Happy Endings



With faculty sponsor



With Dept. Head

On Friday, the departmental faculty / staff held a going away lunch party for me. It was really nice and the food was delicious. We exchanged some presents. Souvenirs are like photos - personalized ways to extend your memory. On Saturday night, my faculty sponsor invited me and a colleague over for dinner. Her husband did the cooking and once again the food was great (roasted chicken and giant river shrimp). So, it was a good food weekend. :) We had a great time since the conversation was in English.

My visit to Thailand has been wonderful - people, food, culture and landscape make an interesting combination. Come if you can and see for yourself. Leaving tomorrow and of course I have some mixed emotions. I would like to stay longer, but I need to go back home. Here's one consolation. More than once the KKU faculty said that we were friends for life. A group of them are coming to Missouri this October to discuss a long-term collaboration with MU. Can't wait.



  

          

Wild Women?

When I told people I was going to Vietnam, they asked why (like, don't you have another choice)? When I told people I was going to Thailand, they said (with a wink and a nod), I know why you want to go there!

It's all about perception. American images of Thailand generally focus on two things: tropical paradise and estrogen-fueled women (but not necessarily in that order). I hate to burst your bubble, but all the women I've seen look and act perfectly normal. In fact, modest would be the best word to describe them. Everybody wears clothes. I have seen no public displays of affection - couples kissing or even holding hands!

By now, you are probably thinking about some news story that you have seen on television or read about in the newspaper (Bangkok or Pattaya). It's true, there are some wild women in Thailand just like in the US.  But most of our news reporting is based on sensationalism and sex sells! Here's a newsflash... the world's oldest profession is about making money, not love. So Tina Turner was right all along?

I'm not tring to paint a picture of absolute purity. Just getting you to rethink some stereotypes.

Thainess

I haven't been here long enough to fully grasp the meaning of this term, but I think it has something to do with language, religion, food, customs, and lifestyle - Thai culture for short. It's the special (mostly inner) qualities that differentiate Thai people from other folks. Here's a few things that I've noticed...

• Politeness. They extend a warm greeting to each other and foreigners alike. It's a simple gesture called wai, folding of the hands with a small bow of the head, instead of a handshake.  The older you are, the more greater the bow. It's a back-handed compliment, but I get a lot of respect in Thailand. :)
• Hospitable. Anxious for you to feel at home with their culture. Feel uncomfortable when foreigners offer to pay for something.  For example, when I offer to buy lunch for my colleagues they often say its too cheap and would rather I pay when the meal is more expensive (which never occurs).     
• Curious. Students are very interested in American lifestyle, but are very shy - inhibited because of language barrier and status.  But they certainly love to talk to each other. 
• Tolerant. Very accepting of others and diverse viewpoints. Goodness is found in everybody and everything. 
• Photogenic. Thai love to pose for photos, like a glamor shot or something. Also, female students like to take photos with me. Going to miss this after returning to the U.S. :(
• Ephemeral. Thai people seem to live in the present, more than dwell on the past or plan for the future. I think the song, "Don't worry, be happy" fits their collective personality very well.
• Conflict-avoidance. They want to make people happy, not sad, so they often defer bad news or delay making controversial decisions.  It's in contrast to most Americans "bull in the China shop" mentality.

Of course, there are many things I still don't understand. Here's a few of them. Many Thai people leave their keys in the door. Go figure. More than once I have seen the plastic still on furniture - long after it has been purchased. I guess its a way to keep it looking new! The toilet paper dispenser in the bathroom is exactly the same kind they use on the dining table.  Kind of gets you thinking both ways! But here's something that really makes sense. Thai eat with an over-sized spoon (right hand) and fork (left hand). I asked why. They can get more food on a spoon than they can on a fork!

Impossible to lose!



Old, but just like new!



Toilet paper and table napkin?



Model of efficiency!

Are you Boring?

I guess it depends on who you ask. Most Americans would probably say yes. Some Asians (not just Thai) have asked me this question, but wasn't sure how to respond. For some reason, I didn't really think they meant what was said.  You know, kind of like lost in translation. Instead, I realized that they were asking, "Are you bored?"  It kind of made me think that every Asian student had the same English teacher. Here's the way I figured it out. The clue was contextual - always on a field trip, attending a presentation, etc. Just to be on the safe side, I always say "no" - regardless if the verb ends in "ing" or "ed." 

