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Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 18:03:42 -0800 (PST)
Subject: My Flight Itinerary
Wassup,
So I will be arriving in Bangkok early Friday morning, February 22 at 1:40 AM. (So that means 1 hour and 40 minutes after Thursday night has ended) My flight number is from LAX (Los Angelas) to TPE (Taipei) Eva Air flight 11 From TPE to BKK (Bangkok) it is Eva Air flight 75. I still have yet to confirm so if there are any changes, I will notify you, Alright man, looking forward to it, talk to you later,
Kiaw
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Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002 16:51:34 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Farewell...for now
My time in the states is fading. By the time most of you read this, I'll be on an outward plane. All year and last, I had been looking forward to this moment. And now it is here. It is one of those moments when expectations start to cross the wave of reality. As I've grown, I've learned to harmoniously align those expectations with reality (with self as reference). I have accepted that along the path, my wave length (reality) will not always vibrate the same frequency as the envisioned wave (expectation). And that is completely OK. If one were not allowed to stray from the path, what would be the point in living? Life would then be like a scripted re-run. There would be not excitement in discovering, exploring, and learning. Complete predictability is for robots. Robotic, systematic, beings rely on time as a measurement of life. With this system, death is only a matter of time. Ok, that's enough theory leaked through my fingers for one day. As happy as I am to leave now, I'm sad in a way. I shall never again return the same person. Next time I stand foot on American soil, I will view this place in new light, a new filter for say. It is for the better. Recently, my nights have been filled with vivid and lucid dreaming. The days packed with reading, language study, and theory contemplating. Now, I make transition to put theory to practice in the greater world. I'll keep y'all attuned to how goes,
Mr. Kiaw Green (Steven)
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Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 20:11:23 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Safe Arrival
Dear everyone,
This is just a quick note letting you know that I arrived in Thailand safely. Aside from routine body adaptation (i.e. food, weather, etc.), I'm am doing well. Bangkok was a city of any to arrive at with the humidity and metropolis action (in contrast to peaceful ol' Albuquerque). As of now, I am upcountry in Prae province. I don't have much time to relay adventures so I'll catch up with you all as soon as I can. I'll reply individually as soon as I can. You all have a good one, gotta run,
Mr. Kiaw Green
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Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2002 03:26:32 -0800 (PST)
Subject: apartment...
Hello all,
The latest scoop is this: I've situated myself in a nice apartment, a home-base for say, right in the heart of Krungthep (Bangkok). I'm paid off for three months, so if you need to contact me (though, I'll be in and out traveling most of the time), you can contact me at:
*The Green Wanderer*
120/359 Rajprarop road
room # 6607
Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400
Thailand
telephone: 2518255-8 or 2518800-1 (room# 6607)
[not current]
As I said, I'll be out and about this place pending my spontaneous travel schedule so don't have your heart set on contacting me directly this way via telephone. But if you do absolutely have to, that's how, though email is still better. It'll be my address till mid-May and I'll keep you updated after that. Leading up the apartment purchase, I returned to Bangkok early Monday morning after an all-night bus ride from Prae (northern Thailand, between Utturadit and Chiang Rai) I spent the weekend there with a friend, Boy (who I know from Colorado). He took me there to see his sister. Prae is a nice provincial capital. One peculiar pattern I've noticed in Thailand is the urbanization. In contrast to the states, the urban centers don't have a master urban-logic plan behind it. The building and construction usually happens on a moment need basis. So one thing you'll find, is mixed zoning. Where as in the states, we have zonal centers (i.e. downtown, neighborhoods, industrial parks), in Bangkok for instance, downtown is everywhere. There is not one part of town with a high concentration of all the commercial (atleast not in the sense an American would think) So like my apartment for instance, is right next door to the tallest building in Thailand (Baiyoke II)!! This pattern is also seen in class system. Where in Denver, you'll have strictly high class access only neighborhoods (i.e. Cherry Hills), here in Thailand, you'll have the richest man in town living next door to the poorest. Quite interesting, Ok I have gotta run, so talk to you later,
GW
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Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2002 04:12:04 -0800 (PST)
Subject: updates
Hi there,
Right now, I am staying with my aunt, Chailai and cousins. I arrived here yesterday on a 3 hour bus ride from Bangkok. I was in Bangkok for only a day. Previous to that, I was staying with my other aunt, Sombat and couzins. The only thing worth mentioning right now that has happened is this: On the bus from Bangkok, after a nice little snooze, I took a look inside my travel guide-book. I read an article about professional pick-pocketers who work there way mainly on buses here. When I read this, we had about 30 minutes left till the destination. At the moment I read the article, I made sure my wallet was within known proxemics. By the time we got to Lopburi, I checked again, and like magic, it disappeared. Nowhere around my seat, nor under. The funny thing is, it wasn't even a crowded bus and the time someone would of had to pick it, I was fully conscious. There is not one moment or even a suspicion of who did it. Ha, I lost about 800 baht (a little under 19 bucks). Thanks to precautions I took, it won't effect me that bad, but a lesson learned for me anyway, ok gotta run,
later,
Kiaw Green
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Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 05:53:46 -0800 (PST)
Subject: this week...
