I spent a while editing the pictures to put up. I think I am going to focus more on the pictures with captions than the blog. Its better to show everyone and explain it there. Let me know what you think of that?
http://picasaweb.google.com/brent.johnson7/Thailand?authkey=Gv1sRgCJWGhvnv0Jj6EQ&feat=directlink
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
First Day of Class
Today, we had orientation and a campus tour of the University. It sounds like it is going to be a really relaxed quarter, nothing too difficult. My teacher, Professor Dan Levi, is more interested in field trips and experiencing Thailand than doing homework and writing reports. I am ok with that!
We have a lot planned for the upcoming weeks. Lots to do, with very little time. Last night, almost all of the Cal Poly students went to The Warm up as a group. We discussed plans for the weekends and what to do. I really like the other students on the trip and think that we have already gotten along very well. Everyone is very open to explore Chiang Mai and wants to do everything as a group. Its not hard to rally up a group of 15 people to go wherever we want to go.
Last night at the Sunday night market, I bought 7 shirts, a pair of pants, and a hat and spent around $40. The shirts are very very comfortable, lightweight and flowy. Definitely good shirts to lounge in.
We have a lot planned for the upcoming weeks. Lots to do, with very little time. Last night, almost all of the Cal Poly students went to The Warm up as a group. We discussed plans for the weekends and what to do. I really like the other students on the trip and think that we have already gotten along very well. Everyone is very open to explore Chiang Mai and wants to do everything as a group. Its not hard to rally up a group of 15 people to go wherever we want to go.
Last night at the Sunday night market, I bought 7 shirts, a pair of pants, and a hat and spent around $40. The shirts are very very comfortable, lightweight and flowy. Definitely good shirts to lounge in.
The Monkey Club and Thai Massages
Last night, Zach, Lindsey, and Sydney walked to down the street and picked up some Thai Food. Along the way, we ran into two other Cal Poly students, Brady and Sam. Together, we had dinner and decided our nightly plan.
First, we took a taxi to the Night Markets. This place was incredible. Clothes, hats, bags, food, souvenirs, and art were all sold in booths throughout the plaza. Live music and dance on the main stage entertained us while we walked. Everything was so cheap! I feel like we were ripped off compared to the sit down restaurant meal that totaled $3 each. After walking around a bit, we all decided to enjoy a half hour Thai foot massage together – for 50B ($1.50)! I have never had a foot massage, but it is something I could get used to. We then trekked through the rest of the market and finally landed at a bar. Drinks were buy one get one free, so we each ordered up and cheered to the first night in Thailand!
Finally making it back to the hotel around 9:30pm, we changed and washed up to get ready for the night. Our first stop was the Monkey Bar – an outdoor night club with two dance floors and three bars. We grabbed a lounge area and ordered bottle service, only costing us around $30 for the night. Our waiter, Bog, was very gracious of our tip and for getting him a quite drunk. I talked to him after and got his phone number for future visits. After spending three hours at the Monkey Club, we decided to head out and search for a new bar.
Our journey led us to 7-Eleven for late night snacks and then back to the hotel for some shut eye. This morning, we packed up and headed to our permanent room at the University. After getting settled in, Zach and I went to explore the area. After last night’s foot massage, we headed to the Nimman House Thai Massage Parlor for an hour long full body treatment. It costs less than $7.50! The massage was very very relaxing and rejuvenating, something that I plan to do on a weekly basis.
First, we took a taxi to the Night Markets. This place was incredible. Clothes, hats, bags, food, souvenirs, and art were all sold in booths throughout the plaza. Live music and dance on the main stage entertained us while we walked. Everything was so cheap! I feel like we were ripped off compared to the sit down restaurant meal that totaled $3 each. After walking around a bit, we all decided to enjoy a half hour Thai foot massage together – for 50B ($1.50)! I have never had a foot massage, but it is something I could get used to. We then trekked through the rest of the market and finally landed at a bar. Drinks were buy one get one free, so we each ordered up and cheered to the first night in Thailand!
Finally making it back to the hotel around 9:30pm, we changed and washed up to get ready for the night. Our first stop was the Monkey Bar – an outdoor night club with two dance floors and three bars. We grabbed a lounge area and ordered bottle service, only costing us around $30 for the night. Our waiter, Bog, was very gracious of our tip and for getting him a quite drunk. I talked to him after and got his phone number for future visits. After spending three hours at the Monkey Club, we decided to head out and search for a new bar.
