Part of my last week in Thailand was spent at a Buddhist temple. It was an enjoyable, while also an intense experience...mostly because I helped make a roof structure to shelter a group of students who would be studying at the temple for the weekend.
We were able to listen to the monks speak to us and the students, and they discussed the importance of community and love in the world. Using a powerpoint presentation (the monks are surprisingly adept with technology, each having his own laptop and a digital camera to take pictures which are later uploaded on their website), they also talked about not getting distracted in life. In an age with beauty products, rock concerts, and advertisements telling us how to think and live, it can be difficult to understand what is really important. We need to stay focused, pursuing the things that we ourselves know is meaningful. We shouldn't feel as though we have to follow the grain of others. This is our life and we must live it as we see fit.
I also realized, though, that I could never be a Buddhist monk. For one thing, they can only eat twice a day and never after 12pm. In other words, they have a really early breakfast at around 5 and then lunch at 11. After that -- nothing. In other words, I would die.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
A Look Back
Coldstone Creamery has an ice cream concoction called the Crispy Churro Caramel Sundae. For $4.45, you are presented with a plate containing a heap of vanilla ice cream topped with about an inch of whipped cream that's drizzled with caramel sauce and surrounded by four churros. The churros -- laced with enough brown sugar to wipe out the entire Adam Morrison lineage -- are warmed up and act as perfect scoopers for the ice cream. How do I know this? Because that was one of the first foods I ate when I came back home. You're damn right I made up for four weeks of eating noodles and fish with one order of diabetes on a plate.
As a side note, while extremely delicious, this endeavor in ice cream should be shared and not taken alone. Any attempts at a solo Crispy Churrco Caramel mission will result in pain and suffering akin to having to watch the Miley Cyrus movie The Last Song on a 12.5 hr transcontinental flight because you're wide awake full with airplane pasta in a seat that was made for the comfort of someone paralyzed from the neck down as the sleeping woman next to you slides her head onto your shoulder.
Otherwise, it's good.
Churros, ice cream, caramel. The pleasures of America.
Looking back at these last four weeks, I think the best way to commemorate them is through Top Four Lists. Without further ado...
4 Things I'll Miss About Thailand:
1. The food
It's not just that the food was good, but also the importance of it. My days seemed to revolve around food. It's part of the culture, the overall identity. Not since my freshman year of college has so much of my time been devoted to eating. During the homestays, the families would bring out bowls and bowls of food containing various curries, fish, vegetables, and fruits. Definitely discovered some new favorite foods along the way, such as the Thai omelet. Now a Thai omelet isn't a traditional omelet, or one that you and I would imagine. For one thing, you can have a Thai omelet any time during the day. Usually it's more of a lunch or dinner food. Also, a Thai omelet doesn't have an excessive amount of things in it. Actually, it's just the egg...and usually some bits of meat inside, such as chicken. Chicken, egg. Nothing complicated, rather stupid simple. But it's absolutely amazing. Put some chili paste over that thing along with some rice, and it's complete heaven. That's another thing about Thai culture that will probably be a running theme in this post -- everything's simple. The ingredients in the dishes are kept to the bare minimum, it seems. For most meals at the homestay, the foods were collected from the garden or freshly caught at the sea.
Couple of sidenotes:
-Because of this innate ability for a Thai person to cook up a fantastic meal with only a handful of ingredients, if a Thai were to ever be a contestant on Hell's Kitchen, I'd put it at 2:1 odds that he or she would win if they aren't required to know a handful of Eureopean dishes. Those challenges where the cooks have to make a meal by only using ingredients they find in a half-stocked fridge would be no contest.
-You eat with a spoon and fork by using the fork to help scoop food onto the spoon. Kinda takes a meal or two to get used to, but it's a highly efficient way of eating. Very easy to clean up your plate, because you can destroy every grain of rice with the spoon-dominated method.
-Mangosteen is quickly climbing my favorite fruits pyramid. It looks like something that Link from Zelda would eat. Purple ball with a cartoon-ish green leaves at the top. Open it and there's white flesh. Really good.
