Not Busy, Just Thai'd Up

 

Let’s see.  I’m gonna make the theme of this post about people.  This week I have had the most amazing encounters with the most interesting people- the sweetest, the worldliest, the most talented, and the most helpful.  They had it right in that documentary A Map for Saturday (which everyone should watch)- the people make your travel experience.  But, it’s more than that- the people we meet every day impact our lives in ways that I believe many of us are unaware of.  So, let’s begin introducing you to the people I met this week.

 

1). Roddie, the trumpeter.  Now, the trumpet is one of the sexiest instruments in existence.  Saxophone is another, and I have discovered that somehow piano has become my favorite (the main instrument in all of the songs I like to sing to myself is piano).  But the fact that he plays a sexy instrument is not why Roddie is awesome.  He was born in Scotland, spent a lot of time in London getting into the music scene, and has travelled all over the world playing music with different big band…bands.  We met him at North Gate (where I got to sit on the bunny plaything all night! WEEEEEEE!!!) after his band was finished playing- ooh it sounded so lovely.  He would ask us where we were from, and he’d have a ten-minute long story in response, telling us about his adventures near our hometowns.  He’s met famous artists, he’s been offered exorbitant amounts of money, and he’s even been asked to forge a famous person’s autograph.  What a life!  Now, he’s retired and settled in Chiang Mai, smoking and drinking way too much, and playing with random groups of people. 

 

2). Hannah, the SMCM alumnus (alumna, if you prefer me to say that).  Alex has mutual friends with an alumnus from our college who has lived in Chiang Mai for the past few years teaching English to Burmese refugees.  I’ve met so many people with this goal.  Several people in my group are even volunteering for such a project- some are teaching refugees some computer skills and chemistry! I love it when people see the merit and benefits of an education, and are willing and patient enough to help others achieve that.  To all the teachers around the world: respek.

 

3). Den, the Muay Thai trainer at Lanna Muay Thai Boxing Camp (a.k.a. Kiat Busaba).  Mickey, Rachel, and I went to the gym to ask some questions to see about getting muay thai training.  And guess what! No need to because imma tell ya!  We start training on Wednesday! Blammalamma! Anyway, Den is the manager of the gym, and he is the sweetest person.  He was willing to help us with deals on paying for use of the gym, and he is our friend on Facebook, and he told us that we can call him any time we needed help.  He said that in the gym, our relationship is students-teacher.  But outside of that, we are all friends.  He was also not pushy about having us join the gym- he understands that we are students and have a duty to learn, and that getting to the gym is an expense because we have to pay for a sangteauw to get there.  So, he’s not a pushy salesperson jerk! Whoo!  I can’t wait for Wednesday to come, even though the 6:30-9 AM workout is going to kick me in the face.   I tried training for it Thursday morning- woof.  I’m out of shape and need to stop buying ice cream every day.

 

4). Friends in my group!  Duh huh!  We went to the Sangdee Gallery on open mic night where we all discovered how talented our group is.  There are several people who are musically talented- they can sing, play instruments, and even write really good songs.  For many of them, this was their first performance in front of people.  That takes SO MANY guts.  They serve as an inspiration to me. 

 

5). Nameless dancers.  We went to Ma Cherè Art Gallery during the opening of an art exhibition.  MORE CHARITY, MAN! Except this one was expensive- they were having an art auction in which the proceeds go toward the renovation (?) of a temple.  The MCs were so adorable, but I had no idea what they were saying because their dialogue was all in Thai.  But, the dance performances were so awesome.  There was a traditionalwomen’s dance, a contemporary Bhutto style dance about the circle of life that was amazing, and then a traditional sword dance which was mesmerizing (and not because he was only wearing a cloth that barely covered his bum).  Dancers…I don’t know what else to say because I didn’t actually meet them, but I feel like so much was revealed in the way they moved.  Just beautiful.

 

6). Eyesha.  Eyesha haggles like no other.  Holy crap.  The experience of being hounded by people wanting your money makes me nauseous.  I really hate it and wish not to talk about it further. 

 

7). Peeps at the Home of the Swallow.  On Saturday, we had the chance to volunteer at one of three locations: 1) Care forDogs, a place for strays – there are so many dogs on the streets, 2) Agape Home- an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS , 3) Home of the Swallow- an organization that seeks to help single mothers be able to keep and support their kids.  I volunteered at the Home of the Swallow because it reminded me of Maria’s newfound babychildorganization, Feminists for Life.  Home of the Swallow was splendiferous- they teach the mothers (who are all sweethearts) life skills such as crocheting, sewing, banking, cooking, jewelry-making, etc.  They sell homemade goods such as crochet teddy bears and bracelets to raise money for their organization.  The kids (who are under the age of 3 because that’s when they have to start schooling) are amazing and are so obedient.  They were scared of the white folk, but after the awkward stranger danger phase was over, we had so much fun with them.  One had me chasing after him, in and out, in and out, in and out of the house.  Another thought I could provide the milk- no way, baby.  We also tried to help out by cutting the grass.  They usually cut the grass with these rusty, dull shears- I don’t know how it is possible because we resorted to ripping up weeds with our hands until Caleb could start up the most terrifying weed whacker I have ever seen.  I love the aim of this place.

 

 

8). The Meals on Wheels delivery man.  I got a Subway sandwich from him.  It wasn’t as good as it is in America (not enough meat on my Spicy Italian, and not enough cheese options), but it tasted so nice- to have a good ol’ sandwich is a pleasure.

 

9). Doi Suthep is a beautiful temple where we got our Chinese fortunes and walked around the chedi three times in order to pay our respects, and Bhubing Palace was beautiful but kinda boring except for the imitation crab waffle I got (verdict: imitation crab does not belong in waffles).  But, afterwards, we returned to Free Bird Café.  If you didn’t check out the link in my last post…well, you lose brownie points.  So, the café is headed by this lady who is a wonderful cook.  She serves the most amazing food, and runs a secondhand shop, and all the proceeds go toward supporting the education of Burmese refugees.  During the day, she works the café, and during the night, she teaches.  Amazing woman, right?  Well, here’s the stressful sitch- they are running out of money- so the café might not exist soon, and because the money they make keeps the school alive, the school might not exist either.  A group of us are going to try to do a fundraiser to help keep them alive for a lil while longer, but they need much more help.  If any of you have any ideas, they’d be more than welcome.

 

10).  Raylena.  She is a 59 year old PhD student studying at Payap.  She was one of the first people I met on campus, but I didn’t get to know her until this past Friday.  By some turn of events we realized we have similar interests, and I suggested we get some tea at some point.  We talked about our lives, experiences, goals, and whatnot over Thai banana smoothies at what she has nicknamed Mocha Bar, and it was the most amazing thing I have experienced thus far.  I don’t want to say too much except for the fact that I am SO glad to have made her acquaintance.