Our journey led us to 7-Eleven for late night snacks and then back to the hotel for some shut eye. This morning, we packed up and headed to our permanent room at the University. After getting settled in, Zach and I went to explore the area. After last night’s foot massage, we headed to the Nimman House Thai Massage Parlor for an hour long full body treatment. It costs less than $7.50! The massage was very very relaxing and rejuvenating, something that I plan to do on a weekly basis.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Arrival and First Day
Sawadee khrup! (Hello, pronounced Sa-wa-dee-khrup, or sa-wa-dee-kah if you are female)
It was a LONG plane ride. Zach and I took SFO to Taipei (14 hours), then Taipei to Bangkok (3 hours), and finally Bangkok to Chiang Mai (1.5 hours). We arrived at the hotel around 9am, but could not check in until 10am. We met up with Lindsey and her roommate Sydney and went to breakfast. We looked for something more Thai-like, but ended up American. It was cheap though! Ended up being around $14 for the four of us. Cannot beat that! We walked around the main street by our hotel, looking in shops and what not. I already found some furniture I want to bring back, but I have no idea how I will pay for it or how I will get it back. But it is nice to look at!
It was so hot and muggy! I didn't think it was too bad, but everyone else seemed to complain a lot. After walking around a bit, we decided that it was time for a refreshing drink. We stopped by a UK Pub and ordered up. We thought it was around 3 or 4pm, but it wasn't even 11am! The time change must of effected us more than we thought. The owner, Graham, gave us advice and some pointers of where to go. Following what he said, we are going to the "Night Markets/ Bazaar" tonight. It is the place to get everything for cheap (knockoffs, counterfeits, and what not). I want to buy some shirts and some swim trunks (I knew I forgot something!).
We then attempted to make our way back, saying hello to everyone along the way. Thais are SO friendly! They always smile back and attempt to talk to us and make you feel welcome. I do not feel threatened at all or in any danger whatsoever. We followed the map wrong and ended up getting lost (EVERYTHING is in Thai so it is really difficult to know where you are). But we wandered a bit, taking a cruise through the more residential and high income homes. The streets have no logical order as you will come across a restaurant, and next door a club (Discotheque, pronounced disco-tech-a), next to a home, next to a daycare center, and next to a run down apartment complex. There seems to be no zoning at all and you can basically turn your property into whatever business you please. Like Graham said, "Yes there are laws, but hey, its Thailand." You can get away with anything if you know what to say or have enough money.
After we got back to the hotel room, Zach and I went for a run around Chiang Mai and ended up at a park with an outdoor training course. It brought me back to my football days (I used to be in a lot better shape), but after the heat caught up to us we called it quits. It is not far from the University, actually right across the street. I think we will be training there quite a bit.
We just showered up and now relaxing for a bit in the room. I think the girls and us are going to get dinner in downtown Chiang Mai. A tuk-tuk (a form of taxi) will take you anywhere you want to go for about 20B (less than a dollar, $1 = 33B).
I hope everything is well in the states!
La Gon! (Goodbye)
It was a LONG plane ride. Zach and I took SFO to Taipei (14 hours), then Taipei to Bangkok (3 hours), and finally Bangkok to Chiang Mai (1.5 hours). We arrived at the hotel around 9am, but could not check in until 10am. We met up with Lindsey and her roommate Sydney and went to breakfast. We looked for something more Thai-like, but ended up American. It was cheap though! Ended up being around $14 for the four of us. Cannot beat that! We walked around the main street by our hotel, looking in shops and what not. I already found some furniture I want to bring back, but I have no idea how I will pay for it or how I will get it back. But it is nice to look at!
It was so hot and muggy! I didn't think it was too bad, but everyone else seemed to complain a lot. After walking around a bit, we decided that it was time for a refreshing drink. We stopped by a UK Pub and ordered up. We thought it was around 3 or 4pm, but it wasn't even 11am! The time change must of effected us more than we thought. The owner, Graham, gave us advice and some pointers of where to go. Following what he said, we are going to the "Night Markets/ Bazaar" tonight. It is the place to get everything for cheap (knockoffs, counterfeits, and what not). I want to buy some shirts and some swim trunks (I knew I forgot something!).
We then attempted to make our way back, saying hello to everyone along the way. Thais are SO friendly! They always smile back and attempt to talk to us and make you feel welcome. I do not feel threatened at all or in any danger whatsoever. We followed the map wrong and ended up getting lost (EVERYTHING is in Thai so it is really difficult to know where you are). But we wandered a bit, taking a cruise through the more residential and high income homes. The streets have no logical order as you will come across a restaurant, and next door a club (Discotheque, pronounced disco-tech-a), next to a home, next to a daycare center, and next to a run down apartment complex. There seems to be no zoning at all and you can basically turn your property into whatever business you please. Like Graham said, "Yes there are laws, but hey, its Thailand." You can get away with anything if you know what to say or have enough money.
After we got back to the hotel room, Zach and I went for a run around Chiang Mai and ended up at a park with an outdoor training course. It brought me back to my football days (I used to be in a lot better shape), but after the heat caught up to us we called it quits. It is not far from the University, actually right across the street. I think we will be training there quite a bit.
We just showered up and now relaxing for a bit in the room. I think the girls and us are going to get dinner in downtown Chiang Mai. A tuk-tuk (a form of taxi) will take you anywhere you want to go for about 20B (less than a dollar, $1 = 33B).
I hope everything is well in the states!
La Gon! (Goodbye)
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