Part 1-Laos Visa Run

I always talk about going with the flow and just doing everything because everything will be an experience. Well I have to say, I thought this story was going to be one filled with annoyances, struggles and sheer boredom. But I definitely didn’t see this version of the story coming.

The good thing about going with a program is that if there is ever a problem, things usually get taken care of. For example, our visa’s and work permits. Technically without them, I would be working illegally. So of course, the school has 3 months to take care of it. Which you would think is enough time. Until 2 months into it I realized I hadn’t seen any paper work. I approached the people in charge at our school and apparently they forgot, didn’t know, and or thought they were finished! But in actuality, they did know what they were supposed to do and instead of asking they just let the papers sit there. Long story short, Julia and I had to arrange a border run to Laos. The complicated part of all this was that it wasn’t our fault that the school messed up and we would never have had to pay for it or have had to take days off work if they had done it right. In the end, the school paid for our trip out there and we got 3 days off for our trip. Now how obnoxious does this sound! “Oh good morning girls. Work permit not finished. You go to Laos tonight. Ok?” So I assume I should go pack then? HA! We finished school, went home and packed, drove to the bus station all in one day. Talk about having to go with the flow. This was a 12-hour bus ride just to the border. Another 2 hours to get to the embassy after we had gone through customs at the border and 3 other forms of transportation. Julia and I both agreed since we had to cross all of Thailand that we might as well make a vacation out of it and stay the weekend too.

The minute we got off the bus we went straight to the Embassy to get Julia’s visa all figured out. All I had to do really was cross the border and I was done. Now, I’m not sure if you’ve ever been in an Embassy before but the ones that I’m used to seeing are big buildings with elevators, past security and waiting in long lines. I should have expected this but the Thai embassy was literally a gate that you walked through. Then grab a plastic seat out side and wait for them to call your number. As we walked towards the gates to leave, at least 20 taxi and tuk tuk drivers verbally attacked us with prices and places they’ll take us. It was crazy! The US Embassy was hilarious though. Julia, not being from USA, likes to make fun of me. She said to me as we’re walking down the street, “Well this one should be very nice. There should be fireworks and hot dogs! Of course since it’s the US embassy.” I laughed it off until I got to the front desk and they told her since she wasn’t American that she couldn’t come in! I almost rolled on the floor laughing. Yea, I guess we are special.

We spent the night in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. I don’t know how people talk so much about this place because there was barely anything to do. We found two or three things to see but spent most of the day walking and eating. The French colonized it, so there were some great French café’s!

That night we were walking down the street and some guys saw my necklace, a Jewish star. This is like a beacon that attracts other Jews. Strange but true. They needed a place to stay so we recommended our place and a few minutes later they were checking in. At dinner they told us they were leaving in the morning for the same town we were planning on going and that we should meet them there. Why not! So in the morning we decided to walk to the Thai Embassy to pick up the passport. Luckily the company that sent us to Thailand three months ago mailed us Lonely Planet books. It made it very easy to find places to sleep, eat, and sights to see. The only problem with this was that since our Lonely Planet was written, the Embassy had moved! It was nowhere near where we were going. After we aimlessly strolled around town, we found the building. For an hour we waited in a line outside the gate. When they finally opened at 1:00 pm everyone just said, “Screw the line” and ran in. Our bus left at 1:30 and was across town. Talk about cutting it close! We got the passport! Business was over.

Culture Overload part 2

Amazing weekend continued-

Morning 2.

If yesterday wasn’t early enough, waking up at 5:30, I decided to torture myself a little more. Wake up call at…drum roll please, 4:30 am!! But this was all worth it so I didn’t really mind. It was the Marines birthday so all week the soldiers have been setting up for the celebration. When we got there at 5:10 am, there were hundreds of people stretching and warming up for the running they were about to do. 42k, 21k, and a 10k. Julia did the 10k and I walked a 3k. Personally I loved doing mine because I got to walk with all the people I teach with including the director so I was able to bond with them a little more. Plus our walk was through the restricted part of the base where all the officers live. It’s the most beautiful part so of course they would live there. The best beach, gorgeous trees and a private road that winds around the gulf. All very nice. Although I was a tad jealous of Julia’s skills. She came in 3^rd in her age group. She got to go up on stage, take pictures and get a trophy. I love trophies. I suppose if I could actually run for that long though I would have too. Go Julia!

