More Random Observations

1) There is a moisturizer that is available in almost every pharmacy that claims to lighten the color of your skin. Apparently it is very popular with teenagers. I see advertisements all over Bangkok that are for products made here, for Thai people and almost all the models are white people. Almost all the Thai fashion models have very pale skin. 95% of the people I see on the street are dark skinned.

2) I have never seen anyone over the age of fifty left on the bus with no place to sit. Someone will give them their seat.

3)All Thai people do is eat. If they are not eating they are thinking about what they will eat next and rarely do I ever see anyone overweight. And I mean RARELY.

4)There are 7-11's everywhere! Sometimes two or three on the same street.

5)Thai people are not to specific about time. If your class starts at noon and you show up 10 to 15 minutes late, it is no big deal. I am sure this is due to how difficult it can be to get around.

6)It is perfectly legal for motorcycles to drive on the sidewalk.

7)"Sir" in Thai means "stupid." So "Thank you, sir" means "Thank you, stupid." Luckily I was told this before I found out the hard way.

8)When getting dressed up and wanting to look professional - a belt is more important than a tie.

9)If you work in a retail store - your manager will lead you in physical exercises before your shift starts.

My neighbors had a party for their grandson's second birthday and I was invited. What a great time we had!

First of all, the kid is so adorable and a great kid to hang out with. I bought him a ABC book - of course because I have been hanging out and speaking English with him. The kid is so sharp. He picks things up so fast.

Second - the food.. For appetizers we had pork and carrots wrapped in rice paper, crab rangoon and fish bone. Now - crab rangoon in Thailand has no cream cheese. It is only crab in fried wontons. And my new opinion is that is the way God intended them to be. OK - fish bone. It is fish bones that have been breaded and fried. They still have fish sticking to the bone for flavor and you crunch on them much like a potato chip and dip them in this hot chili sauce. (I will be honest - not my favorite.)

And now the entree. Cubes of beef liver, chicken breast, roasted pork, scallions, rice noodles, bean sprouts and a hard boiled duck egg. (Duck egg is very popular here and it is much meatier or dense than a chicken egg and it does take a little getting use to but I have grown to love them. They are often used as a garnish to soups.) And then this lovely pork based broth is added. And let me tell you... It was amazing. The taste combinations are so different from what we are used to in America, but after the second bite you really get into it. And just one bowl was so filling. I asked if there was a name and they said there really wasn't. They just call it dinner.

After dinner, the adults hung out, drank Thai beer ( with ice - but when in Rome..)and played poker.

Now - Thai poker:

It is similar to Blackjack - but not.

You are dealt two cards face down and have the option for one more card - also face down.

The scoring system is 0 to 9

Face cards and 10s are worth zero.

So if you are dealt a 10 and a 7 - you have seven points.

If you are dealt a 4 and a 3 - you have seven points.
If you are dealt an 8 or 9 - you must show it immediately.

A winning hand using two cards of the same suit pays double.

Three face cards ( which technically equal 0) pay triple.

Three face cards in sequence also pay triple.

And three face cards in sequence of the same suit pay 5 times.

It is such a great game. It is fast and furious. It is possible to win with one point - because the dealer could get zero. And ties are possible. We had a blast drinking beer on a hot Thai evening, laughing and I took it upon myself to teach then some poker English. ( Poker face, jinxed, cooler, cut, goocher.) We played until 2 in the AM and I stumbled across the street and got up to teach a 12 o'clock class. I lost three dollars.

When I got to school, I told another teacher about my night and he said, "Ya know, poker is illegal in Thailand." Here for less than a month and I am already breaking the law. Not bad. But when you are a world traveler like me - you run that risk.

Gotta go!

Random Observations about Thailand

1) There are phone booths! Remember those? And they are everywhere. And they all work.
And there are cell phone stores everywhere. A couple of the malls I have been to have one entire floor devoted to cell phones mini stores that are privately owned. They all like cell phone markets and they are always empty.

