Silly monkey.

So this is what I get for not picking up a case for my Kindle prior to departing the ol' US. Somethings just aren't as easy to find in Thailand.  But it's cool - I dig my shiny red pleather Kindle purse, even if it was made for a Galaxy... don't hate.

Not the best shot but a small taste of my new gym.

Those crazy students - aren't they creative?  I wonder if they used it to get around town during the flood.  I gotta ask next time.

 

Here's a few of my M6 students practicing a little jig because they're cool like that.

Ahh...pongali.  Still my fave.  And no, this isn't ALL that I eat.  It's just I rarely have my camera when ever I order the chimichangas or bavarian pot roast

Not a bad sunset from my back balcony.

Damn that looks good!

An old favorite - Tom Yum Goong  *6 mighty shrimp lurking beneath that flavorful surface.

A new fave - Gai Pad Pongali *chicken and veggies in this...dry curry sauce.  Ridiculously satisfying.

Back in black.

Why's it 'back in black' you ask?  Because.  That's why.  A few days behind me and this is the jist of my Thai experience - round two... food and flood scars.  Let's keep it positive.

Oh man - cheap food with all the quality.  Pad khapao gai - kai dao *Chicken, basil, rice and fried egg.

                            

That's the 'flood line' on the wall just outside my apartment.

You can see that same 'flood line' on anything that stood above the water - walls, telephone polls, sadly...even the ruins.  You can see the shell of the 7/11 across the street.  The windows were blown out from the water pressure.

More evidence of that ominous brown marker around town - it's as if Buddha just smeared his arse sideways all across the town.  Oh, also evidence of how the Thais carpool - I think there's room for at least one more.

Let's end this on a good note - 2nd lunch.  This was an unexpected as a friend swooped me up just as I was finishing 1st lunch for a trip to the market which ended up exploring this new eatery.  Ridiculously deliciously spiced pork laab, some beef stew that I forgot the name of, deep fried pork fat, and jungle soup (which is supposedly everything that is grown in the immediate area thrown into a moderately spiced broth - delicious but I had to throw in the towel at some point)

On the road again..

Packed my bags, vacated my apartment and caught the overnight train north.  Sometime late yesterday morning I caught a bus for a short trip over the Mekong River on the Friendship Bridge from Thailand into Laos.  Sitting here this morning sipping a good cup of coffee certainly
doesn't feel like I'm in a different country, comparable to crossing Seattle into Victoria perhaps.  I heard from a few that there's really nothing to do in Vientiane (the capital of Laos).  That it's simply a crossing destination and preferable to move on from as quickly as possible.  I do see how upon first impressions one might think so, however, I've refrained from that conclusion and decided to take a bike ride along the Mekong, enjoy some local ice cream with this guy watching my back:

                                          

Accommodations are more than expected.  Large spacious room able to comfort a a party of 10 all to myself.  Bedding is limited but I managed to squeeze in 10hrs of sleep somehow.  The dog is a bit fussy and the cat likes to hang on with claws.  Enjoyed two delicious meals, one questionable one and several well appreciated Beer Laos'.  Today I'll sort out a method for hanging my art for Wednesday's fundraiser.  So far, I'd say Vientiane is okay..

                                              

Ten year plan...

Keeping up with this blog hasn't been so easy lately.  I'd say you haven't been missing much but maybe that's just a matter of perspective.  Certainly not to say much hasn't been happening.. just, well, days go by here and there and we all do what we do to get by - no matter where we are. 

Today.  23 August, 2011.  Made some students laugh while having a laugh myself.  Got to hear a few of them sing.  Angelic.  Played some football (what we call soccer in the states).  Our make-shift field was surrounded by centuries old ruins.  Noticed the sunset into those ancient bones of brick (kinda hard not to).   A good meal, phad ka pow gai kai dow (chicken, egg, rice, and mucho flavor).  A foot massage (which is never really just a foot massage) by unexpectedly two masseuses *while listening to Beach House (a regular in my rotation lately).   Enough space to paint, listen to music, and read my book.

Ask me what my ten year plan is - I've the faintest idea. 

What I do know is that today was a good day, and maybe, just maybe...that's all that really matters.

Time to make some time...

Been easily distracted lately but taking a minute or two to post since it's been a month since my last one.

So check this out - my friend Alex connected me with some of his friends in Laos that operate gallery space.  They're having a silent auction end of September to raise funds to protect hill tribe folks from rabies.  Considering my recent encounter with the little ol' soi dog - I thought it was a match made in heaven.   Looks like the art I've been working on won't need to be recycled into shingles...

Rabies.

