Three

This post could be titled “jetlag is killing me.” Or “don’t these people ever sleep?” Or “god, this is NASTY!” Or “god, this is GOOD!” Or “wow… this is … interesting?” Or “Skype rocks.”

I guess I’ll attempt to placate the masses, and begin with a few photos (if/when I get broadband, I’ll start uploading hoards. In the mean time, this will have to do.).

This is a picture taken from the New World Lodge, where I stayed for the first two nights. It has rained off and on over the last few days, but apparently it has been unseasonably sunny.

This dog is taking a nap in a random phone booth. Stray dogs and cats are surprisingly common– some of which are friendly, some of which are skiddish, but all of which look like they’re well fed. Speaking of which, Josh (my roommate from Mansfield, Penn.) and I saw some NYC-sized rats tonight as we were walking through a poorer part of Bangkok. Not only were they huge, but they were surprisingly bold– making me wish for some good, thick shoes so I didn’t feel as though my toes were potential rat-food.

This is a picture from Thammasat. I’ll make a point of tracking down more to give you a better idea of what the campus looks like.

Approximately 31,000 students attend Thammasat, spread across four campuses. My campus is the oldest of the four, and is perhaps half the size of Montana State.

I will be wearing a uniform, consisting of a white dress shirt and black dress pants every day while on campus. On balance, Thailand is highly conservative– in dress, in mannerisms, in politics… Although not strictly “required,” the uniforms are encouraged, and many professors will not allow students to take their final exams if they are not dressed properly. Even off campus, shorts are considered only appropriate for beaches and for playing sports, which is going to kill me (assuming that I buckle down and conform). Similarly, one may be turned away from Wats (monasteries) and other tourist attractions like the Royal Palace if one isn’t dressed appropriately.

This is Josh and I moving in to our apartment. We’re on the 6th floor, have air conditioning, and a balcony. Although not much by American standards, it’s about twice the size (common room included) of what I was living in last year. Unlike the hotel we were staying at, however, this is not a tourist-y part of the city, which is nice in its own right. English is much less prevalent here, as are American brands, chains and companies. There seems to be an almost direct correlation between the number of 7-Elevens and the tourist attraction of an area– there was a 7-Eleven on every corner by the hotel I stayed at, whereas I don’t know where the nearest 7-Eleven is from my apartment.

This is looking out from my balcony. Immediately below is a private elementary school and soccer club. Unfortunately, things like open-space and green grass are not available to Bangkok’s public.

Many of the more poor areas don’t have streets– just small sidewalks like this one, winding in and out of decaying shacks. Little motorcycles are everywhere, and are driven anywhere that can be walked to.

Random vendor, stray dog.

Even the poorest of houses seem typically to have a miniature Wat with figurines inside, usually accompanied by flowers and incense.

Typical power-pole. And yet, so far, the electricity has been rather stable.

That’s all for photos, right now. Surprisingly, I haven’t taken many, but I’m in no hurry.

I bought a cellphone yesterday. It’s about the size of an iPod mini, and theoretically should only need to be charged once every week or two. God, America is SO far behind at the cell-phone game– Bangkok doesn’t have drinkable water, but their cell technology puts America to shame.

I still don’t have reliable access to the internet, but that seems forthcoming.

On a positive note, Skype seems to work just fine on my current dial-up connection, so I’ve been able to make a phone call or two. Now I just need to be awake at the same time of day as the rest of you…