Thailand -- Bangkok and Pattaya

What are we doing in Thailand? Six teachers (including me) were sent by Woodstock to attend a teacher's writing workshop in the city of Pattaya. Yay! But first, Christina and I decided to spend a few days in Bangkok, the land of shopping. So that's what we did! Well, more like, I drank fresh juice and ate fresh roasted nuts, while she perused. Phwew, that will meet my shopping quota for the year!

(Weekend Market)

Bangkok is really nice. (Sorry, I know "really" and "nice" are banned words in the "good" writer's club. doh!) What I mean is that it is clean and tourist friendly. The metro and skytrain are new and sparkling, and you can find a grocery store. I mean one with aisles and products that us North American tourists are used to and quite often demand. Like oatmeal -- I bought 2 boxes! While we might have shunned convenience, materialism, bulk, and packaging upon arriving in India, Christina and I were so deprived of the excess of home, that we went through each aisle with great happiness. Sorry, I was so busy looking at all the products, that I didn't take any photos!

We also got stuck in a tourist trap. Don't go to Dumb Dumb (spelling), everyone, that's one of the several floating markets. It was the first one established, but I certainly didn't see any locals shopping there. Try the floating market that caters to local farmers and merchants!

(Taiwanese guys who were making dorky remarks in Manderin)

We made the best of our situation and took pictures. Then, when the experience was over, we boarded the van, only to find out that we were going to be brought to go to a cobra show, a gem store, and a wood carving factory. Well...I guess the wood carving was sort of interesting!

(wood carving place)

The next day, Christina and I ventured on our own and took the tourist boat along the river. First, we stopped off at the Flower Market. It was mostly vegetables, but really cool. It's funny how tourists always want to go where there are no other tourists, but that's how it was.

(flower market)

Then, we went to a few temples. Below is the picture I have of the giant reclining buddha; we decided to go the free admission route and stand outside. And then Wat Arun was pretty cool!

(Wat Pho)
(maybe Wat Arun)
(Wat Arun)
(Wat Arun)
(Wat Arun)

Here is a store owner pouring coke into a bag for Christina. Since glass coke bottles need to be recycled and refilled, you pour the drink into a plastic bag.

(drink in a bag)

The last day, our awesome students met up with us. They took us to a local eatery and shopping. It was really great to see our students on their own turf, hanging out. We had a blast and enjoyed the best massage ever too. Thanks so much, you guys!!! You rock!

(awesome!)

Unfortunately, our real vacation was over, and we headed to Pattaya, 1.5 hours away to work. Fortunately, our writing workshop, the instructors, and the other teachers were so cool. Unfortunately, Pattaya is seems to be the major destination for old creepy perverts seeking prostitutes, some female and others transexuals. Fortunately, we were staying at The Redemptorist Center which has schools for the disabled, deaf, blind, and elderly and an orphanage. They also have a program for children of sex workers. All the hotel proceeds go to these centers. Unfortunately, the beaches were polluted. Fortunately, there was still fun stuff to take photos of.

(creepy pervert with playmate for the day, of questionable age)

(fishing boat)

(dead fish)

Some of the sites that we saw were: Walking Street where all the "business" happens, the pier, the busy streets, and the famous transvestite dancing show. That performance was really amazing, like real Broadway type entertainment with all dancing transvestities. They were really beautiful and glamourous!

(Walking Street)
(Pattaya pier)
(on the street)
(glamourous transvestities)

Between days of writing and sitting in classes, we were able to go to an island. Though it was really touristy, I didn't mind. It was great to swim in the ocean again. Soneyya and Vandana (not pictured here) went into the water, yay! Rachna and Cathy had a great time too!

While one of our male coworkers who visited Pattaya on his own, described the city as "hell living on earth", us female teachers were not solicited as much. And we were able to visit some of the good causes that were happening there, like the Orphanage and Sister Joan who gave us different perspectives about the sex trade.

(Hyper Kid)
(with Sister Joan)

Here are some parting shots.

(fish dinner)

(Bangkok airport)

For the entire set of Thailand pictures aka July 2008 set, CLICK HERE. I'm sure there will be an entry on Christina's blog eventually about Thailand too.