Cause we could all use a little change...
The past few weeks have offered some quite novel experiences! By far the most empowering and liberating thing that I have done is learn to ride a motorcycle!! I ride it to school everyday and pick up coconuts on the way home for a snack. Considering I haven't ridden anything with manual gears since my ten-speed bike in second grade, I think I'm pretty cool!
The motorbike is just part of my cultural immersion. I have unexpectedly found myself attending a funeral, market visits, meditation camps, relatives' houses, king's festivals, pot-luck dinners and pineapple farms. I really never know what is going to happen until I am already amidst its presence.
However I have managed to plan a few ventures where the experiences are anticipated. This weekend I went to the floating markets. Here canals are packed with long boats that are piled with various spices, tropical fruits, and of course a million tourists. It is a crazy hybrid of street market meets Venice canals. It used to be quite legit about 20 years ago, but now it is mainly geared towards tourists. Never-the-less, I was quite amused as were they when they figured out could speak Thai ( a rarity amongst the rotund western tourists who pay little attention to Thai culture and/or language. Thus they are mainly treated as cash cows). After the floating market I headed over to Bangkok, my first time really in this huge city. I have to say....I like Bangkok better than New York...BY FAR!!
Bangkok is a crazy fusion of the very old and the very new. I visited the ever so popular Wat Pho and The King's Palace. But my favorite adventure had to be to the Siam Mall. I had Pizza, now a coveted delicacy, and saw a movie in the extremely plush movie theater. The movies here are definitely an experience. They have velvet reclining seats, couches with blankets, and VIP sections (some with beds). It was awesome! The ferries, motorcycles, sky trains, taxis, and tuk tuks all added to the ease of getting around a highly congested area. And the extremely low cost of everything allows you to see a ton ( AKA I can sufficiently nurse my boba-holic addiction and buy pirated DVD's on a shoe-string budget).
But for now I am back in my small village, teaching kids who bring me pineapples form their parents' farms, biking through monsoonal forests, and trying to learn as much conversational Thai as their tonal acrobatics let me.
posted by Carrie Smatikk @ 8:39 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
Hey! Now that you can ride a motorcycle you can teach my mom how to ride a moped.. they're similar right? My sister and I were discussing how to open a coconut just the other day. Advice? We'd love to know how you do it... or do you have a machete? So, how do pineapples grow? On the ground right? I remember when I was little I always thought they grew in trees. Bangkok...better than NYC? Wow, that's hard to believe..although I think I'm starting to like Boston better than NYC. Your descriptions of Bangkok sound amazing though! Pictures please!! Although your descriptions are quite vivid. Email to follow soon :)
I am very impressed with your style of writing. Thinking you should go into journalism. What do you say, kid? We're loving having all the family with us. It is such a treat but we miss not having you here with us. Lots of love, The South African Shills.
You are on a motorcycle but I am so enjoying the use of your car & the mileage I get. Going into Cleveland only costs $10.00 instead of $20.00 .I miss you--can't look forward to us going shopping or even Aruba.
Alyse!! I looked at your pics on facebook and I KNOW THAT GIRL! Caitlin from AU, right? That pic on the boat was so weird because I haven't thought of her since I left AU - not cause I don't like her - I do - but we didn't keep in touch. I never would've guessed that she'd visit Thailand cause she loved French. Anyway, keep blogging cause I'm loving the read. I have a gazillion questions to ask! Don't forget to love every minute of it.
It was great to "hear" from you and your adventures so far in Thailand, and the "big Bangkok". Have you seen or heard about the "stinky fruit" that's forbidden in many places in Thailand, or Bangkok? Saw a very interesting show on the foods and markets out there. Be careful of Bat food. You're very brave and courageous. I'll keep checking your postings. We're all fine back in Cleveland. Jared's show was professionally incredibly awsome.
Alyse,you look wonderful and very happy in your pictires
Hey Ally…..
You look like you are having too much fun. :-)
Your pix are SURREAL!!!!!
Your students are so well behaved…. Makes me “think” of coming out of retirement. Yeah right!!! But that’s what teaching is supposed to be like. You’ve really got a captive audience. Those cheering outfits are cool.
Yes… that pix does make me think of “Something about Mary.” She’s adorable. I would never be able to tell all of those students apart!!!
W-O-W!!!!! Getting to work in the monsoon weather is a trip… (big time). Do they have “Monsoon Days” like we have “Snow Days”??? If not---- I’d be using lots of sick time.
Keep sending those great photos. Once again you look like you’re having too much fun. Be Good. Stay safe. Slow down on the motor bike. Hope to see you soooooon!!!
Auntie Evie
Hi Alie,
The Regenbaum's here from Florida. Thailand sounds just like Florida without hurricanes or traffic! We just visited Cleveland for the first time in 12 years and you weren't there! Now we know where you are. Have fun. Caron and I travelled the world for 2 years so you have a long way to go! Enjoy! Love
Sheldon
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