Lynsey Steinberg. Illustration.: June 2009

I have been on two airplanes, out of three, and each one has been uterly amazing. One from Newark to Germany, and Germany to Bankok (Thailand). The woman who was taking care of us was laying the alcohol way too strong in the drinks we ordered. The second flight was amazing because the Thailand air crew who's taking care of us seem almost desperate to make our every wish come true. I was asked about twelve times if I wanted more bread with my food. I even got my own picnic table to fold out over my seat, or bed, to eat. The worst though is they seem like they don't understand the word 'no thank you' or they're just unused to hearing it. Every time they would ask if I wanted more, and if I said no, it was like I was kicking a puppy.

When we boarded the plane from Germany the skies were really dark and stormy and I saw a bolt of lighting about 200 feet away from where we were climbing into the sky. After the whole air france thing that really settled my stomach, not.

On these airplanes I had my own little mini television and I could pick what movies to watch...finally a chance to catch up with all the ones I've missed. I watched... Slumbdog Millionaire, Confessions of a Shopaholic (heather would lovvvvvvve), Vanilla Sky, Watchmen (what the hell was this about?), and Coraline (a little messed up).

Currently I'm sitting in our hotel room, It's 430 am here, but I really crashed when we finally arrived.

It was a real reality check when we arrived at the hotel, the security guard has the road blocked off, and when we drove up they walk around the car with a strange rod to search under the car to look for bombs.

When we arrived there was someone waiting for us to check us in and they walked up with a tray of drinks, I laughed out loud I think. But when we finally got to the time share, I crashed to sleep around 6pm and just woke up :D

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So the funniest thing is Thailand imitation American food. Their eggs, milk, hashbrowns, and bacon are all very odd. Especially the milk. It tastes as if its directly from a goat udder. Regardless, we got up early since we both are stuck on 12 hours earlier time, and afterwards I went to check out the spa and the gym. The spa (my moms favorite commodity) was like walking into an instant serenity when you walked through the door, I think I started to sleep walk the moment I entered. Mom quickly signed up for an Oriental foot massage, and while Asians stroking my feet seemed soooo appealing, I decided to hit the gym instead.

Now it's day two and I'm sore as HEck. I was planning on running everyday...that might change to every other day. Another thing, they don't even have any Thai food at this resort! LOL. It's all imitation food of other countries, and everything is in English, bizarre. Yesterday we spent most of the day sitting by the pool side, the pool is incredible! It doesn't even look like a pool. And there's three pools to choose from.

Pool: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/19882810.jpg
Hotel: http://singapore.hotels.com/13/hotels/1000000/870000/860900/860838/hcom_860838_20_b.jpg

Today I think we're planning on the outlet shopping place around the corner, however, we have to take the shopping shuttle because a lot of the taxis here, 'tuk tuks' are run by the Thai Mafia, and can be dangerous. Sigh, lovely. You think they have Italian Thai's?

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We went to a fabulous show for tourists, called Fantasea. But it incorporated all the Traditional Thai Culture into one. My favorite had to be Kabuki, or Shadow puppets. I also loved this dance over bamboo sticks.

AND I got to hold a baby tiger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was for money but totally worth it! I couldn't pass it up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAZ1GJoXskE&feature=PlayList&p=7F3F4D458DBF8143&index=3

We took an island tour and it was incredible! Most of the country is third world so most of the country side was shacks or brand new buildings meant to lure in tourists. Most of the buildings didn't even have full roofs or walls. And everywhere you went there were stray dogs, but our tour guide said that is the Thai dog, that's just what they do. They wander around and if they have a home they go back to it at night. 5 of his dogs were strays he said.

We went to two peeks and did a look out view - incredible! And at one of the places a guy came running up to us with an Eagle on his arm, want to hold the eagle for a price??? Um no. lol. Eagle looked mean.

We went to an elephant trekking site but decided against riding the elephant. I recently found out that to train the Thailand elephant they tie them up between two trees for two years and don't let them move except for human comands. Once trained to keep them in line they use an elephant hook, which is illegal in the US.

http://www.upali.ch/bilder1/ankus.jpg (hook)

So we didn't ride one to support that. But I did pay to feed them :D They actually eat whole pineapple!!! Like the hard skin and all! I couldn't believe it. And they hold out their trunks in a cup fashion like please give it to me. It was hilarious.

Much of their money from tourism comes from drunk tourists and ripping off the tourists. But all in all I think mom and I did pretty well.

We did get to go to a Buddhist temple and see how they worship. In all places the Thai people remove their shoes when going inside. They also consider it the ultimate insult to touch a persons head since it's considered the highest part of a soul or human. They do not like public displays of affection at all. But no matter where you go they are always smiling and even bowing. Sawat-dee-kaa!!

:D Now I'm in germany waiting for our third flight, we're temporarily in a hotel. Our second flight I slept the most of the way through, but it was SO bumpy that when I was sleeping I almost felt out of my chair. Which scared the crap out of me considering the recent air France disaster.

Friday, June 19, 2009

More Thai Pictures

Thailand Journal :D

Monday, June 1, 2009

GRADUATION WOOT!