Thai Society/Culture
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Royalty Visiteth
The crown princess is coming to Rajabhat Mahasarakham University for some kind of contest to be held at our new indoor event hall. This means I saw the first helicopter since the last time a member of the royal family came (last year, when another princess landed on our track to be taken by motorcade to preside over the graduation festivities for the sports college next door, where I exercise every day). Our building’s parking lot has been declared the space for motorbikes, so there are probably a thousand parked out there so far. In an hour or so when I leave for my workout, I hope I can get…
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Pass the Tiger Balm Already
I was horrified today when my personal trainer (male, 20) started massaging my legs with floral scented lotion instead of the sports liniment I’d been expecting… Horrified, yet silent.
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Burning bloodsuckers at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand
These vids were taken at the teacher’s accommodations we rented (House 109) at Khao Yai National Park from November 9 to 11, 2009. It rained every day, which brings the leeches out in great numbers. I had a few actually on my feet during different times, but none were on long enough to feast on my ambrosial blood. Too bad. // Part 1 is very blurry and hard to see, but contains brutal leech burning imagery as an added bonus: Thai language note: These leeches, on land, are called “taak.” Ones in the water are “prin” (pronounced like pudding in Japanese without the hard “r”) The hand-sized ones in the…
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How to Convert the Thai Buddhist Era Year to Gregorian Calendar Year
Subtract 543. That is all. However, if you want to further convert that to Japanese Imperial calendar dates, this site sure comes in handy: NengoCalc This year, 2009 AD, is also 2552 B.E. (Thailand) and Heisei 21 (Japan). I think I have enough calendar systems in my life.
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Gut Rumblings
I had the gnarliest gas at the gym today, but I made it seem like it was this old guy that everybody hates by following him around from machine to machine. Karma may be a bitch, but I’m pretty sure God thought it was pretty amusing and should kick me down bonus juju points for it or something. ////////////////// On less shocking notes, the new term has started at our uni, the weather has suddenly turned cool (21ºC/69.8ºF), Max has become a screamer unsuitable for taking shopping, and we didn’t partake in any Loy Krathong festivities this year because Nam is full of baby and I hate people.
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Fortuitous Testudines
On my way home from the gym about an hour ago, I spotted a familiar silhouette on the side of the road… I saw it after my headlights had passed over, but some primal part of my brain recognized the dark shape and screamed POSSIBLE FOOD SOURCE. I stopped and backed up a bit, and got out of the car. The rear running lights on my car shine through 38 year old lenses, so they aren’t that bright. But they were bright enough to show that I had found a pretty big turtle with pretty yellow stripes running up and down his legs and neck; his shell was about 9…
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Vegetarians have it hard in Thailand
…and here’s the proof. Note: The photo gallery above is pretty hardcore piercing/mutilation stuff.
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Karma, illustrated
Cosmic Buddha was born in a Mahayana country… But now lives in a Theravada one. The differences between the two are apparent in the way they affect the curry: Curries in Mahayana countries are more refined, and curries in Theravada countries have deeper flavor; all are delicious. Of course, karma can crush you regardless of the flavor you choose.
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Surveying Khao Yai National Park, Thailand
Last week, while tripping balls on cold medicine and mourning the loss of our pink chicken, I mentioned going on a scouting trip for our upcoming International Camp. Here are some photos which are neither international nor even educational, but I like them anyway. If you’re lucky I may even throw in the odd caption. Khao Yai National Park. Entrance fees for Thais: 20 Baht. For foreigners: 200 Baht. Yet somehow, I got in for the Thai rate (because my coworkers told me to shut up so I could pass as Thai. Thanks, girls!) The dormitories we were supposed to stay at, but will no longer be able to because…
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Zato #9 – Adventures of Zatoichi
In a sense, I’ve been employing a Zatoichi of my own here. The baby in Nam’s belly is a week bigger than normal, and Nam feels very heavy, so she goes to get massages 2 or 3 times a week now. I also went last week after my fever, because my shoulders were all bunched up and I couldn’t sleep. The masseuse is a blind man named Moh Ken (“Moh” is an honorific for doctors and other health practitioners). Moh Ken is a funny sorta guy; he doesn’t carry a cane sword, but he’s strong as hell from massaging people all day. When he massaged my shoulders, I was very…