Dancing with Cobras



Tourist attraction?

Some of the faculty members told me not to go.  They said it was too dangerous.  They said it was mating season and "wild" snakes often visit the area looking for romance. They asked if I had a life insurance policy. Glad I didn't listen. One brave professor and three students drove me to the King Cobra Village today. It was another great experience.

King cobras are native to Thailand and highly venomous - one bite can bring down an elephant. They are culturally important species, mainly because of their looks and habits (credited with having a good memory). In India, snake charmers put King cobras in baskets. In Thailand, at least Khon Kaen, they put on live animal shows. It's similar to rattlesnake roundups in the U.S. I've been to those too. Crazy, huh?

Area farmers figured they could make some extra money by agitating snakes, so they put on several performances a day for tourists. Probably make more money than rice farming, but this "hobby" is risky. One of the trainers was missing a few fingers (kind of reminded me of noodlers).  Last week the "head" trainer was killed by a snake. I read about it in the newspaper. But the show must go on.

First, some young girls got on stage with pythons (non-venomous). Later, they put the snake's head in their mouth - bizzare, but a real crowd-pleaser. Next, some guys got on stage and started messing around with live cobras. Not sure if they had been miked, but even so, I wouldn't want to take any chances. Finally, a small boy got on stage and demonstrated his prowess with a live, non-venomous snake.  They took up a love offering and I made a small donation. I bought a few souvenirs, but no snakes.


Out of the mouths of babes




Snake or arm quicker?

    



The serpent shall strike thy heel



Train up a child...



Massage Therapy

Okay, I know what you are thinking...  How could you? Don't you know it's only a front for prostitution.  Perhaps that's true for some locations in Thailand, but not all.  Massage therapy doesn't have that kind of reputation in the U.S. nor at the campus hotel where I'm staying. It seemed like a safe bet, otherwise they couldn't stay in business....  at least this business!

Overcoming my fear, I knocked on the door and was greeted by two Thai women who could barely speak English.  I wasn't sure if I had made the right decision or not.  One of them asked if I wanted a foot or body massage. I said body, and she wanted to know for 1 or 2 hours.  After verifying the price, I said 2 hours.  That turned out to be a great decision.  Before she started, I had to take off my shoes and change clothes. No big deal. 

The therapist folded her hands and said a prayer before we started. I took that as a good sign. I had to lay down on a mat. When she said face up, I finally figured out that she wanted me to lie on my back. First, she worked on my feet and legs, then it was back and shoulders. Lastly, she did accupressure on my head. It was half massage and half chiropractic, but I could have cared less. Two hours went by quickly. Don't think I had any stress going in, but afterwards, I had none for sure. And absolutely no drain on my wallet ($9.50).  I may have to do this once or twice more before I leave!
     

      

New Diet

I'm not a dietician, but I think I just solved the obesity problem in the U.S. My solution is so simple, I often wonder why somebody has not thought of it before me. If I could only make some money off this plan I could retire tomorrow or the next day!

I've noticed a few things after traveling in Asian countries. Most Asians are pretty skinny, but not all of them.  Trust me, the ones we see in the U.S. tend to be much thinner than the ones back "home." Americans, by in large, are heavier than any Asian I have ever seen (except for sumo wrestlers).

There are a number of factors that cause obesity, but food is the main culprit. You are probably thinking that Asians eat less (quantity) and their food is much healthier (quality) than ours.  This is a good explanation, but not perfect. First of all, I have seen some tiny Asian girls eat huge amounts of food. Secondly, some Asian food is not as healthy as you might think.  They use a lot of cooking oil and eat a lot of animal fat, including the skin (chicken & pork). Thailand uses a lot of coconut milk. That stuff will sweeten anything! Sticky rice contains sugar, you get the picture.

Here's the difference. Asians eat very little processed food.  So just eliminate  processed foods from your diet and you will lose weight.  Of course, that's easier said than done in America.  Almost everything we eat has been processed - its scary! But try my diet plan for one month and see what happens.  Go ahead and eat whatever you want (within reason), and stop counting all that fat, calories, carbs, and sugars - they don't do it over here. You don't have to eat Asian food for a month, just eat like an Asian for a month!