2)When you but a movie ticket you actually get a seat number. I saw 2010 and I had seat f19.

3)There are doormen all over this city. They are dressed in uniforms much like if they were in their military dress and if you smile at them as they open the door - they salute you.

4)Wherever there are Buddhist shrines - which are all over the place - people stop and do a quick bow even if they are just passing by.

5)Thai people do not use chopsticks generally speaking. They eat with a fork and large spoon. You gather the food with the fork onto the spoon and eat with the spoon.The only time I have seen chopsticks in use was in a Japanese restaurant.

6)Hardly anyone watches any television.

7)People who commute back and forth from the city, as I often do, can be on the bus for up to two hours and no one reads. A few of the younger people listen to their IPods - but most just sit and patiently wait.

8) It is easy enough to get used to a country where they drive on the opposite side of the road - except when you are crossing the street. I still instinctively look to the left - but the cars are coming from the right. Could it be when my mother told me to look both ways before crossing the street, she was preparing me for global travel? I like to think so.

Happy Thanksgiving from Thailand. I celebrated with my favorite pad thai.

I went to the Immigration Office today to apply for my non- immigrant visa. What a place! Imagine your local Registry of Motor Vehicles and multiply it by ten. 7 floors of madness. Language barriers all over the place. Overheard frustrations like - "No one ever told me I needed that document! How much more do I have to pay? I can't wait two weeks! I can't find where I need to go next."

I was so lucky that a representative from ECC went with me. He has been doing this for 7 years. He knew most of the people there. He told me beforehand what I needed to bring and I brought those things and he told me to sit in a chair and wait. After about 15 minutes he came back out of the office and said, "We're done."

The next step is waiting for my work visa. He will process all that information and then I am all set.

And O.K. - I confess - I had McDonald's today.

The Thai greeting is known as the wai and consists of the palms being pressed together and lifted towards the chin. The wai evolved from an ancient greeting used to show that neither party was carrying weapons. The wai is layered with intricacies of class, gender and age: each of these dictates a certain height at which the two hands must be held. Non-Thais are not expected to be familiar with these complexities, and the easiest method is simply mirror what ever greeting you receive.

More shots of Bangkok from today's stroll around the city.

Just finished reading this book that my best friend Kathy gave me by Thoreau called Walking.

"He who sits still in the house all the time may be the greatest vagrant of all, but the saunterer, in the good sense, is no more vagrant than the meandering river. For every walk is a sort of crusade."

First Day!
First Class! These wonderful people make up my very first class at ECC. The range in age from 16 to 42 and are great students and very eager to perfect their English. We meet on Saturday mornings from 9 to 12. Our first day we spent getting to know each other. I told them a little about myself and they were very excited about New York City. (It seems that Manhattan is the top destination choice of Thai people when they dream about coming to America.)
Then we moved on to adverbs of frequency - never, rarely, sometimes, often and always. We made up sentences about Thai customs and they did very well.
(Interesting fact - All Thai students must go through Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts as a part of their education.)
And then we reviewed telling time in English and the months on the calendar. I think it was a very productive first day and I can't wait to continue on Saturday.

And then on Sunday from one to four, my second class. 12 students from about 12 to 14. A tad more restless but just as enthusiastic and we reviewed verb tenses - such as present perfect, future continuous and the like. This is a tough thing for all Thai learning English and they had a hard time getting it - but I reminded them - this is hard stuff - most Americans couldn't even describe it to you - then just do it naturally. I will think of some games to come up with that might help. But they are very bright kids with a great sense of fun and it think that we will have a fabulous time together. So far, I love teaching and am looking forward to going full time next week.
Big day tomorrow - I go to The Ministry of Education for my work visa. All my paperwork is in order and everything should go smoothly.
Had the day off today so went into the city for more strolling around. At one point, I just started giggling. This is happening. I'm here. I have a job, an apartment and am getting to know my way around without a map more and more every day. Next step - perfected my Thai. I know some. but I want to learn more. They say if you really keep it up - you can be fairly fluent in six months. Look at me Ma - I'm bilingual!
Well- gotta go.

