Brooke's First Day

We left Grand Wing Mansion - a lovely high-falutin name for a relatively simple, but very lovely place (except for spotty internet) and walked toward the bok soi (street entrance).  Seeing a new cafe with - I very excitedly pointed out - Smoothies, we decided to get something cold to drink.

The owner was so cute, motioning us in to sit comfortably while we ordered and he made the drinks.  He hands us the menu - in Thai.  I point to the section labelled Smoothies, choosing one at random (I realized a minute later that most of the berries are the same in Thai as English). Blueberry.  And Brooke orders a Thai tea.  He explains it in Thai, but as clearly neither of understand he runs off to find someone who speaks English :)  just so the older gentleman can explain it's tea with milk served over ice.  Brooke agreed - look who's being just so adventurous!

We get our drinks ask to take pics and he takes our pic - per Dayanna he posts them on facebook, so I may just be on facebook now :), for anyone who cares to check for proof of our actually being in Thailand, the name of the cafe is Coffamily.  Very cool place - much posher than most places I eat in Thailand.

Next we headed to the Mall Thapra - and I cannot tell you how proud of myself I was to be able to get us there after six months away!

It's a huge mall, though it has nothing on the Mall Bangkae, but still too overwhelming to accomplish much on the first day, just bought a wallet (B), a bag (K) and a couple waters and headed home.

And crashed...

Back in Thailand!!!!!!!!!

Oh yes, it needs THAT many exclamation points :)

Been back in Thailand for about 5 days now, sorry for the delay in posting, but we've been working out some internet kinks - still working on them in fact, so I'll post pics separately lest Blogger decides (again) to not work.

So the plane ride was LONG, but uneventful.  B and I were able to change to get seats next to each other for the flight from New York to China, but the rest of the trip we sat separately.  We flew China Eastern Airlines this time (last time I'd flown American most of the way), and although I'd been worried because I believe it's a budget airline, I found it to be quite nice and new and the food was for the most part an improvement.

One funny note on plane food.  China Eastern by it's name is clearly a Chinese company, hence whereas AA had offered an Oriental and Western food option, China just offered Oriental.  Which for the most part was fantastic since it meant wheat free.  On the way from Shanghai to Bangkok they did a tray of snack foods for breakfast which I found quite intrigueing.  The plate smelled sweet and I was sleepy and so I opened what I believed to be a sweet roll with relish.

And bit into smoked hot dog.  Okay, just hadn't been what I'd expected.  But there was a package of cookies.  Having learned my lesson I read the package this time in the dim airplane lights: Onion flavored.  Hmmm, possibly okay in the right circumstances, but with my tummy now feeling iffy, I was not up to it.  Here they had jelly snacks.  The label was all Chinese, but it felt like gummys, so I decided to try it - only to be greeted by one of the most offensive odors I've ever smelled.  It smelled rotten!

So the day was saved by apple chips and chocolate orea wafers. :)  That's one thing you learn when travelling so far from home - it's best not to have expectations.  Reminds me of a time I had a cup of green soda last trip.  I thought it was lime flavored - what I got was gummy bear.  Per Dayanna there's a purple Fanta soda that tastes of Bubble Gum!

Another fun food travelling story, on our layover in Shanghai Brooke was craving some comfort food so bought a bottle of Starbucks iced coffee and a chocolate bar.  Neither of us were sure of the exchange rate where China's money was concerned, so Brooke got the good news much later - $12 for the coffee and chocolate!  Best part: She thought the bar had almonds when in fact it was chocolate and Jelly Beans.  Hee hee hee.  Talk about an unpleasant surprise!

Leaving the topic of food for a bit, in New York an Asian girl sat next to me while waiting for the plane to board.  I noticed that she had a book that looked like it was in Thai, so I asked, in Thai (one of my like 5 sentences) if she understood Thai.  She was from Thailand and had actually been in the US doing missionary work for a couple years.  At first I had wondered if she was a witness , but no, it was for the Indonesian Youth group or something like that (I'd not heard of it).  She was very sweet nonetheless and we chatted a bit about the US and Thailand, what we liked, what we'd miss about home, etc...

So, back to the timeline, we got into Bangkok very early (around 1am) and waited and waited in the immigration line.  Then we got near the front and oh Brooke hadn't gotten the entry card so we had to step out of line while she filled it out.  Then we got back in line and waited.  And finally without any real ado we could get our luggage!

After reading the board wrong the first time we found our bags safe from the Columbus airport where we'd last seen them and headed to customs where we were waved on without even needing to have our bags scanned.  By then it was probably 2:30 or 3:00 and we learned a taxi would cost about $30 that time of night and that distance, so, since Bangkok is a very nice airport, we decided to just hang out until the train into the city opened at 6.  Total of city line, BTS & taxi to Grand Wing: $4 per person.  Starbucks while we waited: $12 :)

It was a bit of a hassle dragging our bags up and down at the BTS and Brooke lost her token at one point, but finally we were at our new home.  Now we just had to explain to our new landlady who we were.  Fortunately I know friend in Thai so I said we were friends of Terry and Alanna and she mentioned Dayanna - whom I had been terribly worried about since I'd said we'd take a taxi to Grand Wing and hence should have arrived hours ago!

An older man in the lobby invited us to sit - clearly exhausted - while the landlady made a call, then randomly handed it to me.  It was Dayanna, who was a bit suspicious, how had I gotten this number, and no, I wasn't supposed to arrive until tomorrow!  Well at least I hadn't worried her or kept her up!  It just then took a bit of work explaining we were in fact downstairs now.  Later we joked that we had to go back where we came from because she'd not had a chance to set up the bed for us, so we could not be there now :)  Honestly, as long as there was a shower Brooke and I did not care.  We were just happy we'd caught her before she'd left for service because otherwise I don't know what we'd have done.

So we both took showers, and still a bit wired from Starbucks we went out...

