Betsy's Blog

Can’t Believe I Am Almost Done

nufrank — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:01:56 +0000

While you all in the Midwest are bracing for a major storm, I am ending my time in sunny Bangkok. Last week on Monday, a person whose husband is a General in the Police and two other faculty members took me to the Immigration Bureau. A police detective drove us. I had previously been given the form to fill out. No line for me. I was escorted in and in less than 30 minutes I was on my way with a visa extension. Then we went to lunch at a fancy mall and then on to a Wat in Chinatown. I had not been to Chinatown before. And speaking of the Chinese, the Year of the Rabbit is almost officially here, but in Bangkok rabbit things have been all over the place since I arrived. That evening I went back to Central Bangkok to buy a black jacket for the funeral. In keeping with taking little, didn’t bring one. Traffic was awful coming back and I was exhausted!

Last week I was blessed with a cold. I felt awful for a few days, but by Sunday was much better. One of the days I felt bad I went to Rai’s and she fed me soup. Another day I had soup on campus and came across my friend Nong-but more on that later.

On Thursday I taught and then did a faculty workshop on evidence-based practice. Following that, I was supposed to meet the group at 4 to go to the Dean’s father’s funeral. One person asked if I wanted to ride with her, but I declined because she wasn’t coming back to campus. I later found out that had been interpreted as I didn’t want to ride with her. I sure had to apologize. Well anyway, turns out I was only person in van, which then became a car. Took us two hours in traffic to get to the Wat. The dean even called to ask where I was. I think she held the formal part till I arrived.

When I arrived I was given a box lunch and the funeral ceremony began. Prayers were chanted for about an hour. The walls were lined with many flower wreaths. Many photographs were taken so the family could know who came. The actual cremation/burial takes place in 100 days. At least two other funerals were being held at the same time. After the funeral the usual food vendors arrived as did a person selling lottery tickets. The ride back took much less time and we were doing well until a police blockade for drugs was encountered.

On Friday night I went to dinner with some colleagues and I met them at what was similar to a Mary Kay type party. I wasn’t invited to that event (good thing), but I did buy something small for a friend. Saturday I had my usual massage and had dinner with Warunee (who stayed with us) and two of her friends. We ate at fancy hotel -it was a buffet with food stations. I had lamb, beef, chx, veggies, fruit and yummy desserts. I did a bit of shopping before hand for Seth.

On Sunday I just laid low except for a leisurely walk. On Monday I went with Nong and her friend to Pattaya Beach and Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden. What a great day! Spent most of it at the Garden. Since we were running late when we got back to BKK. Nong’s friend let us out and we took a Tuk tuk the rest of the way while Nong’s friend went to get her son from school. Perhaps not the safest, but sure can get around quicker than a cab.

Today was class prep and planning for leaving. Looking forward to being home soon.

Another Week Gone By

nufrank — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:24:03 +0000

This week has been busy as usual. On Tuesday I went down to Central World to have dinner with Honey, the daughter of a teacher who I became friends with two years ago. Central World was one of the places damaged in April during the Red Shirt demonstrations. The building we were in is all OK. We ate at a Thai restaurant and I had some things I had not had including seafood with lemongrass. We also had cheesecake for dessert. Learned not to hail a cab at cab change of shift time. No cab would take us, so we took the Skytrain to Victory Monument and then took cab rest of way.

Met two young American teachers at dinner at Rai’s the other night. They are teaching at St. Gabriel’s here in the neighborhood. They showed me another possible place to eat in neighborhood. On Friday night went back to the new place I ate at the week before. I told woman I couldn’t remember what I had eaten before, but she remembered. I did try something different and it was good-pad Thai. I had had stir fry the week before.