After this, we started walking home but it was so hot Julia and I decided to go for a little swim. Remember, this beach you must wear clothes and for once I was 100% ok with this! I ran out there so fast it was like a white flash of light. A little later we headed back to the flagpole where more celebration was about to happen. Now this next part was extremely scary! There were hundreds of soldiers all lined up.

Next to them were hundreds of students from my school and more from 2 other schools. It was about 11 am now, the peak of the heat. The teachers all stood in between the soldiers and the students. The ceremony start. There was singing and speeches. Out of nowhere a soldier whipped around, ran and leaped off the stage towards our students. Luckily she had seen a boy fall and hit the ground. Completely passed out. She picked the kid up and ran him under the bleachers to try and wake him up. I didn’t know what to think at this moment but this should have been a warning sign. In the next 15 minutes students were dropping like flies! All of us teachers spread out through the students to make sure they were keeping cool, drinking water. The ambulance came for the kids that weren’t waking up. There was a total of about 9 or 10 students that fainted. The minute the ceremony ended we rushed the kids over to some trees and shaded areas. Why they didn’t do this sooner I have no idea.

Later in the day we were taken to another part of the base to plant something. I couldn’t quite understand what they were saying but I said yes anyway. I didn’t want to miss out on a great time just because I couldn’t understand. When we got there I found out there was some ceremony/greeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It was just the teachers from my school, about 40 students and the soldiers.

Some of the highest-ranking officers all came rolling in with their drivers and walked towards the stage. We had met a few of them before when we first arrived at school. They wanted to let us know we were very important to their school and the education of the students. There were people on the base who haven’t even met them personally yet and here we were in their office sipping water in our proper teaching outfits. Now at the ceremony, something happened. They stopped and looked at Julia and me. With out hesitation, they turned and started walking towards us. I felt so uncomfortable! The teachers had told me we were going to be planting things, not meeting these extremely important people! I was wearing fisherman’s pants and a big white shirt with flip-flops. Wow. That was embarrassing. In front of everyone, they approached us and starting having a conversation as if there weren’t hundreds of eyes watching. We shot out of our seats as fast as possible and wai’d. This went on for a while. They finally decided to go sit down. You could already tell people were looking at us with amazement. Awkwardly we sat back down and I slowly sank into my chair. Through out the whole ceremony they would look over at us.

After it was all over we then walked out towards the water trekking through nasty mud. We got to an area where the soldiers had dug some holes for us to plant. I got to put a few plants in. All the while, a newsman with his camera kept circling me while I did it. I can just see the headlines now. “Farang joins the Thai people to help the environment.” Oh boy. He said it would be airing for the news the next day. Then I turn around and there was a crowd of soldiers waiting for me to finish. When I stood up with my muddy hands they got in somewhat of a line and asked if they could take pictures with me. I laughed so hard! But said, “Sure why not!” Next second camera phones were flying out of their pockets! Who knows where those pictures will end up but the guys were definitely happy.

That all finished up and we went home to rest. The last part of the ceremony happened that night. It was a two-hour production that they had been practicing for a long time. There was a band and singers putting on a show. Soldiers from the Navy and the Marines marched through the road in front of the bleachers. They did a 10-minute story with the flagpole, raising and lowering different flags. I think this represented something in history. But of course everything was in Thai. Next there were planes buzzing through the air and little dots coming out of them. 50 soldiers had jumped out of the plane and parachuted down to the concrete road in front of us. It was very impressive.

