Home Stretch

Just a week left of the program, seems impossible really. We only have a day and half of classes this week, but lots of work to get done between now and then including papers and a group project.

It is getting sad as our group will seperate next saturday and most likely never be "one" again.

Unfortunately since we got back from Nepal I have had food poisoning. I haven't really eaten much in a week and feel drained and exhausted. Hopefully I will be fully recovered for our farewell parties and Harry's arrival.

Dogs of Chula

There are dogs all over the Chulalongkorn University Campus. They just hang out. They don't bother you but we were told not to pet them as they aren't used to it. They are healthy, someone feeds them. There are hundreds. They sleep in shady cool places like in all the buildings and grounds. My favorite is the one who sleeps on this table all the time.

Can you tell, I miss Hannah, the wonder dog. (She really isn't into skype.)

Rhinos and more

Chitwan National Park (7)
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

We did get to do a few things besides sit in meetings while in Nepal. We rode elephants into Chitwan National Park to see the Great One Horned Rhino. We saw eight! Plus two kinds of monkeys, three kinds of deer, crocodile, and lots of birds. The Rhinos are very interesting looking, almost archaic.

We hiked to a nice viewpoint in Pokhara to see the sunrise over the mountains. It was beautiful to see the mountains light up. Seeing the mountains made me want to be hiking in them, rather than just looking at them.

I also went for a bike ride with two friends in Pokhara after our classwork. We were all so happy getting out of town riding along the lake. About 6 or so kilometers out I knew something was wrong with by bike and gears. The next thing I knew I heard a noise and came to a halt. I thought the chain was caught. But beyond by belief the derailleur and chain broke in half! What to do. I told my friends to keep riding and I would walk back. But they came with me. We walked about 10 or 15 minutes to a lakeside restaurant. Drank beer and watched the sunset. We went out to walk home and a tractor pulling a huge trailer came by. We flagged them down, loaded all three of our bikes in the trailer and we rode back into town on the tractor! Pretty funny site.

Nepal Peace Process

Boudha Stupa (2)
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

Just back from eight days in Nepal studying the peace process. After decades of Maoist attacks the monarchy stepped down and there was a democratic election a few years ago. They have until the end of May to sign a new constitution. So the program brought us there to study conflict transformation.

We spent about three days in Kathmandu, three days in Chitwan and a day in Pokhara. Lots of driving in between. A lot is going on at the local level in capacity building with women and youth. Women to take leadership roles which is happening (33% of the representatives in the Nepali govt are female) as well as youth to try and change attitudes and behaviors..

We also met with a bunch of national NGO's working on things like security sector reform and anti corruption as well as govt. officials working on peace and reconstruction. What we found is that people in general are positive and hopeful for peace, but the poverty is so great that if the people don't get something soon I am not sure if it will stay peaceful. It is also a very corrupt country and a report came out while we are there that some donors are pulling funds to some of the NGOS because there are no tangible results happening.

Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and that was evident. People need clean water, disposal of waste, and food first. I keep thinking that you need to do that while also changing constitutions. It has to be happening at the same time. In any regard, it will be interesting to follow what happens there.

In addition, it made me sad how badly they are abusing the environment when it is what their economy relies (tourism). Massive deforestation, trash everywhere, even in the national parks, air and water pollution, etc.

On a positive note, it is a beautiful country and the people are warm and friendly (and the food is great!!).

I will blog more on Nepal soon. Click on the photo above for more pictures!

Lock Down

Chulalongkorn University was locked down at 8:00 p.m. tonight. All gates are closed, we are inside. There are protests going on in Bangkok. The Red Shirts are protesting. They support Thaksin who was overthrown in 2006 and believe the current government is not legal. The Yellow Shirts support the current government. Some say the Red shirts support the rural people and the yellow shirts support the wealthy.

We leave to Nepal tomorrow. We hope we can get to the airport as some roads may be blocked. We are leaving extra early to find a way there. . .

If you want to read more about it go to www. bangkoknews.com or look on world news on any of your favorite websites.

Bangkok Top Ten

Top 10 things I like about Bangkok:
10. BTS or Bangkok Sky Train. (It would be higher on the list if they finished it, but only about 1/10th of it is complete). It is fast and easy and gets you many places.
9. Free yoga classes (or tai chi or aerobics, etc.) in public spaces.
8. Street Food, everywhere all the time. Fresh fruit, juice, meat or squid barbecued on a stick, rice and meat in banana leaf, donuts, dried fish, you name it. Food, everywhere all the time.
7. Chulalongkorn University Campus, a quieter place in the middle of 12 million people. Lucky to be living here.
6. Chao Praya River, a place to catch a breeze and views while taking the river ferry to get around the city.
5. Shopping, everywhere all the time. There is so much shopping it is amazing. You can buy top end stuff to everyday needs on the street, along the transit lines, in malls and markets. Things are open seven days a week.
4. Noodle Soup for breakfast. This is just brilliant.
3. Lumphini Park, a green oasis in the middle of the city. I can run through campus to the park and back avoiding most traffic.
2. Meals are basically under $1, $2 if you splurge.
1. Thai Massage, $6 for an hour. Can't beat it.

