In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.
For the last few weeks, I was gone from my site for a variety of reasons ranging from doctor’s appointments to meetings to a much needed vacation. They’ve been some very full and busy weeks, but luckily they ended with an island vacation. It also included getting my PADI Open Water SCUBA certification.
Today is the first day of Vassa, also known as the “Rains Retreat” or “Buddhist Lent.”
For the past several weeks I have seen a number of invitations to monk ordinations being handed out, heard the music bumping from the big blow-out party that happens the night before the ordination and heard of teachers at other schools planning on going on meditation retreats for the rest of the week. But what does all of this have to do with Vassa?
Getting around Thailand can be quite the adventure. In the last 24 hours I have seen and experienced almost every single one that I can think of. If you’re traveling around Thailand, here’s a list of some of the ways you might get around.
“Same same, but different.”
This is a common phrase in Thailand. And not necessarily from the native English speakers that are here, though it does sneak into our lexicon. It really encompasses so many experiences here. And there wasn’t a whole lot of preparation for this concept. But there isn’t really a way to prepare anyone for this.
A friend of mine made a passing observation on Thai culture that really resonated with me and I felt worth expanding on.
Thai people live in the present. It’s always today you will not teach. Today you will go visit your student’s homes. Never tomorrow, or next week.
Recently, I needed Bangkok and I stayed in a very nice hotel overlooking the Chao Praya river. My room was near the top, and so I had great view out across the city, so I made a sunset time lapse. I hope you enjoy it!
“Hello!”
I hear this word often. Daily. Hourly. I’m called to as I walk the ten meters to the store. As I bike the two kilometers to school. As I bike the three kilometers to the market. As I walk through the market. As I sit at my desk trying to lesson plan. As I ride up to the school. As I walk to lunch. As I return from lunch. As the students leave to go home.
“Hello!”
I’ve pointed out some of the ways that my life has changed in the last year. A friend of mine said that they wanted to know about how morning routine has changed, so I’ll break that down for y’all here.
Just before I left the US, my grandma told me about a movie she saw on TV about Peace Corps volunteers in Thailand. It’s called “Volunteers,” and it stars Tom Hanks, John Candy and Rita Wilson. Obviously, it’s a movie and heavily fictionalized. However, some parts of it ring very true to life and some enterprising volunteer cut together the most relevant clips. Check it out!
*Update: It appears the video has been taken down. I still enjoy the whole film though.
One time I came back from a bpai tiao just as dusk was setting in, and the sun sets really fast here. So on my two kilometer bike ride home I turned on my lights to the flashing setting and made it home just fine. When I told my co-teacher about it the next day, she told me that people probably thought that I was a ghost. Because Thai people believe in ghosts, and there are lots of Thai ghosts and lots of superstitions around them.