Free Zone

Found a little free wifi on my balcony - just have to stand on one leg and touch my nose with my tongue :) So I survived Ayyuthaya despite touring it on a bike, believe it or not :) Didnt have a single fall or collision, though I do have some funny video of Fjorn...heh heh heh.

Sad night tonight - my last meeting in Bangkok. Ill have to remember next Sunday that Thonburi Thai congregation sends their love home with me :) We had a special announcement and everything - though Alanna had to explain because I thought everyone was applauding because Fjorn and I were leaving lol. Really going to miss everyone here... Gave away some of my stuff for the sake of room and weight - including a couple pairs of shoes - Chieka, dear girl, was worried if Id have enough shoes when I returned home :) I told her that would not be a problem.

So heading onto Manila tomorrow, Ill write more at the airport. Looking forward to seeing my Philipino family again! And of course my family family not long after, though NOT looking forward to That flight! Hard to believe Ill be home again in less than a week!!! Time has truly flown!

Heads up

I bought 30 days Internet at my Apartment, which is most likely about out, and its seems silly to pay for 30 days when Im leaving in 5. I dont know the internet situation in Manila, but Ill try to find something! Just wanted everyone to know so as not to cause worry if I dont respond to an email or something! But Bangkok airport has free internet as does Beijing, so I have at least a couple known check in points in the next 10 days (cant believe only 10 more days til Im back home!!!) and Ill try to charge my phone so I can phone once I reach Chicago (or at least send out one frantic txt!).  Yes I do indeed love exclamation points, lol :)
So little fill in for the next week: Tomorrow I go to Bethel (by boat!!), Wednesday witnessing then pool at the mall Bankae and pizza, Thursay we go to a little town outside Bangkok where we'll bike around the sights - yes i know, ME on a bike! should be interesting, already warned Terry Im hazardous to others when on two wheels, proceeded by me tripping on the stairs - Friday Little India, Chinatown and flower market, Saturday fly to Manila; Sunday spend the day with Aira and the Tagalog group! YAY!!! Very excited to see my friends again there again :) Tho.sad to be leaving my new friends in Bangkok :( Also in Manila Ill tour Bethel one day, then on the 28th Ill head home!!!
In case I dont write for a while, all my love to my family and close friends, see you when I get home!!! XOXO (Id just do hugs, so as not to weird anybody out, but frankly I dont remember which that is so youll all just have to deal with it, lol :D )
   -K

Elephants and Gators oh my!!!

Big day Alanna had planned for me and Fjorn today! We caught a bus heading away from the city and started our day way - with Nam Dtok, which literally means waterfall. Its a meat dish you traditionally eat with your hands using sticky rice, cabbage and basil leaves. There this little place around Phet Kasem soi 100 (were at soi 16) that per Alanna and Terry does it best. Its a bit of a walk from the main road so we took motorcycle taxis - Fjorn and I both have pics as proof! Good fun, though I had to hold onto my hat!
We arrive at the eating place -Alanna says she doesnt call it a restaurant anymore as this gives the wrong impression- and there is a monk having lunch there. Alanna reminds us to be careful not to bump him as they have no physical contact with women and have to go through a cleansing ritual even if just accidentally brushed. To make this easier the monk moved to allow us the bigger table. He was nice and chatty so Alanna proceeded to talk to him (Terry was ordering) and gave him magazines, which he seemed quite happy about. So we proceeded on with our meal, and the monk walks off. The lady brings us an order of Som Tum, spicy papaya salad with nuts- which the monk had ordered, she said. Ok, we like Som Tum, though Alanna said we'd probably still pay for it, but its an extra dollar, so we clean our plates. Then we go to pay, and learn that the monk has paid for our entire meal randomly! So we walk up the street, thank the monk and head on for the day, all agreeing it was incredibly weird, but according to Alanna weird things always happen when she and Fjorn hang out together. We then all grab Gaffe Borong Yens - Thai iced coffee we got in a bag, and head back to the bus.
Next stop Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo! We make it there just in time for the Crocodile show. There were a number of crocs in the pool, all just dozing. They start to move a bit when music comes on -Star Wars music :) The two croc wrestlers/handlers come out then and pull the crocs to the platform by their tails through the water. They then proceed to line them up, put their hand in the crocs mouth, put their Head! in its mouth, jump over them, all the while laughing and joking about it (though admittedly the spoken humor I didnt quite get as it was in Thai). I went in not knowing what to expect, but quite enjoyed it, though I had trouble looking when they would put their head in the the croc's mouth!
Next we saw the elephants, which were all over the park, including two with babies! You could feed them and pet them and there was even an option of riding one for an extra fee, though unfortunately you did this on a seat rather than on the elephant, so Fjorn and I opted not to. But we got a number of good pics with the elephants!
Next was the elephant show, narrated in British English. It told the history of Elephants in Thailand as they did tricks, played soccer and danced. And it ended with a bang-literally! In talking about how elephants were trained for warfare they had a battle with cannons and actually burned down this little hut! The people looked like they were having immenses fun with this. All in all I very much enjoyed the shows, and it was well worth the trip :) We then caught the bus home and rested up before meeting - which was good, Im slowly starting to catch more words, my new word for the night was poofung, which was said often. Literally it breaks down to people listening, but together means audience :) It was in my comment in the book study.

