Finally, Vanessa Gets a Thai Nickname!

A Good Nickname is Hard to Find...

Most Thais have short nicknames...Noi, Na, Ben, Tom, Tok, Kiet... not only are they meant to be endearing, but also to replace their unbelievably long and phonetically puzzling names.

Now, for thais, my own name happens to be an equal challenge, both in strangeness as well as starting with the "v" sound... so "Vee" won't work... and "Fi" is tough because my sister's name is Sophia, and she often goes by 'Fia...

"Faa sai" was kindly suggested - means "blue skies" - flattering, but perhaps a bit too sunny and cheery for me... and "blue" alone is "sii" - which appears commonly in other words, so it just doesn't sound like a nickname...

And then, do-on mai (Bam!) - the perfect one: Watsanaa - the "t" is actually quite silent - so it sounds more like "wah-sanaa"...

so this scrambled version of "vanessa" also means "Luck" or "karma" - so you can have 'good watsanaa' or 'bad watsanaa' ... Watsanaa, indeed!

My Cheapest Meal Yet...!

The challenge: living under 500 baht/day (~$12) for transportation and food...and i'm getting better at it every day!


* Minor cheat: i bought a Monthly Pass on the BTS (skytrain) which gives me 40 trips at 20 baht each, no matter where i go... prices can run 30-60 baht if you go 3 stations out or more - so in the end, the 800-baht Pass will save me at least that much...

The Record
The cheapest meal i got was by On Nut (at the east end of the train line) - a whopping 15 baht for a bowl of beef noodle soup. I ordered without really knowing what i would get - it was quite tasty (though perhaps a tad salty)... and i certainly did not experience any side effects later...

Safe vs. Cheap
Many people ask me if i trust eating on the street. And i've developed a bit of a theoretical hierarchy.

With regard to street vendors, I will buy cut fruit from carts on the street, but i'm still weary of meat on a stick (due to an unpleasant incident several years ago). Roti's are also fair game - folded crepes drizzled with condensed milk - YUM!

Fruit vendors are cheaper than a supermarket. Notably, mangosteen are in season - 40-50 baht will get you a 2-kilo bag... and they are totally addicting!

I believe the "mobile kitchens" on the sidewalks and food stalls can be cleaned quite thoroughly, and have sat down to have a bite at little tables set up, either on the sidewalk or in a open-air/shared (often tented) space, provided they look clean.

In general, i've noticed that when it comes to food stalls, the food is generally served piping hot here - logically because they hand it to you straight out of the pan/soup tureen (ie, it's not left sitting in a window...) While it's rendered almost inedible for several minutes (at least by my tender standards) - i truly believe the heat would kill anything "unclean" that lingers...

Markets that let you take away are good (particularly if you want to get grilled fish fresh and cheap). Also, the sell great snacks, sweet treats (coconut yummies), little noshes (chinese "bun", or these banana-leaf wrapped things that are the thai version of a tamale)...

The next step up is food courts: a group of stalls that have tables set up in the middle. Least formally, stalls may be under a tent; increasingly permantent structures: bare warehouses, little malls, or in the big malls (the Platinum has anything you can think of, from bites to meals). Clean, plentiful, and you can still eat a meal for 30-60 baht...most of these have a staff to clean up all the messes... clean!

I have found it a little difficult to control what i get exactly - ie, getting a heavily sauced dish rather than a soup...dishes too sweet, too salty, etc. it's been kind of hit or miss! but this may improve greatly, thanks to a crash course in Thai that i'm taking through school...i'll be able to be more specific now :)

Cheap finds: "Noodle Bar" on Silom Rd, right off Saladaeng station (ranging 50-80 baht for a bowl of noodle soup, pretty much any way you want it); and a Vietnamese restaurant in Siam square (Pho came in 2 sizes - 85 baht for the small, yet quite satisfying portion - nice quiet place, pretty colors + jazz!).

okay, more pictures on the next post...! will save culinary faves for another post too...

...and i've got some coconut gummy treat waiting to be polished off before bed...

Thai Biogas Plant Visit, a First...

As part of the WREC (11th world renewable energy congress) conference i've been fortunate enough to attend over the last few days, today i got to visit my first real biogas plant...

