Adventures In Thailand

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

World

Hi,

The rainy season is supposed to be over, but we had lots of it this morning. The afternoon was blue skies and moderate temps. Things are getting back to normal around here and we have company.

It truly was an 'Easy Monday' for a few of you. My brother Denny offered a unique challenge: Name all the groups that all the members of this group have been a part of. You may have to wait until tomorrow when the name is revealed. "What a field-day for the heat. Thousands of people in the street. Singing songs and carrying signs, mostly say, hooray for our side. It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound? Everybody look what's going down." Hint: The title of this song is not in the lyrics. That's gotta be worth something.

Memories of the Bangkok adventures trickled back to the front of my mind during the day. That's why I will occasionally tell you something that seems out of context. (555) For example, right after the exhibit was officially opened and the speeches were over, there was a loud 'Boom' followed by lots more. It was fireworks from the British Club next door to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day. I'm not going to explain it, you can ask Mr. Google, but it always involves fireworks or fire. Of course, everyone ran outside to see the pretty colors in the sky. What a distraction. After the 'entertainment' was over they all came back inside for Lisa's demonstration of the cast acrylic process that her father Joe invented.

This morning we went to Makro for supplies. It rained very hard for almost an hour. We don't mind because it keeps Chiang Rai greener for a longer period of time. When the rain absolutely stops everything starts turning brown.

After lunch I drove out to the airport to pick up our house guest. Her name is Mari and we met her through a friend. She just finished working in Uganda for 2 years with the Peace Corp. We spent some time this afternoon getting more acquainted and hearing stories about her work in Africa.

Thailand is famous for it's Tuk-Tuks, which were actually invented in Japan many years ago. In an effort to keep up with the times, many hotels and restaurants in Bangkok are using 'stretched' versions as shuttles for moving guests to local venues. Notice the second row of seats. Can the prom be next (555).

If you haven't voted already, today is the day.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,

Danny

"The world is round, and the place which may seem like
the end may also be only the beginning."
~Ivy Baker Priest

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Monday, November 5, 2012

Questions

Hi,

Our Bangkok adventure is over and we're back in Chiang Rai. There are stories to tell, resting to be done, and a house guest coming tomorrow.

Our 'Old School Friday' song was "So Much In Love" by The Tyme. 'Easy Monday' is here again and you know this one:

"There's somethin' happenin' here, what it is ain't exactly clear. There's a man with a gun over there, tellin' me I got to beware. (I think it's time we) Stop, children, what's that sound? Everybody look - what's goin' down? Hint: It's a rather political song from the 60s by a group that really isn't an animal at all.

Saturday morning we took the SkyTrain, the MRT (underground) and then a taxi in order to reach Chinatown. One thing we've learned about Bangkok is that it sometimes takes multiple forms of transportation to get from one point to another. There is an art supply store in 'Old Siam Plaza' that is the sole dealer for Golden Acrylics products and they are crucial to Lisa's cast acrylic print process. We bought their supply of one specific product and walked around the building a bit.

After some relaxing at the hotel the time finally came when we had to start getting ready for the big evening. Almost everything was in place for the opening so we didn't feel any real pressure. We arrived at the gallery early and had a chance to go over what had been done. Lights had to be set, little things needed attention and then it was time to greet guests. Our friend Pete arrived early and that was nice. He and his mom had a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered. By 6:30 most of the guests were there and we began the official opening. The presenter was an American who has been in Thailand for many years. Her name is Judy Benn and she is the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce. Lisa gave her a tour of the exhibit before most of the guests arrived so she was familiar with the work. She gave a very nice talk about Lisa's work, after I had given an explanation of The Sold Project and why we donate a portion of sales to them. Judy also mentioned the project so maybe it will have an impact. There will be an article about the exhibit in a Bangkok magazine and we're hoping for a few reviews. For a first-time showing in the metropolis I think it was a very respectable outing.

Pete picked us up at the hotel on Sunday for lunch. He took us to a place called 'K-Village'. It's a small, upscale shopping, eating complex in an interesting part of the city. The major street that it sits on is a dividing line between a very 'HiSo' part of town and a slum. There are buildings on the street that hide the slum from the traffic, but it's there. We had a great meal at an Australian restaurant. Then we visited a True Value hardware store. What a surprise to see that label on items. They had tons of cool gadgets for the kitchen and garden; things we don't see in Chiang Rai. Maybe one day we'll have a store like that here. (555) We left the village and took the train into the mega shopping area where we got thoroughly overwhelmed. We saw lots of stuff and finally called it a day and chilled in the hotel. I went to a meeting in the evening, and then we packed and watched TV on the computer - ready to go home.

Today's photo is a shot of the fashion show crowd at Siam Paragon from two floors up.

More Bangkok adventure tomorrow.

Have a Great Week.

