Since Myanmar, I’ve done quite a bit of “local” travel… as I waited for my contract to be renewed and then my visa and then got my 90-day stamp of approval. I’m going to talk more about my immigration adventures in another post…
In an effort to catch you up to the present, here’s a “zoom through” most of August, September and October!
Towards the end of August I headed to Pattaya (the infamous post of many a Vietnam soldier) for a work-retreat/training. Wow, it was boring! Yes, we were in a nice hotel, but with sessions going most of the day, it was almost impossible to get any relaxation time in. Then, to top it off, many people contracted some sort of foodborne illness. Luckily, my Africa/India/New Orleans-trained intestinal lining repelled whatever pathogen was in the food and I didn’t get sick. And then, I got to investigate the outbreak (and really, what public health person doesn’t like a good outbreak investigation?). So I conducted my interviews, created a questionnaire, entered the data, analyzed the data, presented the results, and am working on a paper! Boring training – definitely; outbreak investigation – so cool (although people got sick, they felt better soon after…).
Most of September was me trying to make plans to have my visa renewed but being unable to do it without a renewal contract. Grrr bureaucratic institutions! I got my contract 6 days before my original one ended. So then there was a little mayhem in getting housing and health insurance renewed and trying to coordinate getting a new/renewed visa (again, see next post). Then came the busy month of October!
Weekend 1 – new ASPH/CDC fellow arrives! Now, I know how lucky I was to have several people hold my hand through the first few weeks of living in Thailand – it’s a big, hot mess of being excited about new everything and being overwhelmed (and, in my case, slightly terrified) of the major life change that just occurred. So, we explored a bit of Bangkok (M.R. Kukrit’s home, Italian food, JJ market, Neilson Hays Library, Sri Mahamariamman Temple) with some friends.
Ganesha statue in M.R. Kukrit's home
Pretty water lilies
Outside Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Weekend 2 – Did I mention the holidays? Yes, I did not have work on Columbus Day. Never have I been so appreciative of random American holidays. I took some extra time and headed to Sukhothai, the once glorious capital of Siam (or what was to become Siam). It’s older than Ayutthaya (my other favorite Thai ancient capital). It’s full of ancient wats with unique statues of Buddha – and you all know how much I love my religious sites! I can never be wat-ed or cathedral-ed out! I went with two other friends and we explored Sukhothai by bike then headed by bus to Si Satchanalai (another ancient city from the same period) and explored again by bike. I forgot, amidst the traffic of Bangkok and desperate need to use the BTS to avoid said traffic, how much I like riding a bike. My next city should have bike paths.
My awesome pink bike!
I love Thai signs... don't climb on the Buddha
One of my favorite temples in Si Satchanalai - Wat Chang Lom (Temple of Elephants surrounding/guarding Buddha)
A sign along the bike path... really, I don't know
A bridge we crossed to get to Si Satchanalai
I might take too many bathroom pictures:
1 - don't put tissue in the toilet (water pressure is usually bad and it will clog the toilet)
2 - don't squat on the Western toilet (that could be difficult)
3 - don't write on the walls (well, yes)
We also went to the Thai poem fish museum - you'd think, given the tropical diversity of Thailand's fish, that we would see some beautiful ones. Instead we were greeted with grey river fish.
Because you always need a spare carrot?
Weekend 3 – moved… while I liked my old apartment (and miss my twice-daily motorbike rides and friendly drivers), it was too far from the BTS and there was not much around it. So, I moved 1 ½ BTS stations out of central Bangkok to the lovely Thong Lo area. Now, I have several Seven Elevens (no change), three roads full of street food (compared to my awesome friend rice lady), two places to get delicious mango sticky rice (compared to none), and a 7-minute walk to the BTS apartments (compared to 25 minutes). The apartment is also set up much better and it’s a condo (so utilities are a bit cheaper). And, my morning walk includes walking past a diverse collection of Thai people – the fancy white-collar workers, street vendors, construction workers, and monks. Overall, I’m really happy with the move!
Weekend 4 – Church retreat in Pranburi – While living in Bangkok, I’ve found a church home at the International Church of Bangkok. It’s one of the most open, welcoming, and compassionate churches I’ve ever been to. And, one of the things that got me to stay was when the pastor offered to discuss which church in Bangkok (there are only a few) would be the best option for me. I was pretty much set then. The people, type of service, and mission of ICB are what kept me coming back. One of my favorite things that I think emphasizes how I’ve felt while being part of ICB is in part of the mission statement: ICB strives to be a place where “Mature Christians come and grow in their faith and service; Less mature Christians come and grow and/or (re)discover their faith while serving; and non-Christians can come and learn about Jesus without fear of being condescended to, condemned or embarrassed.” I think that’s a pretty good goal and although I often fail to do what I should, I like being around people who are constantly striving to be good and to help others, without judgement. So, back to the retreat and off my soap-box… I drove down with Mae and Ken, an American/Thai couple who I adore. Ken helps lead a home-group Bible study I attend and always comes up with the most interesting and relevant connections to what we’re studying and Mae is just full of energy, good-will, and generosity. Amelia, another American teaching English in Nonthaburi, drove down with us and it was an interesting and enjoyable trip. After arriving and settling in a bit, we had a nice ice-breaker and dinner. The following day, we had church with some great music leaders and several of us headed off to nearby Monkey Island (apparently at one point these monkeys were skilled at catching, opening and eating crabs, but now they’re proficient at jumping on tourists to get bananas…). And, after a discussion in the car the previous day about rabies and its incurability (once you show symptoms), I was a little hesitant to get too close to the monkeys (unlike some crazy girls who tried to let them drink out of a water bottle). Then, we headed off to another island to hike to a cave and eat delicious Thai food. After a quick shower, we attended the first of two motivating talks by Ash Barker, who runs Urban Neighbors of Hope (google it!). The following day, we concluded the talks and headed back to Bangkok.
Crazy girls on Monkey Island trying to give water to the monkeys
Our boat - Charis, Samuel, Kent, Smitha, and two German friends
Rebecca and Darrell, relaxing on the boat
Amelia (in the green), taking pictures
Weekend 5 – So, I managed to repel the GI bugs, but not the respiratory bugs. Not fun. And I missed Halloween.
November – yes, we’re almost caught up! Next up, immigration irritations!
