Red Shirts

These photos were taken at the red shirt rally just about a month ago. This was before things took a violent turn. I was in Bangkok and I decided to walk through the encampment to get to where I needed to go instead of walking all the way around. I found the protesters to be kind, friendly and generous. (They even offered me food.) Basically they positioned themselves in several key places around the city next to large government agencies. They have been there for over two months now. They do not leave. They are there day and night. The leaders of the group (officially called National United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship) provide the protesters with food. There is much discussion about what should be done. Many Thai believe that they should be removed. Others believe it is their right to protest. Many come from outside Bangkok yet I do have red shirts living across the street and in my neighborhood. The biggest demand seems the removal of the prime minister. My opinion is this - It's their country.

Love this Class

What can I say - but I love this class. Monday and Wednesday nights from six thirty to eight thirty. They are such a geat help in my discovering Bangkok. Lots of great tips of where to go - what to do and of course - where to eat!!!

Birthday Party

My private student's cousin had a Birthday party, and it was a typical Thai affair. Food. Kareoke. Whiskey. And more food. We had a great time and it lasted into the wee hours. Teacher was very tired at morning class.

The Living Greeting Card

End of Two Week Intensive

The two week intensive for government employees came to an end and the students invited me to their big party at the hotel where they were staying. The surprised me with a wonderful gift. A Hugo Boss dress shirt with a matching tie. Such taste! Aren't I lucky? They were a great class and I think they got a lot out of it. And they seemed to have fun while they were learning which is most important to me.

It was a great party that went late into the evening with wonderful food and lots of dancing and of course - Karaoke! Teacher did his best with Hotel California and Dancing Queen. All video tapes have been destroyed for public safety.

Laundry Thai style

I have yet to see a dryer in Thailand. No need. You wash your clothes, hang them up and they are dry in about an hour. This sounds great but that means no late night last minute washes the night before - which was my usual pattern in the States. And the washing machines here aren't the greatest. The don't really have much gusto. The just swirl the clothes around and then spin them dry. So they don't really get hard dirt out and this city is so dirty that pants get really dirty. Maybe that why I see so many professional Thais wearing black pants. I do the khaki thing because it works for casual too and that means less clothes but I think it is time to go black. When in Thai...

How big is Bangkok?

So big there is a golf course in the middle of the city!