Hey Folks, I'm writing from my Dad's house in Hong Kong this time. I'm here for a nice chill week of holiday thanks to Songkran, the Thai New Year.
Now let me tell you about Songkran - a wild 3 day party (April 13-15) where people take to the streets and have huge waterfights with you whether or not you want to get wet! I decided to get in on the best of the action at Khao San road, the infamous backpacker haven that is also home to the most packed chaotic waterfight in Thailand. The crowd was huge and it took 20 minutes just to finally walk our way to the entrance of the road (imagine the human traffic of a rock concert but slightly less crowded than cheek to cheek). One out of every 5 people had a watergun of some kind and many others had small buckets with white powder+water which they would use to wipe on your face with their hands (a perversion of a Thai tradition to sort of bless people on Songkran). Techno and hip hop music rang throughout the half mile long street as thousands slowly walked through or stopped on the sides to do some shooting. Anyway I was tired of getting soaked by so many people all around me while walking down the road so I got to the sidewalk, forked over 500 baht (about 14 USD) for the biggest bloody super soaker I could get, and it was ON. I let this bazooka fly and was blasting people in the face in no time. This was FUN, let me tell you. Someone would shoot me, I would wiggle my finger at them, then pull my monster weapon out and send them stumbling away. I felt like yelling 'THIS IS SPARTA!!!' I wasn't even drunk (and most people had SOMEthing to drink, despite it being 3 in the afternoon) but had so much fun just soaking people and getting soaked for 3 hours. You just pay 5 baht for a quick refill and it was definitely worth it. The farangs (foreigners) got targeted a lot, which was pretty damn funny. I hit this fat bearded dude in the face so many times and once a gang of us on the sidewalk pointed about 8 guns on him and I swear he almost fell over from the sheer force of this onslaught. At one point there were a bunch of ladyboys wearing white tanktops and no bras on their fake boobs running through the 'gauntlet' area where I was hanging out. They got hit so many times and frantically jumped up and down and screeched in the most flamboyant way possible. It was absolutely hilarious. Each of them even had a tiny 2 inch squirtgun which they helplessly tried to shoot blindly as their eyes were doused with constrant streams of water. All in good fun. I came back again two days later for a few more hours of mayhem. I feel bad for the folks that have to clean up though...there must have been an incredible mess...
Before that crazy few days last weekend I had made my second buisiness trip to Vietnam. I didn't go out much like normal because I caught a cold and didn't want to be knackered for Songkran. I got a lot done and my new projects there (having to do with the Promotional Girls and anti-counterfeit) are definitely interesting and challenging. On my flight back I saw my boss in the bus to the terminal once we arrived in Bangkok. I didn't even know he was in Vietnam or that he was on the same plane. That is just the nature of our business I guess. He kindly gave me a ride home in his mercedes.
And BEFORE THAT, I had gone to Phuket for 3 days on the weekend with some friends from Singapore. We stayed at a really nice boutique hotel in Patong Beach (a bit too touristy of a spot for me) and basically chilled out. I got to go sailing with Bernice on a gorgeous day with a 18 foot hobiecat, eat delicious food, and even tried my first proper foot massage. It felt so damn good I fell asleep in the middle for 15 minutes and woke up drooling. I had to go back again the next day! The Thais in Patong beach were quite aggressive salespeople due to all the tourists from Europe and America. I really didn't like their attitudes - a lot less friendly and genuine than Bangkokians. Then again I don't talk to a lot of Bangkokians that sell shit on the street. Oh well, they have to make money in the best way they know how. But sorry, I'm not paying 200 baht for a bloody 3 minute taxi ride or 600 baht for a red bull tanktop. By the way, Red Bull originated in Thailand. One of my friends told me it started in Hungary or something and I can now confirm they are full of crap.
I saw Borat finally. What a movie...I'm sure you know what I'm talking about if you've seen it. It was soo damn funny but I felt disturbed at times by what I was hearing from actual Americans and by what Sasha Cohen actually dared to do on camera.
Three days ago I had a dream about my friend Andrew whom I mentioned in my previous post. Him, a few other friends, and I went on some crazy adventure in a jungle somewhere (the details I can't remember now) and he was acting just as I had remembered him - spontaneous, silly, fun... anyway at the end of my dream I realized that Andrew was not suppossed to be around and I asked him 'Andrew...what are you doing here? Didn't you die?' He turned to me gravely all of a sudden and said something like 'Yeah...okay.' He then walked forward very quickly with his back toward me. I quickly caught up to him, tapped him on the shoulder and said 'hey wait!' When he turned around it wasn't Andrew, it was some guy with a different face and he didn't know why I had tapped him. I then woke up. Pretty crazy...I'm not really sure what to think of that dream. It did make me smile a bit in the end though.
Now that I'm in Hong Kong for 5 more days I plan to play with my little brothers a lot and just have some good conversations with my Dad. My little bro James (10 years old) had a birthday 2 weeks ago and I emailed him asked what he wanted from me. He responded with 'Whatever you want to get me is fine. I know it will be great because you are.' That email made my day! I bought him some cool stuff I know he would like and of course I had to buy some weapons and plastic crap for the little 5 year old Sam otherwise he would feel left out. Going to Toys R Us for the first time in 5 years was a trip...
I hope to go out a few times in downtown (Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai) with some old friends. Theres a short list of people that I need to get hammered with. Ahh good times. I'll talk about my coming adventures here in the next post, and I swear I'll put up some pictures to attach to this post soon. Check out my page on www.facebook.com too for a lot of photos.
Cya
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
"Jack talk Thai very well..."
Sawatdii krup! Sa baai dii mai? Yin dii thii dai ruu-jak.
Okay I've had two Thai 1 on 1 lessons in the past couple weeks and now I am obviously a master of the language. Actually I still don't know shit, but I have got the numbers down and some basic greetings/vocab. I can talk to taxi drivers sometimes without saying any English, but I am tempted to everytime. I just want to get to a very basic level, but it will take a lot of time and effort from me. The last thing I want to do after a long day of work is sit down and study Thai for an hour (or write more emails/update my blog) but I just have to do it every so often! Oh and sorry for the corny Meet the Parents quote title of this post.
I started playing rugby 1x a week two weeks ago with the Southerners rugby club. Good bunch of lads, mostly older, working in business or education here in Bangkok. I think the quality of competition was a notch or two higher back in school since it was so serious, but these guys have all played for a long time and I hope to continue for a while. They are just in worse shape and don't practice a lot every week than my team in Davis was/did. We also only play 10s, a variation of the game (normally 15 a side) that is half the time and moves much quicker. It is fun but holy crap in this humidity just 40 minutes can take a lot out of you.
