. Here we put on
leach socks and see our first monkey, a pig tailed maqauc. Carly, you are right, it does look like it has a toupee.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXy8gwhUIhEcxarqUmklHdjcfNbR7Ja22yxGPWWO_rNioXYjHtRmhnRxBJvsvioHiA2hVRgnCveOHLAKmwa0OafH2j-pjBnX-SVHaRdhwPfzyZ86HoKPb8f1lCtxEHpqX5LwYByP5VH9s/s1600/monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXy8gwhUIhEcxarqUmklHdjcfNbR7Ja22yxGPWWO_rNioXYjHtRmhnRxBJvsvioHiA2hVRgnCveOHLAKmwa0OafH2j-pjBnX-SVHaRdhwPfzyZ86HoKPb8f1lCtxEHpqX5LwYByP5VH9s/s320/monkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinertnNihbF-HzBj3VkwvEME-F-EneRgAv7A8nsI48OJHSECVg7y87aYcSebyjQwti8AW-gVcmXa_G5iCIhaT35GIBKTCmNYhNecqAsw_3CxoKMGFyhUOJB2xKDcDwyZ_MrxF0Nl9fkk_9/s1600/barking+deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Here Kevin demonstrates what happens when you don't properly wear your leech socks: LEECH!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbiqkcvIO-UTum6kS8dKYEN-4BzVMUn7pQyntZJ_u69L-bWyukAQTBAYEQQdNznKCI7GaGIhoG3WLn85h0dVGqqsP6n8w3SH-ZjBvuEAggCwt7BBG25gDeaLybNZ2dtIXElDbJ5KR4tZI/s1600/bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-Upd6dl7TZvLBS4IQknlwJDA1CFng0p3S1OgQbPsv44yyDPER-5W8DfPCKHOWjXkziwLpaDG4xdgl0k6Br76ZWmMorumaFexngiwBYpSG_8IG2jPUomyMXl11S_EtX2hyphenhyphenYugDSEOp0eX/s1600/leech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-Upd6dl7TZvLBS4IQknlwJDA1CFng0p3S1OgQbPsv44yyDPER-5W8DfPCKHOWjXkziwLpaDG4xdgl0k6Br76ZWmMorumaFexngiwBYpSG_8IG2jPUomyMXl11S_EtX2hyphenhyphenYugDSEOp0eX/s320/leech.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We also see a few beautiful green birds. Into the truck and deeper into the park. We see a hornbill fly over.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZtWWIlfVdjQimWXJkWQ0CsIAnxlVXCcu3DzFtyo6SR2qR0H01Svn3tBUWBY_Eaxgj9SqX5gK5MPkm2ek0HMK1b1ORi6kOg7XR4AQXRph7AVa5kdQZD55mssDd7mlUx-ybHGor1ZfRXqn/s1600/hornbill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZtWWIlfVdjQimWXJkWQ0CsIAnxlVXCcu3DzFtyo6SR2qR0H01Svn3tBUWBY_Eaxgj9SqX5gK5MPkm2ek0HMK1b1ORi6kOg7XR4AQXRph7AVa5kdQZD55mssDd7mlUx-ybHGor1ZfRXqn/s1600/hornbill.jpg" /></a></div>
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Next we hear loud hooting, the truck suddenly
stops and we file out of the truck bed and into the forest like soldiers
except we are not hunting an enemy, we are looking for the gibbons we hear in
the canopy. We see them. They are white haired gibbons swinging
through the tree tops. Gibbons are not
monkeys and they hardly ever come out of the trees. Here is the crowned gibbon family. We were not able to get a good shot of the white haired family.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBkqFAqRsxzxtebxukDrMnh43M1-SNSpTqr9JkXFQiI1ELIQERQN3TVptmlOpQmogRDB7XhXXy-mBsMX3NVTgWhc-99YIjfj7wQ3RGYRZTJxPEPDPJMrBfV9THD6l5AtrcpVq6_dvVuGK/s1600/gibbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBkqFAqRsxzxtebxukDrMnh43M1-SNSpTqr9JkXFQiI1ELIQERQN3TVptmlOpQmogRDB7XhXXy-mBsMX3NVTgWhc-99YIjfj7wQ3RGYRZTJxPEPDPJMrBfV9THD6l5AtrcpVq6_dvVuGK/s320/gibbon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next we visited the nice visitor center where
the electricity was out and many of the
displays used computers,so not too much to see there. Next, a long trek through the forest. Our hike through the forest took us to see a
giant scorpion,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKBaPStQYHzkaCq3hbj_XzjEwIxA0Pij9GIQLEoCDRvt2pFcU3Xs90YAvaAfeOznNQ2qJ33jbk8KmO0FjEWLJY3CLV12xV5G9igXwtKQZz7KQl_-A5-Qm0drnYpNIdStasK8ssV4yLnGF/s1600/scorpion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKBaPStQYHzkaCq3hbj_XzjEwIxA0Pij9GIQLEoCDRvt2pFcU3Xs90YAvaAfeOznNQ2qJ33jbk8KmO0FjEWLJY3CLV12xV5G9igXwtKQZz7KQl_-A5-Qm0drnYpNIdStasK8ssV4yLnGF/s320/scorpion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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we asked our guide why he does not sting and he said “he is a
pet” the sting is small like an ant. We saw another family of gibbons black with
