Scams, Sex Industries, Alley ways, and Oh the Alchemist as well!

To all who may be concerned with my very late and over due second post. I am okay! My Thai is not that good, I am having trouble reading the login and password keyword bars, therefore not able to login and write new blogs. But with the help of Miss Katie, I have figured it out! So cheers to her!

My flight left on last Wednesday afternoon. The long 12 hour flight was easily passed with endless amounts of movies, free unlimited sake, and nervous excitment. I watched the new kid's movie "Kung-Fu Panda" which is great, I recommend everyone check it out when they have the chance, but one line which resonated with me and which I am trying to remember through all of my internal struggles as I adjust to all new, is: "The past is history, the future a mystery, and the present is a gift, that is why it is called the present." In all of the small struggles so far I have asked myself multiple questions, all steaming back to the ultimate, What am I doing here? I thought that I would be guided more by cosmic energies and endless beauty. But what I have been running into most is scams and people trying to hustle me.

Scams:
The first two and half days were spent with one of the two other SU students, Traci. We stayed at a very trendy posh hostel with free internet, cool american pop music, and even sliding doors! Traci and I tried numerous time venturing out into the streets of Bangkok. We spent time at Chinatown, the infamous Khao San Road, and night markets. They all had their excitment but still for two travelers who are 14 hours behind the regular time, is simply was too much.

The best way to get around Bangkok is the open aired tuk-tuks! Basically a three wheeled taxi. Traci and I figured that it would be cheapest and the most fun, so we found ourselves in a tuk-tuk as we left the hostel for the first time. Of course we hadn't considered the wise words of lonely planet's travel book before hitting the road, which turned out to be a humorous adventure. The tuk tuk drivers hustle you into the back of their motorized tricycles, before you even have a chance to get a price quote or say no, you are in the crazy streets of Bangkok. The first ride we took as innocent, the driver seemed to care about us, he asked us questions about where we were from etc, we felt welcomed, he even asked how long we had been in the country. Now, I usually am a pretty "guard-up" sorta person, but when someone is being nice to be I am such a sucker. "Oh only 1 day, this is our first day." Never ever ever ever tell a tuk tuk driver that short amount of time. Tell them 1 week a month maybe even a year if you don't want to fall into the commission scam.

The tuk tuk driver, I'm sure smiled on the inside and laughed, silly americans! He turned around to us and pointed at a small lamanated card he had wrote, "FREE GASSOLINE." Yes 2 "s's." He told us that if made a stop for him, and only "look no buy, only look" then we would get a discount on our ride. We were tired and he was nice so "yes" was our decision.

We got to a tailor shop. There were about 12 Indian salesmen ready to pounch on the newcomers. One in particular came up to us and pressed us for what we were buying. Being ingorant as I can be, I thought this "free gassoline deal" was special for us, therefore I thought we had to be legit and play along hardcore. So Traci and I did. We pretended to know what we were looking for, I even said I knew what good fabric looked like. I had a vague idea because after spending 6 months rug-shopping with mom back home I had a rough idea. "It depends on how many threads stick out the bottom." His reaction really showed me that I had no idea what the hell I was talking about. The salesman asked where we were from, "California USA," maybe is was my dark skin, he didn't believe me, "No really?" I didn't know if anyone would have heard of Guatemala, so I said, "Mexico," reluctantly (I am proud to be Guatemalan, don't worry reader, or dad!). He said. "oh, I have customer from Mexico," excitedly, he brought out a huge binder full of all his sales, he opened to a page which credited he had sold a Mexican business man 9 whole suits! I smiled and said, "Nice." Traci and I left laughing.

The tuk tuk driver waited for us happily. We got in and he turned to us and said, "Okay, one more stop and I give you free ride wherever you want!" Traci and I looked at eachother, "Whatever, ya, but you promise, free?" Offended he put a look of disgust on his face as to say you don't believe me while grabbing his bicep and said, "I good man." All men have goodness, but not all are honest, oh well, sure we took the free ride.

We stopped at a gem shop down an alley way which didn't even have it's lights on until we got in. As we walked around, the chinese salesman asked where we were from, "California USA." Of course the dark skin threw him off so this time I said, "Guatemala." "Oh I have friends in Guatemala, I give you good price, I give you Guatemalan discount!" I laughed and continued to walk around the store and just reminded myself that everyone needs to make a living. Traci and I left after a few minutes. Chinatown bound we were finally on the road, free!!!!

We spent the next few hours in markets and tuk-tuks again being part of the commission scam, it really isn't a scam, more like you just have to feel dirty for a few minutes, although you don't know why. You feel like someone is supposed to rob you, so grabbing your wallet and money belt you wait, but no one does. The tuk tuk driver gets free gas and we get a free ride, it's all good.

After some researching and travel agency-ing, we found us some tickets to Calcutta! We probably paid a little too much but it was such a relief to have bought our tickets. Tomorrow, thursday for us at 1230 we will be flying to Calcutta India where the second part of the adventure really starts.

Sex Industries:
After 2 days Traci and I decided had too much of the chaos and moved ourselves to a small beachfront town, Hua-Hin. It was simple and quite, just what we wanted. The beach's sands were white. the water was very blue, and the Singha very cold. This would be perfect for adjusting to. The only downside was the "White-man." Yes, white males everywhere. It was a very in-yo-face experience to see this industry up front. Nonetheless we indulged in the sandy beaches and attempted to avoid "the industry" once again, everyone has to make a living. We also were able to see our first Muay Thai Boxing match. SO intense, so intense, so intense. I just don't find it fair when a 10 year old 110 pound boy fights a 19 year old 140 pound man. But hey, it was entertaining.