Just realized that I forgot to tell you about this! This is amazing!

This is from the What ( temple ) that I visited on my fourth day here.

Now stick with me cause this is incredible.

These are oyster shells. You cant really see by the picture but they are all larger than my foot. They are enormous for oyster shells! and they found thousands of them. They found them under the ground about 50 years ago. Now bear in mind the ocean is about two hour flight from here. They estimate that these oysters shells are over 6 million years old. You heard me!
And they created these mounds from the oyster shells as a part of the What to honour the sea and the past. This pile of shells is about two floors high and there is no concrete used! The monks piled them slowly and they formed these structures of which there are over half a dozen.

And they are still finding more!

Went today to open up my bank account and it was very interesting - they didn't even ask for my address. Ah - the power of the passport. And they give you a passbook which keeps track of your account. You must bring it with you whenever you do a bank transaction and they notate what you do by sliding this small book in the computer and the computer prints a new line with what your transaction was and what your new balance is - kinda like a computer generated running check book balance. Kinda cool.
And my friend Kate helped me clarify something - where I live is not really the suburbs. Think of it as a borough. If Bangkok is Manhattan, then I live in Queens.

Went into Bangkok today to do some errands and stopped by the Erawan Shrine. This shrine was created on the grounds of what was the Erawan Hotel in the 1950s. The construction of the hotel was plagued with so many mishaps and death that this shrine was erected on the spot and dedicated to Indra ( the King of Gods in Hindu mythology ) and his elephant mount - Erawan.

It is THE spot for anyone wishing to express gratitude for recent good fortune. Because everything had gone so smoothly for me since arriving in Thailand and because I found a job so quickly, I decided this was the perfect place for me to stop and be still and sit in gratitude.

Women in traditional costumes do regular dances on the hour at the shrine and I even caught a glimpse of the second shift getting ready to go on.

Its A Bizarro World Part Three - Walking along the streets of Bangkok and suddenly over the streets I hear loud speakers begin - "Sleigh Bells Ring - Are You Listening?" Christmas is coming to Bangkok.

Looking for a Teaching Job in Thailand

It seems to me that someone might possibly read this blog who desires to do the same thing I have done.
There is a lot of advice online about this very subject. Some of which I intended to follow exactly when I arrived and found it to be very misguided.
Here's my two cents:

1) Wait until you get here. I know its scary but most places are looking for someone to start right away. I came during the slow time. Public schools were two weeks in session and I missed those opportunities. ( I arrived the 4Th of Nov. ) But I still found a job in three days.

2) Don't waste your time with emails and phone calls. Most emails are answered by school secretaries who may not be very good at the Internet and most phone calls will reach those same secretaries who often have weak English and it is very difficult to set up something definite.

3) Get dressed up and pound the streets with your resume in hand.

4) Bring all original documents - especially your diploma and teaching certificate.

5) Be prepared to take a grammar quiz as a part of your application.

6) There is an article on Transitions Abroad called How To Find A Job In Thailand in Ten Days. The writer tells you to stay on Khaosan road ( the backpackers hub ) and use that as your address and look for a job from there. Very poor advice! If possible employers see that on your resume, they will not take you seriously at all. Luckily I have a friend (love you Kate) who set me up with a friend who had a place for me to stay and I used that address and possible employers knew that I was not trying to teach for a week, make some extra bucks and then quite on them.

7) You need a college degree, a TEFL certificate of some kind, and some teaching experience - but that doesn't have to be Teaching English. Spin it to win it.

8) I got my teaching certificate from ICAL. It only cost 250 bucks but it does not include teaching experience - just writing papers on theory and lesson plans. It is worth 100 hrs. TEFL is the biggest and most recognized site. This certificate is worth 200 hrs. and you actually teach as a part of the training but it can cost up to 1300. Your choice.