white “crowns”, another hornbill, giant trees, </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnh7zzRZI5llQvHxuF2zPfdMjKuNt5TAI-u_ScXavWoPM_JAa9Q2QvXQlvs2DhCSEjDSuhlKg-orpns7MVLFW2fVcjTKkl5v5Z1JHzIKXB0MZig1t2jzmk9yCiviaAPCSRbaiYCIB8tuL/s1600/giant+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnh7zzRZI5llQvHxuF2zPfdMjKuNt5TAI-u_ScXavWoPM_JAa9Q2QvXQlvs2DhCSEjDSuhlKg-orpns7MVLFW2fVcjTKkl5v5Z1JHzIKXB0MZig1t2jzmk9yCiviaAPCSRbaiYCIB8tuL/s320/giant+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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giant mushrooms, a birdwing
butterfly, and cicadas. Lunch was served
in reusable Tupperware; steamed vegan tofu and veggies. Yum! Great to see our guides were trying to keep
the environment clean. We then went to a
beautiful waterfall featured in the movie “the beach”. I don’t know if I ever saw that movie. I remember reading the book when I was here
in Thailand in 2000. I finished an
excellent book, "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.” Highly recommended. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinertnNihbF-HzBj3VkwvEME-F-EneRgAv7A8nsI48OJHSECVg7y87aYcSebyjQwti8AW-gVcmXa_G5iCIhaT35GIBKTCmNYhNecqAsw_3CxoKMGFyhUOJB2xKDcDwyZ_MrxF0Nl9fkk_9/s1600/barking+deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinertnNihbF-HzBj3VkwvEME-F-EneRgAv7A8nsI48OJHSECVg7y87aYcSebyjQwti8AW-gVcmXa_G5iCIhaT35GIBKTCmNYhNecqAsw_3CxoKMGFyhUOJB2xKDcDwyZ_MrxF0Nl9fkk_9/s320/barking+deer.jpg" width="320" /></a>We drove around for a few hours looking for
wild elephants, we didn't see them, but we did see some barking deer and then, on our way home, we saw a sun bear
up in a tree, high over the forest busting up a beehive. It was the coolest!!! After that we saw ribbons of bats flying
through the sky after emerging from nearby caves. Awesome trip. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbiqkcvIO-UTum6kS8dKYEN-4BzVMUn7pQyntZJ_u69L-bWyukAQTBAYEQQdNznKCI7GaGIhoG3WLn85h0dVGqqsP6n8w3SH-ZjBvuEAggCwt7BBG25gDeaLybNZ2dtIXElDbJ5KR4tZI/s1600/bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbiqkcvIO-UTum6kS8dKYEN-4BzVMUn7pQyntZJ_u69L-bWyukAQTBAYEQQdNznKCI7GaGIhoG3WLn85h0dVGqqsP6n8w3SH-ZjBvuEAggCwt7BBG25gDeaLybNZ2dtIXElDbJ5KR4tZI/s320/bear.jpg" width="320" /></a>I did not take these photos so thank you to Carly, facebook, and google, for allowing me to not have to carry a camera.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1rBiWq3NvhY_s4De7dW04oMD6eGh2sHlVrPD2bv6Vmw9SWLf7m1pnshXIc_FIgwk-W_d5fJpeYizSCZX34vEdhpxtZmkKVlwr2B_3PFbwVuEXNzxo2u2VWc66hMNcP3erYn_TgINNEel/s1600/bats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1rBiWq3NvhY_s4De7dW04oMD6eGh2sHlVrPD2bv6Vmw9SWLf7m1pnshXIc_FIgwk-W_d5fJpeYizSCZX34vEdhpxtZmkKVlwr2B_3PFbwVuEXNzxo2u2VWc66hMNcP3erYn_TgINNEel/s320/bats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-80120838770275882632013-05-03T19:43:00.001-07:002013-05-03T19:43:19.468-07:00Put the Awww back in Pawaw<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWG9RXTy00SvzVn1qg_5vRfgHGvT-BEupXpkFZVxdP39bCL2j9nF12htq6HWrPCPgLpQPGhJ8Avx19NtnPuakdy7p4eFk65yYcTcMICaj6-1lIGn0Vl8a_UwxFCNUle9sOKRVdWQ-tM34u/s1600/pawawtrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWG9RXTy00SvzVn1qg_5vRfgHGvT-BEupXpkFZVxdP39bCL2j9nF12htq6HWrPCPgLpQPGhJ8Avx19NtnPuakdy7p4eFk65yYcTcMICaj6-1lIGn0Vl8a_UwxFCNUle9sOKRVdWQ-tM34u/s320/pawawtrain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Last week, before heading to Chiang Mai, I participated as a trainer in a seminar to train Pawaws for my local PESAO. "What is she talking about?" you might be asking. A pawaw is a principal of a school. A PESAO is a primary education service area office, or kind of like a school board. Anyway, it was fun. It was just outside of Khon Kaen City on a "resort"- which means hotel rooms scattered around with a pool and meeting rooms. The first session started with a circle and a great song I want to learn. I am not sure what the "English" words were, but at the end, I figured out is a chorus of "come follow me, follow me, follow me." When you hear this you should do what the center person is doing, people take turns in the center and then you drag someone else into the center to be the "me". I think I have been outed as a "participator" and so I was drug in pretty quickly. The above picture is me doing my fallback robot dance and you can see the Thai principals following me in the background.<br />