One of 4 sites belonging to the Thai Biogas Energy Company, this plant in Saraburi produces 900 kW a day from industrial waste stream piped in from a cassava processing plant (which produces starch).

The biogas plant processes about 3,000 cubic meters of sludgy waste stream per day. The mixed sludge (so that it's more uniform) is basically treated and put into a big "lagoon" (about 9 meters deep), and covered with a black, tarp-like plastic. As the sludge decomposes (ie, "anaerobically digested), the tarp bubbles up with the methane emitted. About 60% of these emissions are methane (which are 21 times the value of CO2 per tonne!). That's quite significant when you start talking CO2 credits...

The gas is sucked through another pipe, then filtered (i'm gonna skip that explanation for brevity's sake, pressurized, and then converted into electricity with an expensive General Electric gas turbine (another explanation i'll gloss over...!).

Of the 900 kW produced daily, the plant uses 100 of it, then supplies the cassava processing plant with 600 kW (100% of its power needs), and sells 200 kW back to the Grid.

For perspective: the average power usage in the american home is 1000kWh per month (= 1 megawatt-hour/mo). If you've got a couple of computers, TVs, etc - maybe you're looking at 1200-1500 kWh/month...

Rounded residential costs:
$.12/kWh in FL;
$.18/kWh in MA;
$.13/kWh in CA and DC.
(source: 1/2009 data release by US govt EIA in 4/2009).

If you've gotten this far without glazing over, thanks - the plant was about 2 hours out of bangkok, next to a lush river, and a little stinky, though not as stinky as municipal waste would ... and now i'll move on...

Feeling out public transport: two weeks

So i arrived in Bangkok just over 2 weeks ago... scrambling to adjust, and on my third weekend here, i think i've reached a more zen place :)

I had orientation the day after i arrive, and i've learned a few things about my new school: it is locally known as "Prajom Gao" - which a helluva lot easier to say than King Mongkut University of Technology - and now i have a near 50% chance of being understood! The school is located in a southern suburb of bangkok, across the river, and getting there from the city, is not so easy! i prefer to live in bangkok and commute to school, rather than the other way around.

I tried several buses and different routes (often recommended)... including the 140, which actually runs from the middle of bangkok (chit lom) straight south - but it's NON-STOP on the expressway...which is problematic if you get stuck in traffic...on a full bus...and i'd STILL have to take yet another bus...every which way, no alternative seemed much shorter than living near the skytrain, and taking the counter-intuitive route...

i ended up finding a studio just 4 stops (15 min) from Wong Wian Yai, the last station on the Silom Line (which opened last week). More on the apartment to come... :)

Riverside Bike Ride for Daily Life Snapshots

My father took me bike-riding from the house to get a better look at the neighborhood along the river...It was the best time, so i retraced our route the next day with my camera - and got a few good "daily life" photos.

Rural roads...when houses were close to the road, kids and adults were keen to smile and say hello as we rode by, particularly if we did...initially, they looked either confused or amused to see us just riding around...

Driveway w/ king's image...

In general, this area is fertile agricultural land...

Rice drying on the roadside...

Som tam (green papaya salad) peddler lives here...

The wheel man in town...

a home veggie garden...

Local Wat Photos...

These are some of my favorite shots, taken at the wat complex in pitchit...the complex actually contains several buildings ...

The original temple is over 100 years old...the newer temple in use is across the way, but i thought this one was fascinating...

The locals believe it is quite haunted... certainly has that quality...

i do wonder what the writing says up top...

Inside, the pidgeons purr from above...notice the photos that used to be there on the back wall...there is actually one still there...

upon closer inspection, it is of the royal family - from what i could gather, i believe the baby in the photo is the current king, so it has likely remained in place out of respect...

monks' quarters to the left of the old wat...

a closer look at the monks' quarters...

the complex is surrounded by a wall with cute elephants walking all in a line (elephants, a symbol of prosperity in Buddhism, are always good to have around)...

a closer look at the cute elephant, with the newer (and brightly painted) wat in the background...

This building is used communally by the monks - mealtimes, collective prayers, etc.

outside the monks' common area (behind the tree), a very friendly thai lady makes the most delicious thai iced tea... notice the two mamie dolls on her cart... where did she get those?!?