Dang.  Time is moving.  Almost 3 weeks since my last post...?  Where do the days go.  Mostly spent just surviving and maintaining an energy level that gets you through it all.  I mentioned in an email that it seems like you have intentions of 1, 2, 3, 4 on your daily list.  I've learned to be happy if I get through 3, 2 or even 1 on some days.  Perhaps it's the heat.

Issues with my cameras memory card are delaying the Thailand Cribs footage.

Here's my address for those that asked:

8 Bannbaimai Mansion #105
Deachawut Rd. T. Horattanachai soi Patone 3
Ayutthaya, 13000 Thailand

Yep.  First a sink and now a silly dog bit me.  Ambushed me from behind a parked car.  Never saw it coming.  1 shot down, 4 to go.

He's not the culprit - just thirsty.

Working through organized chaos..

A preview of something to come - just getting my brushes wet but there's a direction here that counts.

If the preliminaries interest you, click here for a few more pics...

oh - and the stitches out.


Rad Art.  Fresh Art.  Keep your eyes open..
www.jasoncoe.net
www.gosent.com

Bkk dangerous..

1 shattered sink.  2 banged up toes.  6 stitches.

Well, I suppose everything has a price.

Bangkok dangerous.

In it for reals, yo.

I just finished writing this epic entry that was worthy of the Bloggers Choice Award.  Then, sadly, I did SOMETHING, and now it's.....no more.  So it goes.

Okay, well, it's Friday.  And that can't be erased unless I heedlessly pollute myself with a case of Chang.  Satisfactorily, I've made that previously unspeakable switch to Leo.  Sipping one right now in fact.  Not the memory erasing affect that Changs potential tends to be, and the flavor seems to grow on you.  I never thought I'd be admitting it but there.  So that's that.

I'm putting into motion a little Bangkok get-a-way for the weekend.  Haven't been there this trip and I'm actually looking forward to it.  Not BKK necessarily but getting away; a change of scene.  This is the end of the fourth full week and you know what, I'm a little tired.  I mean, yeah, I'm teaching in Thailand - how hard can that really be?  Reality check - if you're at all serious about what you do, teaching is teaching and it ain't easy.  Love the kids, all 980 of them, but damn, a week of it and I'm feeling the affects.  So there's that.

the morning flag raising ceremony

just a few cool students

All in all, there's nothing to complain about, the trick is finding your groove.  I'm not saying I've found it, but I am feeling my way into it.  Learning the system of what works and what doesn't for which classes and how to handle the varying students.  How to go about making a good lesson plan, worksheets and delivering it effectively.  It's trial by fire, but luckily the wounds heal fast around here.  My habitat at school is coming together and so is the one at home.  I've acquired necessary furnishings to begin painting (perhaps once I'm done tickling the keys and kill this lion), made a connection to motivate me for some new art and arranged my furniture so the weather can't slow my practice down.

my Ayuttaya art lesson

songtow - converted pick-up/open aired public transport

Funny.  I've been here for almost three months now.  I'm comfortable hanging on the back of a songtow for a 30 minute commute;  keeping a smile while bartering at the market; counting to 999 in Thai; and making elevator small talk (limited to the following topics: the weather & lunch), but for the life of me, I can't seem to ever order what I want and get it.  Example.  Just the other night I ordered some soup and I asked for a side of rice.  What I get, my soup - the broth in one bowl and the girth of it in the another.  I try again, this time I get a whole other plate with rice and a healthy portion of sliced pork and veggies on top.  Mmmm...unnecessarily dee-lish.

Cucumber, Ajarn Helen, Sweetpea, Ajarn Tao, Ajarn Mike and me.. Ayottaya Floating Market

Again, nothing to complain about, just...well, I love Thailand. It's remind me of home. The more I stay, the less I understand ;)

Alright folks.  Hope all are well back in the States and elsewhere.  Stay tuned for some video footage of what life is like around here....

Peace.

keep your eyes open

fresh art

Settling in..

The infamous bridge over River Kwai.  Host of the 'Death Railway'..

Well... where to begin.  Last we spoke I believe I was gearing up for a trip to Kanchanaburi.
Planned to spend two nights there which turned out to be four.  It happens.  You find a new spot with whatever intentions, but you can't resist the feel of the place and needless to say, plans change.  Despite extending my trip by the extra day(s), there's more to see and I plan a return trip being so close to my home for the next four months.  Highlights of that adventure include motorbiking to Erewan Falls but never making it (side tracked by a cave dubbed 'Buddhas Footprint' and few capitalistic monks...not really), views that stretched to the Myanmar border, 5' lizards in my backyard, walking 'the Bridge' and simply just chilling.