That night we had karaoke and dinner. We cleared the room out with our Bohemian Rhapsody, and then the five volunteers enjoyed an evening speaking English:) in our room.<br />
The next day at closing ceremonies, I made the mistake of standing next to the head trainer, a Thai woman. I had no idea what was about to happen, a reality I am much more comfortable with these days. We were given the instructions to cross arms and hold hands. Now sway back and forth, ok. Got it. Now sing Auld Lang Syne....uh.. don't know it. Well behind me is the words on the projector, but wait, what is she doing???!!! The lady next to me is shoving a microphone into my mouth!! AHHHH!!!!! Whenever I have had a microphone put to my mouth here, it has been practically in my mouth. Claustrophobia always kicks in when this happens. However, I am in front of an entire room of important people. I don't know this song, and it is hard to sing, and my arms are in a straight jacket position. The absurdity of it got to me, and a case of the church giggles ensued. I could not stop laughing, and the microphone did not leave my mouth, even when I tried turning my head away. I think the words are burned into my memory now. "we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne."<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-64175397009805551442013-05-02T00:50:00.004-07:002013-05-02T00:50:48.240-07:00What makes it bestMy learning goal for this week, other than learn to read and write and lesson plan and do yoga..., is to learn how to say in perfect Thai, "what makes it best". While studying Thai very very hard, I was not able to worry about learning how to read, or pronounce the word correctly. I just needed to learn the words, and more importantly what order to say them in. Now that I have a general idea, the pronunciation is more important and makes my Thai better. Also, I feel like I can learn to read. I have already learned a handful of words- something I did not feel possible a month ago. Learning to read and pronounce Thai is going to make my time here "best". <br />
Many times I am asked what I want to eat, or how I want something, when I have no frame of reference and no idea how I want it. I just want something good, and maybe without anything too scary to eat like frog soup. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhpsVVjOyEB3MMwoZUYyJzVoYMyyCcDSmF-cNj6BgLMiooH0OSuMa2SaIcMsE5HCPEb9Z_4JB89zEKwZ_nfCdDaJCc7Fr6oNHJcWv-unzaVZWph1F5paQeR8aTzaVQBMRYZFwTJXLcsas/s1600/IMG_1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhpsVVjOyEB3MMwoZUYyJzVoYMyyCcDSmF-cNj6BgLMiooH0OSuMa2SaIcMsE5HCPEb9Z_4JB89zEKwZ_nfCdDaJCc7Fr6oNHJcWv-unzaVZWph1F5paQeR8aTzaVQBMRYZFwTJXLcsas/s320/IMG_1048.JPG" width="320" /></a>I will probably end up loving ant eggs and frog soup by the end of this. I just want them to choose what they like, or think I will like. I have been referred to as "ambassador of all that is lovely and divine" by friends back in North Carolina, but I am far away from my known landscape. Every store and restaurant is full of many many things I do not know, (and I can't read Thai) - This is why I need to learn how to say, "I want what is best". I think this is my philosophy on life, I just want it all to be the best. My best is not your best and your best is not my best. Sometimes my best might be eating a frozen snickers and watching four straight hours of Community. Sometimes it might be doing two hours of yoga, then having a two hour Thai massage and then drinking cold coconut water and eating a healthy veggie meal. Sometimes it is submitting to the will and choosing of someone else and letting them choose, "what is best" for me. That is becoming a more comfortable option for me these days.</div>
