Ayutthaya

Last Wednesday, Marsh / Matt / Kristina / Kathleen (from Fuqua) / and I hopped into a sketchy looking white van.

Spoiler alert - if the start of this blog post didn't already give it away - we lived to tell about it.

We were headed to Thailand's former capital city - Ayutthaya.  Back when Thailand was named "Siam," Ayutthaya was a hoppin' place.  (quick side note history lesson - the country's name was changed in 1939 from Siam to Thailand.  Thailand means "free living" or "land of the free" but I still have yet to figure out what Siam means).  We heard that Ayutthaya was the central trade location, boasted beautiful temples, and was the number one paparazzi hang out in hopes of seeing the king.  In 1767, the Burmese (Thailand's northern neighbor - now Myanmar), attacked the city and burned almost everything to the ground.  Many people were taken as slaves, and the grandiose nature of the religious temples was nearly demolished.

Only about an hour away from Bangkok by car today, Ayutthaya is noted as a popular day trip for those with some free time.  Although so many of the temples were destroyed, the ruins can still be explored (the city has 360 temples today!)

The tree grew around the ruins

To get there, we had two options: (1) hire a taxi driver to take us there, wait around for us, and bring us back  (2) take the local bus.

Although we stand out like tourists through and through, we've been trying to assimilate as much as possible.... when possible.  It's not as easy as one would think over here (on average, I'm a head taller than everyone in a big crowd), but we do what we can.  So, we figured  we'd go for the bus the locals take.

Considering how twisted around we always end up when we try to get somewhere, the bus ended up being pretty easy to find.  Bangkok has taught me many things - two of which are (1) who knew we were so dependent on the GPS on our iPhones (2) UNC may need to start a navigation course, since four almost-ready-to-graduate MBAs can't find their way in this city sometimes

The "bus" actually ended up being one of those sketchy looking white painters vans.  We paid our 60 baht, and hopped in.  Then we waited.  And waited.  We were about to wait juuust a little bit more, but the van lurched to life.  Off to Ayutthaya we go!

My dad used to tell me, "failing to prepare is preparing to fail."  We didn't plan a thing for when we arrived in Ayutthaya.  We had no clue what types of temples we were looking at, or the story behind them.  Fortunately, Matt jumped in and narrated our entire trip!  I now know that sometimes made up stories about what could have happened in the temple ruins are actually more interesting (or at least what happened if it had been left up to Matt's imagination).  Although we failed to prepare - thanks to Matt, the trip did not end up being a failure.  My dad may need to come up with a new saying... guess he didn't account for things like trips to Ayutthaya!

Photo shoot of Marsh

The camera loves him

Planning our great photo

Gearing up for the great photo

THE GREAT PHOTO!

Reclining Buddha has seen better days

Up in the club

If you know me at all - or if you don't and were to take a wild guess - you know that I'm not exactly the rager that wears stilettos to nightclubs, goes to raves, or dances well to the beat of a strobe light on a regular basis.

Don't get me wrong, there are still many times that I like to think I'm a great dancer and can hang with the cool cats (that is what they're calling them these days, right?).

So, when in Bangkok, do what Bangkok is known for.  Well, not exactly - don't get too excited, I won't be heading to or blogging about any seedy parts of town - but I do know that I need to see some club scene.

The sombrero and shot roulette that 5 minutes ago were
decorations on the wall

The UNC crew and I decided to make a night of it.  It all started at a Mexican restaurant.... I swear, you can find anything you want in this city - even Mexican food.  It just happened that it was 1/2 off margarita night!  Somehow, part of the wall decorations ended up on our table and subsequently part of a photo shoot.  Those sombreros likely haven't seen action in years - so we decided to put them to good use.

After the Mexican place, we found a bar that looked like a little tree house.  Except that it wasn't up in a tree, and it was just kind of on the side of a little street.  Regardless, Charlie's Bar was a great find.  We actually met another American there!  Even though I know I just said that you can find anything you want in this city - Americans are actually one thing that are hard to find!  My ears perk now up anytime I hear an American 'accent.'

We learned the peace sign makes pictures "more cute" - according
to our cooking instructor in Chiang Mai

After a quick drink at Charlie's Bar, we headed to the main road.  Speaking of Americans, we quickly found a old van-turned-pop-up-bar painted very patriotically (basically just an old van that sells drinks out the back).  Obviously a photo op.

Turning left at the American pride bus bar, we headed down the street toward "da clubs."  Not even two blocks down, we bumped into the Kellogg students!  They recommended heading to a club that was actually on the rooftop of their hotel - called Levels.

An elevator on the exterior of the hotel takes you directly to the rooftop.  The doors open, and you're met with neon lights, very swanky and modern looking chandeliers  highly manicured plants/bushes in the shape of spheres, and rockin' music.  However, the place was empty.  We clearly were not running with the "cool cats" this night, because the place was practically empty.  Still need to figure out which clubs and bars  Bangkok's finest head to.

