Friday, September 22, 2006
Things have continued to go on as normal here. I've had a few conversations with my host mom about the coup and they've been hard. It's hard for me to figure out where I stand on this issue. I know that most of the Thai people wanted Thaksin out because of his horrible corruption but it's still hard for me to agree with something so drastic and undemocratic as a coup. The Thai people though seem to think this was preserving the democratic process and will help to clean up the corruption, but no elections for a year how is that democratic. This is exactly what is hard to explain to my host mom. I understand the need to get Thaksin out and that the people have tried but because he is so corrupt it has been impossible. Elections have been rigged and people paid off. I guess I'm asking myself the same questions that many of the Thai people are asking how to you form a working democratic process and how do you at least limit the corruption. I guess all I can do is watch and listen to the beliefs of the people and try to figure out what I believe and what I can tolerate. I really wish I was going to Bangkok so I could get a feel for the city and see what happens first hand, but for now my trip has been delayed and I hopefully will be going next week. I guess I never thought that a coup would be part of my experience in Thailand I probably should have learned more about Thai politics. Other than that as I said things are normal. Today there is no school because it is a special festival for Buddhism in the south of Thailand. This morning I went to temple with my host mom, Phet, Ploy, P Nu and Yai Watit. We gave lots of food and money a big part of Buddhism here is giving things to the monks or releasing animals (like birds to the air and fish back to the river) a process known as Tambon, it's supposed to bring you good luck. My host mom explained that they believe that relatives that have died have been visiting for the past 2 weeks and that today is the day that they travel back to heaven and so families bring them food and gifts for their journey. Some people also give gifts to the dead who no longer have families so that they won't bother anyone. She said they believe that if a gift is not given than the ancestor will stay. It was interesting to watch, but very very long over 2 hours. Now my parents are at their offices doing work since they both are always so busy and Phet and Ploy are studying for their end of term test that are this week.
For now my only plans for this break is a family trip to Koh Samui for 3 days and I can't wait. It will be mine and Phet's first time there.
Oh yes so a little about the COC camp. The camp ended up being a lot of fun. We had to play so stupid games and do activities but those aside I had time to hang out and talk with my friends. It was so amazing to see everyone again and I really miss being at that hotel. One good thing that also happened was I made better friends out of other people than just AFS USA, who I know I already adore. I know have a better idea of who is in the south and hopefully we will all be meeting up at many English Camps. I also started to plan more travel to go and visit my friends in other parts of the country so that I can experience a different style of living in Thailand. One of my favorite parts of the camp was the last night. A bunch of people piled into my room to watch movies. We all just crashed around the room and stayed up all night watching stupid movies and just in general having an awesome time. It was weird to look around the room and be like oh he's from Germany/Belgium/etc. and she's from Iceland/Norway people from all over in a hotel room in Thailand laughing at the same movie. Pretty sweet.
For now I think that's all. I'll be sure to try and keep everyone informed as much as possible about my situation and what's happening in Thailand.
For now my only plans for this break is a family trip to Koh Samui for 3 days and I can't wait. It will be mine and Phet's first time there.
Oh yes so a little about the COC camp. The camp ended up being a lot of fun. We had to play so stupid games and do activities but those aside I had time to hang out and talk with my friends. It was so amazing to see everyone again and I really miss being at that hotel. One good thing that also happened was I made better friends out of other people than just AFS USA, who I know I already adore. I know have a better idea of who is in the south and hopefully we will all be meeting up at many English Camps. I also started to plan more travel to go and visit my friends in other parts of the country so that I can experience a different style of living in Thailand. One of my favorite parts of the camp was the last night. A bunch of people piled into my room to watch movies. We all just crashed around the room and stayed up all night watching stupid movies and just in general having an awesome time. It was weird to look around the room and be like oh he's from Germany/Belgium/etc. and she's from Iceland/Norway people from all over in a hotel room in Thailand laughing at the same movie. Pretty sweet.
For now I think that's all. I'll be sure to try and keep everyone informed as much as possible about my situation and what's happening in Thailand.