They finished up with a video of the Marines that included the king in most of it. That night, I was invited to go to dinner with the director and a few administrators from other schools. With my, “say yes to everything” attitude, I jumped in the car and finished off the long day with an amazing meal and great company. I can’t stop thinking about how lucky I am to have been able to come here and experience everything I’ve been through so far. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Tip #1-Something I heard a lot growing up, you get out what you put in. Throw your self 110% into everything here. If you do step out of your comfort zone, you will have the best stories and memories of your life. Well, at least for now. 

Wild Adventures and New Friends

Today we decided to go hiking up the monkey hill. We don’t actually know what the name is but it’s covered with monkeys. Hence, the new name. We’re smart. We made our way up, admiring the gorgeous view, watching people stare at us as they drive by. Yes, we are the crazy farang that are hiking up this hill. People in Thailand don’t like to walk anywhere. No matter where we go, someone is offering us a ride. We rested at a viewing point. There were a few other people there with their truck. We start to walk up to the rail where you can over look the Gulf and see all the beautiful islands and Navy ships. The water was sparkling blue and the sky just as clear.

Well, this would have been a nice stop if it weren’t for the darn monkeys! This one big guy starts walking toward me from the fence. I slowly back away but it just speeds up then I turn to run to the truck. Stop. Another monkey comes out of nowhere just sitting on top of the car. It hissed at me like the wild animal it was. Big, sharp fangs pointing themselves at me! Seriously, scary. What did I do? I was just trying to get away. So we decided the best idea would be to change our minds about stopping at this gorgeous view and make it as fast as possible to the top. We get there and sat on a bench facing the water. Magnificent. Best view around. Some visitors came by to set off firecrackers. We realized the pit where they light them was right in front of us. That was some crazy ear shattering noise. I’m surprised I’m not deaf. By the way, firecrackers are lit as an offering of some kind. When it was over a small monkey with one arm slowly walked up. I looked at him and thought, “Oh how sad a gimp monkey. Well what could he really do?” Never feel bad for the monkeys! Like it was in fast forward, the monkey ran towards me, jumped up on the bench and stole my bag of chip that were sitting inches from my leg! Rethinking my decision not to get my rabies shot before I came.

The next day, the other English teacher at our school invited us to come to her house. We swam in her pool, she made us snacks and an amazing western dinner. Since I got here, I have met the kindest people. I’ve never come across so many strangers that genuinely want to help you in any way they can. She is officially my life savor. She knew we didn’t have anything in the kitchen to cook on so she gave us a hot plate. On top of that she told me I could have her motorbike while I’m living here. While we were relaxing she and her family told us crazy stories she had since she’s lived here. Anything from the break ins at her house to the nutty German guy who gets drunk and runs around outside naked and cries. But the craziest one of all!! The murder at her neighbors’ house. Apparently 2 women cut his head off with a Samaria sword claiming he was keeping them in there and wouldn’t let them leave. What nut jobs! Yet she still lives there. After the wonderful day came to an end, this sweet heart drove us 30 minutes back to the base. It was such a great weekend. Even better that I found some amazing people to call friends.

Tip #1-Around wild animals remember not to carry food in your pocket. And or run the other direction!!!

Biking Through History

We got into Ayutthaya last night. Definitely was a creepy time to arrive. It was extremely dark and we had no idea where we were going. All we had was the name of the hotel and the cross street. So we started our adventure with backpacks strapped on. We headed down a dark street with taxi drivers yelling, “Where you go?? Where you go?? 30 baht!!” Just keep walking, don’t look up. We eventually found our way to the small sign that read, “Baan Lotus Guest House”. There was a huge gate blocking what looked like a secret road. Once on the other side, we made our way down the gravel walk way up to a cute building. We checked in with the somewhat crazy but sweet old lady and got up to our nice air-conditioned room. Clean room, warm shower, cold air…I was sooo happy. When I woke up the next morning, I opened up the tinted windows and saw the most gorgeous view. Right in front of me was where the Guest House got its name: The lotus pond. They were in full bloom. Lotuses are my absolute favorite flower. They open in the morning and close later in the day. If you see statues of Buddha’s, many are sitting on a Lotus flower. They grow in swamps; the most disgusting place but there pops up the most gorgeous flower.