1b. Bua loy
My absolute favorite dessert. Sticky rice balls in coconut milk. I need to figure out this recipe. Ok, I need to stop thinking about this or else I'm going to pass out.
2.Having fantastic beaches everywhere
Not fair.
3. Being able to walk down the street and smile and talk with people
Try doing this in LA, and people will think you're crazy.
4. Not having to follow the LeBron James fiasco.
With limited internet access and no TV, I'm glad that I didn't have to be bombarded with LeBron James news or "The Decision."
But...
4 NBA off-season storylines I wish had happened
1. The Warriors trade Monta Ellis and cash considerations for an actual point guard or low-post player, because Nellie-ball needs to go away and I never understood what the hell "cash considerations" ever meant anyway. So the teams agree to the trade, with one of the teams still considering whether they want to throw in some more money or not? If only that could work in real life.
Yeah, that was a great steak and all, but instead of paying for the bill...lemme still think about it once or twice over. Better yet, how about I just write down here that I'll give you guys $50 worth of cash considerations.
Another thing, who is the "player to be named later" in trades? Isn't that a bit disheartening for that player? Like, you're not relevant enough to be involved in the actual trade...we're just gonna tack you on there because we have nothing better to do. And how later are we talking about? And can we have that player be someone really good...please? For once I really want to see the following appear on the ESPN ticker:
The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to trade their first round pick and a player to be named later to the Washington Wizards for their first.
Then later...
The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to trade their first round pick and Blake Griffin to the Washington Wizards.
2. Ron Artest's single goes to the top of the Billboard 100
3. Chris Bosh stays on the Raptors to solidify his standing as the only player who looks like his team's mascot.
4. Kobe Bryant demands a trade to Cleveland, eventually leading the Cavs to a championship.
Heard this idea on a Bill Simmons' podcast. If only, if only.
Top 4 World Cup teams to root for, according to a Thai
1. Argentina
2. Spain
3. South Korea
4. USA
32. Germany
4 English games to use with Burmese students:
1. Face drawings
Draw a giant circle on a piece of paper and hand each one to a student. Have them draw one part of the face (ie. the eyes, ear, mouth, nose, etc) and then pass the page to student next to them. Draw another part of the face and continue passing it on.
2. Hangman
3. Match game
Flip cards so that the picture matches the word.
4. Find it
Say the name of an object and have the students find it.
As a side note, while extremely delicious, this endeavor in ice cream should be shared and not taken alone. Any attempts at a solo Crispy Churrco Caramel mission will result in pain and suffering akin to having to watch the Miley Cyrus movie The Last Song on a 12.5 hr transcontinental flight because you're wide awake full with airplane pasta in a seat that was made for the comfort of someone paralyzed from the neck down as the sleeping woman next to you slides her head onto your shoulder.
Otherwise, it's good.
Churros, ice cream, caramel. The pleasures of America.
Looking back at these last four weeks, I think the best way to commemorate them is through Top Four Lists. Without further ado...
4 Things I'll Miss About Thailand:
1. The food
It's not just that the food was good, but also the importance of it. My days seemed to revolve around food. It's part of the culture, the overall identity. Not since my freshman year of college has so much of my time been devoted to eating. During the homestays, the families would bring out bowls and bowls of food containing various curries, fish, vegetables, and fruits. Definitely discovered some new favorite foods along the way, such as the Thai omelet. Now a Thai omelet isn't a traditional omelet, or one that you and I would imagine. For one thing, you can have a Thai omelet any time during the day. Usually it's more of a lunch or dinner food. Also, a Thai omelet doesn't have an excessive amount of things in it. Actually, it's just the egg...and usually some bits of meat inside, such as chicken. Chicken, egg. Nothing complicated, rather stupid simple. But it's absolutely amazing. Put some chili paste over that thing along with some rice, and it's complete heaven. That's another thing about Thai culture that will probably be a running theme in this post -- everything's simple. The ingredients in the dishes are kept to the bare minimum, it seems. For most meals at the homestay, the foods were collected from the garden or freshly caught at the sea.