Hello everyone, The scoop is this: For the last few days, I've been in Suphanburi. Suphanburi is an old city rich in history, however, like most of central Thailand, the town is modernized with all the like accommodates (i.e. Department stores, traffic, KFC, etc.) Over 500 years ago, central modern Thailand was ruled by the Ayudaya kingdom. During the period, the capital seat shifted many times between the cities Ayudaya, Suphanburi, and even Phitsanulok. Ayudaya (the kindgom) flourished for several hundred years and is the predecessor to the modern Chakri dynasty, that is the present royal government. Last week, I visited the Ayudaya ruins at Ayudaya (the city). It was very breath taking to be in such an ancient sacred place. The ruins, like most in Thailand, are standing strong, though scarred with black smoke from hundreds of years of warfare between ancient Myanmar (Burma) and Kampuchea (Cambodia) kingdoms. I could talk all day about this, but it would be impossible for me to relay this passion and history in words. I'll try to scan some photos in Bangkok later this month if I get a chance. And now, I'm back in traffic/congestion/megapolis heaven, Bangkok... Alright, gotta run, later,
Kiaw Green
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Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2002 18:26:59 -0800 (PST)
Subject: 4 a.m. mystery....
It was approaching 4 a.m. I was lost deep in dream space when suddenly, something invaded my three-dimensional proxemics. Abruptly, I awoke yelling from my primal gut, kicking and swinging with all my chi, fending off whatever it was. At this first attempt, I was semi successful. For a moment I felt nothing. Then a second invasion occurred. Again, I screamed and fought. I managed to make it to the light switch. I saw nothing-heard nothing. No animal odors, no trace. In fact, all windows and possible entrances/exits for something of its size (presence) were shut (at least in a three dimensional realm). Soon, my cousin came knocking to check on me. I opened the door and explained my recollections of the previous moments. He took a brief yet failing inspection and guided me to his room. I finished the night (morning) there. My initial reflex assumed it was some sort of unidentified furless critter. From my first explanation, my cousin thought it might have been a snake. It left no trace on me, no bights, stings, etc. All I have is a cut on my toe that I think I got from kicking a dresser in my short struggle. The room was thoroughly inspected this morning. The results again lean towards a conclusion of vivid dreaming. And this is the most logical one. With hindsight, I remember when I was a kid. I used to watch those scary unsolved mysteries alone. The stories about "ghosts" invading ones proxemics comes to mind. In fact, whatever it was, it had the characteristics of a human arm and a hand more than anything else. Which leads to another possibility: I was sleeping on my arm, my arm fell asleep. At the moment, my dreams confused my 3-d reality, and I woke up fighting my own sleeping arm. Whatever happened, it was real, and adrenaline worthy. Ha, gotta run for now, talk to you all later.
Kiaw Green
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Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 23:41:24 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Krungthep King
Once again, I've returned to Bangkok. I got in yesterday evening. I took a short trip to the provincial capital of Jantaburi, not so far from the Cambodian border. My purpose there was following up on a blind lead in search for my brother. My original plan was to stay over the weekend, but the only thing there for me was frustrations and headaches. The lead was hopeless, though the experience was a chance to practice patience. A short poem about my riverside hotel room there:
The room was fair. The bottom half-dull lemon green, the top-faded banana cream
A ceiling fan with 5 levels of power, the toilet even providing minimal shower
Though having some bugs yet I was not bit, for 120 baht (less than 3 bucks), who gives a sh*t?