Eating Like a Local...and confusing the Aussies

So lately Ive been quite pleased with myself; Ive managed to go several new places all on my own (during daylight hours in perfectly safe parts of town :) ), admittedly theyre not exactly remote, hard to get to spots but I used my bus map and figured out which bus to take and when to get on and off -though choosing when to get off is typically oh there went my stop! but bus stops are pretty close together, so I just get off at the next one and walk back, considering it a bit of unplanned exploration. Fortunately Im fond of walking! Unfortunately I had an audience at one point for my method of choosing when to get off so Im fairly certain that one young Thai brother will forever think me the dingy foreign girl - on the bus back from service he asked if I could go home, then switched to Thai and I knew the story was being told...ugh! Oh well, with the questioning ability of a 3 year old in Thai I should be used to looking a bit foolish anyhow-its good for my humility and Id never fault the brothers and sisters who have gone above and beyond to help me out here.
So anyway, Sunday I went (on my own!) to the Sunday meeting at the ITF tower on Silom road, a major road in Bangkok they taught it on Pimsleur. I took a bus and the BTS there then returned just by bus (which is the cheapest way to go). I knew in this instance where to get off exactly, and youre supposed to ring the bell to let the driver know to drop you at the next stop (they dont stop if no one is getting off and no one is signally they want to get on), but I just feel so pushy ringing the bell, so I figured Id just wait til he stopped- and watched my street go by, then the little market thats open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and we were going over the river - so I rang the bell. It was a small walk home but totally worth it as I found the most delectable donuts inthe world!!! And justified buying and eating them by what a distance it was to get home (though really not that far to walk, especially by Bangkok standards). Unfortunately - or perhaps fortunately for my waistline!- I couldnt find it yesterday when we were in the area doing return visits :( I had wanted to share my new found delight with Alanna and her friend just arrived from Taiwan, Fjorn (we bonded over both having unusual boy names as girls). Its funny, Fjorn is here for 10 days -serendipitously leaving on the same day as me! - and she has a list of foods to try long enough to take a month! Yesterday it seemed all foods mentioned were sweet and fried so I teased we were trying to fatten her up. Ohh and on thatnote, we had roti for the first time last night-its a treat from Bangladesh thats reminiscent of a sopapilla filled with banana (and fried then drizzled with condensed milk). Sooooo yummy!
And speaking of food, that takes me to the trip I took (by myself) to Wangwian Yai, or in English: the roundabout with the big horse statue in the middle :) Alanna and I had passed through there the other day and I had seen these nice, inexpensive hats there - Ive been wanting a hat to keep the sun out of my eyes and off the burnt back of my neck; I have an umbrella, but Im no good at the getting it out and putting it away and juggling it with all my books, plus its mostly broke now; guess I shouldve splurged on the $6 umbrella. However on that day I wasnt yet ready to commit, but having had a bit of a headache the day before from too much sun, I wanted a hat before witnessing on Wednesday. So I pulled out my map to find which buses went there (most do, and I probably couldve crossed the road and taken any Song Tao, but I wanted to go by bus).
So I get there, try on all the hats several times and finally indicate to the salesperson Id like to buy this hat; and it was the last one and they wouldnt let me buy it! Ugh! So I had to go through the whole process all over again. But I found and purchased a hat worthy of an English garden party and Eliza Doolittle :) and it was under $2. Sweet! By now I was starving, but had only ever eaten cinnamon donuts holes at Wangwian Yai -not exactly the best dinner in the world- so I walked along to see what I could find. I came across this noodle place a little ways off the roundabout. It look busy and smelled delightful, I just had to figure out what they were serving exactly...So I stood there for 5 minutes trying to read the sign. I fortunately saw no blood in sight (which you do have to be careful of in Thailand), and although Im getting better at reading Thai script, their sign was in a fancy font and I couldnt make out what the letters were let alone sound it out! Oh well, I was starving and it looked good so finally I just approached, pointed to the sign, asked for one and pointed to the noodles Id like-and it was the BEST noodle soup in the world!!!!!! And mind you, that statement shouldnt be taken lightly as Ive now had quite a variety of noodle soups both here and in Malaysia. Oh but it was phenomenal! it had his clear broth that was packed with flavors of lime, garlic, green onion and cilantro, the rice noodles were slippery, but not slimy, and just a bit chewy, the meatballs were sausage, and the bean sprouts added this bit of crunch and really absorbed the flavor of the broth with a tang-plus made you feel you were being healthy for eating your vegetables! Oh it was fantastic; I took a picture of both the dish and the food stall + sign so I could ask Alanna and Terry what exactly Id eaten... Ill definitely be trying to recreate this once I get home :)
I also recently tried another new dish at the food place at the corner of our soi, called Cow Moo Dang -and no Im not making this up. It translates into Rice Pork Red, and is also an absolute delight - I had it two nights in a row, contemplated a third (but hadnt yet tried their wonton soup so got that instead) and even as I write this Im thinking, yum, I could go for some Cow Moo Dang. Its kind of like this pork meat sampler over rice with a hardboiled egg in this sweet and sour red sauce, garnished with green onions and cilantro. And here a note: as I was saying that my favorite bites were those with cilantro in it I learned that they dont call it cilantro in Australia, but it must not feature too strongly in their cuisine as neither Alanna nor Terry knew what to call it. I said its often in Mexican food, but then again Mexican food is also not as prevalent in Australia. I also got this horrified look from Fjorn when I mentioned the Kingdom Hall in Kuala Lumpur being on the 2nd story of a strip mall - and had to explain its not a mall where people strip, but a strip of stores, versus an enclosed building. Oh and on the subject of crosscultural English communication, I had to ask how they referred to chocolate chip cookies (Alanna's bus map had a corner missing that looked like someone had taken a bite out of it, which reminded me of our ancient chocolate chip cookie recipe card), to which Alanna said shed call them chocolate chip biscuits, but Terry would call them cookies. Which of course led me to ask, then what do you call biscuits; muffins. But muffins are sweet. Yes but they also call the biscuit on the McDonalds sandwich a muffin. Thats an English muffin, which led me to trying to explain the difference between an English muffin and a biscuit. Well, you know, a biscuit is more lumpy and light and crumbly and oh yum you need it for biscuits and gravy. To which I got this Look. I think it sounded icky to them, so then I was trying to explain that it isnt a gravy like on mashed potatoes, but a sausage gravy. This led to me explaining how you make it and how it can be hard, in my opinion, to find good biscuits and gravy, because a lot of times the gravy is a bit bland because its more milk than sausage because of course milk is cheaper than sausage.
It was a very amusing conversation, especially since Alanna and Terry are going to New York in May -their first trip to America- and have been making a list of foods to try while there. Id already completely shocked Alanna and Fjorn by saying I eat sweet potatoes with butter and cinnamon and sugar, then describing a dish commonly appearing at potlucks- yams with a butter cinnamon sauce and nuts topped with marshmallows! Apparently sweet potatoes are savory in Australia. However, as she adds these foods to the list with New York style pizza by the slice and hot dogs from a cart, were not sure if theyll be able to try them! Alanna was asking, now how far is Ohio from New York again? See the friend she is staying with is from Jamaica, so I have no clue if the things Im describing are part of her diet, and its not exactly like I know where to find good biscuits and gravy and marshmallow yams in New York! So Alannas thinking to try these things she may need to stay with an America American (her term :) ) at some point, not just a Jamaican American. Im guessing though that someone in the hall will likely be able to help them out though since neither dish is exactly an Ohio specialty. I had to give the bad news that flights from New York to Ohio arent typically cheap- and oddly enough you could find deals to Florida often for cheaper, though physically farther away.
Speaking of Florida, I worked with a Filipino sister named Gloria Monday who had lived in Miama for 9 years. It was interesting in learning how she came in the Truth, because while in Florida, where there are many Witnesses, she never encountered them, but she then came to Thailand, where there are comparatively few Witnesses, and learned the truth. Its funny how these things work. Shes a lovely sister, and I very much enjoyed my morning with her. I was using a new presentation Alanna had written for me - in Thai script! That one caught me a bit off guard, though I could mostly read it. It definitely gives added incentive to memorizing the presentation versus reading it as it would take 10 minutes to sound it out! (remembering it and stumbling over the words only takes about 5). Ive had good success with it thus far. It helps because right at the beginning I mention Im from the US and learning Thai, which I think has received a very kind and patient response from the ones Ive spoken with. It probably doesnt hurt that, per Gloria, people are more interested in knowing what is this foreigner doing here trying to talk to me? It also always amuses me when I carefully give my presentation in Thai, hand them the literature and they say Thank You in English :) Its like wow your Thai is so incomprehensible Im willing to pull out my English :) It was good, though, last Saturday I worked with sister Misato, a Japanese sister who also speaks a good bit of English and she helped me with my tones. Though we doubtless must have been funny to passerbys-Nock Seuk Sa? No Seuk Saa. Seuk Saa? Yes Nock Seuk Saa. Ah Sah Sa Muck. Ah Siah? (Student, formal way of saying study, study? Student. Volunteer. Volunteer?) Which reminds me- sweet sister Wan whom I went out with Monday afternoon has been working on her English! Wednesday she had a letter learning book out in field service :) She is just so cute! And here may I say Ive never been so happy to be short in my life as when Im here in Thailand. Im a good half foot taller than sister Wan! Me! Joanne (from California and also petite) made the amusing comment that back home shes like the super midget where as here in Thailand shes normal, fits right in. Even wearing my wedges at the Kingdom Hall here I feel a bit like a giant, as suddenly Im about the same height as all the Japanese brothers.
Which reminds me (in this increasingly rambly post) Sunday at the English meeting I just happened to sit in front of a couple visiting Thailand from the US. I sat down and was listening to the southern accent when they asked are there any other Americans here? And I turned around and said hi! Im from Ohio :) Though then I got to giggling to myself when theyd said they were from Texas, having recently had a conversation with Alanna as to how it seemed to her all Texans were crazy. (She has a Texan Uncle in Australia and we'd recently talked to a crazy Texan man living in our area) But this couple was actually from Louisiana, but had moved to Texas after Katrina, which was then a bit of common ground, and I told them yes we have a family that moved to our sister congregation after Katrina. Unfortunately they were quite excited about this and I had to burst their bubble by explaining I meant in Ohio-not Bangkok.
Okay, this post has been quite rambly enough so Ill end with a pic, and as Dr. Seuss would say: Do you like my hat? Do you like my hat? Oh yes, just you wait 'enry 'iggins, just you wait! (Ok had to add in a bit of My Fair Lady too!)