Yesterday I went to Ratchaburi to spend day with Suphatra who had been at ISU for 6 months in 2009. I am helping her with her dissertation. I took bus to Victory Monument. When bus came I asked if it went to Victory Monument and driver said yes, but not so I got off and took the bus I normally take. When I got to Victory Monument went to what I thought was correct van place. Bought ticket and then called Suphatra. Turned out it was the wrong van company, so money was returned and I was shown correct place.

We had a lovely day including lunch by Maeklong River. It was the best Thai food I had had. Restaurant was owned by cousin of Catholic Bishop of Ratchaburi. Suphatra is Catholic so that is the connection. We walked around the market at Aymphua and shopped a bit in Ratchaburi. All and all a great day.

Today I had a Thai massage, nap and worked on ISU stuff. When I went to get paper this AM, the one place was closed but the other place had the paper from the first place to give to me. I am really getting to know the people in my neighborhood. I did stay in neighborhood today as Red Shirts are out and about.

Tomorrow I go to get my visa extension. I am here longer than the 30 day tourist visa allows. On Thursday I am supposed to teach, but instead going to Dean’s father’s funeral. She wants me to see a Thai funeral.

Teaching still is a challenge, but if I make a difference in just a few, I guess it is OK.

Thai Wedding and Other Things

nufrank — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:20:46 +0000

On Sunday, 16 January 2554, I went to a Thai wedding. The person who got married worked in the Thai Parliament library. The person I went with was a former MP. Since we were going on a big travel bus that left from the Parliament, we arrived at Parliament early so I could tour. I got to go in the Parliament chamber and sit in a chair. The Police were having a seminar on democracy. The person who explained this to me was an IU grad who has her doctorate in environmental science and studied with the Nobel prize winner. At 9AM we all got on the bus and traveled to Phetchaburi province which is about 2 hours SW of Bangkok. At that time of morning traffic was fairly light. We stopped for the obligatory coffee and bathroom break-yes it was a squattie. The wedding was at a family’s house-a very typical Thai style house. I was going to attach a picture, but some how having troubles getting off the camera.

The actual ceremony takes place in the early AM with immediate family and the monks. When we got there, the couple knelt and some guests blessed them with holy water as they had a string that connected both their hands. After that we had lunch which was an array of typical Thai foods: soup, fish dishes, duck and other things. The one dish was pretty tasty. I asked what was it and found out it was fried fish stomach.

As we were eating the bride changed into a traditional white dress from her traditional Thai dress. Then bride and groom stood on a flower lined stage and guests offered toasts. Then bride and groom walked around to each table.

The brides brother in law was a farang (foreigner) like me. He was from Italy. He gave me a tour of the house and surrounding rural neighborhood.

On way back from wedding we stopped at one of my favorite places, Don Hoi Lot, which is where the seafood market is. We walked about for about 40 minutes and then back on bus. Traffic was heavier so we didn’t get back to the Parliament until about 6:30PM.

Weather has actually been a bit cool. Small bands have been playing on campus every day (I actually think it is the same band that moves locations)

Today in the hotel many of the guests were police in their dress whites with swords and their wives and husbands or other family members were in their finest including Muslim women in beautiful head scarves. They were headed to an awards ceremony after breakfast.

Tonight, I am going to Central Bangkok to have dinner with the daughter of a faculty member. I became friends with her 2 years ago. Last night took the ISU grad who is working here and a Purdue grad to Rai’s restaurant.

Tomorrow is office work and preparing for classes and a faculty workshop of evidence-based practice.

Lots of Things

nufrank — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 12:55:19 +0000

I have been so busy that I have had to keep a list of what to post so when I can, I can update. Bangkok traffic sure has its extremes. Traffic can be bumper to bumper and then when it clears-watch out. The road becomes a raceway. I mentioned that last Saturday traffic was stopped for royalty in my neighborhood. That has happened twice more this week-once coming back from dinner and today when I was walking I had to stop. The Princesses palace is nearby. I even have to stop when I am on the way to dinner and the Royal anthem is played. Everyone who is walking stops. It is played every night at 6 in the neighborhood where I sometimes eat.