Couple of sidenotes:
-Because of this innate ability for a Thai person to cook up a fantastic meal with only a handful of ingredients, if a Thai were to ever be a contestant on Hell's Kitchen, I'd put it at 2:1 odds that he or she would win if they aren't required to know a handful of Eureopean dishes. Those challenges where the cooks have to make a meal by only using ingredients they find in a half-stocked fridge would be no contest.
-You eat with a spoon and fork by using the fork to help scoop food onto the spoon. Kinda takes a meal or two to get used to, but it's a highly efficient way of eating. Very easy to clean up your plate, because you can destroy every grain of rice with the spoon-dominated method.
-Mangosteen is quickly climbing my favorite fruits pyramid. It looks like something that Link from Zelda would eat. Purple ball with a cartoon-ish green leaves at the top. Open it and there's white flesh. Really good.
1b. Bua loy
My absolute favorite dessert. Sticky rice balls in coconut milk. I need to figure out this recipe. Ok, I need to stop thinking about this or else I'm going to pass out.
2.Having fantastic beaches everywhere
Not fair.
3. Being able to walk down the street and smile and talk with people
Try doing this in LA, and people will think you're crazy.
4. Not having to follow the LeBron James fiasco.
With limited internet access and no TV, I'm glad that I didn't have to be bombarded with LeBron James news or "The Decision."
But...
4 NBA off-season storylines I wish had happened
1. The Warriors trade Monta Ellis and cash considerations for an actual point guard or low-post player, because Nellie-ball needs to go away and I never understood what the hell "cash considerations" ever meant anyway. So the teams agree to the trade, with one of the teams still considering whether they want to throw in some more money or not? If only that could work in real life.
Yeah, that was a great steak and all, but instead of paying for the bill...lemme still think about it once or twice over. Better yet, how about I just write down here that I'll give you guys $50 worth of cash considerations.
Another thing, who is the "player to be named later" in trades? Isn't that a bit disheartening for that player? Like, you're not relevant enough to be involved in the actual trade...we're just gonna tack you on there because we have nothing better to do. And how later are we talking about? And can we have that player be someone really good...please? For once I really want to see the following appear on the ESPN ticker:
The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to trade their first round pick and a player to be named later to the Washington Wizards for their first.
Then later...
The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to trade their first round pick and Blake Griffin to the Washington Wizards.
2. Ron Artest's single goes to the top of the Billboard 100
3. Chris Bosh stays on the Raptors to solidify his standing as the only player who looks like his team's mascot.
4. Kobe Bryant demands a trade to Cleveland, eventually leading the Cavs to a championship.
Heard this idea on a Bill Simmons' podcast. If only, if only.
Top 4 World Cup teams to root for, according to a Thai
1. Argentina
2. Spain
3. South Korea
4. USA
32. Germany
4 English games to use with Burmese students:
1. Face drawings
Draw a giant circle on a piece of paper and hand each one to a student. Have them draw one part of the face (ie. the eyes, ear, mouth, nose, etc) and then pass the page to student next to them. Draw another part of the face and continue passing it on.
2. Hangman
3. Match game
Flip cards so that the picture matches the word.
4. Find it
Say the name of an object and have the students find it.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Almost Over
Four weeks went by fast. This may be my last post in Thailand, but I plan on doing a couple more when I'm back home in the States and give a more comprehensive look at things.
So with the week over, I'm planning on spending my last remaining days either in Khao Lok or Railay beach before jetting it home on the 20th.
And that's...that.
So with the week over, I'm planning on spending my last remaining days either in Khao Lok or Railay beach before jetting it home on the 20th.
And that's...that.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Living in a homestay
I was in two homestays for the past couple weeks, one was called Bantalaenok and the other was Banlions.