Peace,

Danny

"Fame or integrity: which is more important?
Money or happiness: which is more valuable?
Success or failure: which is more destructive?
If you look to others for fulfillment,
you will never truly be fulfilled.
If your happiness depends on money,
you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize that nothing is lacking,
the whole world belongs to you!"
~Lao Tzu

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Friday, November 2, 2012

Friday Funnies

Hi,

Today was one of slow meals, slow traffic, and great efficiency on our part. We got everything done that was on our list. There were even some 'extras' that we hadn't counted on.

The 'Zany Day' song finally got a few responses. The tune was "Politician" by Cream. I laid the title right in your lap with the clues. Oh well. I'll try not to go back too far with 'Old School Friday'. (555) "As we stroll along together, holding hands, walking all alone. __ __ __ are we two, no one else but me and you. __ __ __ in a world of our own. __ __ __, __ __ __ __. Hint: The hook is three words, but the title is actually four. If you send three you are still cool. Once you remember the song it will just be a matter of time before you figure out the group name.

One of the morning highlights was sleeping late. We found out from Boot that Daku woke her up at 6:30, our usual time.

Since we are on the 20th floor we have access to the executive lounge. The breakfast buffet was really cool. It wasn't the usual buffet. Everything was fresh and unique. We sat at a small table looking out on the city, sipping coffee while they made our breakfast.

Our next mission was to get to the gallery. The hotel finally found a cab driver that knew where we were going. It's a nice service they provide, making sure that your taxi will get you there. At the gallery we met Angelique, a very warm, assertive woman that manages the Neilson-Hays Library and Gallery. Lisa has talked with her on the phone, and lots of emails but this was the first meeting face-to-face. Jaffee brought a young man to help with the ladder climbing and between the five of us we got the exhibit hung in record time. We had time to discuss the opening tomorrow evening and when we left there was a sigh of relief. We don't have to do any 'running around' on the day of the event.

The idea of running around Bangkok is out of the question to us. It's just too complicated. Yesterday, when we went to the market it was a 'thing' unto itself. On that little trip we did see something that I want to share with you. It gives new meaning to the term 'Hot Chocolate'.

Every meal we ordered today took a long time to get to the table. It started with breakfast and stayed consistent for lunch and dinner. We ended up at Siam Paragon in the evening, long after our usual dinner time. We walked around and around the maze of eating places and finally settled on a Mexican restaurant. For me, the highlight of the meal was the equivalent of a mango slurpy. The food was just OK, but it was fun. Friday nights in Thailand are a big deal. We thought it was just a Chiang Rai thing, but people were out big time tonight. Paragon is a five story mega shopping center that is mostly high-end stores with a department store in the center of each floor. This evening, on our way to the book store we saw an exhibit with two Rolls-Royces and a bunch of brand new BMWs. There was music bumping from a few floors up and since we had to go that way, we checked it out. It was a sort of fashion show featuring 'Cleo's 50 Most Eligible Bachelors'. I think it must be a magazine. The area around the big stage was packed. There were also young women modeling clothes. We finally found the book store and left.

We had an encounter earlier in the day that was interesting. As we approached the BTS (SkyTrain) station a young woman asked us if we were going to use it and if we could help her. It turned out she was from South Africa and was visiting Bangkok to be with her mother who was in the hospital. She had never used the SkyTrain and needed help. We had someone help us years ago when the whole thing overwhelmed us so we knew how she felt. The three of us rode the train for a few stops before we got off. It was one of those brief meetings that adds a little something to the day.

Tomorrow will be a fairly light day as far as activity is concerned. We will go to the art supply store and then rest up for the fabulous opening of 'A Woman's Dream of the Night Sky'. There will be photos.

Have a Wonderful WeekEnd. Now it's time to laugh.

Peace,

Danny

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Journey

Hi,

Comin' atcha live from downtown Bangkok. Oh, what a day. Today has been a busy one with trains, taxis, and an airplane.

The 'Zany Day' song that no one seems to know is still waiting for you. Somebody out there knows this. Here's one of my favorite parts: "I support the left, tho' I'm leanin' to the right (repeat). But I'm just not there, when it's coming to a fight." Clue: The title is one word, and it is a noun that describes a person who runs for office and/or thinks they run stuff.

Our flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok took a lot less time than announced. Right before take-off I took a photo of what I think is one of the cleverest paint jobs on an airliner. The company is Nok Air, nok meaning bird. The rest is self-evident.

There must have been a tail wind because we arrived about 20 minutes early. On the ground it took 35 minutes to get a taxi, and about the same amount of time to get to our hotel. The place where we are staying is very nice. We've been here before and of course the computer remembered us. We met Jaffe at the poolside restaurant to take him some invitations for the exhibit. We were introduced to a magazine publisher and his daughter. Then, at the next table we met the man who founded the magazine many years ago. Another gentleman at the table has been in Thailand since 1971. We had a brief conversation about what it was like back then and how it's grown.

We went on a shopping excursion to a store that is one of the best for western foods. It's called Villa Market and the cab driver dropped us off and gave the impression that it was the building we were in front of. Well, it wasn't and when we asked about it, a woman at an info desk took us through the building and out to the street and showed us exactly where it was. That's Thai hospitality.