Hot Hot HOT!!!

Summer is here in Thailand (May, June to September, our summer is monsoon season), and man is it HOT! I was worried Id simply become a big wimp while in Malaysia with my airconditioned room but no even the locals have been declaring raawn maak! (very hot). I went out this afternoon with a Thai sister who stated she didnt like the hot-or dogs, but we both agreed that bananas were yummy. They have more varieties of bananas here, and I must admit I prefer them to those in the US. Theyre these cute little bananas and Saturday I bought a whole bunch for about 50 cents! The Thai sister, Wan (meaning sweet, and what a fitting name for this darling sister) was shocked to learn that in the US Id pay 60 baht for a bunch ($2)! So later she treated me to grilled bananas -only 20 baht, she told me :)
It was an interesting, but lovely afternoon with the Thai sister - curious because she speaks little English, and of course my Thai is severly limited (but hey I know the words for prayer, prophecy, volunteer, Bible Student, truth and just this morning I learned Creator. Im a total hit at parties :) ). But we got along just fine even if our conversation stayed very simple, and she had several very nice calls, one of which spoke quite a bit of english and was studying to be a doctor. (She looked young and I was curious as to her age, but though the Thai people dont consider it at all rude to ask age-or really anything youd like to know- Im still hesitant to pry).
Speaking of age, its been quite entertaining to hear what age people over here believe me to be - Ive gotten everything now from 16!!! to the more reasonable 26. And forgive me if Ive mentioned this before, but the compliment I received in Manila just amused me to no end - I was told I look young for a caucasian. First time Id ever been told that! Speaking of perspective, Ive learned since coming over here that most white people are, by Thai standards, fat, old looking, and have big noses! Ha! Dont feel bad for me here, because I personally find it hilarious. Additionally Ive been told to Thai people there is no distinction between Australian, American and European, were all the same, all farang, but according to Raywot considered to be more polite than Thai people. This was a relief because what I WAS worried about was being seen as the rude/obnoxious American (especially after having just met and spoken with one, yech he was such an arrogant know-it-all!!!).  I suppose this lack of distinction makes more sense of an earlier conversation I had with a couple of Thai sisters (with Alanna's help in this instance). They had been asking where I was from, to which I replied the USA, but this didnt suffice, they wanted to know my geneology apparently, to which I answered I was a little Native American, Part Italian and Part German. The answer was no to the first two (especially having Lidia around, a dark Italian girl whom looked nothing like me), but then suddenly a yes to German. Apparently I dont look American (What exactly American looks like I still dont know), but German, yes I was clearly German! I later learned Lidia had stopped saying she was from Australia and said she was from Italy as Australia was unsatisfactory. :) ) So apparently in manners all white persons are the same and where you come from is not in fact determined by where you were born, but what you look like. Its a funny world.
Also just one lasr cultural side note to all the Americans looking forward to suntanning this summer - here all the lotions have whiteners in them and pale is the fashion. Oh the irony.