For 10 Baht, the tea is served up...
A fantastic place to explore...and a great stop while bike riding along the river...

Grad study in thailand?

I returned to the States a bit early, in part to be there for my grandfather's 90th birthday (and my favorite aunt's birthday the day before). The other part is that i was accepted in a master's program at Thailand's #1 research and engineering school.

Energy technology and Management masters level program. My second masters, incidently.

I hadn't wanted to write much about it, in case i didn't get accepted. If i had to judge from my interview, i thought i really blew it. My father advised me: Don't Talk Too Much.

Generally speaking, it does seem like westerners want to explain themselves and tell their stories, whether or not people want to know or not - we sort of assume they do. Our story is key to our acceptance - key to being understood, being credible. To get any job or into school, explaining ourselves seems critical. But really, who doesn't appreciate the confidence of concise and abridged?

As i sat in front of the panel of faculty (including a nobel prize winner). I felt that by saying less, i was being vague, evasive ... i wasn't sure what i said was enough to convince them that i was serious.

Well, seems i am at the very least a source of intrigue, so maybe being so "mysterious" really did work ... And i'm certain this is a program where i can learn all the elements i need to thoroughly assess energy projects for myself. real credibility without the rejection of MIT or Berkeley... and all the thai food i want!

Orientation is the first week in May. So i'm back home (i missed it!) while i prep for my next adventure: Being a student at a King Mongkut's University of Technology for 4.5 months!

in case you're curious, the program: http://www.jgsee.kmutt.ac.th/jgsee1/index.php

How does a monk become a monk?

How does a monk become a monk?
...as illustrated by Chukiet, mei's 21 year old nephew, who will spend 10 days as a monk.

During this time, he will get up at 5 am to get rice from the neighbors to last him a full day of prayers. (it's generally considered really bad karma not to feed the monks, so they are quite well fed, but it's an exercise in humility to ask for your food every day at dawn... )

On sunday morning, chukiet gets his hair shaved... the ceremony lasts about 2 hours. The extended family and neighbors gather across the street (his grandparents' house), and they get in line to wait their turn to snip off a piece of his hair, which then gets placed in a banana-leaf-lined silver bowl, which his mother holds. All of this with an MC narrating, a camera rolling, and a brass band playing - all over loudspeakers set up in front of the house.




After everyone's had their turn, the monk finishes it off with a straight razor. At some point, amidst prayers, the monks dress him in a white lacey tunic, which he wears publicly until he receives his saffron robe the next day...



Then comes the procession to the local temple, where he'll be for 10 days... it reminded me a bit of a new orleans funeral march - the brass band plays these festive dixie tunes (i swear, one of them was that mockingbird lullaby), fueled by whiskey...and people dancing and cheering all the way...






As i mentioned, it's a festive affair. They ask you to dance with them, you dance! it was of utmost amusement to see my dad joining in...so Chukiet's riding in a truck under a blue umbrella; at the front is another truck with the kiddies and ice cold water...




it takes about an hour to reach the bridge that crosses the river to the temple. As a sidenote, i rode my bike over this bridge...a scary thing. motorbikes cross both ways... there's JUST enough room for both to fit, though i can't imagine getting that close to the side... the bridges are only a few years old - dad says that previously, there was a rope bridge with a pulley alongside, where you could hoist your bike, and it would be pulled to the other side...




The prayers lasted about an hour...i must admit, i got distracted taking photos of an old temple just across the way...


after this, everyone returned home to get ready for the big celebration bash on the house grounds. This part was a real trip - kind of like a big bar mitzvah - about 500 people showed up, and there was tons of food, and a whole stage was built for the entertainment... i'll post pictures separately...

Chukiet would receive his saffron robes the next day (monday)... again led by a procession, this time circling the main temple a few times...

....before praying...

...then going through that archway, and then being hoisted up so that he could touch the top of the door way to the temple...this must mark the moment he becomes a monk, because the crowd cheers.

Once inside, he is presented with his saffron robe, changes into it... and settles in for another hour or so of prayers...

And voila! a monk is born...