9) English Teachers online can be a grumpy bunch. Don't let them get you done. Thailand is an amazing place! And it is not perfect. Its incredibly overpopulated and hot and smoggy and can be very dirty and very difficult to get around at first. The people though are incredible and the city has incredible sites and journeys around every corner. ( Oddly enough I have had more luck with asking Thai people for help then other foreigners. )

But if you are up for the adventure - then you Gotta Go!!

This is the local market I was telling you about. I returned today for lunch and it was amazing. Within the buildings are little mazes of stalls with the most amazing produce and fruits and veggies and fish ( Thai people are not a bit shy about eating fish with the head on - I did my third day here and it was very good - snake head fish it was - sweet and light.) And all the meats and little stalls that just sell all this crazy stuff. One had a stall of duck eggs. and that's what she does every day - she sells her duck eggs. I have a feeling that this is where a lot of restaurants get their supplies.

This time I tried this spicy soup ( name escapes me ) and just grabbed little things here and there. Thai people kinda have little bites all throughout the day. Breakfast and Dinner are big meals but they just sort of have bites during the day. Works for me!

And I went to a doctors clinic to get my blood tested for my Work Visa and it turns out I do not have syphilis or leprosey. What a relief! (And I think of all those years of worry.)

Going to play with the neighbor's kid now. His parents like me to get him started on English. And he's a great kid.

Well...

gotta go!

Went for a walk in my neighborhood today because I have been going into the city so much I just haven't had the time to explore it and found this amazing open market space only about 5 blocks down the main street. They have everything-hardware store, drug store, doctor's clinic and even a video store where I can rent movies. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me - but I can only describe it as very cool and very ... well, rustic. This is real Thai. If I have time I will go back tom and get some pics.
Stopped at restaurant - well, a woman who cooks out of cart and has a table for you to sit and ordered authentic pad thai with shrimp. God it was amazing, She had all the ingredients in little cups and just threw it all together in the wok. Much spicier then what you get in America but I am learning to appreciate spicy. First - don't drink water. It only spreads the heat throughout your mouth and lingers after you finish eating. And it never gets much hotter than the first bite. And believe it or not spicy foods in the heat are great. I don't know why it just works.
gotta go.

Went in and signed my contract today and got the paperwork started for my work visa and work permit. Its official - I am employed!! Celebrated by going to Lumphini Park - Bangkok's version of Central Park. Not nearly as big but the landscaping and lakes were lovely. I think I will be spending a lot of time there when I go into the city. Greenery is very hard to finding these parts and those of you who know me - know I need the see the green!

Side note - Spencer, are you reading this? I dont have your right email and I am desperate to chat. Please e-mail me at matthewaughie@gmail.com -so we can catch up!

Well... gotta go!

Took the day off today and just relaxed. And then it started to rain. First time since I have been here. Lovely clean mist of a rain and I immediately went out and started to walk and the rain washed all the heat away and it felt wonderful. Good day.

Looks like I will be signing a one year full time contract to teach English at ECC this Monday. Part time for the rest of the month and then full time begining The 1st of December and I get my first pay check on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

Second interview today - went well - but the girl I interviewed with did not speak very good English, so it was difficult to get information from her. ( She worked in the office and wasn't a teacher.) So tomorrow I go back and talk to the head teacher who is from Australia and I will get more specific info. She did walk me around and show me the place and kept introducing me as the new teacher - but I didn't sign a contract or anything - so we shall see.

ITS A BIZZARO WORLD - TWO

The other day I was taking the bus home from Bangkok ( about a two hour ride because we were in rush hour ) and this Buddhist monk around fifteen or so from Bangladesh sat next to me and fell asleep leaning against me on the bus. Truly bizarre. I was giggling inside the whole time - is this really happening. Indeed it was.

I had a long day of walking the streets and knocking on doors - but the last place I went gave me an interview on the spot and I have a follow up interview tomorrow at one of their branches which is actually closer to where I live. And this is a picture of the street I live on. The neighbors are very friendly and they stare as I walk by. I am the only foreigner in the hood. Guess that makes me somewhat of a celebrity and I am certainly the talk of the town.

