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March 28, 2005
Arrivals and Spice!
Hours and hours have been spent at the Arrivals sector of Bangkok International Airport, Terminal 2 waiting to see a familiar face of one friend, then another, and finally a third. Lonnie, Davin, and Kaity have all joined in this incredible adventure Thailand is. Whether travelling all together, in pairs, or going solo ("kon diew" in Thai), it's good to have friends who grew up in the same culture as yourself; speaking the same language, eating the same food, laughing at the same jokes.
They've been here about two weeks now and, from what I can tell, love the culture, the food, the awesome bungalows on the riverside for so cheap... This place'll suck you in. I never knew airlines made so much money in ticket changes. They must love to book a ticket for Thailand because nobody ever wants to leave. Well, I guess some people do, but they must not be that cool.
Anyway, we went trekking which was a crazy adventure to say the least, I'll have more on that later... Current plans are always under discussion, and fun is always had. Songkran is the next event to look forward to. The carefree splashing of water on complete strangers in the middle of summer is something that may not sound like much, but I have a feeling it's going to be unforgettably life changing and spine-tingling...and not just because of the cold water!
I think a lot about all the great friends I have all over the world and I hope you're doing well! Don't forget to fill your life with the best experiences possible, grand and spectacular, even if you feel they are just ordinary...nothing is ordinary with a bit of spice! Hugs to all.
Posted by Tom Bodhi at 02:27 AM | Comments (1)
Don't Get Amnesia
My Book. Sentient life is somewhat of a challenge sometimes, don't you agree? Usually it's a simple problem like running back to the house for that mail you were supposed to send, that freshly brewed coffee (or tea) in the travel mug, or those cozy fleece mittens on your way up to the mountains. Sometimes it's a bit more urgent-- you feel it with the wallet at the grocery store, or worse, getting pulled over and not even knowing where your wallet could be. But sooner or later, a little voice in your head busts into your conscious minds HQ screaming "Dude! Look what you forgot! Give me the controls!" and leads you in the right direction; until it happens again. I just love that guy, why ever would he leave in the first place? He's the real you. "She" in the case that you're a woman. It's all good.
Posted by Tom Bodhi at 02:04 AM | Comments (0)
Chapter Two - The Domino Days (And Nights)
So within days of arriving in the city, Ray and I left. It wasn't a planned departure; nothing on this trip was planned. We left because of Matt and Judy. Ray didn't like the city life that much anyway, but we had gone out dancing every night and lay by the swimming pool during the heat of the days. I was enjoying myself, what wasn't to like?
It was on one of those nights out to our favorite disco for drinks and dances when we met them outside as we were leaving. How it happened was a bit of an embarrassing situation actually. I was maneuvering the rental bike out of it's tight spot when my loose pant-leg caught itself on the kick-stand of the bike next to me, and trying to recover, I hopped backwards straight into the opposite row of bikes. From that moment it was like an unstoppable setup of dominoes as each bike took the next one down as well in a thunderous roar. All I could do was watch in horror and think about how much I loved dominoes when I was a kid.
As the last domino, I think it was a double-six, took to the ground, a couple on their way out of the disco came over to help. They were there out of kindness I thought, but it turned out that last bike to fall was theirs. I fixed the bent mirror then apologized and thanked them for their help. With smiles and laughs, they invited us out for some more drinks at a bar down the street.
After what had just happened, we decided walking a block and a half to the bar was the best choice. They were still open, well past the supposed city curfew law. Must be because of an oh-so-common police payoff for those on patrol to turn their heads the other direction after 2AM. The bar was empty except for one other group at a table in the front. Before we had even picked a table, an Irish-accented voice called out from their table and insisted we come drink with them. Okay.
After learning a new drinking game involving a number of toothpicks, we had downed a few shots of flaming sambuka and were halfway through a bottle of Sangsom when Phil, the one who called us over, starting getting a bit aggressive. I think I shouldn't have sat on the other side of his girlfriend, but there was no calming him. He had to be escorted out of the bar by his less-wasted friend before I got a pool cue to the back of my head. We decided to mozy on back to the hotel.
Matt and Judy weren't tired a bit and came with us for some more partying in Ray's room. We talked about life, the passage of time, and food of course, as the Chili Peppers blasted their tunes at seven watts from the little travel speakers we carried with us everywhere. At about 5:15AM, We found out our new friends were leaving the next afternoon on a minibus to a little town just three hours into the mountains from there. Soon after, we all passed out.
Spontaneity makes memories, memories are key to slowing the passage of time, and the passage of time is just relative to your state of mind. The very next day, after an afternoon wake-up swim, we bought tickets on a minibus departing just hours after Matt and Judy's. It wouldn't be our last stay in the city and I was having fun, but a stint in the countryside can't do anyone any harm. Now it's fruit shakes by the riverside because of a few toppled motorbikes. Did you ever play with dominoes? Who hasn't?
Posted by Tom Bodhi at 01:44 AM | Comments (1)
March 13, 2005
Rambling From The City Of Concrete and Tuk-Tuks
So from Bangkok to Koh Pha Ngan, back to Bangkok then to Chiang Mai, from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai and then to Mae Sai and the Burmese border, back to Chiang Mai and then the little chill hippie town of Pai where I left Lonnie and last night came alone back to Bangkok, Lon and I have been having an amazing time. I can't remember a part of my life (and neither can he) that wasn't amazing, but Thailand is treating us well, for sure. Food, drink, dance, guitar, food, sleep, swim, read, food, laugh, talk, and then some more food; just a bit of what we've been up to.