Phichit 1: Family Bash marks nephew's rite of passage

Came up with Mei (+ kids) to join the extended family at the house in Phichit, which is a 4 hour drive north of bangkok. The main house here has been built in recent years, mostly from the profits of the family's rice business. Mei's sister, Na, lives across the street (incidently next door to her ex's parents). Her son is turning 21 and will spend a week in a monastery before heading back to university in chiang mai. with all the fuss, though, you'd think he'd spend at least a month or two... but it's clearly an Event, nonetheless!

This morning, he had his hair shaved by a monk. Family and friends gathered... everyone gets a chance to snip his hair (even me!), which looks quite funny before the monk finally takes a straight razor to it...

In this case, there's a full brass band that's been playing for hours over loudspeakers set up... it sounds a little bit like a new orleans band... not surpising to have elements of jazz and dixie - the king of thailand is an accomplished saxophone player himself - i actually bought a CD of his compositions, where such styles appear frequently.

When the band isn't playing, there is an MC that finds plenty to say - and thai music is played in the background, punctuated by howling ... and then stretches of thai music (some quite pleasant, some quite jarring) it's a real trip, the whole thing... some of the men have already started drinking whiskey... and it's not noon yet!

Meanwhile, there's a large stage being constructed in front of the house - where there will be live entertainment until midnight... then a general mish mash, all to thai music blaring out of speakers, indefinitely...

headed to the temple soon...not sure for what, but i'll find out. planned to steal away on a bike for a while to take photos by the river (this area is really well suited land for agriculture)... dad took me on a fantastic bike ride yesterday, so i want to retrace my steps...

The skinny on Tenasserim...

Photo: reforested test site, after 13 years

This is a neat project that i am lucky enough to see in the structuring stages... it is still unclear whether it is profitable enough for investors to take note - but it is an innovative twist on the "payment for ecosystem conservation" model...

The "tenasserim" region is 1 of 5 reforestation projects in the Greater Mekong Subregion that is partially financed by the asian development bank, and looking for the rest of the financing though private investors, rather than a loan (which is where my dad's little web of finance people would come in).

Private investors have been successful in joining forces with public sector projects in the clean energy sector - where they can rely on profits from energy being sold to the grid as well as carbon credits (sold on the compliance market). However, in this case, the investors would make make their money primarily by selling carbon credits on the voluntary market (about $2 per credit, which equals 1 tonne of CO2). so it's still questionable whether this co-financing model will work for reforestation alone...

The tenasserim corridor itself is divided into 5 sections, 2 of which were mobilized 1 year ago (the northern and southermost sites). Each section contains 5 towns. We went to the southernmost one in Ratchaburi (2 hours drive).

Tenasserim is a corridor of jungle southeast of bangkok that has patchy deforestation, ranging from 20-80% deforested. The more continuous the forest, the better it is for wildlife.

This area, about 400 m above sea level, subsists mostly through pineapple plantations. The Dept. of National Parks (which has done very impressive land surveying) set the villages with a nursery and seedlings (provided by the Royal Project, which focuses on sustainable ), which the townspeople grew and planted in around 200 hectares of forest.

Photo: one of the 600 semi-permanent dams built to help maximize the use of rainwater

There is about 10,000 left to be planted throughout the corridor - 5,000 of which is up to 80% deforested, and 5,000 of which is less than 20% deforested. If it takes another US$10 million (on top of $3 mil. already gotten from the ADB and the thai govt.) to implement the reforestation plans, are the profits from carbon credits enough to entice private investors to put up that $10 mil?

Other factors in the carbon calculation: 12 tree species being planted; young trees (first 10 years) sequester more CO2 than old trees; about 150 seedlings were planted per "rai" (6.25 rai per hectare; 2.5 acres in a hectare) - CO2 analysis costs $US 30k a pop; after 10 years, credits are worth more because the risk goes down... so when to sell the credits could make a difference...

While townspeople here have not been paid for the replanting, there is funding allotted for each village (about 200,000 baht per village, which roughly translates to US$ 5,700) to stimulate the development of sustainable businesses from which they can profit - such as growing mushrooms in the forest, ecotourism, or using the nurseries for other plants after the reforestation seedlings are planted (we talked with local women, and they are most interested in growing orchids).

photo: local women involved in the nursery activities...

Photo: seed bags at a nursery

The villages won't necessarily see much of the funds from the carbon credits directly, but they will have access to more advanced funds, training programs (including schoolkids, who are also taught about seed gathering and sustainable growing practices), and incentives for building their own sustainable businesses. That is, after the banks are paid, and the investors make their profits...

