Bits of culture that may or may not surprise you. Back to Normal After spending eight months in America for itineration/support raising, coming back to Thailand was like coming back to “normal” … in some ways. (You can read about my re-entry observations and surprises about America in my “What is ‘normal’?” series.) Here is a list of what “normal” looks like in Thailand: “Back to […]
Back to “Normal”
Normal is overrated. But we still like to think we are normal, our lives are normal, the world is (mostly) normal… I posted my “What is ‘normal’?” series about American culture a few months ago, so I decided to post my “Back to normal” series from my return to Thailand over on the Window on Thailand page. Hope you will enjoy the list (that is […]
“What is ‘normal’?” series – from America
While spending eight months in America after three and a half years in Thailand, many things in the culture and society struck me as odd, funny, strange, confusing, laughable, and all of the above at once. I made an ongoing list on Facebook, my “What is ‘normal’?” series. Here is the complete series for those interested. It’s like an insider-outsider view of bits of American […]
How do you know it’s Easter?
In America it’s easy – weeks before the big day, the aisles at Target overflow with pastel-packaged candy and plastic grass, lilies decorate the ends of grocery store counters, and the kitchen smells like vinegar from 49-cent PAAS egg dying kits. Not so in Thailand. My pastor, King, came into the office yesterday with a question. The conversation went something like this: King: “Do most […]
This is Thailand: All About Gifts
I recently bought speakers and a DVD player at a local electronics store called Siam TV… probably the Thai equivalent of a Best Buy and Radio Shack. When I went to pick up the product at the dock behind the store, they presented me with this gift as a thank you for shopping at Siam TV. Ah, a Kleenex box holder in gold-and-fake-wood-plastic. I seriously […]
Thailand in the News
By now you may have seen Bangkok making headlines. I wanted to post a simple description of what is going on here. For slightly sensational and up-to-the-minute news, check out Bangkok Post or The Nation. I wrote a few blog entries last time there was political upheaval here, and you can read them here: 1) Nov 26, 2008; 2) Dec 1, 2008; and 3) Dec […]
Makro … or, the Ups and Downs of a Motorbike
Makro is a “cash and carry” warehouse store in Thailand – just think Costco or Sam’s Club. I don’t know exactly what “cash and carry” is supposed to mean… oh well. At any rate, you buy things in bulk and they don’t put your merchandise in bags. Sound familiar? I know they have a member card, which I’m not sure you have to pay for, […]
Guns Everywhere! …water guns, that is.
This week is SONGKRAN, the Thai New Year festival that is celebrated with water fights! With highs of 104+ degrees, the water (often) comes as a refreshing cool-down. I’ve posted two videos you can check out here and here. We drove around the moat in Chiang Mai on the back of pickup trucks. There were about eight people in our truck, and we had 4 […]
Beer and Buddha
Buddhism is based on 5 Precepts: Avoid 1) killing, 2) stealing, 3) sexual misconduct, 4) lying, and 5) intoxication (both drugs and alcohol). This final precept is practiced in many ways throughout Thailand. Stores are not allowed to sell alcohol on Buddhist holidays, but the most prominent expression is at temples — it is prohibited (even illegal, with prison time or fines) to sell or drink alcohol on […]
Signs at a National Park
Two attempts at “Souvenirs” This one in English says, “please Keep Clean” … but translated from Thai accurately, it should read, “Please throw trash in a trashcan.” Are they just trying to keep it simple, or are they suggesting that foreigners have trouble keeping clean… ?