Finally got my new personal laptop up and running and it is BADASS compared to my work cpu. It's actually better than my college PC! Vista is pretty cool, but nothing all that special. You know you are a geek when you get excited about an operating system.
Now I need to download some new music to get up to date. Some Thai songs are cool, but I have no clue what they are called. The western music they play here is usually a month or two behind the States. Anyone got some suggestions?
I saw the movie 300 a couple weeks ago in Singapore. Wow it was bloody and full of testosterone. A 2 hour battle scene, and well worth the 4 US dollars it cost. And that is expensive according to Singaporeans for a movie. Sure most everything else in Singapore is almost as expensive as in California, but movies are a damn bargain.
At the gym last week I actually got a free trial 1 on 1 pilates course. It was alright - not so challenging but definitely different and I can see the non-traditional exercise benefits that it can bring. I'm not paying $100 USD for 5 more lessons though! I WILL take out the instructor this week, haha. I love Thailand.
I'm going to Vietnam again next week for a few days to do some exploratory meetings regarding new projects I'll be driving there in the next few months. I'm looking forward to going back to that crazy place. Some stories I have heard....wow. For example, a guy waking up with 7, yes SEVEN women in his bed. Or two fellas playing the bored game RISK with a woman representing each country and when you conquer the country then that woman goes on your side. Hahaha, insane. That stuff is a bit overboard but still interesting to hear - only in Vietnam!
One of my coworkers used to work in Hollywood and he had some cool insights on a few actors: Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts are rude/arrogant assholes. Kevin Costner is a sleeze. Mel Gibson is actually one of the only nice and genuine guys he met in the industry that wasn't on drugs or a sex fiend. I guess he just has his rants every once in a while...go figure.
Last week was the 3rd anniversary of my friend Andrew Dang getting killed in Fallujah, Iraq. He was a combat engineer in the marine corps and his life was taken from him much too early. I knew him since I was 12 years old and I used to play football in his front yard with his brothers and we'd have sleepovers. It's been 3 years since he left but I still find myself thinking about him everyday and when I do it really hasn't gotten much easier. I was reading an article in Time last night about letters from America's fallen in Iraq and it got really hard. I remember his letters and words vividly, and I feel for all the families and friends out there that have lost someone to this obscure war. Sometimes Andrew gives me strength to face challenges I fear. Even when I decided to move out to Thailand I thought, well, what would Andrew say? He's probably call me a dipshit and tell me to get out there. So I did. I'll try to live my life in such a way that remembers him and his wild free spirit so that when I consult my friends for advice on what I might do, I don't forget to listen to his voice too. I find some comfort in the fact that whereever he is, I'll see him again soon. I think I'll always miss him though...All this said, don't take your friends for granted and don't be afraid to tell the people you care about how you feel every so often. Life is short even if you live 80 years - the things that matter, don't ignore them or be afraid to admit them. Well now I'm just rambling a bit. Miss you Andrew...
On a bit lighter note I am going to Phuket this weekend with some friends from Singapore for 3 days. I just want to relax on the beach and get away from the big cities I frequent. Maybe I'll go hobiecat sailing - yeah, just like in Fiji and Hong Kong. Love that stuff.
For all those that still take the time to read my posts, thanks, I do appreciate it. Please drop me an email every once in a while so I know you still think about me from time to time. I promise to have a bunch of pictures up next post so it isn't a chore to get through all this text in one sitting.
I am enjoying life, and I'm enjoying work (as much as one really can). Still miss you folks though and my life in the states. It was just different, but good. It's a bit depressing that I have so many good memories about the past 10 years that I won't ever get to relive. I suppose I'm also very lucky in that way.
All the best,
Charles
This kind of stuff goes on in the middle of malls in Singapore sometimes. The next show could be hip hop or pop!
A common street in Da Nang, Vietnam.
A friend exerting some calm Thai road rage!
A picture from my last night drinking in Davis. Vadim, Scott, Rufio, and I in Little Prague. Good times...
A pop club in RCA road, Bangkok. Places like this, plus their electronica and hip hop counterparts, are where the youth and heartbeat of the city congregate until 2 or 3 am and beyond.
From back when I visited with Till in December. Didn't know at the time that I would be living 2 blocks away from here later on.
Okay I've had two Thai 1 on 1 lessons in the past couple weeks and now I am obviously a master of the language. Actually I still don't know shit, but I have got the numbers down and some basic greetings/vocab. I can talk to taxi drivers sometimes without saying any English, but I am tempted to everytime. I just want to get to a very basic level, but it will take a lot of time and effort from me. The last thing I want to do after a long day of work is sit down and study Thai for an hour (or write more emails/update my blog) but I just have to do it every so often! Oh and sorry for the corny Meet the Parents quote title of this post.
I started playing rugby 1x a week two weeks ago with the Southerners rugby club. Good bunch of lads, mostly older, working in business or education here in Bangkok. I think the quality of competition was a notch or two higher back in school since it was so serious, but these guys have all played for a long time and I hope to continue for a while. They are just in worse shape and don't practice a lot every week than my team in Davis was/did. We also only play 10s, a variation of the game (normally 15 a side) that is half the time and moves much quicker. It is fun but holy crap in this humidity just 40 minutes can take a lot out of you.
Finally got my new personal laptop up and running and it is BADASS compared to my work cpu. It's actually better than my college PC! Vista is pretty cool, but nothing all that special. You know you are a geek when you get excited about an operating system.
Now I need to download some new music to get up to date. Some Thai songs are cool, but I have no clue what they are called. The western music they play here is usually a month or two behind the States. Anyone got some suggestions?
I saw the movie 300 a couple weeks ago in Singapore. Wow it was bloody and full of testosterone. A 2 hour battle scene, and well worth the 4 US dollars it cost. And that is expensive according to Singaporeans for a movie. Sure most everything else in Singapore is almost as expensive as in California, but movies are a damn bargain.
At the gym last week I actually got a free trial 1 on 1 pilates course. It was alright - not so challenging but definitely different and I can see the non-traditional exercise benefits that it can bring. I'm not paying $100 USD for 5 more lessons though! I WILL take out the instructor this week, haha. I love Thailand.