And that's that for now. And following, no logical nor chronological organization, just some random travel notes and observations:
Bangkok is the type of city where when one is mingled in the 10 million + megapolis, they are likely to feel suffocated, swarmed, and insignificant. But when he/she is able to be part of the city from 84 stories up (Baiyoke II tower, the tallest in Thailand) overlooking everything, they become less intimidated, a feeling so grand overcomes the body, and the city doesn't turn out so bad after all. Disappointedly, I've never seen blue skies thus so far in this city. I suppose I will never, for a Bangkokian (Bangkok native), told me they have not either. Well, talk to you all later,
Mr. Green
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Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2002 18:58:51 -0800 (PST)
Subject: this week and more...
Hello ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to the latest edition of Mr. Green's Travel Newsletter. Ha ha ha... Nothing super exiting. I actually haven't been traveling lately. Its been Bangkok routine mainly. Beginning last week, I've been partaking in a mini internship (actually not quite that) helping with a student issue at a young English readers weekly magazine based here in Bangkok. The circulation is national and very popular with much of the youth here. I've been working close with high-school/college students from all over the country as we put together this issue. I've already gotten to meet some Thai pop singer semi-stars. (Note, Toon and Mister Sister for those of you who are familiar) The daily commute is up to 4 hours round-trip for the office is on the northern flank of the city. Those of you who know about Bangkok traffic understand. I've learned to utilize the city's transportation resources as a Bangkokian would. (As opposed to jumping in a taxi every time) And so I save much money using the 3.5-15 baht (from .8 to .33 USD) buses as opposed to paying a metered taxi 250/300 baht (6-8 USD) to transport me in/out to/of the city. (like a happy tourist with unlimited funds)
The bus system here is crazy. Its not a matter of not having enough buses, for the 3/4 different types (air condition, non-air, mini, private, etc.) of buses are quite frequent. Since no one here is familiar with bus schedules, you simply hop on to the bus for-knowing its destination and route. And to make matters more confusing, the routes and bus numbers are always changing with out any type of formal notice. Even some of the buses that are the same color and number have didn't different destinations, its a matter of trial and error and just knowing where goes where and when. Of course it gives me a chance to step out of the comfort zone and ask in Thai where in the world I'm going, so its a win/win. And yes, I'm guilty, I did it it. I had been holding back all this time here. Every time, I passed a Mcdonalds, Burger King, KFC, or Pizza Hut (abundant in any/every modern sector, i.e. department stores, etc.) I would look at the customers, employees, and shop resenting this aspect/contribution from my home country. And, it must have been my subconscious home-sickness eating me, I just had to.. I had to go into Mcdonalds and try for myself. I ordered some Asian style burger just to justify the action. I was certainly feeling guilty afterward and well atleast I got it out of my system, no curiosity anymore. Though its funny, its kind of a proud thing for a Thai teenager to get hired by Mcdonalds here, just because of the name and rep. If anything, when I worked there in the states last year, it was ok, just for money temp thing, no one has to know about this attitude. They don't get to see that counter/sub-culture of the anti-fast food deal that Americans get to see. Its more of a "cool, western, modern, American" attitude for them. Anyway, I'll fill you in some time again later. Sonkran Festival is comin soon (Thai new year) and I'm sure I'll have some exiting stories to share then.
Mr. Green
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Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2002 03:50:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Thai New Year (Sonkran)--Nation wide water fight! Chiang Mai
It is Saturday evening, 5 pm. As I sit in this e-cafe semi-soaked, I reflect over the last few days. This past week has been the Thai new years celebration. Throughout the country, throughout the week, it has been a street-wide water fight. Today was the climax of it all and apparently Chiang Mai is the most intense in Thailand during the time (why I chose to come here). I'll attempt to paint a picture:
Chiang Mai's old city is centered in the middle. It is a square area, aprox. 4-6+ sq. kilometers. This section is surrounded by a moat (spelling?)---the water canal thing that surrounds ancient cities and castles. Running parallel with the moat around in a square, on both sides (in and out) are roads. Pedestrian and car bridges are scattered around crossing to/from the old city. Here is where the action is most concentrated. Street vendors selling buckets, water guns, food, beer, soda, and ice all throughout. Folks of all ages filling their buckets from the canal and soaking each other. The streets are packed with motorcycles, trucks and cars. Now a motorcycle may have its advantage here in Thailand in a packed traffic jam due to their mobility, but during Sonkran, they got it worse. There is no escaping the water from all directions. There are even many kids and adults swimming in the canal. All around the moat, most of the water action is from the moat water. Except people in the back of trucks who have pre-filled water buckets. These buckets usually are ice cold water and the worst to get shot with on surprise. This month is the hottest in Thailand, but unfortunately, the past few days have been real cool here. Usually, I'd be thankful for the cool weather but I think the water fun would be more rewarding and complimentary to scourging, hot, humid weather. At first, I walked along the moat and played free-for-all, wetting anyone in my way (and being soaked all the while) My bucket was small so I had to refill it frequently. Today, I came across a high pedestrian bridge. I'm surprised no one else had gotten the idea that I got at that moment. Sniper time. It was fun to see the people in the back of trucks getting squirted and being confused from what direction the water was coming. Later, from my spot, a truckload of my victims--girls spotted me and invited me to ride with them. I was alone and so I accepted. Now all the buckets and squirts of water I gave to trucks and motorcycles came back ten fold. It was fun though.