My impromptu tour guides for the Buddhas Footprint..

We named him 'Uriah'.

A little touch from the bamboo..

The real deal is that classes have begun; not full swing but mornings are early - wake up at 5:30am.  Simple intro lessons and just getting familiar with the students.  I'm teaching 21 classes a week and never seeing the same class more than once per week.  The girls range in age from 14-18 and their English ability varies dramatically...nothing to do with age, probably more so with who has the money to afford a private tutor.  I'm teaching, I think, four 'gifted' classes which will require a little extra attention to the lessons.  These classes consist of about 30 students; the rest of the classes average on 40+.  I'd say luckily I've a Thai co-teacher, but what I believe they're there for is to monitor student behavior and assist only in 'shit hitting fan' situations.  All good. 

Lending a hand making 'Kao Tip', a holy food for the following days festivities..

Below are just a few pics from around Ayutthaya.  As mentioned before, the city was Thailands old capital from 1351 to 1767.  In the 16th century it was described as one the biggest and wealthiest cities in the east; however, what remains is only the bones of that history - still spectacular.

762 curves..

Out of Phuket and on the road.  Currently holding residence in Nonthaburi just North of Bangkok.  I'm sort of in between places though not technically due to be anywhere until May 18.  Turns out my apartment in Ayutthaya won't be ready for me until the 27 (current tenant is a little too comfortable to make her move out sooner).  Where that leaves me?  Well, I'm killing time and saving a few baht with temporary accommodations contributed by my placement agent at this residential complex comparable to La Mirage in San Diego.  It's comfortable, almost too comfortable and also isolated from how I'd like to experience Thai living.  It feels like artificial luxury, what ever that means...I don't know.  I'm enjoying it for what it is, handling the laundry and catching up on needed rest. 

Prior to this setup I spent some time in Chiang Mai, pretty much doing nothing; friended some others in the airport, set up shop, met some locals, popped over to Tiger Kingdom, hiked a waterfall, hit the night market, grubbed, drank, grubbed some more.  A few days there then Mark and I motorbiked to Pai as planned.  The motorbike ride consisted of something like 762 turns over 138 kilometers; a true trip in itself.

135 down, 3 to go..

It's a tranquil spot set in a valley far northwest close to the border of Burma.  There's heart in Pai no doubt, but you also get the sense that there's a bit of it being handed over with each farang that shows up.  I could see myself going back to Pai, weather permitting, however there's always more to see.  We hit rain storms there and back, but the worst of it was when we travelled further north along the 1095 to Tham Lod, for some spelunking.  The weather turned a half hour into our ride and we had little interest in turning back.  The 45k trip ended with us soaked and shivering.  Warmed up with some coffee and Tom Yum Yum before hitting the caves.  A short walk to the river bed then a bamboo raft ride in.





Our guide, Pan, carried the only lantern giving us about 10-15feet of light, which was lost upon the stalactites descending from 100m above.  Spirit Caves "coffin caves", which hosted 1500+ year old teak coffins from pre-Thai folk.  Pretty amazing other than the Swift shit spackled on almost everything.  

The plan now is to head towards Kanchanaburi due west of here, back towards the Burmese border.  There's some more caves further past along with some of the best waterfalls in Thailand.  Unknown until Lonely Planet told me so, there's also the 'Death Railway' out yonders, parts of which were constructed by WWII POW's during the Japanese occupancy.  "The Bridge Over the River Kwai"? Yep, this is the same spot.  Keep you posted..

Sizzled. Burnt. Toasted.

Sizzled.  Burnt.  Toasted.  Fried in more ways than one.  Simply put....done.  It's been a long week and we're not through yet.  One more day of teaching here in Phuket before the next phase of the journey.  All week we've been at this one government institution rotating around a group of approximately 800 students between the 32 of us; taking turns with 35 minute lessons.  Basically it's been a 630 wake up, then a 40 min bus ride, anxiously-waiting-patiently our turn to take a crack at the little buggers, a generous lunch provided by the school *fried rice w chicken or pork/ w/fruit, then the bus ride back just to sit in another 2 hours of class and then having to write out our lesson for the next day along with creating necessary materials/visual aids.  Mildly irritating in a way but honestly not bad having learned seemingly enough to feel competent in front of the class. 

  

Trying to look serious on the job.

 "No.  You see, if you really want to make it you need to get into 'import/export' - but first -

forget English--you gotta learn Chinese."

"Okay, you two, you and you, you fight her.."