In any case, the trip was really interesting. Two of our "guides" were women (Kantinan and Rungnapar) from the Dept. of National Parks. They were both pretty hardcore - Rungnapar is a bamboo expert (There are 80 kinds of bamboo in thailand, and they only shed seeds before they die). Both described their days at the University in the Forestry program - every student is required to run 12 km a day for six months out of the year (for 3 years)... They also have some pretty good camping recommendations that i will have to follow up someday...

Photo: village firetruck, stopped outside where we had lunch

Photo: Rungnapar w/ the tree she planted a year ago...

BKK: shoes, guitars, food, metros, etc

I needed better shoes for my trip to Tenasserim - essentially sneakers that would look decent with business casual clothes, but nothing too flashy - so i hit up the Central World plaza (formerly called the world trade center), by Siam Center on the skytrain (BTS), bankok's crux of international fashion, electronics, and hotels.

(photo: intersection from skywalk by chitlom station)

Central World alone is like several NY city blocks of boutiques and specialty stores stacked onto six floors, with a glass exo-structure that gives climate controlled cafe's an outdoor feel. combed the stores over several hours and found that the Sketchers store had just the shoes...super comfy (for next-day wear) and cute (to match my slacks).

(photo: bldg by NaNa BTS station, near where i've been staying)

i have yet to go to Pratunam, which is the equivalent of the garment district - it's supposed to have everything, and cheap - i like deals, but it's tricky to find things that fit me, so that's often a limiting (and frustrating) factor.

Central World has 3 guitar stores - one of which had the most gorgeous blue steel guitar for 15k baht ($400) that i tried out. not bad for a steel guitar (developed in the 1920's, but eclipsed by the advent of electric guitars thereafter) - they make even my fly-by-night playing sound amazing...

Well, i really don't deserve such a piece yet, so i continued my search for a cheap, but decent guitar elsewhere...which led me onto an adventure on the underground metro (MRT). i checked out a store at Fortune Town, but they were also way overpriced (even the used ones)...

For guitars, i've heard Chinatown has a cluster of stores with the best deals (arguably lesser quality, but there's got to be something i like there). actually, i made it to the right MRT station, Hua Lamphong station, end of the line - but when i got out, i didn't have good directions - i walked around some little streets, but didn't find it, and then didn't want to be taken by a tuk-tuk driver, so decided i would come back with a map, or at least a better idea where i was going. got it now, so next week, i suppose...

(photo: just when u get into Siam Paragon - couldn't resist - a McCafe...)

Siam Paragon, which neighbors Central World, has THE best food court (a floor up from the McCafe). It actually has little restaurants all clustered around - we had great japanese ...other interesting food joints: the Japanese "Mos Burger" and "Mr. Taco" ... fascinating. Paragon also has a gourmet market, with treats from the Royal Project...

The Royal Project is essentially a government program in agriculture that emphasizes diversity and cooperative set-ups for farmers all over the country. It now includes several processing facilities - so we got gourmet carrot chips and pumpkin chips... and these divine little dried mango puree pancakes... kind of like seriously wonderful fruit leather patties. There's all sorts of yummies, and it's basically "fair trade" stuff.

okay, gotta run... more on the Tenasserim project soon...

Sun vs. Lemongrass + Tiffy

Even the most die-hard durian fans agree - it smells like hell. i'm actually a fan of durian, though - a rich custardy "fruit" that tastes nothing like its smells - which just fascinates me. So when Mei bought me some today, and it stunk up the whole car - it's a tough call - roll down the windows and breathe in exhaust fumes, or keep them up and risk durian asphyxiation... even 2-year-old Simon wrinked up his nose and blamed the smell on Dad ("Papa, Ba!")

The Rat Affair
So there are two kittens (and the mama cat) by this little playground down the way, and i stopped to play with them on a morning jog (they're quite tame and playful). This kid walks up to me and thrusts his hand out, cradling a live little rat in a tissue. It was rather cute, and i thought, hey, lots of people have pet rats - i smiled, but shook my head - no, i'm good, thanks. He continued to gesture, as if to say, go ahead, it's okay... and it was quite tame, and here's where you're thinking, she's not really going to take it is she, but yes, i let the kid drop the tissue-clad mouse in my hands.