We spent the whole day biking around ruins from the old city. We saw a shrine room underground, a face in tree roots and ancient statues from the 17^th century dressed in “gold” cloth. After all that, we took a tour for just 180 bt. ($6). It took us to Ayutthaya Elephant Village, and a few other ruin sites. Near sundown, we sat out on the top of a temple to watch the sunset. It was beautiful but we also had fun just relaxing and talking. In the distance was a burning field. Smoke lifted up to a beautiful barely lit sky. We went to a few more Wat’s that were gorgeous all lit up at night.

 

Tour was over so we went out for dinner. The rest of the night turned into something quite random. By 1:30am there were about 10 people at our table.  We didn’t know any of them but here we were all having a wonderful time. This has to be my number 1 favorite thing about traveling. Sitting at a table with people from 6 separate countries all with different stories to tell about their travels. Truly amazing.

On the last morning, I was fully expecting to just be sleeping in, reading a little bit next to the lotus pond, getting lunch and then finally getting home after navigating our way from bus stop to bus stop. But I also shouldn’t be surprised anymore when things don’t turn out the way I planned. Let me back track for you.

This morning, the roosters woke me up early. I went over to the lotus pond and just sat in the hamic with book in hand. But that’s where it stayed. For the next hour I didn’t even turn a page. I just sat there, staring at the beautiful flowers. It’s amazing when you let your mind be still for a moment. Which I never really did till I got here. Once we checked out and got to the street the buses were on, we flagged one down. We were quite relieved to have gotten on the right one. We arrived in Bangkok and stopped in 7-11. A little kid came up to me and asked, “Where you go?” I told him “Sattahip” and all he said was thank you and walked away. I just thought how normal this was starting to become since people do that all the time. Until we got to our bus terminal and out of nowhere the little boy walked up and stood next to me and smiled. He said hello and just kept staring. When I looked away at Julia (becoming very uncomfortable) he walked off the sidewalk and started smoking. Seriously! How old was this kid?? He was wearing the light blue shirt and navy blue pants. The same uniform as the people who worked there. Did this little boy, smoking, work on the buses? And why was he there? Did he come to this one because I told him where I was going? The whole thing was extremely weird! We waited until the bus came and got on like we knew where we were going. Since we live on the Marine base it’s also not too hard to spot the place where all the soldiers are.  We didn’t notice a problem till people started looking at us funny. Not like the normal way they stare at us but in a way that says oh, they definitely don’t know what they are doing. Turns out this time we were supposed to buy tickets before we got on the bus. But how are we supposed to know this? No signs, no one telling us to go get them, just disturbed looks. All they had to do was point to a ticket counter and have us go get it. But for 30 minutes we sat there awkwardly. We asked the soldier next to us if everything was ok. He just kept nodding. Then they started talking to the driver. They looking at us, stood up and got off the bus. The driver pointed to their seats. So we moved over to those and sat down. Except, the two soldiers weren’t getting back on. When the bus filled up we looked around and saw everyone in his or her assigned seats. There were no more seats left. Did those 2 guys just give up theirs for us? Why aren’t they getting back on? What’s happening? Man! It’s so frustrating not knowing what people are saying or what’s going on! The soldiers smiled at us through the window, got back on the bus as it was pulling out and sat on the stairs next to the door. I can’t believe they just gave up their seats! The ride back was about 2.5 hours and they literally got on and off every time someone else had to get on or off. When they left at the stop right before ours they smiled and waved goodbye.

That my friends are the people of Thailand.

Tip #1-Welcome strangers. It always turns out that you think you have traveled a lot! Just wait. You will get the most fascinating and inspiring life stories.

Tip #2-Accept generosity with a grateful heart. The people here love to help. So expect it and be humbled. It’s fantastic!

Tip #3-Breath. Take a moment for your self. Sit and do nothing. It’s interesting to see how long we can sit before we get jumpy sitting with our own thoughts.