Uploaded Pics

Sorry its taken so long, but Alanna kindly lent me her laptop so I can upload pics from my camera. I put them under the pics section of my google site. Also, here is the link for my Kuala Lumpur photo album - I have more to add, but it just takes a while to load, so it'll take a day or so to get them all up. hopefully this works okay!
https://sites.google.com/site/amarchinthailand/
http://webmail.roadrunner.com/do/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2F115038126585849576508%2FKualaLumpur%3Fauthuser%3D0%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCKPxnZL4poeE5AE%26feat%3Ddirectlink

Back In Bangkok

Spent the day in transit to and then from the airport. Looking forward to not seeing another plane for a while. Happy to be back at my little apartment.

Saturday in Kuala Lumpur

So did a bit of the touristy thing today - kind of the first time for that since arriving in Asia really.
Took the monorail (LOVE the monorail and LRT system btw) to Bukit Nanas and walked to the Petronas Towers then along that road to the Menara KL Tower.
Totally recommend the Malaysian Tourist Center (matic) that you pass along the way. Bathrooms were incredibly nice - I actually had to stop and take a pic! And while I was doing so an employee walked in... doubtless thought I was either nuts or up to something. Oh Well. Later waited for the rain to stop in their little art gallery. Lovely work and even some little canvases for a fair price I was seriously contemplating. Only problem? No one around to give your money to! I did go on a Saturday and the center seemed only half open, so perhaps I picked the wrong day because it looked like sometimes the artist might paint there! Im thinking of stopping back either Monday or Tuesday before I leave to see it again. I love art galleries and this one was right up my alley - just the right mix of reality and abstract originality. (And it didnt hurt that while I waited out the rain on the hot, humid day, it had ac and pretty much no other people.)
After that I walked onto Menara Tower, which I would again recommend. The walk up is a bit long and tough, but there is an option of a free shuttle (I just like to walk and needed to justify the Sundae I had just eaten :) ) I got some lovely pics also on the way up. I just love in KL how the jungle and modern city can be taken in one shot - which reminds me, real quick, KL has very nice wide sidewalks - a big step up from Bangkok, which Alanna referred to as sidescrambles :) - but in walking I came across this enormous old tree that took up most of the walk. Sorry, but in the US it would probably have been chopped down and removed. Here though I love the effort they go to to preserve these beautiful old trees.
Anyway, back to the tower. I didnt actually end up going to the top (it cost $ and Im cheap) but they did have lovely little souvenir shops that I felt were very reasonably priced and even a water cost only 1 ringett (about $0.33), much needed after the trek! But the best part was the cultural village. They had native music that greeted you and set the atmosphere as you came to the entrance, then you walked down a little enclosed walkway and emerged in a village filled with house designs from all over Malaysia and - the best part - a sign telling their origin and about their construction! There was then a little area showing the stages of constructing KL tower, some local instruments and signs giving info about some local attractions.
All in all a wonderful, if exhausting day :)