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For example: Last Thursday I was in a parade in my town. Puey Noi has a Khmer castle ruin which puts it on the map. Once a year there is a four day celebration of this fact with giant stages, smaller stages, laser light shows, professional dancers, fancy dinners, carnival rides and games, and a two headed cow that costs 10 Baht to see.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKAKREdGVVJBXNvox1HU6bPB0kIsnufQMg3zrfz6EG5zTBZw4KVxxzhIBXkFytvLbMJ2gy_UA-A5vn4NP0MUf0QcVjN0KfWQzfRalGa3QtvIKsu9ktHZkHxU9YVbu8Wjxe9P-1q6ULEjZ/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKAKREdGVVJBXNvox1HU6bPB0kIsnufQMg3zrfz6EG5zTBZw4KVxxzhIBXkFytvLbMJ2gy_UA-A5vn4NP0MUf0QcVjN0KfWQzfRalGa3QtvIKsu9ktHZkHxU9YVbu8Wjxe9P-1q6ULEjZ/s320/IMG_1036.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4S1HRvlU2fchtpJkRxzAkoGDAW9OxNb9Zbp70icuNXcXmHh28FbLjotdu8r0DrdK5wNcf9cQeriMKkynDqjecNGf6GNItcc8ahnE34p70WfgjzyBijq4jtiqdaXq1ekrvePimqiFFQHG/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4S1HRvlU2fchtpJkRxzAkoGDAW9OxNb9Zbp70icuNXcXmHh28FbLjotdu8r0DrdK5wNcf9cQeriMKkynDqjecNGf6GNItcc8ahnE34p70WfgjzyBijq4jtiqdaXq1ekrvePimqiFFQHG/s320/IMG_1033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Each night, next door, on the volleyball/ badminton/ dahk graw court all of the ladies would practice a dance. Not dancing was not an option. And then I was told to be ready at 9 am the next day. Then I was told to wear a denim shirt. (Luckily they guessed my size correctly, Thais are pretty good at that). That morning I was told 8:30 let's go let's go and then it seemed like maybe this was going to be a parade. Sure enough, I was in a parade dancing a choreographed dance with my fellow village ladies. It was sunny, and very hot, but we suu suued (fight, fight) and we ended up getting first place. I was pretty proud of my community integration skills that day. Later on, we walked around the ruins three times, everything sacred is a multiple of three here, and splashed scented water on the walls. Luckily, I made it home to wash cloths before 11, and was finished before a thunderstorm rolled in to town. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTuU-VuXKen__PCNi5QMs3DTLuL6KksWhh-vu_N7KDSsKVGP85dwZEZwHO7ZuUpuz1B3JorkGRpW_BSAm3dFgjUtZBEUWr8Od_JipY2B5QJA4bs3QH-K79gh008OdYgB-VkoHbr5Urms_/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTuU-VuXKen__PCNi5QMs3DTLuL6KksWhh-vu_N7KDSsKVGP85dwZEZwHO7ZuUpuz1B3JorkGRpW_BSAm3dFgjUtZBEUWr8Od_JipY2B5QJA4bs3QH-K79gh008OdYgB-VkoHbr5Urms_/s320/IMG_1062.JPG" width="240" /></a>my lovely neighbors, they like fun.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYtZrLkKfR83avvbLcKRCr5Q3C12pIIN9Pn69lWGjQXtSY8h9dIDKL9KvcSbdNERxKqL9ItcP_ds7NhuYuYleteCpmE3E-Ik6uGqwWgmb9vht4dd2kppXFijWponHwmK2XZsSJ3VBJt6M/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYtZrLkKfR83avvbLcKRCr5Q3C12pIIN9Pn69lWGjQXtSY8h9dIDKL9KvcSbdNERxKqL9ItcP_ds7NhuYuYleteCpmE3E-Ik6uGqwWgmb9vht4dd2kppXFijWponHwmK2XZsSJ3VBJt6M/s320/IMG_1064.JPG" width="240" /></a>fishermen, he dropped the fish right after I snapped this</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCD5UfKyIYBYRmMFXA8p2WU90Jb4ZK3GBhMgmvp6uARWDUlywjZC0xUHPGr1rriaoBy_sJuArKUXw0uby4fLkem4uh-5WornDrLrVMw5vQEVDGQl-DrZbNP9xVu34laAvLyAeG7pWByXe/s1600/IMG_1065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCD5UfKyIYBYRmMFXA8p2WU90Jb4ZK3GBhMgmvp6uARWDUlywjZC0xUHPGr1rriaoBy_sJuArKUXw0uby4fLkem4uh-5WornDrLrVMw5vQEVDGQl-DrZbNP9xVu34laAvLyAeG7pWByXe/s320/IMG_1065.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_c4F2kDKtOKEP3ywzGLaplmnbVnZAfBWz_B2qYFwbn2l5qIJXepmEoiIUcjV9igulewaYpU9NHehVRGKqry1mAASaOTu1-PFjPz_e5nE6HASTKh3Ftwqnw5VDNH13iblhBihwTlOg6zD/s1600/IMG_1073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_c4F2kDKtOKEP3ywzGLaplmnbVnZAfBWz_B2qYFwbn2l5qIJXepmEoiIUcjV9igulewaYpU9NHehVRGKqry1mAASaOTu1-PFjPz_e5nE6HASTKh3Ftwqnw5VDNH13iblhBihwTlOg6zD/s320/IMG_1073.JPG" width="240" /></a>me in mostly Esan dress in front of Prasat Buey Noi (spelling varries)</div>
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Sure enough, my villagers knew what would make my trip, and work here in Thailand "best" and they were right.</div>
