Flooding in Bangkok

It's bad.  Very bad.  But yes, I am safe on a tropical island just off Chumphon, my school is closed until Nov 9th.  It may be closed for longer.  I'm hopeful.  I don't want to celebrate Loy Kratong in Bangkok.  Although I guess, technically, you wouldn't have to go far from the house to celebrate.  Aheh.  Forgive me, that was a joke in poor taste.

The truth is, Thailand is in a lot of trouble right now, and I worry about how long it will take to recover.  Businesses are gone, people are forced to flee their home.  Food and water is scarce in some areas.  Even this far south, you see evidence of the flooding.  Not in the trees and the beach, but in the 7-11 and the restaurants.  Everything is routed through Bangkok, you see.  And since Bangkok is under water, many things just can't be gotten.  The most alarming is bottled water.  Rain water is not safe to drink, and neither is the water from a faucet.  Even water stations (the kind where you can fill a big jug, it just pulls the water in from a line and purifies it) are turned off in many places.  The news may be good for reporting how many people have died from a strong underwater current in their street, or how a family lost their business and everything they own, but I'm sure they're failing to report the effect that this is having on the whole of Thailand.

I'm safe, but so many people are not.  I'm hurting for money, but I have a family who is able to help me, so many people don't.  If you're the type to pray, toss in a quick line for all the people of Thailand.  I stopped by an alter to Ganesha earlier today.  If you're able, donate some money to help, but everyone will understand if you can't.  No matter where I go on this earth, part of me will always consider this country my home.  These are my people, so let's all band together and take care of them, na.

It's Thailand, all the songs are about broken hearts...

They really are, but that's not actually what I came to blog about.  It's the meaning of the words "I love you" here in Thailand.  The first time somebody told me they loved me, I was mildly alarmed.  I mean, those are big words to throw around.  When somebody looks at you and says they love you, it's kind of a holy shit moment.  Even if you've been dating for awhile (I haven't had a boyfriend since I got here.)

Then you realize that I love you means a lot of things here in Thailand.  It could mean 'let's stay together forever.'  It could mean 'you're kind of cool.'  It could mean 'you're pretty and I'd like you to come home with me.'  It could mean 'this is the only English I know other than hello.'  It could even mean 'I want to be facebook friends.'  No lie.  So, needless to say, when somebody says they love me, I take it with a grain of salt and tell them no.  Just straight up no.  Usually, everyone shrugs and walks away.  Or sometimes big, tough, tattooed muay thai fighters look like they're about to cry and tell you they aren't happy when you are not around.

Oh well, at least I'm leaving him in the country with the right music for this situation. 

Here is my second favorite Thai song.  I can't find any translation videos of my favorite.

Howl at the moon...

Just got back to Chumphon from Koh Phanagan for the Full Moon Party.  It's arguably the largest party in the world, and they celebrate every month at the full moon on Haad Rin beach.

I have never seen such a display of pure, unbridled hedonism.  I honestly saw people having sex in the ocean.  Bucket stalls line the streets.  Blacklights and neon body paint.  There are stages set up on the beach for you to dance.  People jump with flaming jump ropes, there are slides with fire lining the side that start at the top of the bar and end on the beach.  Oh Thailand, what won't you let us crazy farong do?

I was joined at this party by a friend from Koh Tao, which was nice.  Everyone assumed I was his girlfriend so I didn't need to fear for my safety.  Except when the fire dancer threw his stick too far and it landed a few feet away from me in the sand.  Admittedly, that was a little alarming.  Oh, and I guess I did almost fall off a picnic table I was dancing on.

Being a westerner in Asia is a lot like being a child with no adult supervision.  Back in the western world, there are tons of measures and standards set in place for your safety, more than I think any of you even realize.  Those things don't exist here.  You're pretty much responsible for yourself.  For christ's sake, they encourage you play with a flaming jump rope.  I was dancing at a bar on Songkran and the bartender actually brought out chairs for Kat and I to get up on and dance.  It is the land of the free.  There is no tree you can't climb if you feel like it.  No table you can't dance on (though I'm sure they'd find it rude in some cases).  It's not really a shock that we all go a little bit wild when we get here.  Some people injure themselves really badly.  I saw a guy catch his shirt on fire trying to fire dance (luckily he wasn't actually wearing said shirt).  I've had friends end up in the hospital with broken limbs for various reasons.  I try to keep my recklessness moderate.

Now I'm off to try for the fourth time to scrub the green and pink tiger stripes off my leg. 

Party at the 3 In

So, it's not really a secret that I love the rasta bar.  Nor is it a secret that Kat and I are apt to get very drunk and sing Bon Jovi at the top of our lungs, regardless of our audience.  So when a Malaysian guy shows up with a guitar and a party appears, we are there with bells on.  So, here are the pictures from back in Chumphon!

Yup, good times, good times.  Most of the Thai guys I end up hanging out with in this fashion are very impressed that I know all the words to all the Bob Marley songs.  Thanks, Dad!

This is what fun looks like in Bangkok

So, I was speaking to my friend from the seminar, Alli, and she let me know that she was leaving Thailand on Oct 3rd for China.  This will not do, blog followers.  She and I had a roaring good time at the seminar and on Khao San for a couple days after.  So I put off Chumphon for a couple extra days to meet with her on Khao San again.   And the only thing better than two is three, so I called in my best friend from Chumpers, Chris.  And the only thing better than three is a lot, so I called in a friend in Lopburi to rally her troops and bring them in.  And bring them in we did.

It's a bit wet in Thailand right now.  Luckily it usually only pours like that for an hour, then it goes back to being beautiful.

A fire dance on Khao San.  I think the fire dancers on Koh Tao are way better, though.

That's Karyn and Chris.  I missed Chris massively.  He and I hung out together enough that everyone thought we were a couple.

That's Alli.  She's been stationed up really far north in Nan.  From California origionally.

That's Daisy.  She used to work for AYC, but she has since quit.  She told me to jump ship as soon as I can and work directly with a school.  Sage advice, and some that I'm already working on following.

And that ends it.  I've been back in Chumpers for about three days now.  Those photos shall come later.  I'm gonna go get myself a beer and sing as obnoxiously as possible at the rasta bar.  Again.