I'm going to Vietnam again next week for a few days to do some exploratory meetings regarding new projects I'll be driving there in the next few months. I'm looking forward to going back to that crazy place. Some stories I have heard....wow. For example, a guy waking up with 7, yes SEVEN women in his bed. Or two fellas playing the bored game RISK with a woman representing each country and when you conquer the country then that woman goes on your side. Hahaha, insane. That stuff is a bit overboard but still interesting to hear - only in Vietnam!
One of my coworkers used to work in Hollywood and he had some cool insights on a few actors: Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts are rude/arrogant assholes. Kevin Costner is a sleeze. Mel Gibson is actually one of the only nice and genuine guys he met in the industry that wasn't on drugs or a sex fiend. I guess he just has his rants every once in a while...go figure.
Last week was the 3rd anniversary of my friend Andrew Dang getting killed in Fallujah, Iraq. He was a combat engineer in the marine corps and his life was taken from him much too early. I knew him since I was 12 years old and I used to play football in his front yard with his brothers and we'd have sleepovers. It's been 3 years since he left but I still find myself thinking about him everyday and when I do it really hasn't gotten much easier. I was reading an article in Time last night about letters from America's fallen in Iraq and it got really hard. I remember his letters and words vividly, and I feel for all the families and friends out there that have lost someone to this obscure war. Sometimes Andrew gives me strength to face challenges I fear. Even when I decided to move out to Thailand I thought, well, what would Andrew say? He's probably call me a dipshit and tell me to get out there. So I did. I'll try to live my life in such a way that remembers him and his wild free spirit so that when I consult my friends for advice on what I might do, I don't forget to listen to his voice too. I find some comfort in the fact that whereever he is, I'll see him again soon. I think I'll always miss him though...All this said, don't take your friends for granted and don't be afraid to tell the people you care about how you feel every so often. Life is short even if you live 80 years - the things that matter, don't ignore them or be afraid to admit them. Well now I'm just rambling a bit. Miss you Andrew...
On a bit lighter note I am going to Phuket this weekend with some friends from Singapore for 3 days. I just want to relax on the beach and get away from the big cities I frequent. Maybe I'll go hobiecat sailing - yeah, just like in Fiji and Hong Kong. Love that stuff.
For all those that still take the time to read my posts, thanks, I do appreciate it. Please drop me an email every once in a while so I know you still think about me from time to time. I promise to have a bunch of pictures up next post so it isn't a chore to get through all this text in one sitting.
I am enjoying life, and I'm enjoying work (as much as one really can). Still miss you folks though and my life in the states. It was just different, but good. It's a bit depressing that I have so many good memories about the past 10 years that I won't ever get to relive. I suppose I'm also very lucky in that way.
All the best,
Charles
This kind of stuff goes on in the middle of malls in Singapore sometimes. The next show could be hip hop or pop!
A common street in Da Nang, Vietnam.
A friend exerting some calm Thai road rage!
A picture from my last night drinking in Davis. Vadim, Scott, Rufio, and I in Little Prague. Good times...
A pop club in RCA road, Bangkok. Places like this, plus their electronica and hip hop counterparts, are where the youth and heartbeat of the city congregate until 2 or 3 am and beyond.
From back when I visited with Till in December. Didn't know at the time that I would be living 2 blocks away from here later on.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Bangkok to Singapore x2
Hey folks,
Again I've neglected my poor blog, but I think that will just be a fact of life with how my time is managed here in Asia, aka I hardly have any strict downtime when I choose to lounge around on the internet. I'll have pics at the end of this post though.
So I left off last time with the JW Classic. That next week I was in Bangkok for a few days working and partying hard Monday through Wednesday before going to Singapore for a short business trip. I came back to BK for the weekend and repeated the process the next week. Everytime I would buy a bottle of liquor at duty free since the prices are ridiculously cheap. No I do not get boatloads of free liquor to take home from the office unfortunately. We can't waste product on me or the company would be out of business before long!
As I said before, Diageo's regional HQ is in Singapore and I also work closely on a project that is in the Singapore market. Singaporean Chinese in general are friendlier than the Cantonese I am accustomed to in Hong Kong. They also have a few phrases distinct phrases that they say more than other Chinese, like "lahhh".
I'm starting to really be able to tell the difference between certain accents. I've nailed the Thai accent, the Singaporean english accent, the Filipino accent (well, I've known that one for a while), and the Indonesian accent sort of.
I'm starting to get quite comfortable with the work I am doing for Diageo. That said, there is always new work that I am unfamiliar with so I'm still learning a lot every week. I haven't started those Thai lessons though since I'm always traveling. Will do soon. Many people think I am half Thai and start speaking to me in Thai right away. It's always a bit awkward when I then open my mouth in American English. In Singapore on the other hand people just think of me as a foreign white guy, maybe he is a bit Asian. Everyone and their mother speaks English there.
I'm seriously considering joining a competitive rugby team here called the Southerners. They only train once a week at a time that I could make. I met one of the lads a couple days ago and had a few drinks. I'll come out next week and see how it goes. At the very least I'll see how much in bad shape I'm in.
I saw the movie 300 last week with a Singaporean lawyer. It was so testosterone driven but for what it was, the movie was awesome.
Yesterday I went to a crocadile farm on the outskirts of Bangkok with my friend Kwan. There were also some monkeys and elephants. These croc tamers were amazing. They just walked around in shallow water in a pit with like a dozen big crocs and pulled tricks like putting their hands and heads in the crocs jaws. Pretty scary stuff. And the arena wasn't exactly Barnum and Bailey's. It was pretty decrepit and ghetto. But that is a lot of buildings in Bangkok. And a lot are very much the opposite. There are more skyscrapers here by far than in San Francisco and LA combined.
I'll put up a few pictures of the croc farm and of my partying the past couple weeks. I'll post again sometime this week when more comes to me.
Me and an elephant that I later fed with bannanas. Slobbery little thing.
Cheeky monkey tried to steal my cell phone later.
100% real, and these crocs were not drugged.
That is just too perfect. By the way this croc farm/zoo was so unregulated it was almost scary.
These guys must have been no older than 20. Balls of steel though.
My friend Kwan and I at Q Bar, Bangkok.
Kayaking in Phuket with a couple coworkers and a few Vietnamese government officials.
We went through this underwater cave for 5 mins and the ceiling was inches from our faces.
Entrance to one of our dinner events at the JW Classic in Phuket.
Some of our JW Black Label models in Phuket.
Our kayaking tour guide and I in front of James Bond rock (used in Dr. No) in Phuket.
Ernie Els, Sam Torrance, and other pro golfers serving drinks at the Johnnie Walker Bar.