End of first stay in Bangkok

Wrote this a bit ago, but can just post 2/23/12
So here I am again at the airport. So hard to believe I've already been in Bangkok for 10 days, and gone from home 2 weeks! Time has just been flying by as I've been keeping very busy here, which is also why I'm so behind on writing about what I've been up to.  (Well, that and I'm verbose).
Okay so I'm going to work backward rather than pick up where I left off.
Yesterday I had my very first Thai Massage. It was an hour and a half long for an exorbitant cost of 180 baht ($6). They started with a lovely foot and leg massage that was greatly appreciated by my poor abused feet, then they worked on your back. I admit it wasnt exactly what I had expected; I'm guessing I'm more familiar with Swedish massage which is more rubbing, whereas Thai massage seems to involve more pressing. I was glad I'd had a chance to pamper before the 3 hours on my feet, or in cramped quarters while carrying my backpack on the way to the airport then standing in line. Ugh! So Sick of lines!!!
Before that I had gone to this huge, beautiful mall with Joann, where she had a return visit she needed to make. This mall is really something. In the middle of the food court they have a waterfall! They also have numerous other water features, some with fish, and these charming little bridges over them. In one spot they had large trees with twinkling blue lights and BIRDS! A few were in a large cage, but most of the Macaws were just out, sleeping on their tree. This mall was really something else! Apparently they have a whole waterpark on the roof that Alanna says we'll have to go to one day - it's free to those with an M Card (seems to be some kind of expat coupon card). The food court was something too. They had the normal restaurant stalls, but they also had what was like a street market inside. It was fun to walk through it with someone who had been here in Thailand a while as Joann could identify most of the things I hadnt a clue about-and could ask when she didnt know. I sampled the local icecream, the one had jackfruit in it, another was coconut and the third, believe it or not, had corn and red beans and jackfruit - they use beans in a number of their desserts here. I hadn't exactly planned on sampling the last, but when the lady handed me the spoon it seemed rude not to. Surprisingly enough it was my favorite of the three!
It was also just so spectacular going around with Joann because she is so good about witnessing to pretty much anybody that seems nice. She also taught me a few lines in Thai to improve my witnessing, and to be extra polite and respectful.
We did this as the end to our morning of witnessing, having met at the hall at 9 since we have CO this week - Man was my side trip to Kuala Lumpur poorly timed! But at least I was able to get one meeting and one day out in field service with them. And what a lovely morning it was, though I'll admit Im very seriously considering going by Lou since Kendal seems to be very hard for Thai speakers (most ask like Candle?) -the CO and all who met out repeated it about 10 times trying to help the CO get it.  Though then Terry was teasing that he'd introduce me as Lulu after I had stated I'm not a Lulu! Said I'd then just have to learn Thai in order to correct him.
But in the morning I worked out with a lovely Japanese sister named Chiaka. She knows a bit of English and I know a bit of Thai so we were able to generally know what the other was talking about - though we occasionally had to seek assistance from Alanna, Terry or Iku :) The plus was a picked up a few more Thai words and even a couple Japanese. The people we spoke with all seemed very nice to me (though admittedly I understand only a little Thai so I'm mostly going on faces and body language). Chiaka got at least one lady she's planning on calling back on who had an interest in learning what happens when we die. And I also got a lady who said I could call back anytime, but especially to try on Saturday or Sunday because she feels her son might be interested in learning more (she accepted a tract, invitation and mags, but says she herself is very busy; hm, now where have I hears that before...). We worked very close to the Kingdom Hall, so we actually walked the whole time, which I enjoy even though yesterday was quite hot.( Last night after the massage I finally bought an umbrella to block the sun when Im out, since it really does help. It has these two cute little bears on it and I was worried it might be inappropriate for field service, but Alanna said that at one point one of the brothers had an umbrella with Elmo and Cookie Monster on it!) I very much enjoy field service here. I feel like I can really help, the people are typically so sweet though I know I must be so hard to understand, and all the friends are just so encouraging and helpful.
Here I have to share a funny little language faux pas I made. I was trying to be good and use my Thai, and so after saying hi to a young Thai brother I asked how he was. Except I forgot to use the question word. So rather than asking how he was I said Im fine, to which he said (and Alanna translated) I didnt ask. Realizing my mistake I felt like such a duh, and apparently turned a bright shade of red, which Ray Watt, the brother, thought was hilarious (because apparently Thai people dont blush, or at least turn red), but also felt bad (I must have been Very red) so was apologizing and telling me to try again, whereupon I asked in English, which he answered perfectly, rotten boy :p It was fine though. I'll certainly be remembering to use Mai (the question word) from now on!
Let's see now, Tuesday night was meeting, which I had prepared for with Alanna and Terry on Monday night. They had even helped me to get together a comment in Thai for the Service Meeting part where we discussed the scriptures in Psalms and Mark. I'd been practicing it, but then there was some confusion as to when to raise my hand (they only read the first few verses, but then commented on all of it) so missed my opportunity to use my carefully prepared comment :( So Alanna, feeling bad, gave me her comment written out phonetically (though in Aussie), which I gave, but was so flustered by this point that I believe the only word understood by the conductor was Atitarn: Prayer.There is nothing like trying to learn a new language and comment in it to make you feel like a two year old babbling incomprehensively :) Still the brothers are again so very kind and encouraging.  It was funny because I had also commented last week, Alanna having found and written out a comment for me, and I had been surprised at the length, later remarking to Terry I'd been hoping for me of a Ya Ho Wah type comment, but he said for those questions theres always a sea of hands :) (I would say most of the congregation are foreign, the majority of which are Japanese.)
Before the meeting I stretched my painting skills (or lack thereof lol) along with Alanna, Terry and Beam (A Thai brother; Yes a nickname) who have been working to repaint a sister's house damaged by the flood. Hard work on a hot day, but had a lovely time, and of course Im always delighted to help a Sister, and as her father is not in the truth I dont doubt its a good witness. The painting was a little tricky (esp for a perfectionist like me) because it was like working with glue! But in the time I was able to learn more about Buddhism and local cultures, and over lunch, a real treat, we learned how Beam came into the truth. Its so extraordinary to me because were the same age but he is the only one in his family who is a Witness - and a regular pioneer and ministerial servant at that! - and he is truly always witnessing. He had walked with a group of us back to Thep Tonee late one evening, and we turn around to find Beam witnessing to our security guard! Terry told me he had at one point helped at Bethel and theyd invited him to stay, but he said he'd miss the ministry too much.

Malaysia

Heading out for Kuala Lumpur - Sorry Im totally behind in my blogging, but the place Im staying is supposed to have free wifi so Ill try to get caught up while Im there!