However, crowds of people or no crowds of people, once the music hits you.... you gotta bust out some dance moves.  So, that's exactly what we did. Thinking back.... there may have been people at the bar when we first got there... we may just have scared them away....

The American Pride van bar (drinks were sold out the back) easily won me over

Matt and Kristina...

... Kristina and Marsh

Lovin Right Now

When we went to Chiang Mai two weekends ago, we met two Canadians.  We were sharing an open-air taxi for the drive up to an elephant 'home' in the mountains (See: http://lifeofathaiheel.blogspot.com/2013/01/lions-and-tigers-and-bears.html).  These open-air taxis are basically just pick up trucks with a couple benches attached to the bed of the truck and a roof overtop.

We had about an hour and a half on the drive up to the elephants with the Canadians - and we somehow started talking about buddhism (may have been because we likely passed one of the 40,717 temples in Thailand - as of Dec 2004 and according to wikipedia).

It was really interesting hearing their perspective on the religion.  One of the guys said that one thing he has learned in his travels throughout Asia is to learn to truly be present in the present.  Enjoy the 'space' you're in and the 'space' around you.  Control your anxiety about the future.  Be thankful for where you are - and what you can achieve starting from where you are today.

In the spirit of truly being 'present' in the present, some things that I am JUST lovin' right now:

1. Being grown up enough so that I could have ice cream in a cone AND a smoothie for dinner tonight -without anyone telling me to eat my vegetables
2. Finding a new and incredible grocery store in Bangkok
3. Pimpan.  She's a Thai student in one of my classes.  She's just so trendy and gives great recommendations
4. Absolutely dripping sweat after a 2 hour Muay Thai fighting class (it was outdoors - and it was 90 degrees outside when the class started and just the warm up included 5 straight minutes of jump rope).  The class was Pimpan's finding!
5. Peanut butter.  Did George Washington Carver invent peanut butter as part of his hundreds of peanut inventions?  If so, why is there not a national holiday for him?
6. Traveling with amazing people
7. Texting with friends and family at home over the iPad.  I miss you and love you!! 

A Romantic Getaway

This weekend could have been filled with fun, sun, romance, and lots of pina coladas.

In fact, the weekend truly lived up to nearly all of that - Kristina and I decided to get away from the crowds of Bangkok and the busy-ness that is school (yes.... classes have actually been keeping us fairly darn busy - considering we're traveling every weekend and refuse to bring our computers).  It didn't have the intentions of being romantic... but we ended up being surrounded by quite a few couples.

We hopped down to a little town called Ao Nang in southern Thailand.  It's one of the main jumping off points to see a cluster of islands jointly named "Koh Phi Phi" (I recently learned the 'h's are silent).

If Koh Phi Phi isn't ringing a bell right off the bat (obviously it wasn't for me), some of the pictures may look a little familiar if you are channeling James Bond or Leo DiCaprio (yes, Jeff, I'm on a "Leo" basis with him).  Some of the landscapes and islands were features of the James Bond movie "The Man with the Golden Gun" from the 70s or The Beach with DiCaprio.  I, however, have seen neither of those movies (big shocker... I rarely watch movies, and even more rarely remember the ones I've seen.... you don't want me on your trivia team if 'movies' is the topic).

Regardless, the natural beauty is absolutely breathtaking.  You feel unreal, like you're in some strange tropical fairy tale.  You feel as though you have found paradise.  I do have a tendency to over-dramatize a few things.... but it was still super cool.

Now, I have to be honest with you - it's not all roses and butterflies over here.  Yes, it's a great chance to travel and not have work or family commitments ... I know not to take that for granted.... but WHOA.  Koh Phi Phi really did a number on Kristina and I.

Kristina got the sunburn of her life.  I will admit that I was the one responsible for sunscreening her back.  And, yes, it was only her back that got torched.  But - in my defense - I applied SPF 55 on her back... TWICE!  The sun down there and Koh Phi Phi  take no prisoners.

Also.... (I'm only allowed to write two sentences about this, according to Jeff, because he's getting a small bit sick of hearing about it....), I BROKE my little toe.  I swear I'm not over-dramatizing this time.  My mother may say I'm a hypochondriac, but this was legit.  Sadly, the story of how I broke it is less than thrilling or impressive.

I had just gotten the most delicious coconut ice drink, and was actually for once moving my beach chair to be under the shade of an umbrella so nicely set up for us (well, after forking over 150 bht each).  In an effort to move the hefty chair, my baby toe got smashed all around and under the chair.  Then it got swollen, bruised, and broken.  Snorkeling was quite difficult the next day.  Again, Koh Phi Phi takes no prisoners.

Got there just in time for sunset on Fri

The unsuspecting victim.... before the burn

I guess I really liked these boats!
(James Bond Island in the back left)

ahh yes... another boat

The matching cover-ups were not planned....

The water was SO beautiful

Wow... never knew I really was SO tall

Ended up at a very romantic restaurant....

Maybe I should start a business in Thailand....

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears!

