We woke up to meet the aunts (right next door) for breakfast. Of course we had some problems with people being soooo late and rude, there were some small arguments among them and the people who are on time, this time, I was not the minority. We went to meet our own bus, which had been rented just for us! It was great. It took us to a temple that has 300 stairs, on top of a mountain. So, after climbing the stairs, you’re pretty high up, and it was gorgeous once you came to the top, seeing the entire city of Chaing Mai below. At the top, there were temples where Monks sat ready to pray for us, so we went in and got blessed, which is shown by the bracelet being tied on us. The girls were NOT allowed to touch the monk at all, as he wasn’t allowed to touch them either. I still have my bracelet on by the way, and once it falls off, I am to throw it in the nearest tree. Ringing bells at the temple also gave me good luck, I guess, and we all took our time to look at the breathtaking view below us. I had to rent some pants, which were SO FUNKY, I had to take a picture of the sky blue rags. Our next stop from the temple was a hot spring. Some people bought some eggs to boil in the natural spring. I and many others went for the mineral bath and massage–a whole fifteen dollars for the works! So, we took a nice bath, the water feeling really different–a smelling as sulfur YUCK. But then we went to the hot tub for a while, until the ladies were ready for us. They called us, and me and Adrian (Monica’s brother) went in first, and they rubbed us down with all sorts of lotions and performed their traditional Thai massage. I could use one of them now, this typing is hard. That was all fun, and then we went to the bus, and went back. We went to the market again to find some more gifts, ate at Swenson’s YUMM and then went back home.
Category: Thailand
Train to Chiang Mai
We took a cab with ALL our stuff to the train station to meet up with Pop and everyone. Surprisingly everyone was on time! We were really glad to see everyone, and we knew then it would be such fun with everyone for one last time. We boarded the train, and got situated for the 12 hour journey ahead of us. Needless to say, we passed a lot of interesting country sides–again reminding me of my trip to Russia, how I had to ride the train for 20 hours instead, but just as interesting. The landscape was really interesting, with mountains and fields everywhere. We finally arrived at night, after a nice ride–we all got to renew our friendships again, and got to know everyone a little bit better. I especially enjoyed my talks with Whitney, who will be writing a book soon about her life experiences including some interesting stories about her mother’s life as well. Such an interesting girl. We were greeted at the trainstation by the 2 aunts and a cousin of Pop. We were all shoved into a small open back truck, which ended up to be our main way of transportation…so Thai!! We got to our guest house, properly named, Ben’s Guest house, got our rooms, which were really nice. I mean, it should be since we paid a whole dollar fifty. =) So, we went back out with the cousin, who was about 28 or so, and went out to a restaurant on the river. It was really nice, and I had a great brownie sundae–that chocolate fix again. We came home, by that same mode of transportation, and got to bed.
Train to Chiang Mai
After 4 days in Bangkok, we met up with about 10 others and traveled by train to Chiang Mai. This is where Pop’s (Pop is our Thai friend who arranged our trip for us–) aunts live. The train ride took about 8 hours, and we went through quite rural areas of Thailand. Once we arrived in Chiang Mai, we were all brought to the auntie’s home by a truck. I felt like livestock, because there were about 8 squeezed into the back of each truck. We arrived at their home, where a hostel was located right next door. It was called, Ben’s Hostel. This is where we spent the next 5 days–paying $1.50 per room, divided by two. The aunts and Pop had planned several activities for us, such as the temple of 300 stairs, a hot spring with Thai massage, and an elephant park. 
The temple was amazing, though I had to RENT PANTS that were terrible! The Thai massage was hilarious–I’m just glad I got the young lady instead of the old one!! The elephant park was interesting–I’ve never been so close to elephants before! We also went to a waterfall that afternoon, and we all got to spend some quiet time before dinner. The dinner that night was traditional Chinese food, all with the delicacies of pig ear, fish intestines (I didn’t even know they had any!), and last but not least the swan’s foot. Yes, a swan’s food is food, well, the webbed part at least=)
Bangkok Weekend Market
While the other kids were sleeping I went out to the market behind our hotel, and bought some movies and cds. They are of course black market, but hey they were cheap! That afternoon, we went to the weekend market. A huge place with all sorts of blackmarketed goods. So we all bought our little Oakley bags, fake stuff left and right. We then headed back to the hotel, and went to Thai Boxing. That was really cool, but we had to cut it short because Maya and Julia had to go back to the suit place to get fitted. So, after not remembering where the place was, we went back to the hotel so the girls could call and tell them that they weren’t coming, and they needed it delivered. Surprisingly, they agreed, and brought it right to the hotel. We then packed up and got ready to leave with everyone the next morning to Chaing Mai.
The Grand Palace
Today we planned to go to the Grand Palace. We arrived after a FAST taxi cab drive, and went in. There were guards at the main entrance and people were being divided–because of appropriate attire. Good thing I wore pants today (I had done my homework), but the girls got stopped–for their heeless sandals! They had to RENT shoes! So, they weren’t happy about that one. But anyhow, we got in, and right when we were in line at the ticket booth, we met a girl from ICU!! Totally coincidental!! So she walked with us throughout the temple, which was BEAUTIFUL!! It was huge, and so gorgeous–the architecture was amazing. There was then a group of school kids that wanted to interview me and take their pictures with me. So funny. We went through the entire thing, and then found a guard standing in front of some other palace, that wouldn’t move.. like the ones in England. So of course, we took pictures=) We then came home for a rest and some lunch at the hotel. We went to the excercise room in the hotel and played around for a while, then the others got ready for clubbing. I didn’t want to go because I wanted to see some more around the hotel, so they went out, and came back in the next morning.
