and so it's Christmas?

Last night, Christina and I flew back from our weekend trip to Chiang Mai. From the beginning it was a Thai-style Christmas. We were running a bit late for our overnight bus and Bangkok traffic was predictably ridiculous, so I was forced to brake my 7 month boycott on motorcycle taxis. There we were, 2 tall falang girls with big bags cuddled up to strange men, bobbing through traffic. After weaving through back parking lots and construction zones, we made it safely to the make-shift bus stop, otherwise known as a back street. To my excitement the bus had a brightly colored Grecian woman painted on its side, tastefully tittled "Airbrush Express."

We traveled in class, our stewardist-man wore a white muscle shirt and had both biceps tattooed. After the violent movie ended(which kept changing between English to Thai to Thai subtitles), the man came around to tuck us in. I was talking to Christina when all of a sudden her chair was being leaned back. I look back to see that all the passengers behind us are reclined all the way, tucked in to their giant towel blankets. The man was there to assist us with the same. Classic.

Our time in the north was relaxing. Chilly compared to Bangkok, a low of maybe 65. We rented bikes one day and rode around the city for 4 hours. We had Christmas Eve dinner with the Shores at a Thai restaurant. Relaxing and rejuvenating.

The last night we weren't having luck explaining where we were going to the song-tow drivers, so a young Thai man helped us out. As we thanked him for his kindness, he responded with; "Amazing Thailand, no, amazing Thai MEN" wished us a Merry Christmas and gave us a ho,ho,ho. I couldn't have said it better, oh the irony.

And they were all yellow.

Yesterday was the King’s 80th birthday, along with Thailand’s Father’s day. Kat Ford, a new friend from Waco who recently moved here for language school, came up for the day’s events. Decked out in yellow we took the khlong boat towards the old city, where he was speaking. For those who do not know, klongs are waterways that act as passageways throughout the city and at times are more reliable/faster than the traffic filled streets. I don't use them very often, but apparently water levels are high now and every time the boat goes under a bridge those who are standing (me) have to duck down so that the collapsible roof can be lowered in order to fit through the passage. Very Thai, very not American.

The sidewalks and streets in the old city were covered in people wearing yellow. Displays of the king were set up along the street and vendors had pictures of baby-king to the most recent “pink jacket” shot for sale. We stopped at a main intersection near the Grand Palace and waited for his caravan of yellow Rolls Royce’s to pass by. I saw the king, along with thousands of Thais waving flags, chanting, “Long live the king” in Thai- quite a memory made. And I have a commemorative polo shirt with his face embroidered on it to prove it.

Today I met with my boss to plan an upcoming English science camp and discuss what my internship projects. Basically I will be doing a lot of research to boost Ayana- our social service organization and making initial contacts with U.S. universities to introduce them to the study abroad opportunities with our field institute. Looks like I will have a nice variety of work for the next few months. Next week I get to lead 75 high school students in an English discussion on Global Warming. Part of our “English” day will include having them prepare dances to songs including Colors of the Wind (from Pocahontas), Celebrations (by Earth, Wind and Fire), Rain (Madonna), Where is the Love (Black Eyed Peas), and a few others I cannot recall at the moment. I must not take credit for this idea- it was all Mike’s, including most of the selected songs. That will be a show to remember.

Bawchicabowow. The one word that sums up Bangkok.