First Week in Bangkok

After a busy weekend I needed to take a day off to sleep in a bit and catch up on my blogging as Im woefully behind - so sorry for the famine then sudden flood of information.
So I arrived on Monday, met Lidia, Alanna and Terry, got settled in, had my first bit of genuine Thai food. 25 baht, yum!
Tuesday, walked along Phet Kasem a bit, did a little exploring for myself in the morning, picked up a few things at the 7-11 and realized these "sidewalks" and streets were not what I had expected and I was definitely going to need some more service shoes as one morning of walking seriously tore up my little gold BCBG sandals - thank goodness they were a $1 Bargain Box find! So I met up with Alanna at 10:30 and, as planned, she showed me how to get to the nearest mall riding the bus. This both is and isnt a normal mall as Im accustomed to - for one it has a grocery store in it! We first went shoe shopping and I got a couple pairs of cute shoes for a grand total of under 400 baht (about $12-$13). Next we went to the bank where Alanna was amused to be wished a happy valentines day - we'd both forgotten about it, but it seems to be big both in Thailand and Manila (along with many other western holidays). Then we headed onto the food court, which was definitely a new experience. Instead of paying with baht at the individual vendors, you trade in your baht for food coupons then buy your food with the coupons, and return any coupons you have left for baht. My only guess is that it is more sanitary for the vendors to handle coupons than baht? Or maybe they figure youll be inclined to spend all the baht you exchange? Dunno but apparently its the custom of food courts across Thailand. After that bought a prepaid phone for while Im here to keep in contact with the friends, and Alanna is needing a new phone also, so Ill most likely pass it along to her when I leave, or if she already has a new one I figure it can be given to the next foreigner passing through. It ended up being around 700 baht I believe, so about $25 or so for the phone and sim card, I figure its definitely a worthwhile investment! After that we briefly stopped at the grocery store, but I was admittedly dead on my feet at this point so I just picked up the bare minimum of my needs then we headed home and I  "had a lie down", as Alanna put it, before the English Meeting that night.
The English Meeting is quite interesting, it meets on the 14th floor of the ITF tower, and is just a little hall. I had left early to allow time for getting lost, Alanna had gotten me to the BTS, and drawn me a map with specific instructions as to where to get off the BTS at then which exit to take, but she was worried bacause apparently on Lidias first visit to the English Hall she ended up walking the wrong way! I managed it first try and ended up getting there a full 40 minutes early! Guess there is a first time for everything :)
What amazed me so much about the English Congregation had to be the number of nationalities represented. They were from Holland, Sweden, Japan, Lebanon, France, Phillipines, India, Canada, South Africa and who knows where else! It made for interesting comments and especially singing as you could hear the different accents. According to one older sister from Holland who spends about half her year here because she so loves the congregation, the number of publishers fluctuate a lot thoughout the year. I think my favorite speaker of the night had to be the brother from Lebanon who was so expressive and lively in his delivery.
After the meeting I met Natalie, a sister from France who is actually part of a Thai congregation, but accompanies her Bible Study to the English Meetings, and Chali, a Thai sister who speaks very good English and has relatives in the States. Natalie was very excited because we had a whole group of people visiting from France. Upon learning Id come to Thailand alone they promptly invited me out to dinner with them. The plan was to go to Sizzler, but unfortunately they were closed when we got there. So instead we had Thai food. I got stir fired ginger and wood mushrooms, topped with chicken served over rice. Yummy yummy yummy! About 40 baht with a bottle of water (you dont drink the water here, but its okay to like rinse your toothbrush in it). It was a fun night all in all, as the French brothers and sisters tried to use their english and I used my minimal French. And you would not believe how many servings the skinny French people ate! One sister joked it was because they had no food in France. Then they left and all hugged and did the kiss on both cheeks thing. It was super sweet. I then rode the BTS home partway with them, but they were staying in the city while Im farther out, though we were all rushing to get in before the BTS closed at midnight.
Next morning was my first time in Thai field service. Its definitely an experience, though Manila had helped to prepare me for it a bit. We work preaching door to door until noon then in the afternoon they do their Bible Studies, calls and letter writing. I worked with Alanna and it was a lot of fun, she'd even written me a little presentation so I could have a part. The people smiled and were very patient with me. We left something in every door (or rather gate) as there is no doing of not at homes here since the territory is so large and much hasnt been worked in many many years. Truly here the work is great but the workers are few, I learned just how true this was later when Terry showed me the congregations territory on the wall of the Kingdom Hall. This also makes it important to leave a meeting invite so the interested ones can find us, and Alanna and Terry also try to leave letters in the not at homes in hopes this will reach people and move them to read whatever literature was left. Which is why much time must be spent letter writing. I am trying to learn to do the letter writing but admittedly Im ridiculously slow at it as the letters are new to me and hence I write at the pace of a first grader. Truly learning a new language and visiting a new field is a humbling experience, but with there being such a need I truly feel like I am helping, and there is much interst to be found - in fact Im finding more than Ive ever experienced before the mentality here is that anytime is angood time to preach, especially informally. Specifically the other foreign brothers and sisters view any foreigner they see anywhere as their personal territory, especially since those that live there stay in condominiums that are unreachable to us. Im striving to adopt a similar attitude and hope I can bring it back to the states with me.

View from My Apartment

Im on the 7th floor so I absolutely love the view, especially from my bed at night, though sorry the picture isnt the best.

My new Apartment at Thep Tonee

View from Plane over China

I actually took a number of pictures of these mountains. Its funny because I had thought that Beijing would make a good picture in the daytime, but honestly it was a little ramshackle looking, mostly little houses with the occasional collection of tall building that looked a little like monopoly pieces from the sky view - but oh the mountains were fantastic. Though I know that theyre rock from the plane it looked to me like a little kid had been playing in the sand box, and they looked they could be toppled and rearranged with a swipe of the hand. It made me think that this is surely how Jehovah must see things, that which from land seems steadfast and everlasting from his view is as easily toppled as a sand castle.

Bangkok At Last!

Arrived in Bangkok, or Krung Thep, as the locals call it at around 4 in the afternoon. Immigration line was a PAIN, not difficult to get through as Im now a pro at filling out the arrival and departure forms, but oh the lines! And I swear I have such a knack for picking the slowest line.
Funny story, the sister Joann Ive been emailing with wasnt able to make it so had sent a couple other sisters in her stead, but of course they had no idea what I look like, not age not ethnicity, nothing, just a woman travelling along. And apparently my plane had gotten in early so they were really worried theyd miss me. Apparently Alanna spent a bit of time stalking another woman, wondering if it was me. But I found them easy enough, holding up mags.
From here Ive been given massive amounts of info, being thrown into a whole new world. We took the BTS skytrain home (I must admit I love riding on trains), over the river to the "suburbs" of Bangkok where the rent is much cheaper.  We got off at Wongwian Yai and took a Song Tao (the Bangkok version of a Jeepney, no real US equivalent) to Soi 5 (Sois are streets and numbered, which makes finding your way easier). There I checked into Season Place,though unfortunately learned that to get the monthly rate Id been expecting you have to rent 6 months. Ugh. Guess Ill bemoving then. Tossed my bags down then headed back out with Lidia and Alanna (the two Australian sisters whod met me at the airport) fromthere we walked up the road (and I learned about crossing the crazy busy Bangkok streets) then and crossed PhetKassem (major road that goes from Bangkok all the way to Phuket) on these lovely pedestrian bridges over to Soi 16, the center of the witness world. Many witnesses stay at the apartment buildings along the road, theres a service meet out (a bench in the middle of the street) and of course the Kingdom Hall itself. From there I straight away saw two options of Apartments to rent and though Lidia had to head off I met Alanna's husband Terry. He's also Australian and asked if I could understand him okay or if he needed to put on his American lol. Sounds like he is talking about a coat or something :) From there I had my first bit of Thai food Grapow Moo, which is minced pork with fresh Basil and chiles. Yum. After that headed back to Season Place to sleep.