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I am in Chiang Mai right now visiting a friend from back home in North Carolina. She loves tea. Maybe because her name rhymes with tea, I don't know. But she wanted to know what I wanted in it. That is where this blog title came from. I replied to her, "whatever makes it best" and sure enough, she knew what to do. Earlier that night I had asked her friend to take me home early, Bee however knew I didn't really want to do that and said "NO! It's not on the way." Sure enough I had a great time hanging out with her family in a compound in the forest. When we left, it was very cool outside, and it really felt like I was in North Carolina. We left on our bikes and rode along the sacred Ping river with a full "pink"moon rising over the river. Bee knew what would make my night "best" and I am so glad I had the courage and patience to trust her. It was certainly worth it. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-7349219348599825212013-04-19T23:10:00.000-07:002013-04-19T23:10:33.641-07:00Hot Tub Thaim machine<br />
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Let's go back a month, into the past. Before I was a Peace Corps Volunteer. Back when I was just a trainee, living in SiPrachan with a wonderful Thai family of farmers and good cooks. This was me then-</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKuL33vPbgyxVNhXU0iYJktxvbt5dxkUA97aIyiholz9zaMWtUec6wOpmiDbZVQetwdYpdUrQaezUSvSoNRl6R-eJHEi85RHnGSvRlnwzypLkOqSKpe9sePcmwYQ4aYWl-i0AeUIYYDeJ/s1600/IMG_0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKuL33vPbgyxVNhXU0iYJktxvbt5dxkUA97aIyiholz9zaMWtUec6wOpmiDbZVQetwdYpdUrQaezUSvSoNRl6R-eJHEi85RHnGSvRlnwzypLkOqSKpe9sePcmwYQ4aYWl-i0AeUIYYDeJ/s320/IMG_0881.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a copy of a journal entry I typed up after one of the most interesting and fun weekends I had. It was also the last weekend I lived with my host family in Si Prachan, Suphanburi, and the weekend of my BIG Thai language test and interview for readiness to be a PCV- words in italics were added today to help with clarity. This picture is the thousand words-</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhdsKbZKqzDjTjuWKdoo1g9ldDPmiMqU-2ti_n2Vbtwe7-Wog54zCbZIVYcVK2p3zwkMRdUIMJwT4Q7zY3a_VcA68YOf0aV1cGiDk5BEfRMOsMo0UpdponyVm1hrqKuH5VsonVFM2zD7n/s1600/mor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhdsKbZKqzDjTjuWKdoo1g9ldDPmiMqU-2ti_n2Vbtwe7-Wog54zCbZIVYcVK2p3zwkMRdUIMJwT4Q7zY3a_VcA68YOf0aV1cGiDk5BEfRMOsMo0UpdponyVm1hrqKuH5VsonVFM2zD7n/s320/mor2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Monday March 17, 2013</div>
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I feel so blessed to be in this moment right now. This past weekend had perfect timing, as all
of life is in perfect timing. <i>(the monk ordination gave me enough to talk about that the interviewers had little time to ask questions) </i>Thursday,
when I came home from school, my family had set up many tents outside of our
house. My windows no longer opened
because of the tents. There were about
20 family members there cooking. I
helped for a little bit, but not too long.
On Friday, when I came home, Nong Jay was there, home from University,
still with his hair and mustache. We
played UNO with the children. Jas Mine
was giddy with excitement as she made her mom “Draw 4” and nearly shrieked with
excitement. Saturday morning, the music
started loudly at 5:30am. I did not
realize it, sadly, but Jay was getting his head shaved at this time. Before his head is shaved, family and
community members cut off locks of his hair.
<i>(I have since done this in my community)</i> I wish I could have seen that. I had my big Thai Language test that morning
so I was very nervous and could not enjoy the party. Once I took the test, I could go back to the
house, to enjoy the party.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBAQCtAzOe3UgUGOOm78qCNZFl5qTNU8xZDzDnP0BjMJyICNjg1YGIVadhkStfz0pALXAIy3xQtSNosCizAgab-nmcwc96MnHVP2d1JhJCONscPd8pJAChdjdpb7IVsffCoRnxZFthD9-/s1600/IMG_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBAQCtAzOe3UgUGOOm78qCNZFl5qTNU8xZDzDnP0BjMJyICNjg1YGIVadhkStfz0pALXAIy3xQtSNosCizAgab-nmcwc96MnHVP2d1JhJCONscPd8pJAChdjdpb7IVsffCoRnxZFthD9-/s320/IMG_0845.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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As I approached my
house, after my test, there was a parade
coming down the road. A band on wheels
was playing ska music, while people danced in front of the cart. My bag, and my bike were taken from me. They insisted. Dance, “Dten”, Dance they said. So I danced.