Top 10 things I don't like about Bangkok:
10. 12+ million people
9. Disparity of incomes
8. Shopping everywhere all the time (see #5 above)
7. Noise, it is never quiet
6. Unknown "parts" in food. Do I have to explain more?
5. HEAT 90+ by 9:00 a.m.
4. Plastic Water Bottles. So many plastic water bottles.
3. Cockroaches
2. Traffic, it is SOOO bad you really can't even try to take a taxi between 4 and 8 p.m., you just don't move. You have to strategically think about how and when you might try and get somewhere.
1. Pollution. Miss the clean air of Northern Michigan.

Ahh, the beach

Koh Samet (20)
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

Finally after two months in Thailand I was able to escape the city for three days at the beach. We went to Ko Samet which is the closest island to Bangkok and gets a lot of Thai people going there for the weekend. (Whereas a lot the islands in the south of Thailand are primarily touristy beaches).

We went to one of the quieter beaches on Ko Samet and it was perfect for a weekend away. I called Harry one night as I was on a hammock and realized I was twenty feet from the beach, twenty feet from my bungalow and twenty feet from the bar. Can't beat that. In the picture above I am sitting at the bar.

The water was warm enough to swim for hours, we even went in for a midnight swim. I finished a novel, sat in the sun, swam and even went for a snorkeling. Beer at 4:00 was a requirement.

The Thai people don't like to be in the sun so the beach would be empty until 4:00 in the afternoon. Most swim in their clothes too, very few were in bathing suits. Also, people seemed to come to the island for about 24 hours, most getting there Saturday mid day and leaving Sunday mid day. We, on the other hand, got there late Friday and stayed until midday Monday. I was with a great group of seven peace fellows from six countries. Pretty cool.

Ayuthaya

Ayuthaya 087
Originally uploaded by emilymeyerson

Went to Ayuthaya last weekend for a night. It is just an 1.5 hour train or van journey. Ayuthaya is an ancient capital of Siam from 1350 to1767 when it was invaded and destroyed by the Burmese Army.

The current city has developed around the ancient one so as you ride around town you see all these old ruins. Ride, yes I mean Bike ride. The temples are so spread out and large the best way to get around is by bike. So beater one speed and me had a great time pedaling for the first time in months.

The large temple grounds are quiet and peaceful. Many people come to Ayuthaya for the day from Bangkok so spending the night was wonderful. We took an afternoon boat ride around the island (the old city is on an island where three major rivers come together which is why this town was an important port city for trade). The boat stopped at few of the temples that were not on the island. The lighting in the afternoon made for some amazing photos.

Whenever you say Ayuthaya to Thai people they always say "it is hot there". Boy, were they right. It was hot. But it was a great little getaway from the urban world.

If you click on the photo above you will find a bunch more photos from Ayuthaya on my flicker site.

Rotarians

Above is my Rotary Host Counselor, Crystal. She is wonderful it has been fun getting to know her. Local Rotarian's act as host counselors for us, really just as a person to help us out if needed. It is also a nice connection into Thai culture. At the top is me with the Rotary Club of Don Muang in District 3350. They are a small club that meets in the evenings. I went to one meeting and did a short presentation and exchanged the Petoskey flag for the Don Muang flag.

I have spent some time with Crystal too and even attended a welcome party for a Hawaiian Group Study Exchange. This is the same program I went on to Japan and I tell you, it brought back a lot of memories. What an amazing experience I had and I kept thinking what an amazing experience they will have.

When we were on our field study we had two nice meals with Rotarians, one with the Rotary Clubs in Chiang Rai and one with the clubs in Chiang Mai. I am sure we will meet with Clubs in Nepal too. The rotarians are always so welcoming, generous and supportive.It is a great way to meet and understand local culture and issues. Thank-you Rotarians.

Ice Cream Sandwich

Thai Style Ice Cream Sandwich. Ice cream Yum, on slightly sweet white bread, not so yum. But ice cream. . .yum. This post is in honor of Jeremiah, Max, Gabe and Annie, I miss you kids and think of you all the time!