The hotel for Diageo folks and golfers in Phuket (Sheraton Grand Laguna).
Some of my bosses and coworkers at a dinner in Phuket.
The guests from Vietnam (Finance Ministry).
Again I've neglected my poor blog, but I think that will just be a fact of life with how my time is managed here in Asia, aka I hardly have any strict downtime when I choose to lounge around on the internet. I'll have pics at the end of this post though.
So I left off last time with the JW Classic. That next week I was in Bangkok for a few days working and partying hard Monday through Wednesday before going to Singapore for a short business trip. I came back to BK for the weekend and repeated the process the next week. Everytime I would buy a bottle of liquor at duty free since the prices are ridiculously cheap. No I do not get boatloads of free liquor to take home from the office unfortunately. We can't waste product on me or the company would be out of business before long!
As I said before, Diageo's regional HQ is in Singapore and I also work closely on a project that is in the Singapore market. Singaporean Chinese in general are friendlier than the Cantonese I am accustomed to in Hong Kong. They also have a few phrases distinct phrases that they say more than other Chinese, like "lahhh".
I'm starting to really be able to tell the difference between certain accents. I've nailed the Thai accent, the Singaporean english accent, the Filipino accent (well, I've known that one for a while), and the Indonesian accent sort of.
I'm starting to get quite comfortable with the work I am doing for Diageo. That said, there is always new work that I am unfamiliar with so I'm still learning a lot every week. I haven't started those Thai lessons though since I'm always traveling. Will do soon. Many people think I am half Thai and start speaking to me in Thai right away. It's always a bit awkward when I then open my mouth in American English. In Singapore on the other hand people just think of me as a foreign white guy, maybe he is a bit Asian. Everyone and their mother speaks English there.
I'm seriously considering joining a competitive rugby team here called the Southerners. They only train once a week at a time that I could make. I met one of the lads a couple days ago and had a few drinks. I'll come out next week and see how it goes. At the very least I'll see how much in bad shape I'm in.
I saw the movie 300 last week with a Singaporean lawyer. It was so testosterone driven but for what it was, the movie was awesome.
Yesterday I went to a crocadile farm on the outskirts of Bangkok with my friend Kwan. There were also some monkeys and elephants. These croc tamers were amazing. They just walked around in shallow water in a pit with like a dozen big crocs and pulled tricks like putting their hands and heads in the crocs jaws. Pretty scary stuff. And the arena wasn't exactly Barnum and Bailey's. It was pretty decrepit and ghetto. But that is a lot of buildings in Bangkok. And a lot are very much the opposite. There are more skyscrapers here by far than in San Francisco and LA combined.
I'll put up a few pictures of the croc farm and of my partying the past couple weeks. I'll post again sometime this week when more comes to me.
Me and an elephant that I later fed with bannanas. Slobbery little thing.
Cheeky monkey tried to steal my cell phone later.
100% real, and these crocs were not drugged.
That is just too perfect. By the way this croc farm/zoo was so unregulated it was almost scary.
These guys must have been no older than 20. Balls of steel though.
My friend Kwan and I at Q Bar, Bangkok.
Kayaking in Phuket with a couple coworkers and a few Vietnamese government officials.
We went through this underwater cave for 5 mins and the ceiling was inches from our faces.
Entrance to one of our dinner events at the JW Classic in Phuket.
Some of our JW Black Label models in Phuket.
Our kayaking tour guide and I in front of James Bond rock (used in Dr. No) in Phuket.
Ernie Els, Sam Torrance, and other pro golfers serving drinks at the Johnnie Walker Bar.
The hotel for Diageo folks and golfers in Phuket (Sheraton Grand Laguna).
Some of my bosses and coworkers at a dinner in Phuket.
The guests from Vietnam (Finance Ministry).
Sunday, March 4, 2007
It's been a while... Bangkok to Phuket for the JW Classic
I've been busy and lazy to update this in the last couple weeks but now on a Sunday night I've got some time. Get ready for a monster post. Thanks for having the patience to actually read the whole beast if you do. It isn't like I post often.
Where I last left off, Pat Noonan had visited me in Bangkok and I just moved into my apartment. By the way, that address is:
The Grand Regent Condominium 2-2/399
Unit No. 2/259
Soi Mahadlekluang 2
Rachadamri Road
Lumpini
Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
You really do have to write that many pain in the ass lines.
And my mobile phone number is:
+66 81 848 4309
For those of you dialing from the US and don't know what the hell + means, just dial 011 then my number (66 81....).
I'd love to hear from anybody. So far I've been a bit dissappointed in my friends attempts to keep in touch. Only my family and Jenny have actually called me. Funny how that works, don't know what that says. I don't want to have to do all the damn work calling 50 people a month.
Anyway, Noonan ended his visit on what I think would be the high note of his 6 week trip to South East Asia. I think he enjoyed it so much he might actually seriously consider trying to find a job out here. I do hope he comes back and that other friends can come over so I can show them a great time. There are just some things that are so much better in Asia, like...
1. Very affordable living, especially for a young single person that could easily blow $50,000 living in San Francisco in a few months
2. Vast options for fun nightlife. And they drink like fish
3. Excellent food and lots of choices
4. Tons and tons of beautiful women that in general are easier to approach than in the States. No 1 in 3 of them is not a ladyboy. You just have to see for yourself
5. Being an expat already gives you bonus points. Being young and good looking at that makes you an absolute baller
6. So many different and interesting cultures
7. Free grocery delivery to your house
8. Maid to clean your place once a week for $30 a month
9. It is NEVER cold
10. Cheap and good quality medical fees
That said, there are a few things that I miss, most of them having to do with my comfort zone being untouched...
1. Not having to worry about someone you are talking to not being able to understand what you are talking about. This is very important when your taxi driver PRETENDS to know what you are talking about
2. Mexican food
3. Plenty of places to play pickup soccer, football, etc
4. Non-humid weather
5. Not having to worry when you go out whether or not some of the extra friendly girls you talk to might actually be working girls
6. Enforced traffic rules
7. Being able to hang out with old friends or family
8. Driving my own car
9. Not having to be disgusted everytime I see an old fat European or American guy with a beautiful Thai woman 20-30 years younger than him
Overall I'm still very glad I moved here and took this awesome job that I think will end up positively influencing and advancing my career for years. It was scary at first but you only live once and if my Dad could do it, so can I. What would my kids say or people I've known that would have loved an opportunity like this if I had turned it down? I don't want to live my life comfy and secure in the middle of a Detroit suburb or something like that. Some people can be perfectly happy and content in that life but it really really isn't for me. I want adventure and experience. I want to be able to either A) look back and my life and say, "shit I did it all" or B) Die tomorrow and say, "I did the best and most that I could and it's alright if I go out now"
I've grown so much as a person, had countless nights out, and met so many interesting people ranging from members of the Vietnamese Finance Ministry to Johnnie Walker Blue Label models to European Expats living in Bangkok in their mid-20s. I really don't see myself wanting to go back to the States at this point after just 1 year, but that is a long way away from now. A lot of the Diageo guys I talk to say that once I stay in this business or in Asia for 6 months and like it, I will never want to leave. I'm beginning to easily see why.