Tagalog in Manila

So originally the plan was to go to the English congregation, however they had their zone meeting on Sunday and no more tickets so Sunday I took a taxi to Manila Bethel for the Tagalog meeting. What an adventure! The driver was confused and so took me to the wrong Roosevelt ave! Fortunately Id left early enough that we got there before 9:30 when the meeting started. So I paid the cabbie and ran on in, asking where the meeting is at the front desk. And I get a look. The meeting starts at 8:30 apparently. Ugh! Having such issues getting to the meeting on time in Manila. I ran on in and the meeting is packed (I found out later that they regularly have 200+ in attendance!)  A brother sees me and takes me to a seat in the middle of the row, and even gives me his own magazine in Tagalog! So I sit and listen, catching a word here and there, feeling quite conspicuous as the only blond in the room. For the song a young sister (a Bible Study I later learned) in front of me lent me her songbook since I hadnt brought mine since, of course, its in English. So I sang along, very quietly, in Tagalog.

After the meeting I was verily swamped by all the lovely brothers and sisters, introducing themselves, asking where I'm from, US, is that near California? Not really. I grew quite adept at showing with gestures where exactly Ohio was in relation to California, though theres no guarantee how well it was understood. Though they learn english in school, my American accent is hard to understand. Still, these lovely Philipino brothers and sisters are just the sweetest, most hospitable people, and I ended up spending the whole day until 9 that night with ones from the congregation, having not one but two delicious home cooked meals. Ive said ever since I now have family in the Phillipines. :)

The next day I woke early and researched how to get to the Manila Clark airport,which is around 1 1/2 north of the city. From my hotel I took a taxi to the bus stop, then bought a ticket to Dau terminal, then took the airport shuttle, an airconditioned Jeepney (and here I would suggest googling Jeepney because they are a fun way of getting around the Philipines, and colorfully decorated). The end cost was under $10. The line to check in was long and took forever, but made it through without incident. Apparently I wasnt suspicious looking enough to require further inquiry. :p Mostly slept on the plane, since I was quite worn out from the late night then early morning (ah jet lag).

At the Mall in Bangkok with Alanna

Beijing Airport - Its so SHINY!

Manila

Arrived in Manila at about 6:10. Customs was a breeze - the most questions I got was from a man who had gone to school for accounting and noticed I was employed in accounting. Grabbed a taxi and headed straight for the Kingdom Hall from there. Google said 30 minutes because of Friday night traffic it actually took 2 HOURS! Needless to say I was late for the meeting. In fact made it in time just to sing the final song. Was also surprised to see the English congregation actually meets at the Branch! Still I was so happy Id gone and connected with the local congregation - I was able to learn when they met for field service the next day and met a number of lovely friends who let me know they had their zone meeting on Sunday so it was doubly good Id come on Friday because otherwise Id have been the only person there for the English Sunday meeting. They were so immensely helpful, they let me know the Tagalog would meet there on Sunday, saw to it I had a group to meet with Saturday and even drove me to my hotel and picked me up this morning! Cannot say enough about how fantastic the Manila English congregation is!
On the way to the hotel we stopped for dinner, an unusual fair to be sure - Burger King chicken tenders :)
This morning did field service, it wasnt too bad heat wise, though I was glad when Jem shared the shade from her umbrella with me as the sun is incredibly bright. We tried at first to go to a Subdivision, but were unfortunately not allowed to enter. So from there we asked ones if there were any foreigners in the area. A fun morning andwe found a few - Jem said it was nice to have a foreigner with her as people were so helpful then.
We tried a return visit then but had to do a bit of walking as areas were closed for a movie shoot - Bourne Legacy apparently. The film crew was then American and we hence got the very typical American response.
A wordon the driving: CRAZY. Doug, a brother originally from Virginia, but who had lived in New York for 25 years said he took a year just to figure out the mentality behind it. Pretty much any road can be made into three or four lane if they wish and there were no stop signs and few lights - which according to Ephraim were also sometimes viewed as optional.
All in all having a good time though my body isnt sure when to be hungry or tired just yet :) but my hotel is nice and Ive had just a wonderful time out with the friends - though now at 3 in the afternoon Im heading to my room for a nap :)

Beijing

Arrived in Beijing around midnight local time. Its a lovely airport all new and shiny and even had free internet! As did Columbus, by the way, but in Chicago you had to pay - have to add that CMH also gets bonus points for all the convenient outlets.
So in Beijing I had a long layover of about 12 hours before I headed on to Manila. Its quite an interesting place at night - very quiet with people sleeping on most of the seats. I admit it got a little bit old waiting on them to open my airlines ticketing area so I could get my boarding pass, then I waited in line for over an hour! Once I had my pass it was fairly painless though I cant tell you how many times my bag was scanned - though i definitely made the right choice as to what to bring as I  never had to check anything
Food. I had hoped to get dumplings while in Beijing, but no place that was open had them so finally I just had a cheese croissant and cafe latte. Wouldnt recommend it and thats all I have to say on that subject.
Got on my plane without incident (though the one security guy wasnt entirely sure I was the girl in my passport pic :) told him yeah that was a while ago) and here Ill say one thing further Phillipine Airlines has way better food than American, though they did give us an abundance at least.

Packed and Ready to Go!

I've packed and repacked and now have my stuff down to a backpack and a shoulder bag. Despite dealing with all the realities of going still hard to believe I'll be on the other side of the world soon.