On a progressive note, placement confirmed - Ayutthaya.  For those that may not know Ayutthaya is Thailands old capital and splattered with ruins.  Looking forward to the experience having never been there myself.  I'll be teaching at an all girls high school, supposedly an M-3 and an M-6 (equivalent of freshman and seniors).  The M-6 was explained to be a 'gifted' course which I may be running some extra curricular projects.. TBD.  It sounded like I was getting a pretty good deal on my placement and accommodations but for all I know, they just say that to everyone to make us all happy.  I'm going with the flow of it and asking questions when they feel necessary.  Classes start on May 25 but I'll need to be at the school prepping on May 18.  Probably settle into the town around May 10 or 11.

More in the future..?

Even with tight finances (ESAD USF) I think I can pull off a fun little excursion North.  Now that my mate Mark (**he's Canadian but not the annoying kind.. you know, the whole 'maple syrup' and 'moose sounds' crap. he does like Tiger and recently he got me convinced that Chang ain't so bad, but Leo can still suck a fat one) anyways, as I was saying, now that my mate Mark..the Canadian, well, he recently passed another land mark "thai-style" test ie. the squat jon. "Damn, my quads are sore." Way to go Mark! My point is we get along well enough that I think we're gonna take a trip to Chiang Mai for a few nights before hopping on some motorbikes for a little road trip to Pai.  Mark has to be back in Bangkok for some stupid cultural immersion course, but I don't have to. (**I'm like 98% sure it's because he's Canadian).  So while he does that, I'll probably be begging for bahts or drawing portraits of stray dogs in exchange for Kaeng Khiao Wan.  That's the quick and sleazy of it in my current state of mind, *note title.

**apologies if you're reading this Mark.  Call it even for the stove.

 

Just a cool shot from the pool.

Deadwood

"Pain or damage don't end the world.  Or despair or fucking beatings.  The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back"  Al Swearengen

Respect the Buddha

        
             Perhaps I should be taking it easy seeing as how my genes tend to attract the strep a little too easily.  But you know what, it's Saturday, I don't have an agenda, I do have a motorbike, and there's some pretty cool stuff all around.  I'd be stupid NOT to be zipping around the island, slapping bugs with my face, smiling at the oncoming traffic, honking at elephants, and doing double takes at the massage ladies hollering for some attention ..wait... that was a lady right? 

*a well placed guard rail.

(Tip: try not buying your petro from the bottles on the side of the road, pretty sure it's watered down.)
   

            I did handle some biz today - delivered some US mags to my old barber friend, handled some shopping and rubbed shoulders with the locals, then tried paying my respects to a friend that passed from a motorbike accident.  Only friends of the family were around.  Respect to Buddha.   Since death is just the beginning in their eyes, a tragic accident isn't so tragic.  In memory of Kane I continued my ride to the other side of the island, snapped some shots at Kata Beach, the back of the Big Buddha, and Patong off in the distance.  

 *That little itty-bitty white thing that you can hardly make out on the top of the hill is the back of the Big Buddha from my previous post.

 *view from Kata Beach

                                                  *jacket lift and Bacardi = beach essentials.

 *Kata Beach at the bottom of the hill (bay #1, midground) Patong Beach (bay #2, background)

           Nothing wrong with the solo ride, but a few folks from back home wouldn't have hurt.  Even if it is just a motorbike, riding around on two wheels just can't be explained in text.  You gotta be there. 

A motorcycle in my future?  Maybe someday... maybe. 

Ill in Paradise..

 *cough, cough.  Sucks being sick but better now than come Monday when I’m in front of 40+ teenagers.  Yep, it’s just about go time, at least for our volunteer teaching gig which goes on all next week.  It’s Friday evening and I haven’t been feeling top notch since this past Tuesday.  Nothing major, certainly not the ol’ BKK belly, just a little off.   Folks are heading out to Kho Phi Phi tomorrow for some post Songkhron fun.  I’m sitting this one out having been there already and not recalling it screaming my name to come back for more its ugliness.  Of course, I recommend it to anyone that has never had a real spring break, god speed.  Looking forward to a solo motorbike venture tomorrow.  Seeking out the best barber in Thailand to shave me neck, share some words with some old friends at the guesthouse that Darrell and I stayed at last time around, and pick up some supplies for Mondays lesson.  I’m teaching the kids a few words on ‘electronics’ and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be rad.    Questioning if I should push a switch with one of the other trainees that’s being place in the far north close to the Laos border.  She’s not excited about being that far from BKK.  Not knowing where I’ll be exactly, but certainly closer than that.  Anywhere the experience will be what it will be, but I do wonder.  Door #1 or door #2…