Back to what's been going on recently - Noonan took off last Tuesday and I spend a pretty calm week in Bangkok just settling in and working out of my base office. I went out a few times with some local Thai/Expat friends I made the weekend before. Nothing huge or really memorable to report here. At least nothing I can really say on this blog, haha.
This past week I have been in Phuket (the most famous island and resort destination in Thailand) for the Johnnie Walker Classic, Asia's premier international golf tournament. Tons of Diageo people from around the world came down and we have all stayed at this gorgeous resort hotel next to a lagoon and beach along with all these pro golfers like Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, and Adam Scott. In fact, Scott, the number 4 golfer in the world, was working out with me the other day in the gym. I'm stronger than him but he's a hell of a lot more talented, lucky dude. Then the next night he is sitting at my table during dinner next to my boss.
I'm not much of a golfer at all so I didn't play but most of my coworkers played in the Pro-Am with the famous guys. I've just been working at the business center or by the pool from my laptop. Sucks to work in a place like this but at the same time it is so sweet. All expenses are paid for too, except for personal things I might want to buy. I did get to go on a boat tour around surrounding islands yesterday for 10 hours with some guests from the Vietnamese government. We had a really good time and got to go canoeing and swimming on secluded beaches. At one point we took our canoes through an underwater pitch black cave for 5 minutes straight and we had to lie down since the rock ceiling was 6 inches from our face.
Last night after a gala dinner I drank with some Cambodian guests of Diageo and a Singaporean Indian businessman that graduated from USC about 8 years ago. Holy shit they could drink. The Indian dude must have downed 30 drinks over the course of 6 hours, I kid you not. Me and the Aussie country manager of Vietnam got trashed trying to keep up. I ended up arm wrestling him multiple times. He is left handed and an ex Aussie rules footballer so he destroyed me on that side. But on the right hand I nearly broke his arm so he says! haha good times. Of course I passed out immediately and slept in til 12. It felt so good to get a nice rest because since I started working, and considering all the times I go out during the week, I hardly ever get more than 5-7 hours sleep.
I know I need to get more pictures up on here. I will try. I realize it is quite hard to read through a huge long post without any pictures to keep your interest. At least you only have to do it once every couple weeks!
As you can tell my writing style on here is a bit ad hoc and rushed. Unfortunately I don't have time to plan it out. I spend so much time on the internet doing emails at work that I hardly surf the net anymore after I get home.
I found out a few days ago that my boss would like me to concentrate on the Singapore/Malaysia and Vietnam markets for the next few months. Sounds good to me. I liked all those places. No one in my department has any direct business in Thailand but quite a few of us live there. I think I prefer that because the Thai government is quite difficult to deal with in the alcohol industry. I love living in Bangkok so far though. It's the perfect mix of big developed city, vibrant culture, friendly locals, and cheap living. Singapore is too expensive and Vietnam is a bit too crazy and chaotic for me to live there. Malaysia seemed a bit boring. After all it is a Muslim country. It is the minority Chinese that live there that make up our biggest market.
I really want to learn basic conversational Thai so I think I will try to get a tutor starting next week. I'll let you guys know how THAT goes, heh...miss you all!
Where I last left off, Pat Noonan had visited me in Bangkok and I just moved into my apartment. By the way, that address is:
The Grand Regent Condominium 2-2/399
Unit No. 2/259
Soi Mahadlekluang 2
Rachadamri Road
Lumpini
Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
You really do have to write that many pain in the ass lines.
And my mobile phone number is:
+66 81 848 4309
For those of you dialing from the US and don't know what the hell + means, just dial 011 then my number (66 81....).
I'd love to hear from anybody. So far I've been a bit dissappointed in my friends attempts to keep in touch. Only my family and Jenny have actually called me. Funny how that works, don't know what that says. I don't want to have to do all the damn work calling 50 people a month.
Anyway, Noonan ended his visit on what I think would be the high note of his 6 week trip to South East Asia. I think he enjoyed it so much he might actually seriously consider trying to find a job out here. I do hope he comes back and that other friends can come over so I can show them a great time. There are just some things that are so much better in Asia, like...
1. Very affordable living, especially for a young single person that could easily blow $50,000 living in San Francisco in a few months
2. Vast options for fun nightlife. And they drink like fish
3. Excellent food and lots of choices
4. Tons and tons of beautiful women that in general are easier to approach than in the States. No 1 in 3 of them is not a ladyboy. You just have to see for yourself
5. Being an expat already gives you bonus points. Being young and good looking at that makes you an absolute baller
6. So many different and interesting cultures
7. Free grocery delivery to your house
8. Maid to clean your place once a week for $30 a month
9. It is NEVER cold
10. Cheap and good quality medical fees
That said, there are a few things that I miss, most of them having to do with my comfort zone being untouched...
1. Not having to worry about someone you are talking to not being able to understand what you are talking about. This is very important when your taxi driver PRETENDS to know what you are talking about
2. Mexican food
3. Plenty of places to play pickup soccer, football, etc
4. Non-humid weather
5. Not having to worry when you go out whether or not some of the extra friendly girls you talk to might actually be working girls
6. Enforced traffic rules
7. Being able to hang out with old friends or family
8. Driving my own car
9. Not having to be disgusted everytime I see an old fat European or American guy with a beautiful Thai woman 20-30 years younger than him
Overall I'm still very glad I moved here and took this awesome job that I think will end up positively influencing and advancing my career for years. It was scary at first but you only live once and if my Dad could do it, so can I. What would my kids say or people I've known that would have loved an opportunity like this if I had turned it down? I don't want to live my life comfy and secure in the middle of a Detroit suburb or something like that. Some people can be perfectly happy and content in that life but it really really isn't for me. I want adventure and experience. I want to be able to either A) look back and my life and say, "shit I did it all" or B) Die tomorrow and say, "I did the best and most that I could and it's alright if I go out now"
I've grown so much as a person, had countless nights out, and met so many interesting people ranging from members of the Vietnamese Finance Ministry to Johnnie Walker Blue Label models to European Expats living in Bangkok in their mid-20s. I really don't see myself wanting to go back to the States at this point after just 1 year, but that is a long way away from now. A lot of the Diageo guys I talk to say that once I stay in this business or in Asia for 6 months and like it, I will never want to leave. I'm beginning to easily see why.
