First Impressions and the Bridging Cultures Program:

So it was not but 4 days ago when I was sitting stateside contemplating my journey ahead, and yet it seems like I've been here for weeks (in a good way). The only thing that wasn't enjoyable was my flight. I started to get a cold the day before and it made the three 6 and a half hour flights to bangkok pretty miserable. As I looked over a mountain range, what I think was the alps, I waited in apprehension wondering what I was in for. If i was not apprehensive during the flight I certainly was during the 12 hours I had to wait in BKK airport for my pickup to arrive. It was here that I first realized how different a world I was in. I struggled with what would be the simplest of tasks back home; finding a bathroom, figuring out a way to call home, brushing my teeth with bottled water, etc. Although somewhat annoying it gave me what I have been searching for. Something truly different from what I know. I ate my first meal in not a thai resturaunt but a japenese one. I pointed at the pictures on the menu and the waitress brought over some delicous dumplings and a bowl of deep fried shrimp noodles, beef broth, and some unmistakable yet mysterious piece of fish.

After a long day of waiting around, eating, getting massaged, and doing shopping errands I by chance met some globalinks asialearn students a few hours early, andrew and whit. We talked and it felt good to know that I was no longer alone. We grabbed a beer and before you know it our resident coordinator, Arron, was there to pick us up. The first few things I noticed about bangkok was the heat, the smells, and its density. we slowly crawled through traffic towards salaya as arron started to give us the basics of what our time would be like in thailand. We stayed in the schools hospitality and hotel management training center hotel for the first night. The showers are electrically heated through a box and at certain points give a burst of pressure with reduced heat. We got up very early in the next morning. We made a stop at a Buddhist temple. Although I enjoyed the feeling very much it made me slightly uncomfortable about how western and touristy it made me feel. Things were real here. People were praying being blessed by monks, worshiping the giant gold buddah statue. While I tried to participate I couldnt help but feel odd taking pictures and videos.

                                

We soon departed agin to one of the ancient former capitols, a place called uthai. Before we had our scheduled tour, arron recommended some street vendor food. Although I did not indulge in soda from a plastic bag I did try deep fried bannana pancake (cant remember the thai name). It was the most delicious thing I had had yet. 

                                         

                                

 As we toured the grounds I could feel the energy and serrenity emminating from everywhere I went. I saw one of the most famous buddahs in thailand here

                                

Our journey continued to a retired elephant conservatory. I had a lot of mixed feelings about the place. On one hand I got to see some of the most beautiful creatures in the world. Such gentle giants. However I wondered if this place was truly a sanctuary or more of a tourist attraction. I hope the elephants were treated well.

        here is my trip to the elephant conservatory:

                                      

Another 3 hour bus ride and we were at our final destination for the next few days. The name of the rural town in Issan (northeast thailand) evades me. The hotel was probably the most rundown Ive ever been in. But by rural Thailand's standards it was fairly good. The walls were bright pink. There was no divider between the toilette and the shower, just one open bathroom (a common setup in thailand). Me and my roomate took two cold showers before realizing there was a power switch outside of the bathroom for the hot water.

The next day we had our first official information session. It wasn't to bad. Just important information given. After we went to another set of ruins. Although the tour guide had an almost incomprehensible accent I thoroughly enjoyed myself, especially when allowed to break from the group. I found an a beautiful tree blooming orange flowers. eventually I found a great meditation spot where I spent the remainder of my time until one of the guides told me everyone was leaving.

                                       

We did some shopping and I bartered my first souveneer, a hand painted small tapestry of the Buddha. The merchant started at 900 baht and I brought him down to 500 ( about 17 dollars US). I started to realize that i was spending more than i wanted to not because everything was expensive but quite the opposite. Its hard to turn down such great deals. I paid 300 baht (about 10 dollars) for a 45 minute massage.

I came across a man playing and selling an instrument, a saw u, he was showing people how to play so I joined in. It was much more difficult than I had imagined.

At night I was taught how to make to traditional thai dishes from a wonderful cook who's establishment we've been eating ate for the last few days.

                                     

As our last night approached in Issan we got some free time so I spent it with others roaming the market. I decided to be adventures and ate 1 fried cricket and 1 fried beetle. It may sound cliche but it actually tasted like chicken (minus the texture). We all got together that night at the local bar and had drinks. It's amazing how great of a group we have.

We made a few stops on our way back. First we stopped at a supper rural area where the local trade market ofr hundreds of years has revolved around pottery due to the soil. We saw a man shaping and forming delicate structures with ease. It was unfortunate hearing he only got paid about 12 baht for every vase he produced (sold at retail anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand). When I asked him if he enjoyed his work he said he did. I got a chance to try it out and I enjoyed myself

                                 

We made our last stop before making the long journey back to salaya at the orphanage. This was perhaps the most emotionally confusing part in my journey thus far. We learned that the thai women who started the orphanage took in abandoned kids (usually as result of rape, death of parents, or parents to old/young to take care of). She told some pretty gruesome stories of the hardships of these kids. I wanted to be happy with them. I wanted to play with them but it felt strange knowing that my appearance ultimately did not change thier unfortunate circumstances. The best I could do was entertain them with my camera an iPod, which they thoroughly enjoyed. I left feeling incomplete but I'm truly grateful to have had the experience.

                                  

I know sit in my home for the next 3 months, my dorm, abnormally plain compare to the rest of my trip thus far, a town house of sorts, with a roomate named nick who i met with BCP. I have had such a great first few days. I've seen more eaten more and experienced more than I could imagine. I yet again I look to the future to all the wonderful things that await.