All packed up (I hope)
The international date line really messes with my head. The West coast is earlier than the East coast, Hawaii is earlier than the West coast, but some how when you go far enough west, it’s all of a sudden later instead of earlier.
Why does this matter? I’ll be flying, technically, for two days, and since I’m determined to write something each day during this trip, this will be my last chance (unless Tokyo Narita, the airport I’m transferring through, has free wireless, which it probably does) to get online until Friday.
Never got the extra battery and memory cards I wanted to have for my camera, thank you USPS. Other than that, I’m confident that I am materially prepared for the trip. Psychologically, who knows?
This trip will be a lot of things for me, among them four weeks of TESOL training, ten days of pure vacation and most importantly, six weeks outside of the USA.
Here is a selection of the advice I have received:
DO NOT:
Get suckered into the gem smuggling hustle. You will get ripped off. (guide book)
Have sex with proffesionals, because 50% them have HIV. (Paris)
DO:
Go see the musical elephants up North (Kenny)
Get a tailored suit (Janet)
Buy gems to bring them back and make money (Paris)
I’m late a flight!
Laura Westwood said,
April 18, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Luckily you have learned how to say no in thai to avoid the two don’ts.
Stay cool, eat lots of amazing food, and see you in three weeks! The office misses you already, but of course I miss you the most.
Mom said,
April 19, 2008 at 3:42 am
Hi Alex,
According to my calculations it is now about 10:40 AM in Bangkok on Saturday – you’ve skipped right over Friday! We’re awaiting your first report with bated breath!
Ron Braithwaite said,
April 19, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Have a great trip, Alex! Be sure to visit Chang Mai up north and wander down the coast, too. I remember a very cute little zoo in Rayong. If you want surreal, visit the Denny’s in Pattaya Beach (and I do mean seriously surreal). On the road south of Rayong, they used to have the most wonderful topiary (bushes clipped to look like animals) that gave me as peaceful a feeling as I had in the entire year there. And of course, you must visit not only the great Buddhist temples in the big cities, but also the little shrines along the way. I could go on, but instead I’ll just send you my warmest regards.
-Ron