The kid stood there smiling and as i peered at the little guy, i was like okay, he's tame enough, but i'm not going to push it, and as i go to hand him back, the kid shakes his head and motions towards the cats... wait a second!

That's right, this little rat was not a pet at all... the look on my face must have been priceless - as i swiftly unloaded the cute little rodent back into the hands of the kid, saying no no no no no no no... both laughing at the expense of my utter naivete... there was just no way i could feed this live little guy - no matter how stunned he was - to these kitties - no matter how cute they were...

Sun-smacked,
Despite Bangkok's allure, i was eager to get a little sun, now that i was on the coast. so perhaps i skimped a little on the sunscreen when i decided to hunt for some beach glass at the water's edge. Sophia was along, and soon became engrossed in gathering "pterodactyl" shells (no idea, but they're pretty and shiny)... well, we dawdled along the beach for clearly way too long... and my red self collapsed into bed for a nap... only to wake up with the worst fever and headache...

Mei brewed up some Lemongrass tea was to cool me from the inside out (as opposed to chili peppers, which heat you up) - and two "Tiffy" tablets - this thai painkiller actually contains 500 mg of paracetamol.

Yes, it worked. throbbing headache gone before i got to bed. And two more Tiffies before bed - i slept 8 hours straight - possibly the first time since i got here!

Speaking of which, 3 AM. undoubtedly full day tomorrow, to BKK tuesday...

3 Days in BKK: A Toe in the Green

I really loved being in Bangkok. The food is great - actually, we went to this italian place that oven-fired thin crust pizza - and they do it really well. plus fresh "rocket" salad (that's what arugula is called here!), yummy buffalo mozzarella ... did i mention, yum?

We stayed off of Sukhumvit Rd (at soi 10)... the thoroughfare above which the BTS runs...I love the SKY TRAIN (BTS)! the train is clean, fast, cool... there is an underground that intersects, and i must admit i've never been on it... there's usually enough to entertain us using this infrastructure (or a short motorbike ride away)... i suppose if i spent more time in BKK, i'd venture further... i didn't really go out much this round, both trying to get some reading done at night, and other than dad and mei, i don't know anybody in BKK! not that i can't go out by myself, but just haven't really been in the mood to be that brand of social...

Thai Reforestation Site Visit Replaces Laos Trip
So i did end up getting the Visas (my first official stamp on my new Uruguayan passport!) - but turns out that visit coincides with a site visit to a special project i've been studying up on. Through carbon emissions trading, this project will enable the thai government to fund their reforestation with investment money instead of a traditional loan. cutting edge stuff!!! Dad introduced me to the project lead today (he was out for the monks blessing) - and i was relieved to be well-received, and conversant enough not to look stupid. So this mission to gather specifics (costs, resources, etc) could be the most seamless integration into my first project that i could ask for... guess it was worth the wait. And that visa to Laos is good through mid april...

Alright, one little gripe: the sidewalks. Seriously ...

Vendors: either they're being taken up by vendors (food, clothes, stuff) - people have to walk in single file to squeeze by (barely, at that)... or you're forced on the street, at the mercy of crazy drivers and motorbikes (which are so fun to ride, but a little scary, the way they weave through traffic - but the breeze is awesome).

Now, every once in a while, there's a crackdown to clear the sidewalks, but really, that's their livelihood, so they end up losing revenue, have to pay some fine/permit - and two days later they're back on the street... so really, what's the point?

Cracks, the loose tiles, the dirty puddles, the ditches, and the holes you could lose a poodle to... between weaving through people and vendors, you gotta make sure your next step is on secure ground... and forget wearing high heels, pain is inevitable...

And now, a coastal interlude...
we got back to the coast this afternoon, where we'll be until we head back to BKK next tuesday. not much planned for the weekend, but doesn't mean it won't be busy. There's a fishing port and village about a mile up that i was hoping i could check out to take some cool photos...