Last weekend, the UNC crew trekked up to Chiang Mai, one of the largest towns in northern Thailand.  Let's use the word "trek" lightly here... we flew up there - but we took the 'budget' airline!  Although I have three other trips booked on Air Asia, I found out on this first flight that the word "leg-room" really can't be found in a Thai dictionary... or at least it doesn't exist when talking about airlines!

Regardless, it was a quick and easy flight up to Chiang Mai from Bangkok.

The chill in the air you're hit with when you're getting off the plane is like sweet relief from the Bangkok heat. The five of us tried to use our stealth negotiations skills to barter some taxis down to take us to our hotels.   I am embarrassed to report (I may need to re-take the MBA Negotiations class I took last quarter....) that we actually ended up paying MORE than we were even first quoted.  How does that happen?

Being taken and failing at negotiations with a taxi was just a minor blip in the start to quite the animal-filled weekend.

Can I just tell you that my first animal experience in life was with my family pet cat, Trixie.  I met Trixie at a young age... believe I was roughly 5 years old (maybe older... is it possible to have memories from being 5?)  Anyway - point being - I was young.  And Trixie and I reeeaallly did not like each other.  I was about to say we hated each other, but I don't think 5-year-olds actually hate anything....  She kept running away and having baby cats.  She smelled bad and wasn't friendly.  She eventually got given away to a neighbor.

First start with animals was on the wrong foot.  Our dog, Dixie, whom we got when I was in ~8th grade (we clearly are a creative family - a cat named Trixie and a dog named Dixie??  Where do I come from??).  Dixie was the best animal to ever walk the planet.  No complaints there.

But then came along my fish.  The first was Frugal.  I conveniently went away to college and had to leave him at home... so no more fish for me!  I also reaaallly did not like Frugal - my sister even cleaned the tank for me.

One day last year, when I was bored, I thought another fish would be fun.  Wrong.  Two days into bringing the new fish, Stormy, into my home, I was ready for him to leave.  Stormy may have gotten dropped at my mother's house and never picked up again....

Fortunately Stormy and Mom have become bffs.  My mother claims that you can even train Beta fish!  Sounds like they really love each other.

I don't know why I have been rambling on about my pets - all I really wanted to share was that I have a slight aversion to animals.   I can get on board with the idea that they are cute.... from afar.  However, wild animals are meant to be... out there in the wild.

Marsh was scared...

So, I wasn't throwing up too many fist pumps when I heard we'd be going to a tiger park and elephant area all in the same weekend.

But, it's what Chiang Mai is known for.... so, as they say... when in Rome (not sure if that translates to Thai, but let's go with it).

Animal lover or not, the weekend ended up being AMAZING.  The tigers at Tiger Kingdom have been born into human care - so they do not know anything different, and are truly very tame.  Plus, if they were wild, they would only hunt at night - and sleep 18 hours A DAY.  This convinced us enough that they were pretty tame.... and pretty sleepy.  (still TBD if they were also a little drugged....)

Tigers need lovin' too

On Saturday, I learned some elephant commands.  Sadly, I think I may know more "elephant speak" than Thai.  I have been using my "Learn Thai Langauage" app every night, then running the phrases I learn by a Thai student, Pimpan, in one of my classes.  Besides "hello" and "thank you,"  Pimpan still can't figure out what I'm trying to say to her in Thai.

It was a weekend filled with lions and tigers and bears, oh my.  Well, minus the lions and minus the bears and plus some elephants.

The big tiger... as I was running for the exit
to get out of the cage

Prayer for prosperity & happiness
at the Doi Suthep temple

On the hunt for a city mug for Jeff's mom!

My notes to remember elephant commands

Up close & personal

She wasn't hating it

....but I was.  That guy stunk!

Never getting kissed by an elephant again

Trip to the market as part of our cooking class

Marsh made spiiiicy soup during cooking class

A sweet discovery at the market... fried coconut milk or something...

Travel Agent?

If this whole MBA thing doesn't work out - I may start running one-day tours of some Bangkok landmarks.

Last Wednesday (no classes on Wednesdays!!! Well, or most Mondays or Fridays....), the UNC crew and I hit the town.

I use "hit the town" loosely here - don't get too excited about this post.  What I really mean is that we chose the absolute hottest day of the week (note, it's winter here, but it was still 95+) to do a walking tour of some Bangkok hot spots.

• Mid-morning: Taxi to Grand Palace
• Got a local tour guide to tell us all about the Grand Palace
• Lunch
• "Reclining Buddah" temple
• Boat taxi over to Wat Arun
• Dress up in "traditional thai clothes" outside the Wat (basically I think it just gives the locals a GOOD laugh)
• Head over to Arun Residence for the best sunset view of Wat Arun
• Flower market! (I forced the guys to go....)

At the Grand Palace

On a Side Street

We <3 the Grand Palace

Barely Fit in my Picture

Reclining Buddah aint no thang

Many Buddahs, Many Prayers

We are Grown Ups

Wat-ing

Wat Arun after Sundown

I have ~50 more flower photos I withheld from posting...