Here's a quick rundown:
Banlions doesn't have electricity. Very simple housing. Generators run from 6:30pm to 10:30pm that provide energy. Every time else, nada. Dunno if I could adjust to that as a regular tenet of my lifestyle. I appreciate it, but don't think I could make it a standard dealio.
Banlions has a ton of mosquitoes. Like, if you took Thailand by the edge and shook it, all of the mosquitoes just fell on the tiny island and concentrated around the Banlions village. There's also an abundance of giant mutant watch-the-eff-out-or-else-you'll-regret-it red ants. Seriously, if you motion your finger in front of them, they'll stop, get on their hind legs, and thrust their upper torso at you. Never have I been so scared about bugs since I saw The Fly and the terrible, terrible sequel starring the drug dealer from Pulp Fiction. The village makes up for the insect problem by having the most amazing beaches, though. Warm waters, soft sand, and at night...the most lit up starry sky - ever. Absolutely fantastic.
During the night in Bantalaenok and Banlions from 8:30 to 10:30, the Thai equivalent of NBC airs a soap opera that quickly took it's place as my favorite Asian show of all time - The Killers. I had no idea what was going on, but I can tell you this: it involves a girl with an eyepatch, espionage, lots of Thai gangsters, a girl hiding in the men's squat toilet and absolutely kicking ass on an unsuspecting patron, and the bloodiest opening title's sequence to a show. Thai censors are funny...they blur out anyone drinking alcohol, but they will show stabbings to the eye (Renee Walker would've been proud), excessive gunshots, multiple kicks to the groin, and over the top blood-bath sequences. I can only hope that The Expendables can match half of the action from this tv show.
Since I didn't have electricity after 10:30 in the village, I ended up using a flashlight and borrowing The Girl Who Played with Fire from a neighbor. Pretty good sequel to a book I never read. Mark that up as another win for Sweden.
For the World Cup, Thais were all about Argentina (the team that I shifted my allegiances to after Ghana mucked up US hopes...damn you Ghana, damn you. I will never visit your country). Everybody loves Messi, and there was definitely a feeling of loss when the team got booted. After that Spain became the new adopted country. And as a side note, people here hated Germany.
Bantalaenok is a Muslim village located near the ocean. Half of the village was wiped out from the tsunami from several years ago. Since it's a Muslim village there isn't any pork, making up for it with lots and lots of cats. Also, a government initiative to allow the community to eat more livestock granted families with cows. However, the people didn't use the cows for food, but as pets. As a result, you can see cows roaming the streets and walking on the beach. It's weird...Twilight Zone-esque to chill out at the beach and see cows in the ocean.
Several of the Bantalaenok boys gave me a few points in Muay Thai boxing in exchange for some Tae Kwon Do lessons. Watch out UFC, I can feel my career blossoming.
I made soap with the women in Bantalaenok, created some artwork, wove leaves into roofs, made tie-dye with women in Banlions, drove a tractor, ate grasshoppers and other insects (grasshoppers taste like seaweed), and helped construct a building for students at a Buddhist temple.
Here's a quick rundown:
Banlions doesn't have electricity. Very simple housing. Generators run from 6:30pm to 10:30pm that provide energy. Every time else, nada. Dunno if I could adjust to that as a regular tenet of my lifestyle. I appreciate it, but don't think I could make it a standard dealio.
Banlions has a ton of mosquitoes. Like, if you took Thailand by the edge and shook it, all of the mosquitoes just fell on the tiny island and concentrated around the Banlions village. There's also an abundance of giant mutant watch-the-eff-out-or-else-you'll-regret-it red ants. Seriously, if you motion your finger in front of them, they'll stop, get on their hind legs, and thrust their upper torso at you. Never have I been so scared about bugs since I saw The Fly and the terrible, terrible sequel starring the drug dealer from Pulp Fiction. The village makes up for the insect problem by having the most amazing beaches, though. Warm waters, soft sand, and at night...the most lit up starry sky - ever. Absolutely fantastic.