Whenever Traci and I went to eat, we would seek the most authentic looking restaurants. Of course these places, being authentic, offered "spicy thai." This statement came with small and later a laugh as they watch the americans sweat in desperation from all the "spicy thai." After one of the meals, I was really feeling the "Spicy Thai" so I went to the Hyatt. Yes there was a Hyatt and it was very very very nice, which is why I choose it as my "rest" room. I happened to be going into the "rest"room at the same time another gentleman was entering. We went into our respective stalls made similar noises (I know gross but I'm being honest). This was a huge consolation; his stomach is as weak as mine! I finished and proceeded to wash my hands. This gentelman had already begun his hand washing and we made eye contact in the mirror. The only thing I could really do is smile, pat my belly, and ask "Spicy Thai?" He laughed and said, "Spicy Thai!" Thanks Hyatt and at the same time, I'm sorry.

Alleyways:
Traci and I bussed back into BK to find the final leg of "the tri-pod." A hostel was named as the meeting point, but upon arrival Katie had left us a note that she would be back later. Of course she would, being adventurous as she is, she was out and about. Traci and spent the following few hours walking up and down a main road in search of Miss Katie. She was no where to be found.

Empty handed Traci and I decided to head back to the hostel. We turned a corner into an alley way which led to our hostel. In this one and only vacant alley way, the only alley way in all of Bangkok that does not have anyone sleeping, selling or sitting we found Kaite! Arms wide open shocked looks on our faces we ran to embrace! It feels so real now.

Of The Alechemist as well!!!
Let's go back to last wednesday at SFO. Traci and I were killing time at a small convenience stand looking at all the magazines which are supposed to entertain us Americans. Nothing appealed to my interest so I turned around and there on top of small candy stand was a consolation! I knew it would be a consolation before the thought of having to spend 13.50 for it occured to me! THE ALCHEMIST BY PAULO COELHO! I had read it years past, but it made no sense really to me then. Why would anyone want to find their Personal Legend? Omen's don't really have to do with life, they are more just things to make one instantaneously happy, right? I read the book in a few hours, as I got to the end tried to read slower as I knew it was coming to an end. I didn't want it to end. The wisdom of Coelho's words resonated with me so much a felt as though I was Santiago. If you have not read the beautful novel, go get a copy on a amazon for $1.98 used. It is such a soul opener. It made me question a lot of motives I have for my trip, it put much of the trip into persepctive and makes me question the possibility of leading that type of "romanticized life." (Only romanticized beacuse our society to an extent condemns it).

So why am I on this trip?
The easiest thing to say would be: To broaden my horizons. Well that would also be bullshit. Not that it isn't true, but that is such a lame way of summarizing what I am about to say. I apologize if I have given that answer to anyone, I probably just didn't feel like talking, don't take it personally.

I know, I have felt inherent qualities inside of me which only can be brought out through powerful struggle. I consider myself a very loving person, but only sometimes. I know it is there all the time, but not at a surface level. I'm hoping to know more about this ability, this characteristic or quality. School has become to habitual for me. Ever since the 2nd grade I knew I would be going to college, it seemed like it would never get here, but now I am here I realize how fast life moves. Life is sorta like a toilet paper roll, the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes. But now that I am here (college) I want something more. Maybe it is selfish, maybe I am not being grateful for my life up to now and how I am actually in that 1% which is gifted with the present of college. But I feel that this trip will help me realize my Personal Legend. I asked a friend of mine in a recent email, to what extent she thought The Alchemist was too self-centered. I am still awaiting a reply, but I feel that I have answere my own question. Self discovery is self-indulging for a good reason. I am looking to find more about myself, I am creating a cultivating myself in order to find my Personal Legend, but when I get there I will know it, I will want to share it with the world, and I will. That will be the joy of all this self-centered discovery. I will someday find that peace within myself and be able to share it with the world, weather it is ready or not! I will be a person of character, of story, of legend. I am hoping this trip helps me get there. It will to some extent.

Ever since I was four, every September at this time, I was in the classroom, why don't put a break on that habitual action? I don't give school enough credit, I don't appreciate it enough, I want something to fight for, a reason to be invested in school. I am hoping that this trip will help me find a reason to fight, I know it will to some extent.

I am looking for something more organic out of life, I am finding it right now in this hot muggy Bangkok internet studio. Althouhgh I am still in some awe of what is going on around me, I am searching, looking for meaning in my life. Maybe this means nothing to some of you readers, but it means the world to me right now. I am shitting my pants nervous for India, but in a great way, I know it will make me, me, a more full me. You know that feeling of fullness after you eat a whole meal? Well that will hopefully be me after this trip, full on, well yes curry and naan, but more life than ever before! I am looking for life in all I will touch.

I am going to have to end this post. I apologize if it was too much experience and not enough thought. I have now figured out how to make a new post and hopefully will be able to post more often. For now I need to go get ready for the next outing, more Muay Thai Boxing!!! Oh and I do feel another bathroom visit brewing after all the "Spicy Thai" and street vendor egg rolls. Although no Hyatt, only regular toilet's with a mystery hose. But that hose is seemingly more obvious with the lack of toilet paper.

With much love from Bangkok,

Namaste.