One thing I have noticed is give a security guy a whistle and he will blow it constantly. One of the gates to the University is right close by my room at the hotel. The guard blows his whistle constantly to control (if he even can) traffic coming out of the University.

Earlier this week I went to MBK to get a new watch. Mine died. Well let me tell you at 4PM is not the time to get hail a cab. All the school kids are in cabs going home. I had to walk a few blocks to hail one. I did find a watch on sale at a department store and then had supper at Au Bon Pain-needed a change from Thai food.

The other night I found a new restaurant to eat at in the neighborhood. It was good and only 50 baht. I also have had take out lunch from the nearby bakery.

Thursday, teacher day was celebrated at the Faculty of Education. I was invited to the early morning ceremony where the monks blessed us.

Did learn a bit more about education in Thailand. The children go to school and then often get tutored after school so they can get into the best schools and universities. On Saturdays, some go to school for art, music or sports. However, few play any sports even though the papers are filled with news of English football teams (soccer) and basketball including NBA.

Thursday night Warunee invited me to dinner with friends of hers. The food was good, but the cab ride was awful. So I couldn’t eat very much. Friday I went to her office to meet a Purdue grad who is teaching at her demonstration high school. While there, some of the high school students recognized me from their trip to ISU last spring.

Friday night a faculty member invited me to what looked like a senior center for a New Year’s party. I only stayed a bit because I was really tired. I went to walk back (party was right next to University) and I wasn’t allowed to go by myself until I got to University gate. Not sure why as neighborhood is very safe.

Today, I wandered the neighborhood and found another market. I had gotten a salad earlier for my lunch and so got a little turnover to go with the salad. The salad was about 10 little shrimp each wrapped in lettuce and bound with a rice noodle. Came with a spicy sauce. Quite yummy.

This market was one I hadn’t been to so was fun to wander. I saw two Siamese cats while I was out (Thailand was formerly called Siam).

Had a Thai massage on campus and took a nap. At dinner I saw the ISU grad who got here a week ago so I treated him.

Tomorrow I am invited to a wedding that is in a province just west of here. If it is anything like the wedding that is on campus today, should be interesting. Apparently actual ceremony is done in the morning and only attended by a few and then party goes all day into the night. The one on campus has a band. More on my experience in a day or so.

Busy Few Days

nufrank — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 04:57:59 +0000

The past few days have been busy. On Friday I was in class when my phone rang. I ignored until I could get students settled. Turned out Dean called and she wanted me to go to a meeting in 15 minutes. ISU delegation was being formally received by the SSRU (Suan Suanandha Rajabhat University) President. Typical of all Thai meetings, snacks were served. I felt sorry for the recent ISU grad who is going to be here for a year teaching English. He just arrived about 10 hours before and was a bit shell shocked. After the two hour meeting I opted to go to lunch with the nursing faculty instead of delegation. It was the nursing faculty New Year’s party with gift exchange. I got a set of placemats with napkins.

On Friday evening I went to a Friends of ISU reception at the Pullman Hotel. This is a really elegant hotel and the food was wonderful! A mixture of Thai, sort of American, and Japanese. The highlight was the band playing the Sycamore Fight Song. Thanks to Brian Kilp, the music was sent to the band members who learned it quickly.

Saturday I left hotel on campus at 8:30. We had to wait to leave campus as someone from the Royal Family was coming by on street. All the traffic was stopped and street cleared so the security entourage and Royal person could pass. Couldn’t really see who it was. Went to Siriraj Hospital to pay homage to King. We (ISU delegation) were videoed and apparently we were on the news. Then we all went to the Grand Palace for a tour. I had been there 2 other times, but still an awesome site to see. We saw one of the Princesses come through. I think royalty was out and about because it was Children’s Day. After that, President and Mrs. Bradley went to SSRU while the rest of us went to a Vietnamese restaurant and then to the weekend market. Jo Einstandig, who is representing the foundation, and Oil, the visit coordinator, and I walked around together. Since I have been here several times before didn’t buy anything but a few more wash clothes. Just like Europe no wash clothes in campus hotel.