I found out my 6-month ticket isn't going to be quite long enough...surprise, surprise. I gotta stay for Songkran at least, the unforgettable week-long water festival in the middle of April. I'm supposed to leave on the 5th of April. Maybe the middle of May would be better? June? :) They want to charge me a ridiculous price to change my ticket, but I know the experience will be worth every penny. What's money for if not to spend on things you love or for experiences you'll never forget?
I just let loose a whole new set of pictures on TheOtherSide! A few more from Bangkok, a glimpse from Koh Pha Ngan, landscapes and lighters in Chiang Mai, bus drivers and rice patties in Chiang Rai and Burma, and elephants and sunsets in Pai. There's over 80 new shots, so take your time but give'em a look-see someday, this is a beautiful part of the world!
I've been up all day and night again, riding minibus's and VIP buses across the country. Lonnie loves Pai, now he's stuck in paradise. I left him there in a sweet bungalow by the river with his lady friend and arrived in Bangkok this morning. Tomorrow and the next day will be subsequent trips to the airport with name signs for Davin and then Kaity, also from Cali'. Starting solo and now growing to four people, travelling in a bigger group is more fun and more difficult at the same time. We're going to have a blast. Still on the list is heading down south to Koh Phi Phi, where The Beach was filmed, and a major sufferer of damage from the tsunami. Volunteer work is good for anyones soul. The north of Thailand is also really incredible, and Laos is also going to have to be explored by a slow boat down the Mekong. Good times lay ahead, behind, and right underneith our feet, no matter where the world takes us. Don't ever forget it!
P.S. My other post today is something I had a lot of fun writing... Closely based on real events, it will continue to tell stories of our travels (if I stay motivated!) More characters, more adventures, more blinkies. :)
Posted by Tom Bodhi at 02:39 AM | Comments (0)
Chapter One - Elephants With Blinkies
It was late in the evening when I saw the blinkie; so late the sun was about to come up. I guess it was morning. The rumble of the bus shook me lightly, like constant nudges from a friend trying to keep you awake during a movie. I stared out the vast window from my seat on the top floor of this VIP Bus heading north and thought about the networks of roads that have been paved into the ground across the globe. Like artificial veins of the Earth, we're all interconnected with bridges, tunnels, giant intersections, massive concrete ramps and elevated freeways, moving like ants, always coming or going. Cultures differ, but roads are universal, appearing basically the same everywhere it seems.
As the dotted line flashed by below me like the ticker in my old office, I imagined myself anywhere in the world; Siberia in the summertime, Route 66 crossing the States, Brazil, New Zealand, Ireland. In my head the roads all looked the same. Just as that thought occurred to me, I was slapped back into reality by a little blinking red light. It was the kind of LED light you might attach to your bicycle for riding at night, or, if you are so inclined, you can attach it to the tail of your giant pet elephant to make sure nobody misses the lumbering hulk gracefully strolling down the side of the highway at four in the morning. I looked, then looked again, and finally shoved my friend in the shoulder and pointed. His eyes widened as he let out an open smile and a sly nod.
My friend isn't impressed by much, but elephants are too cool for anyone to deny their coolness, even Ray. And an elephant walking down the street with an LED blinkie on it's tail? We were still talking about it as we sat down to breakfast in a funny little coffee shop downtown. Ray was wearing his huge Gucci sunglasses again, probably to cover his bloodshot eyes, due to lack of sleep of course from that overnight bus ride. Both of us looked a bit disheveled, messy hair, but important at the same time. The waitresses shared rose-faced giggles between themselves as we walked in. I assumed they thought we were movie stars from Hollywood; in fact the truth wasn't too far off. The giggling continued so I went and got the menus myself. The cute one came to take our order of banana pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, french fries, toast, butter & jam, coffee, and orange juice. Within minutes we were chowin' down on it all like we hadn't eaten in days.
The cafe had the feel of a 1950's drugstore and ice cream shop. Black and white checkered tile floors, red vinyl seats with black frames, the early sun shining in through the half drawn venison blinds. On the wall hung a framed piece of paper with a man drawn on it looking quite self absorbed. He had a blue top hat hung loosely in his hand. Next to him was written a little ditty about big egos. The moral of the poem basically stated that if you are full of yourself, put your fist in a bucket of water and then remove it. The hole that's left there is how much you'll be missed when you're gone. I told Ray to read it, but his eyes aren't too good these days and couldn't see it from where we were sitting. He said he'd read it later, but of course we both quickly forgot, shoveling in the food and talking about our plans for the day and whatnot.
Ray and I left that cafe with full stomachs and empty wallets. It was time to sleep; we'd hit up the money changers later on. Our rooms weren't far from the cafe, fortunately, and we had a pool too. It was nothing like my pool back home, but if you've got clean water to swim in, a couple of lawn chairs, ice cold mixed fruit shakes, and a nice pair of shades, what else matters? As I closed the blinds in my room and climbed into bed, a very content smile spread from my lips all the way to my toes. Have your toes ever smiled? I was happy we'd arrived, it was nice to experience something new for a while. Ray and I were gonna have a load of fun, but not before some much needed sleep. My dreams leapt over the possibilities of the next few months. Sanuk indeed.
Posted by Tom Bodhi at 02:30 AM | Comments (0)