During the night in Bantalaenok and Banlions from 8:30 to 10:30, the Thai equivalent of NBC airs a soap opera that quickly took it's place as my favorite Asian show of all time - The Killers. I had no idea what was going on, but I can tell you this: it involves a girl with an eyepatch, espionage, lots of Thai gangsters, a girl hiding in the men's squat toilet and absolutely kicking ass on an unsuspecting patron, and the bloodiest opening title's sequence to a show. Thai censors are funny...they blur out anyone drinking alcohol, but they will show stabbings to the eye (Renee Walker would've been proud), excessive gunshots, multiple kicks to the groin, and over the top blood-bath sequences. I can only hope that The Expendables can match half of the action from this tv show.
Since I didn't have electricity after 10:30 in the village, I ended up using a flashlight and borrowing The Girl Who Played with Fire from a neighbor. Pretty good sequel to a book I never read. Mark that up as another win for Sweden.
For the World Cup, Thais were all about Argentina (the team that I shifted my allegiances to after Ghana mucked up US hopes...damn you Ghana, damn you. I will never visit your country). Everybody loves Messi, and there was definitely a feeling of loss when the team got booted. After that Spain became the new adopted country. And as a side note, people here hated Germany.
Bantalaenok is a Muslim village located near the ocean. Half of the village was wiped out from the tsunami from several years ago. Since it's a Muslim village there isn't any pork, making up for it with lots and lots of cats. Also, a government initiative to allow the community to eat more livestock granted families with cows. However, the people didn't use the cows for food, but as pets. As a result, you can see cows roaming the streets and walking on the beach. It's weird...Twilight Zone-esque to chill out at the beach and see cows in the ocean.
Several of the Bantalaenok boys gave me a few points in Muay Thai boxing in exchange for some Tae Kwon Do lessons. Watch out UFC, I can feel my career blossoming.
I made soap with the women in Bantalaenok, created some artwork, wove leaves into roofs, made tie-dye with women in Banlions, drove a tractor, ate grasshoppers and other insects (grasshoppers taste like seaweed), and helped construct a building for students at a Buddhist temple.
I'm Still Alive...
And desperately, desperately want an In-N-Out Burger. Jesus, just thinking about it is making my mouth foam like the dozens of dogs on the streets here in Kuraburi when they smell food.
Nothing against the Thais, but eating Thai food day in and day out, as beautiful and delicious as it is, you start to get jaded by it. Mmm crispy pork fried rice? Again? For the fourth straight meal?
Last weekend, I was at a resort in Khao Lok with Judith and had a cheeseburger. Doesn't compare. Just doesn't. Instead of pickles, they put cucumbers. Travesty! Damn travesty! Gimme a double-double with cheese and those french fries from freshly peeled potatoes! Lemme get a taste of that American living!
Nothing against the Thais, but eating Thai food day in and day out, as beautiful and delicious as it is, you start to get jaded by it. Mmm crispy pork fried rice? Again? For the fourth straight meal?
Last weekend, I was at a resort in Khao Lok with Judith and had a cheeseburger. Doesn't compare. Just doesn't. Instead of pickles, they put cucumbers. Travesty! Damn travesty! Gimme a double-double with cheese and those french fries from freshly peeled potatoes! Lemme get a taste of that American living!
Monday, July 5, 2010
And Lame Sauce...
This is why I could never be a full-time blogger.
I dunno what happened, but I wasn't able to get going on that mega blog and won't be able to until this weekend at the earliest. I'm going to be doing another home-stay at this village on an island nearby that doesn't have any electricity.
Hopefully I survive.
I dunno what happened, but I wasn't able to get going on that mega blog and won't be able to until this weekend at the earliest. I'm going to be doing another home-stay at this village on an island nearby that doesn't have any electricity.
Hopefully I survive.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
To Update
I'll be staying in a Muslim village to help build the community's infrastructure for the next week and won't be able to upload any new posts for a bit. Hopefully I'll be putting up a mega blog in a week or so.
Best from Thailand,
Andrew
Best from Thailand,
Andrew
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