It was a lot of fun dancing with the ladies and the music, and a few of
the men. Someone took my bike and my
backpack and took off toward the house.
I swapped hats with the uncle who likes to drink and he danced around
with my helmet on, while I danced around with his hat with neck wrap. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4iO4S8AmmRwd_hW1TFby_pbVVOmLn9sB6F_kavEf5phfoaxJShpzBCoCO_nPdCAw_v1nNvnK7HiFPXJ9jEfxgjn3Mrwz705-VCXGzQZLy95skGjnCoVxh8IoQPB02Ywf7fXFgNy6ITMc/s1600/mor1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4iO4S8AmmRwd_hW1TFby_pbVVOmLn9sB6F_kavEf5phfoaxJShpzBCoCO_nPdCAw_v1nNvnK7HiFPXJ9jEfxgjn3Mrwz705-VCXGzQZLy95skGjnCoVxh8IoQPB02Ywf7fXFgNy6ITMc/s320/mor1.jpg" width="320" /></a>We danced all the way to the house. Jay was walking under an umbrella and not
smiling. This is the custom. Once we got to the house, Jay went upstairs
to the big room. There was a band that
was playing drums, and a few xylophones.
Also, a man was playing a flute like thing with a reed. He had a few different flutes. There were a few men who were also playing
glong mai or the wooden blocks. In came
the yais. (<i>Thai word for Grandmother)
</i>Many Yais came upstairs and surrounded the mom and the dad and the
son, who was ordaining. My mom was
crying a little and dressed so beautifully.
Dad looked nice also. At a few
points Jay put his head into his mom and dad’s laps like a small child. It was very beautiful to watch. People, even family members, rarely show
physical affection <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWobzwG_Poy4A8eiDUAIhSpU6RqsYpE1ey6RHlB-8T-fPjqsyQwPd6ppymliDpkNpcPngdP0tYKSr6gnvCTs4nqA8xibxHKeZ4MqlkprlOAukZzIT6WX7huzwAwB0IuYFzSzBlMMPgSSx/s1600/IMG_0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWobzwG_Poy4A8eiDUAIhSpU6RqsYpE1ey6RHlB-8T-fPjqsyQwPd6ppymliDpkNpcPngdP0tYKSr6gnvCTs4nqA8xibxHKeZ4MqlkprlOAukZzIT6WX7huzwAwB0IuYFzSzBlMMPgSSx/s320/IMG_0859.JPG" width="320" /></a>towards one another. </div>
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There was a man and woman who were chanting, all in white,
and leading the ceremony. There was a
marigold tower with 9 levels. There was
a tower of flowers with an alms bowl and lots of donations for the monks and
some neon lights in a triangle shape.
Many of the neighbors brought bags of bows that they had folded around
baht coins. There were stars, roses, and
we also did just orange cellophane around a baht. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbUupJvLEhvOLWxH3obeH20eyhABnXhPPCyfce60QtmOVaiWiz57kxu5L2_SLz5AF_6sfkcQLBcmGkNCAmWAz3jlk8dfvkzac9yo0s-To1tpK-4lbDQeqgk2kGg2Rkdv5YMXzR9OCQwLP/s1600/IMG_0870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbUupJvLEhvOLWxH3obeH20eyhABnXhPPCyfce60QtmOVaiWiz57kxu5L2_SLz5AF_6sfkcQLBcmGkNCAmWAz3jlk8dfvkzac9yo0s-To1tpK-4lbDQeqgk2kGg2Rkdv5YMXzR9OCQwLP/s320/IMG_0870.JPG" width="320" /></a> Saturday night Jay and his friends, and
others stayed up late drinking and having fun. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbYcpdOepYxoGLSt5RVto1GD_7UP_0D6wO6SA4gZZkz7kssLfYfBIAbR62F5SpfsWBElv4umXSNmQfehACDAKIMLEUwKQ6aBnF78-oQ2vHn1VuoFVlKjTJscprqn5wAVnQWzC-_VSgf3Q/s1600/mor6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbYcpdOepYxoGLSt5RVto1GD_7UP_0D6wO6SA4gZZkz7kssLfYfBIAbR62F5SpfsWBElv4umXSNmQfehACDAKIMLEUwKQ6aBnF78-oQ2vHn1VuoFVlKjTJscprqn5wAVnQWzC-_VSgf3Q/s320/mor6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next morning the blasted music
started at 4:30am. The live music
started at 5. We ate breakfast and got
dressed up nicely and then rode to the wat.
Once at the Wat (<i>Wat Pang Muang)</i> we danced around the wat with
the dancers in the front of the procession.
