Pictures of the Day

Please be kind...

and offer your seat to those wearing orange, to children holding hands,
to a woman who has eaten way too much pad thai,
and to a man with the world's skinniest cane.

"The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist." ~Russell Baker

Well, on a lighter note....since I can't be in the south doing good samaritan work....guess I can be a tourist again!!! In one day, Sunday, I rode a train, long-tail boat, tuk tuk, 2 motorcycles, taxi and the subway. I was pretty impressed with my adventure. I walked across the bridge over the river Kwai and learned about its tragic history. I found out I can eat just about anything as long as I didn't see where it came from ( i.e. swimming in a bucket of strange juices on the sidewalk next to the preparer's dirty bare feet) I further solidified that my sense of direction is impeccable. And continued to demonstrate that my comprehension for(of) this language will never be. Oh, and the King of Thailand has a glass eye!

Same, Same, but different. Very different.

I have been in Thailand for some time now and I just now fully able to understand the complex ramifications surrounding the phrase "Thai-time." A phrase that has been uttered all too often on this trip thus far. It has paralyzed my hopes for this trip and it is something that I have had to come to terms with. Thai-time is the total opposite of the idiom, "in a New York minute." I am comfortable with "a New York minute" and I can function under its implied constraints. Here, in Thailand, the expression of time is much more loose. Appointment times are more like approximations, no one is ever on time and "later" can mean NEVER.

My uncle, our driver, Yott, and myself were supposed to leave the day after Christmas for the south. However, our trip was postponed everyday leading up to departure and the time we wanted to spend there truncated from five days to one. We then received news that our scheduled driver was M.I.A. and that there was no one else that could drive us the 11 hours south. My knee-jerk reaction to this news was to just take control, get on an overnight bus and make it happen. But I am having to learn (maybe this is the whole reason for this trip) to step back and let some things go. It's hard. I have such a short amount of time here and my hopes for this trip were/are bigger than the backpack I brought with me. It's hard right now to not be cynical. And it was really hard to fight back the tears.

I have continued to work on the web site and presentations for GSM. But I have also hit some roadblocks in this domain. There seems to be a deep cultural trait in Thailand of playing one's cards close to the chest. And the word "transparency," which is a must in US business these days, is not so popular here. I am having a hard time getting all the facts and information needed to populate both the web and presentation. Which is another reason the cancellation of our trip to the south is such a heartbreak. If we had gone, we could have seen one of the projects firsthand. So, I continue to design in a vacuum and hope that the information requested will materialize and the rest of the planned trip will come to fruition.

“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” ~ W. T. Ellis

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

~ Dr. Seuss

Without snow, without garland, without a single Christmas treat, I can still feel the Christmas spirit from my head to my feet. A special thank you to all who sent the warmest of wishes, may your holiday be filled with cheer and lots of holiday kisses.

Pictures of the Day

No time like the present.

Today, I have started the first phase of my volunteer work here in Thailand. I am helping brainstorm, design and build a website for the GSM, Good Samaritan Ministries, in Thailand. This website will help generate more visibility for the projects Ame and her team already had or have going, like the HIV Orphanage and the Tsunami Relief. As well as, bring awareness to future projects, like the tapioca farm that has gained approval from the King and a very generous donation from a wealthy Indonesian man. I am also going to create/design two presentations that will be used to further communicate the mission, vision, and opportunities of GSM Thailand. No pressure....

Bargaining is expected, if not mandatory....

Today, I ventured out by myself to the Chatuchak Market (Weekend Market) which is one of the largest and most famous markets in the world. It covers over 35 acres and contains upwards of 15,000 stalls. Often described as organized chaos. Bargain-hunting gives me an adrenaline rush!!! So, I knew I was getting ready for a head-spinning, earth-moving experience. Conquering this massive market is no easy feat though. The reward for taking a lot of patience, together with a bottle of water and a good sense of direction is that you can find pretty much anything here. I left early in order to beat the heat and the crowds, but I soon realized I came in dead last.

I tried desperately to get a Tuk Tuk to take me to the market, but my command of the language is non-existent. So, I opted for a cab which safely dropped me off at the mouth of the beast. I couldn't believe my eyes....the sheer volume and variety of merchandise before me was staggering. From chickens and chopsticks to vinyl records and a pair of vinyl pants. You can buy a python, beautiful orchids, garden furniture, jewelry and camo wear. Or maybe beads, fake antiques, real antiques and a singing hamster are more your speed. You want it, they got it! You can get something for everyone on your shopping list. (which I think I did!)

Six hours later and bathroom experience about which I might be able to share when I get back, I arrived back at the hotel. Proud that I was able to bargain my way through the largest market in the world, sans uncle, and walked away with an experience of a lifetime, as well as some nifty souvenirs.

Pictures of the Day

True Thai Tourist Time!!!!!

