Transplanted from the ricefields to a bustling Bangkok
By scott.poniewaz | June 15, 2006
It has been a little bit since I have updated, but fear not, I am still alive and well! There was a busy streak with work the past week or so doing tons of training and preparing for our trips that are now underway. I got to Bangkok and am are eating great and sleeping in a comfy hotel. It’s actually the first real bed I’ve been in for a couple weeks, at least in a western sense. I got the floor, as we had a big crew of staff and random people these first weeks. The floor mats are still comfy and I’ve been getting good rest. I will be posting pictures as soon as I can get into a wireless internet place, which should be tomorrow. Not a lot, since I was busy taking a lot of staff pictures for the website of the company I am working for. As this site is my personal site and in no way connected to the company I am trying to keep their name out of here, so it is clear that this site is not affiliated with the company, but rather a dialogue of my travels, but more than anything a place for my photos for people to view.
The days in Udon Thani have been filled with safety training and meetings, but there have also been plenty of nights filled with the World Cup (which is not such a convenient time; typically 8 p.m., 11 p.m. and 2 am). It is quite an experience watching the U.S. get walloped by the Czech Republic on a big screen television in an open market as a minority. The Thai people next to us were enjoying our reactions, since everyone there was for the Czech’s. In our village we have been treated extremely well and it was a little sad to be leaving, but also exciting with the journeys ahead. I will be back there for a week to work, but not for another month. There is just something to be said about living in one place for a period of time and getting to know so many of the locals. If we walk through the market we run into people we know or work alongside some people as we push to get construction done. Yes, I have been actually doing some construction work…pouring concrete, hauling materials and painting a house. Its not too much to worry about though, as I will be heading into rural areas in the northwest as well.
There are also some things that will be more difficult on the road, like running through the ricefields in rural Thailand while the sun sets, or watching people fishing in the ponds in our backyard is like living out of a picture book. I even experienced my first tropical storm, but it makes you want to run out and play in the rain like a child. You feel youthful and alive, though the palm trees are bending and the rain is flying sideways.
The big thing this past week has been the king’s 60th anniversary as the king. The people here love him and from what I understand, he is truly a well-respected leader. Today they closed the expressway for awhile as diplomats that came in for the past couple days drove to the airport. It was a five day celebration and it included a lot of events, but unfortunately I was not in Bangkok until I flew down this morning (its great, flights are VERY cheap, though they are paid for by work). The Thai people have shirts that say “We {heart} the king” in Thai, then there are yellow bracelets that say “Long live the King.” I’d like to pick some up to bring back, since they are almost identical to the Lance Armstrong “Live Strong” bracelets.
I visited the local temple, as well as the kindergarten class that will be a part of our community service in the area. I was fortunate to visit the temple with two people that have spent many years as monks and are very devout Buddhists. This definitely aided in my understanding of the religion, but it is only the tip of the iceberg when you look at the whole picture. I better get going, but I just wanted to drop a quick post to let everyone know I am well. The food is great and the lifestyle is even better. Who knows, maybe I’ll never leave… Don’t worry mom! I’ll get some pictures posted in the next day or two, just a few though as I haven’t had a chance to get out and do too much on my own time.
Topics: Travel, General, Thailand |
One Response to “Transplanted from the ricefields to a bustling Bangkok”
Comments
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12:09 pm on June 15th, 2006
Pony,
It is so good to know that you are safe and sound!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be a good little Pony now.
We miss you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mel