Back to what's been going on recently - Noonan took off last Tuesday and I spend a pretty calm week in Bangkok just settling in and working out of my base office. I went out a few times with some local Thai/Expat friends I made the weekend before. Nothing huge or really memorable to report here. At least nothing I can really say on this blog, haha.
This past week I have been in Phuket (the most famous island and resort destination in Thailand) for the Johnnie Walker Classic, Asia's premier international golf tournament. Tons of Diageo people from around the world came down and we have all stayed at this gorgeous resort hotel next to a lagoon and beach along with all these pro golfers like Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, and Adam Scott. In fact, Scott, the number 4 golfer in the world, was working out with me the other day in the gym. I'm stronger than him but he's a hell of a lot more talented, lucky dude. Then the next night he is sitting at my table during dinner next to my boss.
I'm not much of a golfer at all so I didn't play but most of my coworkers played in the Pro-Am with the famous guys. I've just been working at the business center or by the pool from my laptop. Sucks to work in a place like this but at the same time it is so sweet. All expenses are paid for too, except for personal things I might want to buy. I did get to go on a boat tour around surrounding islands yesterday for 10 hours with some guests from the Vietnamese government. We had a really good time and got to go canoeing and swimming on secluded beaches. At one point we took our canoes through an underwater pitch black cave for 5 minutes straight and we had to lie down since the rock ceiling was 6 inches from our face.
Last night after a gala dinner I drank with some Cambodian guests of Diageo and a Singaporean Indian businessman that graduated from USC about 8 years ago. Holy shit they could drink. The Indian dude must have downed 30 drinks over the course of 6 hours, I kid you not. Me and the Aussie country manager of Vietnam got trashed trying to keep up. I ended up arm wrestling him multiple times. He is left handed and an ex Aussie rules footballer so he destroyed me on that side. But on the right hand I nearly broke his arm so he says! haha good times. Of course I passed out immediately and slept in til 12. It felt so good to get a nice rest because since I started working, and considering all the times I go out during the week, I hardly ever get more than 5-7 hours sleep.
I know I need to get more pictures up on here. I will try. I realize it is quite hard to read through a huge long post without any pictures to keep your interest. At least you only have to do it once every couple weeks!
As you can tell my writing style on here is a bit ad hoc and rushed. Unfortunately I don't have time to plan it out. I spend so much time on the internet doing emails at work that I hardly surf the net anymore after I get home.
I found out a few days ago that my boss would like me to concentrate on the Singapore/Malaysia and Vietnam markets for the next few months. Sounds good to me. I liked all those places. No one in my department has any direct business in Thailand but quite a few of us live there. I think I prefer that because the Thai government is quite difficult to deal with in the alcohol industry. I love living in Bangkok so far though. It's the perfect mix of big developed city, vibrant culture, friendly locals, and cheap living. Singapore is too expensive and Vietnam is a bit too crazy and chaotic for me to live there. Malaysia seemed a bit boring. After all it is a Muslim country. It is the minority Chinese that live there that make up our biggest market.
I really want to learn basic conversational Thai so I think I will try to get a tutor starting next week. I'll let you guys know how THAT goes, heh...miss you all!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Vietnam and back to Bangkok
Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I've just been so amazingly busy. I wonder if anyone stills reads this!
I left off with a trip to Vietnam, a country that I had never really planned on visiting before I got this job and a country that I would definitely love to come back to. I stayed in Ho Chi Minh City for 3 days and wow, that city is just insane. It is a huge sprawl with no high rises and as many mopeds on the street as people on a New York City sidewalk. The traffic is just unbelievable and ridiculous. The sound of honking horns never stops, even throughout the late hours. Bangkok is way more developed, but I found the Vietnamese people just as friendly and the whole country upbeat with progress and optimism. I ate a lot of Pho and even got to try snake soup (without my knowledge at the time!) which tasted like mushroom/chicken.
I spent a few days going around HCMC, Da Nang, and Hanoi with some local Vietnamese that work with us visiting small shops and supermarkets and night clubs. It was such a great experience and I got to meet so many local people. In Da Nang and Hanoi I rode around at night on the back of a motorcycle and it really was a rush. I called my Dad from the moped and told him I knew why he came to Asia 30ish years ago. There are some really high class nightclubs in every one of the cities I visited. Some of them are filled with tons of very beautiful women that hang out at your table immediately and flirt/dance/drink with you. It's too bad 90% of the time they are working girls, but there is no pressure to pay for anything or do anything extra! Some of them speak decent English, others have a really limited vocabulary. "Very handsome," "I like youu," and "Where you from?" are pretty common, haha.
I came back to HCMC for a few more days after Hanoi and got to go out with some local Vietnamese that I met in the Q Bar, a very clique club in downtown. They drove me around in their mercedes until 5 am, twice! It was absolutely awesome, except the next morning when I had to work. One of the girls was flat out stunning, but also 29 years old. Actually all girls here look about 5-10 years younger than they are, it's crazy. I should really start lying about my age since to them I can pass for about 26. Side note: Most clubs in SEA play house/trance but about 1 in 5 play hip hop. I haven't been to a kareoke bar for fun yet but they are all over the place too.
During my travels in Vietnam I also met a lot of the Diageo guys working there from Ireland, France, Canada, England, NZ, and Australia. All a bunch of good fellas and we spend quite a few nights having beers over dinner. It was a really cool atmosphere.
Finally my work in Vietnam ended after a week and I got to go back to Bangkok, my suppossed home, after being gone for 3 weeks. I met up with a buddy from college, Pat Noonan, and so far after 3 days we have had a #$%^ing blast. The first night I took him to the sleezy area of Bangkok just to have a beer and take a look at the streets. He was horrified by all the ladyboys and scantily clad women catcalling us. I was actually horrified my first time too walking through there, but now I just find it kind of funny and actually non-threatening. It only gets annoying if a girl trys to grab your crotch, which happenned and we left shorty thereafter! Friday was a public holiday so we have been out everynight and meeting so many different people. People here are so much easier to approach and have a conversation with. In the US I felt that at bars people were a little more likely to stick to their friends or not be as open to random people coming up to talk to them. I guess there are too many creepos that just try to hit on girls in the States, but maybe there are a lot of reasons. Anyway, in SEA I have met a lot of locals, travelers, and expats that were never pretentious, judgemental, or uninterested. I'm really starting to love this place.
