Posts
Mango
Papaya
Pineapple
Guava
Mangosteen
Rambutan
Lychee
Dragon Fruit
Fresh, cold, cut for 30 cents, all in a bag with a stick so you can eat it while walking.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Violence in Bangkok
All those pictures of violence in Bangkok are places I walked peacefully with thousands of people just a few months ago. Where much of the violence is taking place is within just a few kilometers of where I lived, ran, shopped, walked and socialized. Just five weeks ago, Harry was there and saw these places where there were peaceful protests.
It is sad to see that violence has prevailed over peace. That the world media is only now covering the violence and not the peaceful protests or the core issues that Thailand faces. Now that the US media is covering it, people ask about the "reds". They don't even know about the yellow shirts, let alone the pink shirts and white shirts. They think the King is just not doing his job, but they don't know he is close to death in the hospital. They don't know the long standing issues and how the country is divided.
Media perpetuates violence.
I am glad we left when we did. A good friend from the program I was in is still in Bangkok and was interviewed on BBC go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8684581.stm
It is sad to see that violence has prevailed over peace. That the world media is only now covering the violence and not the peaceful protests or the core issues that Thailand faces. Now that the US media is covering it, people ask about the "reds". They don't even know about the yellow shirts, let alone the pink shirts and white shirts. They think the King is just not doing his job, but they don't know he is close to death in the hospital. They don't know the long standing issues and how the country is divided.
Media perpetuates violence.
I am glad we left when we did. A good friend from the program I was in is still in Bangkok and was interviewed on BBC go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8684581.stm
Friday, May 7, 2010
What I missed about home . . .
Since I arrived back in Petoskey, a common question I get is "what did you miss about home". First and foremost would be my dog and then of course my family (sorry family, Hannah wins out. . .). But besides dog and family, the top 10 things I missed about home are:
10.Drinking Fountains
9. Free public toilets
8. Bagels
7. Big green salads
6. First Spring bike rides
5. Bathrooms with soap
4. Bathrooms with hand towels
3. Bathrooms with toilet paper
2. Drinking water out of the tap
1. Endless cups of coffee
10.Drinking Fountains
9. Free public toilets
8. Bagels
7. Big green salads
6. First Spring bike rides
5. Bathrooms with soap
4. Bathrooms with hand towels
3. Bathrooms with toilet paper
2. Drinking water out of the tap
1. Endless cups of coffee
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Culture Shock
Home. Wow, after four months here I am at home.
Some immediate observations:
1. It is so quiet. Incredibly quiet in Petoskey. (no honking cars, people asking you buy something or go for a tuk tuk ride, no loud music, and no roosters).
2. Cars stop for pedestrians in a cross walk. Now isn't this incredible? What a concept and what a wonderful thing about small town America.
3. You have to think about what to cook before you are hungry. Hmmm, I just can't eat at a food stall when I feel the need to eat? I actually have to think about it. Hence, dinner has been a bit late the last few days.
4. Daylight. Wow, I forgot how much of it there is at this time of year. Near the equator you basically have the same amount of daylight all year round, with only maybe an hour fluctuation. So the whole time I was in Asia, the sunset around six in the evening. It isn't dark here until after 8 right now (and by the end of June it will be after 10). My timing is all off and combined with jetlag, I don't know when to eat or sleep.
5. You have to drive to a store to get food and things. No shopping on the street.
6. The temperature outside of 42 degrees is not Celsius, but Fahrenheit.
Did I mention how quiet it is?
All good. All very good.
Glad to be home.
Some immediate observations:
1. It is so quiet. Incredibly quiet in Petoskey. (no honking cars, people asking you buy something or go for a tuk tuk ride, no loud music, and no roosters).
2. Cars stop for pedestrians in a cross walk. Now isn't this incredible? What a concept and what a wonderful thing about small town America.
3. You have to think about what to cook before you are hungry. Hmmm, I just can't eat at a food stall when I feel the need to eat? I actually have to think about it. Hence, dinner has been a bit late the last few days.
4. Daylight. Wow, I forgot how much of it there is at this time of year. Near the equator you basically have the same amount of daylight all year round, with only maybe an hour fluctuation. So the whole time I was in Asia, the sunset around six in the evening. It isn't dark here until after 8 right now (and by the end of June it will be after 10). My timing is all off and combined with jetlag, I don't know when to eat or sleep.
5. You have to drive to a store to get food and things. No shopping on the street.
6. The temperature outside of 42 degrees is not Celsius, but Fahrenheit.
Did I mention how quiet it is?
All good. All very good.
Glad to be home.
A funny sign
This is a fairly typical sign in a bathroom stall in Asia, if it has a western style toilet. Thought some folks might find it humorous. (BTW, most all bathrooms in Asia have a butt hose, which is what the sign refers, it is not a shower).
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples are incredible. The most famous being Angkor Wat but there are hundreds more to see. This area was just amazing. In my opinion a must see place in the world. The temples and other building to see are all very, very different, built between the 9th and 12th centuries with a mix of Hindu and Buddism influences. The detail work is incredible and the 400 year old trees growing in them is just amazing. Click on the photo to find a few more pictures from the Angkor area.
Siem Reap, Cambodia is the modern city that you stay in to visit Angkor Wat.
Siem Reap, Cambodia is the modern city that you stay in to visit Angkor Wat.
Mountains of Laos
The mountains of Laos are beautiful and enchanting. We spent a few days in the tourist hub of Vang Vieng, enjoying some hiking, caving, biking and kayaking. We then went south to the laid back capital, Vientiene with temples, cafes and riverside dining.
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