Then back to hotel for an hour and then leave again for an ISU alumni reception at the Pullman hotel. The food was great-slightly different this time, but still lots of seafood, chicken and desserts. How exciting it was to see the first ISU alumni club outside the US be chartered. Several of the alums hadn’t seen each other in 20 years, so it was exciting for them. Our grads are experts in tropical medicine, one is a former ambassador and one is a marketing manager for Central World-a big mall. Met one young man who is coming to ISU in the Fall.

Yesterday, I got to rest. Went and got the newspapers early. The newsstands now save for me. Then read, took a nap, had a Thai massage, took several walks and then took the young man, Isaac who had just arrived to dinner at my favorite place. Also were joined by another young alum and his girlfriend. He teaches at Christian University of Thailand and was in town for the receptions. His girlfriend is a Thai that he met on study abroad. She is a flight attendant for Emirates Airways and was in town on holiday. I also did a bit of work.

Learned another lesson in Thai bureaucracy. When I arrived last week, I gave all my plane receipts and boarding passes to a staff member for copying so I could get reimbursed for plane ticket. I signed all the copies. Well this AM, another staff member asked for same thing. So I gave to her and then I had to sign about 10 copies of each! Bottom, just because it has been done once, doesn’t mean you don’t have to do it again!

This week should be just a usual week, but who knows. The Thai way is much flexibility.

I love Bangkok in the early morning

nufrank — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 08:42:45 +0000

Early morning in Bangkok is my favorite time. I go out to get a newspaper between 6 and 6:30 as the sun is coming up. The streets are teeming with activity. School children are being dropped off at school. They either eat breakfast at school or in one of the small restaurants in the neighborhood or they get food from a street scan. Because there is so much traffic in Bangkok, their commute to school could be hours long.

Today I taught about 5 hours. I can tell you that is exhausting -teaching English to Thai students is a real challenge, but most did participate.

What a Difference a Day Makes

nufrank — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:37:50 +0000

Sunday and Monday were still part of the New Year’s holiday, so traffic was very light. Today everyone is back to work and the streets are jammed. All the shops and street side stalls are open. My first class is Thursday. Today I got to visit Sirijah Hospital. This is a government hospital but has some units for private patients. I saw the government ward for male oncology patients It was an open ward with about 20 beds. Although old, treatment was top notch. The private cardiac unit was very modern and up to date. The King stays on the 16th floor of one of the hospital buildings. I had to lay flowers on the statue of the King’s father and then the King. Then I signed a book. Jet lag is ebbing a bit, but still tired.

A quiet day

nufrank — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:54:01 +0000

Spent the day catching up on ISU work. Did manage several walks and discovered another news stand that carries English language newspapers. Had dinner at my favorite restaurant. A group from ISU is here this week. Their flight was delayed and so arrived a day late.

One thing I noticed in my walks is that there seems to be a bit more security around the neighborhood. I wonder if it is because of all the Red Shirt demonstrations last spring.

Back in my Thai home

nufrank — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 08:25:32 +0000

I arrived back in Bangkok a little over 15 hours ago. I didn’t sleep when I got here so I took a nap after breakfast. Then I went to the store for a few things. Everything is so familiar now. The New Year’s holiday is through Monday so I have time to get acclimated and work on my ISU courses before I start getting busy here.

It is a small world afterall

nufrank — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:53:23 +0000

In less than 48 hours I will be landing in Indianapolis. When I think about it-that is simply amazing. I am half way around the world from home, but not that far away after all. I am feeling mixed. I am anxious to be back home, but sad to leave such good friends. Yes more gifts today and hugs and food. Thailand truly is a generous country.