{Quality time with elephants. They are good luck, you know?!?}

**and just so you know...half the ticket price was donated to the Elephant Nature Foundation.org

“Plenty of people want to be pious, but no one yearns to be humble” ~ François de la Rochefoucauld

Today, I am at a loss for words. I have been extremely humbled by the people I have met in the last two days and the stories they have shared.

We got up early on Friday and headed over to the World Vision offices where my uncle used to work in several different capacities. My uncle wanted to reach out to old friends, but more importantly, he wanted us to get a pulse for their current efforts and needs. We had the distinct honor to meet with Chitra Thumborisuth, the CEO of World Vision Thailand. I was blown away after our visit with Chitra. She shared with us an overview of World Vision Thailand, which currently has over 80 projects serving in 40 different regions throughout Thailand. All with numbers and figures too cumbersome to report here. We were then given a very thorough tour and introduction to the WV staff. Each member of the staff was more than willing to share what he or she was currently working on and spoke with such enthusiasm about the work that I wanted to ask for a job application!!!

http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/sponsor/sponsor-thailand

It was a long day, but the foundation that was formed by these conversations will be vital over the coming weeks.

Now....the weekend...and it's time to be a true Thai tourist. (Say that three times fast!) I have big plans for this weekend, as it might be the only time I get to be a tourist. Stay tuned.

{Total side note}
Just to prove it really is a SMALL WORLD....
Background: I had an opportunity, through CapGemini, to do some pro bono work with World Vision in Australia in September 2008.
So, after we finished our tour of the World Vision offices, I was talking with one of the staff members who heads up their strategy department. He was inquiring about my visit to Bangkok and about my background. So, I mentioned I contract with CapGemini and started to ramble on....I kid you not, he stop me in mid-sentence and said he knew exactly what I was talking about. He had seen the work we did with WV and the video that was produced from the pro bono event down in Australia. He said he saw me scribing in the video!!!! I almost fell over. How awesome?!?

Pictures of the Day

Home is where the heart is...

My thai-extended family.
From left to right: Me, Ame, Chawguaw (the dog), Oang, Mook, Pleun and Sa.

My uncle George and I arrived just after 1AM on the 18th. We were met at the airport by a friend of a friend of a friend, who kindly drove us to our very nice hotel for the night. This hotel came as quite a shock to us as we were prepared for far less "star" accommodations. This hotel had air conditioning and a mini-bar! As I began to drift off to sleep, after having collapsed onto the bed, I was acutely aware of how blessed I am. And I will continue to be thankful for everyday that follows.

This morning, after a very nice Thai breakfast, we were picked up by another friend of a friend and driven to Ame's house. I was welcomed in with the customary "wai", which is a bow with both hands pressed together under the chin, followed with a very kind, sa-wa DEE kah, which means hello.

I want to introduce you to one of the world's finest Good Samaritans, Ame. (pronounced: Em)

Ame has opened her house to us and to anyone seeking help and currently has five young people staying with her. She is passionate about helping young and old battle drug addiction and counsels on average 5-10 people a day in her home. She is the touch point for the orphanage and her connections and influences in Bangkok, and through out Thailand, are palpable. I have been in her presence for less than day now, but I can see how she has touched the lives of those staying in her house, her passion for helping those that are less fortunate and her willingness to share. The effects are contagious. If this first day is any indication of what is to come.....hold on to your knickers folks, this is going to be a life changing experience for me.

“To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping” ~ Chinese Proverbs

Portland to Tokyo = 10 hours in flight (4874 miles)
3 hour lay-over in Narita Airport
Tokyo to Bangkok = 7 hours (2886 miles)
....arrived just after 1am

“Don't forget to pack your courage for your journey to greatness.”

After much procrastination and stressing, I finally finished packing. I managed to fit all my personal belongings needed for the month long journey into this backpack. As well as, art supplies, toothbrushes and t-shirts for the children I hope to meet. The bag weighs in at 42 pounds. And I have to say...I am rather impressed with my minimalist outcome. I have left behind many of my everyday comforts, like a hairdryer, make-up, and perfume. Thus replacing them with a bandanna, SPF 55, and bug spray.

I am off to the airport, sans jacket, gloves and scarf.

“I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.” - Rosalia de Castro

In less than seven days, I will be embarking on a journey that has been a dream of mine since I can remember. I am willingly and without hesitation forgoing the comforts of home, abstaining from my over-indulgent lifestyle, and removing myself from the hustle & bustle I call normal. Instead, I am going to focus my energy and efforts on something outside of myself, outside my own frame of reference, in order to help someone else and by doing so hopefully make a difference. I am very fortunate to have my Uncle George accompanying me on this trip and it is through his diligent work and contacts overseas that this trip is even possible. I'm also thankful to have the full support of my family and friends.
Many have traveled this path before me and I am sure many will follow. But as I prepare for this journey I am constantly reminded of a quote, “How far we travel in life matters far less than those we meet along the way."
Through this blog, I intend to share my personal journey and introduce you to the people I meet along the way.