Monks Bless the New Office

Everyday Thai Life: 8 Days in Sattahip

I'm not entirely sure how the time went by so fast... up until 2 days ago, i maintained a low profile at the pattaya flat.

photo 1: view left (east)

Overall, the pattaya place is really lovely, and i've truly enjoyed the experience. One could say i've been inspired to take up a bit of "monastic rigours" - I've cut out television entirely, sweets are limited to fruits (and a little jam), and junk food is also out. And i've tried to get exercise every day. Admittedly, it is indeed a bit easier when the cooking, cleaning, and laundry is taken care of ;)

Digging into the eco-realm has been painstakingly slow... and patience is not necessarily my best virtue. Still, I've been doing my best to prove myself helpful and reliable to my father, which at this point involves a fair amount of energy towards the family. I've been trying to play it cool...

Is it possible to be Relaxed-Out?

Meanwhile, "relaxing" is not so easy when i'm itching to be getting my feet wet in the world of sustainable development... even though i've been reading up on the projects, i've also found myself dropped into these thai people's lives... and there's been more than a few instances of...tension.

Chilis from the 9th realm of Hell...

Like the (very good natured) cook making things WAY too spicy. At home, i am a champion of spice - but here, there is no doubt that i am a wimp. I said i like spicy, but this was crazy. Dad and Mei were actually gone for most of the week, so sophia was my only translator, and she was in school...

Each meal, i'd wildly gesture for "nit noi phet" - a little bit LESS spicy, please - and she'd laugh and nod... but i swear, the next dish was not a wit less spicy than the last. Or maybe it was, and my taste buds were still staggering to recover from the last gunfight...

Thai school seems to lack inspiration...

Speaking of sophia and school - this 8-year-old certainly provided a less than stellar picture of the average thai education. A lack of emphasis on reasoning skills indicates a pervasive attitude that complacency is a generally preferable trait (heck, all authorities have more power if no one bucks the boat)... seems to me, sophia lags behind the average 8 year old in math, isn't exposed to kiddie lit above a kindergarten level...and doesn't seem to be the least bit inspired to learn...Or maybe she's just 8... maybe a city school would be more competitive and inspiring... i dunno... distressing indeed...

Another source of tension: shopping.

Shopping here could be equally considered both a sport as well as an addiction. And it is definitely a favorite Thai family pastime. Everywhere you turn, you're subject to new, bigger-than-the-last malls, huge outlets, outdoor markets with countless vendors, a plethora of supermarkets... from super cheap to unfathomably expensive, this place is a shopper's dream. The trips are a bit stressful, though, when you're not really keen on buying things...and mei and sophia are total purchase-pushers!

In support of the next generation of agriculturalists...

Ahighlight of this last weekend was going to the re-opening of the agricultural college across the street. Schoolkids performed regional thai dances, we bought some plants and seeds (which sophia planted in little empty yoghurt containers)... and these gummy rice sweets... we couldn't get enough of it! all sorts of flavors (including durian, which was quite yummy)...

photo 4: Rice sweets being mixed...this one was green, though i don't know the flavor...

Aside from my sweetheart, my cat, and my friends, I do miss Heroes (and Thailand does not allow streaming video online), and what i truly miss is good coffee.

Down with the Instant...

The crystals...can't express their god-awfulness. and i just don't get it - some of the best coffee comes from Asia. and the creamer - just deepens the travesty... getting a nonfat vanilla cappuccino from starbucks on the roadstop up to BKK on tuesday came damned near finding a stash of lost jazz records for me...

Back to Bangkok: Auspicious Timing for my Introduction to The Office

Dad, Mei, and I came to BKK because his new office was getting blessed by the monks. A unique experience...i'll post some photos in a subsequent post(still in my camera).

Got to finally see the office and meet key team members. They're quite friendly and welcoming, which is a good start. Getting more acquainted with a spread of projects illustrating the effectiveness of free market. why rely only on regulations, most of which limit human activity by nature? of course, the financing is anything but simple - funding comes from a variety of sources, the government incentives being the most complex to decipher (seriously, those reports are verbose, at best). I continue to find the carbon currency phenomenon fascinating, and present in every project, one way or another.

Anyway, it's way past midnight here - so in closing...

Headed for the Lao embassy to get Visas... for a few days somewhere around Feb. 18 to accompany Dad (a mining deal). Trekked to the other side of town this afternoon, only to find the embassy had closed early, since it was not busy... of course!