Bangkok is DIRTY. Like, the most polluted city I've ever been in. Even though every day is cloudless, by 2:30 the sun goes behind the pollution, and the city becomes hot and muggy, but not what anyone would call "sunny." It's as if a light cloud were covering the entire sky. That means that I have to utilize my AMAZING condo's pool between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (or 14:30, which is how they tell time here).
The people are incredible. First, they're all extremely friendly and helpful. Instead of being put off that Westerners are visiting their country, they're delighted, and do most of what they can to help us in any way. I read that this is because Thailand was one of the few Southeast Asian countries not to be colonized, so they never got a bad perception of Westerners. I had a man approach me on the street and direct me and my new friend, Andy, to the most inexpensive canal ride in town. He went out of his way to draw Andy and me a map. And the students at Thammasat are just as nice. In my accounting class we have a homework due on Monday. Since it's about a Thai company, my teacher suggested that each exchange student pair up with a Thai student. When I first heard that I assumed I would have to ask a Thai student to help me out and be my partner; instead, two girls approached me and asked if they could be my buddy. They were excited to help me out. Really! I love it.
On the other hand, because they're poor and we're not, we get exploited. I've already learned to bargain a bit. At first I felt really shy and peculiar, even rude bargaining, but now that I've done it, there's no going back. It doesn't matter that 500 baht is only $15 and I would pay that much or more normally, it matters that they charge everyone else 200 baht.
A few things that drive me nuts:
- Very few garbage bins anywhere, so you have to hold your trash for miles. Absolutely no recycling bins.
- No sauce on sushi
- Every shampoo and conditioner sold is made for "straight and weighty" hair
- No toilet paper anywhere, and for the most part just sprayers
- No napkins to speak of
- Only ob tampons
The food is fantastic, and I've become a very adventurous eater.
I try to eat at least one very spicy dish per day, so that my taste buds get used to it. This is for my own personal satisfaction. I also love to try new things. I've eaten anything set in front of me, but a few goals of mine include eating jellyfish and insects. The other exchange students are worried about the street food, but I've gone as far as to have sushi from the street and I've been fine. If we're going to get sick, we're going to get sick.
Sample street food I'll eventually eat: (This is a chicken claw)
Tonight we went for Korean barbecue, which was delicious until I scalded my knee. The grill is set in the middle of the table, but it's plenty hot underneath. Afterward we set out for a club called "Bed," in which the seating is entirely beds, but we somehow wound up in the Red Light district. No worries (mai pben rai), Thammasat warned us all about it.
Everyone else seems pretty great so far. I'm rooming with a beautiful Hawaiian girl named Meris, who goes to USC. We live in a completely furnished (and when I say completely, I mean we even get wine glasses) condo on the 34th floor with two balconies overlooking Bangkok. It's beautiful and spacious and just $255 a month. Beat that, Austin. The other two girls from our group live directly one floor above us, and the eight other guys are scattered throughout the complex. We hang out every night, which I love. In fact, last night I can tell that no one did anything because three separate facebook albums went up.
We're going to Hua Hin, a beach down south, tomorrow on a field trip. Instead of coming back with the rest of the group, though, we're all staying through Sunday. I'm excited! My first real beachy Thailand experience.
The other exchange students have asked me, in complete sincerity, whether I have a gun or not. And have been similarly sincerely surprised when I've told them that there are many gay clubs in Texas. I've become accustomed to adding the phrase, "But I hate George Bush," after I get introduced to people. It's my personal mission to dispel all their preconceived notions about Texas.
Similarly, Thai people stare. I don't understand why, because I see caucasian backpackers everywhere, but it's true. Especially children. It's a humbling experience to be the minority in terms of race for the first time in my life, but I like it. The little kids and babies, especially, don't know what to think when they see me and the other exchange students. Some get really happy when we wave and smile, and others are too shocked to respond. What I didn't expect at all, though, was that Meris, who is Chinese by descent, would be the most conspicuous. She gets stranger looks than any of us, because Thais wonder what she's doing in Thailand. They can't figure out whether she's a funny looking Thai, or a Thai of Chinese descent, or what. And most of the time they try to talk to her in Thai. When she doesn't speak it back, they're even more bewildered that she's an American.
Lastly, (and since I'm technically here to study), I'm going to say that classes are the biggest culture shock of all. I feel more like I'm in high school than college, because the teacher spends most of the time trying to control the class. Thai students go so far as to talk on their cell phones while teachers are lecturing, which blows my mind. It's also to my disadvantage. I feel like I'm being more lectured at than anyone else since I'm the only one not talking.
Four hours until Hua Hin! I need some sleep. Pictures when I get back, I promise.