After a few hours, I departed from my new friends and came to relay this story (if you can call it that). Aside from Sonkran fun, I have had the opportunity to check out the night life here (pubs, clubs, discotheque, restaurants) Dancing is wonderful! The style of dance clubs/discotheque is different from the USA in these ways:
In the states, everything is oriented around the dance floor, there are bars and some tables but there usually on the edge for the few shy. Here, there is no dance floor, its tables throughout. There is usually a stage that hosts live music the first phase of the night (usually from 9 to midnight+) Thais come in groups of friends. The idea is to sit, socialize, and drink alcohol with your friends. The alcohol is a social thing but also to build up the courage to dance. So usually, by 12 am, the first of the brave stand up and start dancing (around table) By 1 am, the whole place is dancing (still around the tables) Approaching 2 am (the time most of em close) there are a few really drunk dancing on the tables. Its fun, and the clubs here are really innovative and unique with their themes. A lot of em' in Chiang Mai are country-wooden-cabin with good dance music. The disco-tech is as modern as anything with all the new tech in lights, sound, and effects. Disappointedly, no Thai I've met yet knows what swing dancing is.
So anyway, that's enough for now, hope you're all doing well. Take it easy.
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Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 00:56:53 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Southern Thailand travels
I had a vivid dream the other night: My home sickness finally forced me to return to the states. But when I was back, an erie feeling of regret swept over me. I was day dreaming (within the dream) about the tropical paradise I left behind. And so another message for me to appreciate what I already have at present--not always feeding on what I don't have and how I'm gonna get it. After waking up from this dream, I found myself thankful that it was a dream. (kind of like a nightmare)A sigh of relief--and I was happy that I was right there and then, in Ranong province, Southern Thailand. A prior invitation from a Thai friend of mine brought me here late Thursday evening/early Friday morning. The over-night bus was somewhat uncomfortable but more than tolerable in contrast to the 3rd class train and bus that I took last week from Chiang Mai during the new year holiday.
Image:
Lush, green, tropical, jungle hills rolling into the horizon. The unmerciful sun breaching overhead. The clear blue skies balance out the heat for the better though, for coming from Bangkok, don't get to see too much blue skies. Rolling around these southern tropical mountains on the ever-winding road, out of nowhere, the almighty limitless ocean overtakes your peripheral. Its the first time I've seen the Andaman sea, but certainly not the last. Standing on the beach facing west, to my left is a rocky incline from thick jungle breaking into aqua green sea. Off yonder in the sea, you can see many small to medium sized islands--some less than a km or two, others estimated 10+. As the sun begins its decent into the sea, the horizon starts to flame, now making it possible to vaguely make out a distant mountain-scape to the north west.