Around Bangkok
Now we’ve decided to go do something cultural–so we went to the National Museum which was about 10 minutes from the grand palace. On our way there, we saw several tourists, along with the little ripoff tourist shops selling all sorts of souvenirs. We passed several little streets that looked like typical Bangkok streets–some standing with water, with the people just walking bare foot in it, others, just with food stands throughout the street. We finally arrived at the museum, after asking someone teaching at a University we passed–turning out to be the University that some of the Thai students at ICU are from. So, we saw a lot of interesting architecture, elephant seats, old buddhas and so forth. Really too much to take in in one day, but we tried! After leaving the museum, we took our first ride on the Tuk Tuk, which turned out to be quite an experience! For just 30 bat (90 cents), we got our own Tuk Tuk, with driver, to take us all around Bangkok for how ever long we wanted. These guys were so cool too, and took us first to the huge golden buddha. Something that some of the locals sell is a cage with birds, and Julia bought a cage to set free–that is the reason they are selling them–it gives good luck to the one who sets then free. The buddha was huge, and it was interesting to see the houses that surrounded the beautiful statue. After leaving the buddha, we got back to our TukTuks, where we passed several pictures of the King–his birthday is on the 5th of December, so all of Bangkok was decorated with his pictures–many posed, others not. We then went to a small temple located next to a school, where we met the nicest English teacher wanting to practice his English. He told us a lot of interesting things about the temple we were at, so we all had a good time there. We then returned to the Tuk Tuks ready to eat, so we went to McDonald’s just so curious of how cheap, or how good it was. Exact same! They do have some different sauces available though=) The Tuk Tuk drivers then took us to a stop that they have to give all foreigners…to the handmade suit shoppe. They make handmade suits fit to your body, and keep your measurements for 5 years, so you can have them sent back to your home if you want some more made. Of course, I don’t need a suit, so I didn’t get one, but Maya and Julia both had some made. We then went back to the hotel to find finally a good place to eat some traditional Thai food. The bellboy told us of a really good place to go on the river, and it really turned out to be the greatest meal. I had some satay, and all sorts of food. It was so good. We then went back to the hotel to sleep.
Bangkok, Thailand
We woke up after a great night’s sleep well rested and ready to explore Bangkok! So, we find a great mall to shop at for the girls–it had the Japanese stores Isetan, which was a nice find, because then we could buy some Japanese stuff for cheap! We spend most of the day there, and then walk across the street to Planet Hollywood–you know a real traditional Thai dinner. Actually, it was an awesome dinner, and cheap, so that pleased us all. That night we still just wandered around the place, and we found a shrine that several people were at–with a traditional Thai dance going on. After that, we went back to the mall again and sat down for a drink. After a while of talking and listening to the live bands, we decided to call it a night and go back to the hotel. There we watched tv–finally a place with MTV!! We then went to bed, after planning what we should do the next day.
All around Bangkok
The next morning, we went to a big department store to shop around and did a lot of “American Touristy” things, such as eating dinner at Planet Hollywood of Bangkok. The following morning was doing a city tour, visiting the grand palace, the art museums, and the large golden Buddha. These 3 or 4 hours of touring, we used the transport of a tuk-tuk, at the going rate of $.75. We bought the driver’s McDonald’s after our tours and they were very much excited. Tuk-Tuk is definitely the cheapest way around Bangkok, but also it’s difficult to breathe–Bangkok is very polluted, and tuk-tuks have no guard against the foul air. That night we went out for a nice seafood restaurant, that allowed us to pick what we wanted to eat–as in go to the aquarium, pick which crab you like running around, and they’ll cook it for you! The palace in the center of Bangkok is amazing. The architecture and lines of the temples are gaudy, but with its own unique charm.
Gold is definitely the style, along with green, orange and blue. At the palace, we met a group of English students who were doing an “interview” consisting of what my name was and where I was from. They were very excited to meet us, due to being American, and we all took pictures together. Another incident at the palace was running into one of our friends–who we didn’t even know was going to Thailand!! She was from our university in Tokyo, and we knew her from the Judo club. That was an interesting experience! The world really is a small place!
Off to Thailand
Well, I can’t believe that I am on my way to Thailand now! So, after weeks of long preparation, I am finally on the plane! Maya and I went to school to take care of some business–Post Office, money exchange etc. So, finally we were off at 1:30 to the airport–We took the cheap way which leaves from Nippori, and takes about an hour and a half. So, we went, happened to meet someone we knew on the bus, then happened to meet people who were leaving the same day at the station, and they rode with us to the airport. Talk about coincidences. Then, the funniest episode from Maya happened–she had her orange juice set on top of her luggage while we were riding the train, and the train stopped a little bit, and she went for her juice, but misjudged a bit and threw the entire carton on the girl sitting in front of us! It was funny, but sad at the same time. .. So, then we finally arrived at the airport, shopped around a little bit since we had some time to spare. Through immigrations, we coincidently saw Cindy, she was heading out for Taiwan..talk about Coincidences happening!! Found our gate and then boarded the plane. It was dark by that time, so it was nice to see Tokyo from above. The flight took about 7 hours. Flying into Bangkok, it was interesting to see rows of gold lights, which I still don’t know what it was. Anyhow, we landed and got off the plane to meet a HOT Bangkok! It was like summer!! So I am glad that I didn’t pack a lot of warm clothes! Anyhow, we get out, go through customs and then are off to find a cheap taxi to take us to our hotel. The taxi took us to our hotel in about 40 minutes. It was so interesting to see this place! It really reminded me of Russia–by its development and such. So we finally arrive to the hotel, and go to the desk, and there’s a note from Julia and Mike, who came earlier that day. We get into our rooms, and they’ve got beautiful views of the city–from the 17th floor! It was gorgeous. We saw Mike and Julia, and were glad they had made it safely as well. Then, we pretty much just hit the sack, and got ready to go out the next day.