Finally moved into my apartment too and I love the location. We threw a little party the first night with about 5 people we met earlier. We just drank Johnnie Walker, watched some tv, laughed and talked - us two foreigners and these 5 locals, just like any small party I had been to in the States.
Noonan and I went to this huge weekend only market yesterday and they sold everything from fried frogs to ripoff abercrombie to TINY puppies of every breed, right in these little side shops. We saw this street performer there that could juggle a soccer ball with his head, chest, both feet, knees, for 20+ minutes while doing insane spinning, jumping, lunging tricks standing up, lying down, sitting down, and he never dropped the ball once. I could not believe it and I actually gave him some cash because that really took skill that I wish I had. He should be playing for a club team somewhere if his speed, fitness and accuracy are anywhere near as good as his ball control. At 6pm on the dot these loudspeakers started playing the Thai National Anthem and everybody in the whole market just stopped talking and froze in their tracks, looking towards the sky. It was like something out of the matrix. Then when the music stopped everyone unfroze, the noises turned on, and it was business as usual.
Still one more night before it is back to work on Monday. We are going to make it a big one. Miss you all!
I left off with a trip to Vietnam, a country that I had never really planned on visiting before I got this job and a country that I would definitely love to come back to. I stayed in Ho Chi Minh City for 3 days and wow, that city is just insane. It is a huge sprawl with no high rises and as many mopeds on the street as people on a New York City sidewalk. The traffic is just unbelievable and ridiculous. The sound of honking horns never stops, even throughout the late hours. Bangkok is way more developed, but I found the Vietnamese people just as friendly and the whole country upbeat with progress and optimism. I ate a lot of Pho and even got to try snake soup (without my knowledge at the time!) which tasted like mushroom/chicken.
I spent a few days going around HCMC, Da Nang, and Hanoi with some local Vietnamese that work with us visiting small shops and supermarkets and night clubs. It was such a great experience and I got to meet so many local people. In Da Nang and Hanoi I rode around at night on the back of a motorcycle and it really was a rush. I called my Dad from the moped and told him I knew why he came to Asia 30ish years ago. There are some really high class nightclubs in every one of the cities I visited. Some of them are filled with tons of very beautiful women that hang out at your table immediately and flirt/dance/drink with you. It's too bad 90% of the time they are working girls, but there is no pressure to pay for anything or do anything extra! Some of them speak decent English, others have a really limited vocabulary. "Very handsome," "I like youu," and "Where you from?" are pretty common, haha.
I came back to HCMC for a few more days after Hanoi and got to go out with some local Vietnamese that I met in the Q Bar, a very clique club in downtown. They drove me around in their mercedes until 5 am, twice! It was absolutely awesome, except the next morning when I had to work. One of the girls was flat out stunning, but also 29 years old. Actually all girls here look about 5-10 years younger than they are, it's crazy. I should really start lying about my age since to them I can pass for about 26. Side note: Most clubs in SEA play house/trance but about 1 in 5 play hip hop. I haven't been to a kareoke bar for fun yet but they are all over the place too.
During my travels in Vietnam I also met a lot of the Diageo guys working there from Ireland, France, Canada, England, NZ, and Australia. All a bunch of good fellas and we spend quite a few nights having beers over dinner. It was a really cool atmosphere.
Finally my work in Vietnam ended after a week and I got to go back to Bangkok, my suppossed home, after being gone for 3 weeks. I met up with a buddy from college, Pat Noonan, and so far after 3 days we have had a #$%^ing blast. The first night I took him to the sleezy area of Bangkok just to have a beer and take a look at the streets. He was horrified by all the ladyboys and scantily clad women catcalling us. I was actually horrified my first time too walking through there, but now I just find it kind of funny and actually non-threatening. It only gets annoying if a girl trys to grab your crotch, which happenned and we left shorty thereafter! Friday was a public holiday so we have been out everynight and meeting so many different people. People here are so much easier to approach and have a conversation with. In the US I felt that at bars people were a little more likely to stick to their friends or not be as open to random people coming up to talk to them. I guess there are too many creepos that just try to hit on girls in the States, but maybe there are a lot of reasons. Anyway, in SEA I have met a lot of locals, travelers, and expats that were never pretentious, judgemental, or uninterested. I'm really starting to love this place.
Finally moved into my apartment too and I love the location. We threw a little party the first night with about 5 people we met earlier. We just drank Johnnie Walker, watched some tv, laughed and talked - us two foreigners and these 5 locals, just like any small party I had been to in the States.
Noonan and I went to this huge weekend only market yesterday and they sold everything from fried frogs to ripoff abercrombie to TINY puppies of every breed, right in these little side shops. We saw this street performer there that could juggle a soccer ball with his head, chest, both feet, knees, for 20+ minutes while doing insane spinning, jumping, lunging tricks standing up, lying down, sitting down, and he never dropped the ball once. I could not believe it and I actually gave him some cash because that really took skill that I wish I had. He should be playing for a club team somewhere if his speed, fitness and accuracy are anywhere near as good as his ball control. At 6pm on the dot these loudspeakers started playing the Thai National Anthem and everybody in the whole market just stopped talking and froze in their tracks, looking towards the sky. It was like something out of the matrix. Then when the music stopped everyone unfroze, the noises turned on, and it was business as usual.
Still one more night before it is back to work on Monday. We are going to make it a big one. Miss you all!
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Next Stop, Vietnam
I had a great week at work and an even better weekend. I've met lots of people and I seem to be kind of a popular novelty as the new young American guy. We'll see how long that lasts! Oh and you know what I found really funny - at a group dinner (non-Diageo) the other night I made fun of this girl who dropped some of her food with her chopsticks and asked her if she needed a fork, and another dude was like, "Ohhh the white guy just told you to use a fork!" In America if it was me and all white people I would likely be the "Asian guy" if race was ever mentioned in passing like that. Just thought that was weird - part of being mixed for sure.
The Singaporeans I've hung out with are all very friendly and don't hesitate to offer to show me around to the best places around the city. I'm definitely going to enjoy myself every time I come here, and I should be coming a lot.