This is most undoubtedly Myanmar (Burma) Remembering from the map, Myanmar has its own share of tropical islands big and small alike. Unfortunately, due to their foreign/ tourism policies, its unlikely that I'll ever get to see them in this life. But perhaps preservation is for the overall better...So back to Thailand...After spending a great weekend on the west coast (Malay peninsula), I've accepted in invitation from my friend's cousin (of which she has many throughout Southern Thailand) to head to the east coast, the more tourist known coast, overlooking the gulf of Thailand. A 3 and a half hour ride in the back of a transport truck brought me across the thin peninsula (maybe 200 km wide). The ride was pleasant, much more preferable than a bus or train in my opinion. Having all the leg room in the world, a real life view without any glass/plastic barriers, and a natural fan blowing mountain wind through my hair. And best of all, this ride was free!! Here in Chumphon (Amphur Lungsuang), I took a solo bike trip along the coast this morning. In comparison, from what I've seen, the Andaman sea is more beautiful and magical. Maybe its just the fact of knowing that its waters are less secure and mysterious. With, India, Sri Lanka, Bangledesh, and Myanmar within its access, its boggling to think of what the Andaman has seen. The gulf of Thailand on the other hand, is more prized for its accessibility, tourist wise and port wise, and well, nothing exiting. Any how, the 14 km roundtrip bike ride was great either way. Stopped here and there along the way to check out the beach view. The beach in most parts is scattered with trash and the likes, but on the big picture view, its still exotically grand. Huge palm trees hanging over all along the way. Many fishing boats out in the horizon (but no islands within view) Tourist (domestic and international) oriented beach side restaurants and bungalows stretch as long as the beach will go. And the peace that a wave breaking on the rocks and sand is grand in its own aspect...Okay, still have some more traveling to do in the south and will keep ya'll informed anything new and special.
later,
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Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 03:00:24 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: after next month...
After next month I shall settle down for a few months. Back to the old capitalist ways of full time work--schedules--predictability--accessibility--and yes, salary too. All that crap I put so much energy in breaking free from back in the states. Life is certainly a cycle. Oh, calm down, I'm not returning to the states just yet. As planned, I'll be teaching English here for a little bit. These past few days, I've been in Petchburi, a provincial capital a few hours south of Bangkok, securing the position (or at least prospecting it) and it looks a go. I've already got to sit in a few classes to observe. Today, I helped teach one class and solo-tutored one for a few hours.
So after I do my visa run in Singapore/Malaysia mid next month, I'll begin the real teaching 6 days a week. I'll let you all know more solid info (i.e. contacts, etc.) once it is certain. It looks though that I have I'll be staying in one of the beach houses belonging to my employer. Petchburi is nice. 3 nights, I chose to stay in a 120 baht/night (about 3 bucks) travelers guest house just to check out that scene. I've met some interesting travelers all with their own stories. There pasts and cultures may be different but it seems that their futures and intents are common (as much as they'd like to believe otherwise, i.e. "I wanna stick clear from the tourists route, you know get an inside perspective from the locals, etc. etc.")
In particular, one 26 year old New Zealand guy named Daymond. One of his few possessions he drags around is his Yamaha acoustic guitar. He is decent on it, well enough to communicate via music. Its been fun jammin sing along nights at the guesthouse commons over a few Chang beers with him. Yesterday, we rented some bikes and checked out some caves on the outskirts of town. Not sure if I'll ever see him again but that's just what it becomes in the wonderer's lifestyle. Meet many interesting people, their different ideals and perspective help mold and revise my own...So Petchburi about raps it up for peninsular travels. Tongight I plan to head back up to Bangkok and see what happens from there. I still have a few weeks of a wanderer's freedom. Then my finale will be a trip to Singapore and loop back up via Kuala Lumpur (hosts the current worlds tallest buildings) Malaysia.
later,
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Date: Tue, 7 May 2002 04:11:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: And now...
And now I am back in Bangkok. I just arrived today from Lopburi, central Thailand. I was there the past 4 days visiting cousins. And where has the time gone? On Friday, I fly out to Singapore for my visa run. (Actually, I don't need to go there, but I'm using it as an opportunity travel) I'll spend a few days there before looping back up via train or bus through Malaysia. I plan to stop a few days in Kuala Lumpur--Malaysia's capital, and currently the city that hosts the tallest buildings in the world (not for too much longer though), the Petrona twins (about 454 meters tall) So this signifies the end of my first 3 month phase overseas. The funny thing is I wanna bail out. The urge to return to comfort, security, and predictability lingers and surfaces often now. I manage to find outlets though to suppress it. Not to say that they are all healthy outlets. And so today and tomorrow, I am drowned w/packing out and leaving my apartment. Its been a good 11-12 weeks there (when I was there) and well, I just hope everything goes ok in Singapore/Malaysia. My capital is real thin and I'll have to make way with what I got.
Take care all for now,
END OF PHASE ONE
Contact Jao Moragoat
Transistion : Singapore and Kuala Lumpur
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