This evening I took a taxi to the Sky Train and went to a meeting. There was also a lot of walking involved. On the way back to the hotel the traffic was bumper to bumper at 9pm. That's Bangkok hospitality. (555)

Tomorrow we go to the gallery and 'hang the show'. This is always an interesting exercise in creating another work of art with the art on hand. Hmm. In the evening we will have dinner with our friend Pete, who is from Chiang Rai but lives and works in Bangkok.

Have a Thrilling Thursday.

Peace,

Danny

"It is good to have an end to journey toward;
but it is the journey that matters in the end."
~Usula K. LeGuin

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Character

Hi,

Today we had a beautiful, brief morning storm. Everything got watered and washed, the artwork left for Bangkok and the monks left the temples.

The 'Easy Monday' song was "Love The One You're With" by Stephen Stills. On to our 'Zany Day' tune, one I think is appropriate these days. "Hey now baby, get into my big black car. Hey now baby, get into my big black car. I wanna just show you what my politics are..." Hint: You are probably getting tired of hearing from them these days. (555)

Our day began with the sound of fireworks, gongs, and a mix of traditional instrumental music. Just as I finished finding out what was happening we saw a row of little boy monks walking down the road toward the temple. Today was the end of the three month Buddhist Lent when all the monks stay inside the temples at night. For the next month people will bring offerings and many will bring robes symbolizing a renewal.

Just as we were going to take the dogs out for their play time it started to rain. It didn't last long so we thought it was just a cloud burst. I went to my massage and while I was being tortured by Khun Joy, we heard the sound of a heavy downpour outside. It was a significant bit of rain. A little later the winds came and blew the rest of the clouds away.

While I was getting my massage, the shipping guys packed up the three crates of art work destined for Bangkok. They will arrive tomorrow. We will also arrive tomorrow, and I'm glad we are not traveling by truck. This trip will be our first flight to Bangkok since the restructuring of domestic landings. All domestic carriers, except for Thai Airways, now fly in and out of Don Muang airport, which is outside of town. This means that we will have a little car trip after we land. A longer ride than from the main airport. The real fun will be when we fly to America and have to transfer from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi for our international flight.

I have told you about the strip of pavement that runs down the middle of the big dirt lot behind our house and how it's being used as an exercise area. Well, here is a 'family exercise portrait' from one early morning.

Morning Stretch

Time to pack the bag, and do all those last minute things to get ready for our trip. Oh, and lest I forget 'Happy Halloween' to all those inclined to celebrate. Don't eat too much candy.

It's sure to be a Wacky Wednesday.

Peace,

Danny

"The farther behind I leave the past,
the closer I am to forging my own character."
~Isabelle Eberhardt

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Resiliant

Hi,

Today was a stay-at-home day. We watched the news a lot, packed up all the art work, and went for a swim. It was a good day.

I always know 'Easy Monday' is working right when I get lots of email. I'm sure some of you know it but your power is out (good excuse). Here's the second verse just in case you were busy: "Don't be angry, don't be sad. Don't sit crying talking good times you've had. Well there's a girl sitting right next to you, and she's just waiting for something to do.... And if you can't be with the one you love, __ __ __ __ __." Hint: Like the name says: 'Easy Monday'. You know this.

When we began our breakfast this morning we did something we hardly ever do, we turned on the TV and watched the news. CNN Asia carried the main feed about the storm all day, and we tried to watch the headlines at the top of each hour. As the storm approached we knew many of our friends were OK, but it looks like power is out for many of them now. It reminded us of this time last year when Bangkok and the surrounding areas were under water.

After an enthusiastic session with the dogs of chasing the ball, which includes running off with said ball, we went to work on the rest of the wrapping. We developed a real system to the whole thing and by late morning we were done.

This afternoon we packed the three crates with 30 cast acrylic prints. The shipping company will come in the morning and pick them up. We will fly to Bangkok on Thursday, hang the exhibit on Friday, and Saturday will be the opening. Today we were talking about how much preparation goes into opening of the show and then, two and a half hours later it's all over. The work will be on exhibit for a full month, but that first evening is the 'event'.

This morning, after the doggie play, we took pictures of our banana tree. It's grown quite a bit since we got it. Here are before and after photos so you can see what it looks like now. The 'baby' was planted on March 15, 2012 and the 'big' photo was taken October 30, 2012.

It will be awhile before we actually have any bananas, but it's a monster of a tree already. The 'babies' next to the main tree are growing fast and I'm hoping they can be transplanted. We may end up with a plantation (555). I would like to plant a mango tree since I'm fond of them.

Tomorrow we pack the bags and get ready for our Bangkok adventure. We also have to make a few lists of things we want to do while we're there. It's been some time since we had 'play time' in Bangkok. Hmm.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Peace,

Danny

"Man has never made any material as resilient as the human spirit."
~Bern Williams

Gettin' Funky, Thai Style