I saw Babel today - really good movie but don't expect to come out of the theater feeling happy.
This weekend I tried some deer meat, cereal coated prawns, and another Chinese dish that had no description (probably better that way). Someone I know said "We Chinese will eat anything with its back facing the sun." I believe it. I was offered bird's nest for desert but hey, even I am not that adventurous.
I'll be heading to Vietnam on Tuesday for 8 days to do some totally different work from the project I am on here in Singapore. It should be a lot of fun as I'll be in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi surveying the white spirits market on the ground. No more sitting at a desk or board room all day for a while! I kind of miss Bangkok since it will have been over 3 weeks since I last left it by the time I get back, but hey I'm not complaining. Loving the lifestyle so far, just wish some of you guys could be here. A good buddy Pat Noonan will be visiting me for almost a week after I get back to Bangkok - ohhh shit we are going to have some fun!
The Singaporeans I've hung out with are all very friendly and don't hesitate to offer to show me around to the best places around the city. I'm definitely going to enjoy myself every time I come here, and I should be coming a lot.
I saw Babel today - really good movie but don't expect to come out of the theater feeling happy.
This weekend I tried some deer meat, cereal coated prawns, and another Chinese dish that had no description (probably better that way). Someone I know said "We Chinese will eat anything with its back facing the sun." I believe it. I was offered bird's nest for desert but hey, even I am not that adventurous.
I'll be heading to Vietnam on Tuesday for 8 days to do some totally different work from the project I am on here in Singapore. It should be a lot of fun as I'll be in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi surveying the white spirits market on the ground. No more sitting at a desk or board room all day for a while! I kind of miss Bangkok since it will have been over 3 weeks since I last left it by the time I get back, but hey I'm not complaining. Loving the lifestyle so far, just wish some of you guys could be here. A good buddy Pat Noonan will be visiting me for almost a week after I get back to Bangkok - ohhh shit we are going to have some fun!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Timeout
Ya know, I've been so busy these past couple weeks that I've barely had the chance to take it all in. So far my life here has been so interesting, new, and exciting that I can't help but be optimistic about the future and happy that I came. This job is proving to be challenging but truly badass. A business partner from one of our exclusive distributors told me the other day, "Charles, if you stay in this industry for 2 years, you will never ever want to leave." I can see why he might be right.
At the same time I have not forgotten that, while I am meeting lots of people and the friendships I develop here will only get stronger, I am essentially on my own. I wish my family, my friends, and Jenny could experience some of this with me, but it is not to be. I think about it every couple days, and I can't help but feel sad that a huge chunk of my life that I really enjoyed and probably did not appreciate enough is done and gone. It sucks that I'll miss some birthdays, a potential two year anniversary, and the birth of my first nephew. When will I ever make it back? Time will tell, but my life never be the same really. I guess that's an essential part of life. All I can do is hope anyone from back home that I care about can come visit me sometime.
For now, I've got to look forward and just glance back every so often with a smile. Keep in touch.
On lighter notes - last Sunday I was taken out on trade again to do some research about the local market and meet club owners. Guess what, Sunday night is gay night. Well, they sure know how to have a good time, and I never felt TOO uncomfortable. Maybe I will pass on navigating through a packed club with dudes in spandex pants next time though.
Oh yeah, yesterday a business partner treated me to dinner and ordered a Chinese delicacy for me to eat: grilled goose liver. I took one bite, tried to hold my expression in neutral mode, but when he quirped "Like Fear Factor for you, no?" I had to throw some water down my throat to keep it down. The texture got me really bad; it was soo extremely soft and almost creamy, but it was bloated liver. Could have been worse I guess...at least they didn't serve pig intestines, turtle soup, or monkey brains. He paid me back today with some Cajun chicken for lunch - yum! One thing that IS really cheap in Singapore is food, and it's damn good.
Here are some old pictures from my trip to Thailand in December:
My water taxi filling up some gas on the Chao Praya River.
Some traditional Muay Thai kickboxing.
Look closely at the center of the photo - a tree snake.
Till and I played some soccer on a beach in Koh Samui.
This is what THAI red bull looks like. Yeah, it's nasty.
A golden statue of Buddha in Bangkok, worshipped by almost all Thais.
Samui was breathtaking.
The great lying Buddha of Wat Pho in Bangkok (Mom and sis too).
Wish I was still here.
Hopefully I'll have a few pictures up from my last two weeks in a short time. Miss ya'll!
At the same time I have not forgotten that, while I am meeting lots of people and the friendships I develop here will only get stronger, I am essentially on my own. I wish my family, my friends, and Jenny could experience some of this with me, but it is not to be. I think about it every couple days, and I can't help but feel sad that a huge chunk of my life that I really enjoyed and probably did not appreciate enough is done and gone. It sucks that I'll miss some birthdays, a potential two year anniversary, and the birth of my first nephew. When will I ever make it back? Time will tell, but my life never be the same really. I guess that's an essential part of life. All I can do is hope anyone from back home that I care about can come visit me sometime.
For now, I've got to look forward and just glance back every so often with a smile. Keep in touch.
On lighter notes - last Sunday I was taken out on trade again to do some research about the local market and meet club owners. Guess what, Sunday night is gay night. Well, they sure know how to have a good time, and I never felt TOO uncomfortable. Maybe I will pass on navigating through a packed club with dudes in spandex pants next time though.
Oh yeah, yesterday a business partner treated me to dinner and ordered a Chinese delicacy for me to eat: grilled goose liver. I took one bite, tried to hold my expression in neutral mode, but when he quirped "Like Fear Factor for you, no?" I had to throw some water down my throat to keep it down. The texture got me really bad; it was soo extremely soft and almost creamy, but it was bloated liver. Could have been worse I guess...at least they didn't serve pig intestines, turtle soup, or monkey brains. He paid me back today with some Cajun chicken for lunch - yum! One thing that IS really cheap in Singapore is food, and it's damn good.
Here are some old pictures from my trip to Thailand in December:
My water taxi filling up some gas on the Chao Praya River.
Some traditional Muay Thai kickboxing.
Look closely at the center of the photo - a tree snake.
Till and I played some soccer on a beach in Koh Samui.
This is what THAI red bull looks like. Yeah, it's nasty.
A golden statue of Buddha in Bangkok, worshipped by almost all Thais.
Samui was breathtaking.
The great lying Buddha of Wat Pho in Bangkok (Mom and sis too).
Wish I was still here.
Hopefully I'll have a few pictures up from my last two weeks in a short time. Miss ya'll!
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