Culture Shock, or Lack of..
I've mentioned this before while in Japan, and here I am stumbling on this topic again in Thailand. I had expected that it would take me a longer time to adjust to the new culture and environment, because I was told by others that it was "soooo different". However, I feel like I've adjusted quite well, and it's only been a week and a half. Sure, I can attribute this to my "great ability to adapt to new environments" as stated in my resume... but unfortunately, I think a large part of my ability to adjust so quickly is due to the infiltration of western culture here in Thailand.
It never really got to me, until two days ago, while in a car ride with 2 Thai students. To the background music of some western music, the students were excitedly talking about upcoming concerts by Usher, Beyonce, and Destiny's Child. I was slightly befuddled by their love for western music, and secretly wondered if there were any popular Thai artists out there... I'm sure there are...
And since then, I couldn't help but notice how westernized Thailand has become. Advertisements feature english text, and "white"models, large brand names are readily available almost everywhere, and many of the people in general try to emulate western style by dressing like MTV pop stars. Most popular, is an example of MTV coming to Vietnam... within 10 years of MTV's arrival... Vietnamese youth culture had entirely transformed. I really question the view that anything "west is good". In class the other day, we were discussing Asian Management Styles, and the need for its' demolishment. Of course this came from an American professor...
As a future business woman, perhaps this new global strategy of global companies is a good thing, and will make the global economy more efficient... but as a global citizen I fear for the loss of diversity and culture, a process that has already begun. Unlike agriculture, we cannot store culture into petri dishes to preserve its longevity. So the real question is: how much longer until the rest of the world becomes the 51st state?
On another note, I'll be visiting Chiang Mai this weekend with my best bud steph.. yay, elephants here we come!
And thank you MTV for making my life easier!
i don't even like pepsi.. 
I'm not sure if you can tell by this picture.. but basically this advertisement is plastered across an entire building... i wonder what it costs to put this baby up. talk about cluttered space. and it's in english... HELLO... what country are we in????????
Marc, Nhung and Ryan at a pub on Khoa Sang Road. We met a few really interesting tourists, and a business man who does import and export...
Pepsi Fire... oooh spicy!
Our first bus ride to school... meet Sandy, the nice Thai girl that let the 2 weirdos follow her on the bus.
I LOST ALL MY MONEY :( ... boo and i didn't win a single stuffed animal
our buddies took us to the "amazing fun park" ... although it was like 1/20th the size of playland, and the rides were run down looking etc. i still had a really good time ... our buddies had a really "amazing fun" time though!
ryan likes stuffed animals too.. in fact he is obsessed with them :) i think he took this picture himself. hahah
YUMMM DONUTS.... :) they don't taste like donuts though (pic by ryan)
My thai buddies who are in charge of taking care of me for this semester. they're names are Book, and Bloom... (pic by ryan)
In front of Khoa Sang Road ... Khoa Sang Road is a foreign consumer's dream with cheap products, great culture, and english speaking merchants...it's also a great place to meet other tourists. (pic by ry-man)
Tint view of the sun rise. (Photo by: ryan)
Some homes nearby
This was a monster to ride in... but oh so much fun!
Me in my uniform...... i have to wear this everyday :( .. boo
I love cute things! looks like a knock off of chuckee cheeze and some other dog to me!
I love these smelly fruits...and they're twice as big here!
Soldiers preparing aid relief for the Tsunami victims
My apartment view of BK
Taking Risks...
Coming to Thailand was risky... let alone arriving here just a few days after the Tsunami in Phuket. Although I appreciate everyone's concern... I really am o.k., the rest of the foreign students are o.k. and the rest of Bangkok is o.k. Really we are... Since the Tsunami, myself and the other students have been probably receiving on average 2 messages a day from friends, family, and school staff asking us if we're o.k., or asking for our return to home. I understand that the Tsunami was a major disaster, but disasters like this happen all the time... they're unpredictable and hard to prepare for. Remember 9/11?? What was the first thing that the Dubya asked everyone to do? To act normal, to shop, to consume. So how is this disaster any different? So as a temporary Thailand local, I ask you to come here and spend your dough.. because the Thai economy is heavily dependant on your tourism dollars. O.k. so I'm not entirely serious... but yes, any help would surely be appreciated!
Ever since beginning my travels on Dec. 22nd, I knew that I would have to step out of safety bubble and comfort zone in order to enjoy my trip, and to enrich my experience. I've done so many things that I would not normally do at home - like ride on a motorcyle to school, plunge into highway like traffic to cross the street, and to live on my own (sorta, i have a roomie) ... and I've loved every minute of it so far.
Sure, I have a dozen more mosquitoe bites, which by the way have been grossly inflated, and my heart skips a dozen beat everytime on on the back of the motorcycle, and I've nearly got killed twice by a cab driver who didn't shoulder check, and I've suffered some major bouts of diareah... but I promise I will return home safely and maybe with some souvenirs! :)
A World of Fakeness...
I can't but help to think that everything here is fake. Walking through MBK mall in Bangkok was a definite eye opener. I could purchase knock off merchandise of every variety for only 199 Baht, fake degrees, ID's, Diplomas, and even Passports for only 20,000 Baht. In fact, some of the women here are fake... well should I say are men! If it weren't for their Adam's apple, or manly voices I would be extremely jealous of their dauntingly good lucks = ) . But I am certain of one thing, the genuine friendliness of the Thai people. They have been so receptive to me and the other foreign exchange students. Not only have they been so helpful in helping us get settled in, but they have gone above and beyond any of my expectations to ensure that our stay here is as positive as possible!
Even the boys here are nicer than the ones at home :) (no offense boys)... hehehe for example, on the bus today some guy offered to hold my books, he offered in Thai and I had no idea what the heck he was telling me. I felt bad, because I thought he wanted to steal my books... hahaha... and another student offered me his seat. What gentlemen! :)
This was our first week of school, and so far I have one CDN professor, and one American professor. Both seem to be very knowledgeable about the topics they are teaching... and they have done an excellent job in engaging me in their classes. The classes will definitely be far more challenging than my initial expectations.
It's hot here.. and I don't have much of an appetite, because well my stomach doesn't agree to much with Thai food. But thank goodness for the Cambell soup that I brought from home.
I haven't taken many pictures yet, but I'll try to take a few of me in my dorky uniform and post them for you.
Cutting it close
I was 15 minutes away from missing my flight to Bangkok.
I ended 2004 with my best bud steph, and her intern friends. We had a few drinks, played some card... overall, it was a good houseparty. At 6:00 am, we trekked to the Meiji Jingu shrine in Harajuku. The shrine was packed with supersticious Japanese people, who believed that if they did not pay respects to the Gods, they would be suffer a year of bad luck. Coins were tossed into a wish basin, mouths and hands were being cleansed in this holy like water, and magical relics were being purchased all over the place. It was definitely different from any other New Year event that I have been to. Myself, I threw in a few 100 yen coins and made generic wishes that I doubt will be granted.. but one can only wish.
But now, here I am in Thailand. Same continent, entirely different experience. I've only been here for 3.5 days.. but I love it. I can't write much more right now, because I'm exchausted.. and am having bouts of diareah.. o.k. so maybe you didn't need to know that part... but that is part of the experience.
Summary of Thailand So far:
- CHEAP SHOPPING EVERYWHERE!
- Crazy bargaining
- Very friendly people
- Other exchange student's are nice
- I have a pretty good apartment :)
Take care!