Went back into the city today to continue the job search. Went to a place called Language Express where my friend knows the founder and although I don't have enough credentials to work there - I did have a great conversation with one of the head teachers and he was very helpful and gave me a lot of wonderful specifics about my search. He encouraged me to just keep pounding the pavements and going directly to the schools. He suggested three other places to go to that fit my resume better and I will hit those tom. ( so that makes 4 leads for tom.)Apparently it is the slow time of year and a lot of people are looking for the same thing I am. But we shall not let that get us down. There is a job for me somewhere and I will find it. sorry no pics today. Too busy with the search. Wish me luck. Big day tom.

Went job searching today in the big city. Walking around in Bangkok's heat dressed like a banker. Still taking a long time to find things but eventually I do. Visited three schools to drop off my resume and the third one was a charm - got an interview on the spot. I think it went very well. They may start me out parttime and then maybe move on to fulltime. I should find out maybe next week. But very productive first day of serious looking. I am getting more and more confident with the buses and the sky train is very clear and easy to use. Going to bed and going to get up and do it again. By the way - shopping malls in Thailand are one confusing maze. I felt like Alice. Caught a live rock concert from the sky train. On we go.

OK First rough day. Took the wrong bus into the city and got very lost. I was in the suburbs and none of the signs were in English and noone on the bus spoke English.And the bus kept going I dont know where. Suddenly from behind me a girl appeared with a cell phone in her hand and said, "My boyfriend talk to you. He speak English. " I talked to her boyfriend on the phone and he showed me how to get back on track. My little angel - her name is Kaow. She saved my ass. So all of you Americans reading this - the next time you see a foreigner and they look lost - take the time to help them. Be a Kaow!

More Beauties from the Ancient City.

( enough site seeing for now - must focus on the job search. )

The most famous reclining Buddha. In the Ancient City.

Lit incense, left flowers on the altar and pressed gold leaf on the Buddha - praying for a new job.

This is from a What (temple) I visited in the suburbs of Bangkock.

Yes I finally got to meet and touch and feed my favorite animal.

Yes he is chained up but that is only for the day and my friend Paul told me that he is a very healthy elephant. His ears felt as if the were made of leather and he was very friendly - I really dont know if I can sum it up. It was incredible for me.

Goodbye to Penpark Place.

How about that?

Dont have internet at new apartment yet - more details to come.

Found this online. This is the Emerald Buddha. Of course no photo can truly capture it but at least you get an idea.

More Grand Palace - What a Place!

The Grand Palace

Big day today! Took the ferry for the first time to go to the Grand Palace. It works just like a subway. There are different lines and it can be very confusing - so confusing that I got on the wrong ferry and missed my stop - because - you guessed it - I got on an express by accident.

I visited the Grand Palace all day - I just could'nt seem to pull myself away! Unfortunely my camera does not capture how very vibrant the colors are, but believe me the place is captivating. Towards the end of the day, I stopped taking pictures and sat under a tree for about an hour and just chilled and listened to the birds. It is truly magical place.

The grand temple was built in 1782 and was at one time a self sufficient city and the home of the royal family. They live elsewhere now but it is still Thailand's holiest of temples.

It is most known for the Emerald Buddha. They do not allow you to take pictures of it - but believe me it is something to behold. It is made of green jade and gold. It sits at the top of an enormous shrine and they ask to take off your shoes before entering the temple. You must sit facing the Buddha and you are asked to sit on your knees so your feet are not facing the Buddha out of respect. As soon as you enter the temple you know you are in a special place. And Buddhist are different when it comes reverence. The are in no way solemn. They are quiet and reverent but there is a joy about their stillness. (I constantly see monks walking the streets and believe or not several of them have tattoos on the exposed left arm.)

Tomorrow Kate's friend is picking me up and I am going to stay at what may become my new home.

So goodbye to Penpark place for now - but if you are ever in Thailand I strongly recommend it.

What a day!