Behind the dancers was the sound cart playing ska music. A drummer and a cow bell, a lot of horn players. Behind that was about 20 people carrying
gifts for the monks. Once we went around
the wat 9 times we stopped and Jay threw out the baht coins and candy. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h1LumqeNFr91RIProUxlMNRq5OgSZ42vWpDGWyYd20iS1AaTJl6vG2M2g5bYxrsRp14pRcDdbXlpJt8M0xg01kmR9rs05IrLUzS2nR9AXkN3w-ycRRENld4UsYVdyESMfpPvJCOxAah0/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h1LumqeNFr91RIProUxlMNRq5OgSZ42vWpDGWyYd20iS1AaTJl6vG2M2g5bYxrsRp14pRcDdbXlpJt8M0xg01kmR9rs05IrLUzS2nR9AXkN3w-ycRRENld4UsYVdyESMfpPvJCOxAah0/s320/IMG_0865.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> Next, he went into the wat with his parents
and we all went back to the house to feast with about 60 of the neighborhood
and family members. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCf0mwbhC62d1jFNkWg_4LGFbXeqow9FsvuB9P6rp5R0gACTRfeVztyef430_tNWM9iQjXV6Xfiq6OY1JcTGsy_D-EGJrKh4GypfVjgX3hZc37BUDSUVNNhUWV8RTncjaTXBU8Z8KH4bQR/s1600/mor3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCf0mwbhC62d1jFNkWg_4LGFbXeqow9FsvuB9P6rp5R0gACTRfeVztyef430_tNWM9iQjXV6Xfiq6OY1JcTGsy_D-EGJrKh4GypfVjgX3hZc37BUDSUVNNhUWV8RTncjaTXBU8Z8KH4bQR/s320/mor3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Soon,
the monks came to the house in two pick-up truck loads. Nong Jay was now Phra Jay and he had
exchanged his white robes for the orange robes of a monk. He would be ordaining for three weeks during
his university break. I unfortunately
had to go to an interview, ON SUNDAY!, and missed the monk tamboon at the house. When I returned home the tents were quickly
coming down. Jay was sitting on the
platform under the house where he stayed for the whole day and was taken home
that night. Many of my PCV friends came
over and we drank many, many beers. And
had a lot of fun while the family cleaned up the giant mess left over from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Thailand#Ordination_and_clergy">Naang
Bowat </a> or ordination. Later, I helped wash dishes as all of the
Peace Corps Trainees must be home before 6pm.
Jay was put into the truck and taken back to the wat. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have read that newly ordained monks are not allowed to
leave the temple (wat) for a few days, but, the next day I and my cousin
offered alms at the end of our driveway to an elder monk and Phra Jay. It was a beautiful morning, the sun was
rising over the rice paddies, and the monks blessed us. I gave almonds I had brought from the US.<o:p></o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjala2xBcohoTcCYye2wNqRktjq4eVFYpwhoj_eJdqC4V0ecS01ie4livKCxktLLdmiQqwAs3uXSMwt9IW5H88X79sFxrbFevfKDYLciuYWzGe2ZXJog3KLersE6GbvWRPhm07vYQWUYDtV/s1600/mor5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjala2xBcohoTcCYye2wNqRktjq4eVFYpwhoj_eJdqC4V0ecS01ie4livKCxktLLdmiQqwAs3uXSMwt9IW5H88X79sFxrbFevfKDYLciuYWzGe2ZXJog3KLersE6GbvWRPhm07vYQWUYDtV/s320/mor5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-18344455009502330562013-04-18T20:20:00.000-07:002013-04-18T20:20:33.785-07:00PhoneFon- or rain- pronounce like the English word phone. We had two days of it here in Issan. It really hit me how much I LOVE RAIN!! I love the feel of the cold water, I love that it makes plants green, I love the way it makes the light yellow when it rains at sunset and the sun comes through. But most of all, I love that it cleans the Earth. It cleans the air, it cleans my soul. We who camp know it can also make a HUGE MESS!, but that is from where we have manipulated nature with our structures and our synthetics. Damning the flow of water can give us a damn big mess. But here in Issan, the rain was the perfect ending to Songkran. Turning the dust into dirt, giving the land a new green. I have become adjusted to the land here. At first it was a shock coming from the verdant green of Suphan Buri to the subtle green here. As with most subtleties, it takes some time to see, and now when I look at my home, I don't see brown and death. I see life everywhere. Birds, bugs, frogs, lizards, plants, and most of all people. Issan people have a life inside of them that shines. They are very proud to be from this place and have a distinct character. People have said of Issaners that they create their happiness from within and don't care about material possessions. Almost all of the faces over 50 are etched with deep smile lines. One difference I have noticed between American's and Thai Issan is the focus on the here and now versus the future and the past. In Issan, plans are not as prevalent or as unmovable as they are in the USA. With few exceptions you figuratively make hay while the sun shines and dance when it rains. If a friend stops in, you drop what you are doing with no resentment. This is something I am adjusting to slowly. I love plans. I love to do lists. But I am not being pressured to be a go getter, so why not jai yen yen (translated cool cool heart) and just go with the flow. Some of the happiest moments I have had are when I am doing just this. Resistance is futile and prevents a good attitude. I have learned in Thailand- <strike>If you can't beat them</strike>, join them. It's not my job to beat them. What do I learn if I say "no". That's all for today. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFo3GCMf4uuMa0FCU2la6VaNVwgy8g1kHSPGpNH40eSDoQCD9Eaae8PTVMt6RWVyI5tIq75bUsAr3-irCxaby0V0bTCL99H9vr_k3w6AU6J_QyN8z74FvQvWZ4IdLdaV5ZK1p0YR6VYUg/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFo3GCMf4uuMa0FCU2la6VaNVwgy8g1kHSPGpNH40eSDoQCD9Eaae8PTVMt6RWVyI5tIq75bUsAr3-irCxaby0V0bTCL99H9vr_k3w6AU6J_QyN8z74FvQvWZ4IdLdaV5ZK1p0YR6VYUg/s320/IMG_0721.JPG" width="320" /></a>The first group of PC volunteers in Thailand</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8742820965121153244.post-13852407163870361362013-04-16T00:42:00.000-07:002013-04-19T23:17:06.100-07:00SongkranIn an effort to fulfill goal #3 of the Peace Corps 3 goals, I have started a blog. Something I have never done, so please have compassion on my struggles with not only communicating, but using technology to do so. By the way, goal #3 is to educate the people back home about the people of Thailand. Trust me, there is a LOT to learn. I have been here 3 months and am just scratching the surface of Thai culture. More about all of that later, today I want to talk about Songkran. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songkran_(Thailand)">Songkran</a> is the Thai new year. Most things Thai are not a one day shindig and Songkran is no exception to this rule. Here in my village in Issan it lasted a week which is a good thing because I didn't jump in to the water throwing on the first day. A week ago we blessed the elders of my amphur with scented water and dancing in a circle while swaying your hands to and fro. <br />
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And, nothing would be complete without eating some food together. In Thailand you are expected to eat rice to make all meals "complete" If you have not eaten rice, you have not really eaten. That is why you are asked many times a day "Gin kao ruu yang" or have you eaten rice yet. Sometimes you are asked this even while you are putting the spoon of rice into your mouth. (I have not quite gotten used to that) My brain still reacts with a stupid question alert. I mean you see me shoveling rice into my mouth...duh.<br />
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But stupid questions are not stupid questions in Thailand. They are nice people trying to make polite conversation. </div>
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For Saturday and Sunday I joined in the fun by throwing buckets of water, or using a water gun to "bless" anyone in my range. This really made some connections with my students and with people in my village. No one, no matter how much they want to stay dry gets upset when you douse them. That is the Thai way greng jai or not showing anger. Also Thais generally have a mai bpen rai attitute- which basically means "don't worry" Thai people love to have fun, and Songkan is all about fun.</div>
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When no one was around to throw water on, we threw water on each other, beat beats on buckets and tamboreens and sang Thai folk songs. They know I know one Thai song-"dtaa mon dtaa" so we sing it a lot. We partook in sharing a few beers and I saw a few of my friends had headaches at sunset. It was a long hot day, and beer does not go too well with that combo. Luckily I escaped that fate by using moderation and drinking coconut water.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozspkUv9ztimB6b6jn9iekhbmacMBCdRoChhxB9Am5T9a67XjC1XVrD18eLe9ESs7TqPrBRK0R6cc69eVw8PfVLIL2igtgS8SVVlg2ixa0-0kioytBg5YIYMumkwloWxkkbUJ6IXrFbqM/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozspkUv9ztimB6b6jn9iekhbmacMBCdRoChhxB9Am5T9a67XjC1XVrD18eLe9ESs7TqPrBRK0R6cc69eVw8PfVLIL2igtgS8SVVlg2ixa0-0kioytBg5YIYMumkwloWxkkbUJ6IXrFbqM/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" width="240" /></a>plin for sale</div>
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Yesterday, the last day of Songkran, I went to the Wat across the street from my homestay to dance with my female friends from around the village. We danced to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr_0QAu-21M">Issan "house" music</a> (playing a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEaIldMo_oA">phin</a>) for a few hours and I really got a sense of how protective Thai women can be. There was a man there who was a little drunk, but didn't seem to be a threat to me, however the women would always be between me and him and if he came near, they would push him away. They always knew where I was and kept me safe. Later we "songkraned" the monks and the elders of our village and by this time I was very very dirty, wet, and powdered.</div>
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Next we went down into a rice paddy next to the wat (temple) and filled our buckets with soil and brought them up and made little sand castle mounds in front of three bamboo stumps and a shrine. Everyone grabbed a handful of flowers and musical instruments and paraded around the perimeter of the village while people threw water on us. Four monks led our parade and blessed people kneeling at the entrance to their homes by using flowers to throw water on the kneeling villagers. When we returned we planted our flowers into our mounds of soil. By this time I had danced up quite the appetite and wanted a bucket shower. More about what is a bucket shower in my next post.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03513172043875116812noreply@blogger.com4