Saturday, August 09, 2008
Bangkok - Round #2: Travel Update #11
I arrived in Bangkok this Sunday morning at 6:30 am on the night bus from Mae Sot to Bangkok. Rough night, as you can imagine. But since we left all of the art supplies for the kids in Mae Sot that we had been hauling around... my load is much lighter. And I was ready to take Bangkok on again, determined to be the VICTOR! I arrived at the bus station. I needed to take a taxi to get to my hotel by myself. As I navigated my way through the crowds of "taxi" drivers... who all come up to you and ask where you are going... then quote a price... to my hotel I got quoted "ooh, that is far, how abou 350Baht (roughtly 10 dollars)"... "nope" I would say... you see... this is what I was talking about in my other Bangkok blog. These guys are SCAMMERS. Taxis are supposed to put on their "Meters"... and not charge you up front. And generally if they quote you a low price, it is because they want to take you to "their" hotel (where they get comission) or a shopping area (where they will try and scam you with fake gems or something). I successfully found the meter taxis... and you know what it actually costs to take a taxi to my hotel? 80 baht (A little over $2). I tipped the guy, of course. I think honesty should always be rewarded. When I arrived at my hotel (a 5-star that I got a HUGE deal on through priceline - thanks to Jeff & Jenny's suggestion of their priceline/Bangkok experience) I arrived tired and bedragged at my hotel. I was hoping that I could store my stuff for the 6 hours or so before I could actually check in. When I asked if I could check my stuff... the guy said "no, we don't store luggage"... quickly images of me walking around Bangkok with my luggage permiated my mind. But then he added "we don't want you wandering around... we will find you a room that is ready at no extra charge"... so at 7am I was napping in my air-conditioned 27 story view hotel room. Now I am at the mall with my Bangkok Starbuck's city mug in hand at a local internet cafe before my movie starts at the Siam Paragon movie complex. So... Bangkok - 1. Erin - 1. I think we are tied. But I won this round. Tomorrow coffee with Krista and Kristen before they are off to Phuket and before I catch my flight home. Can't wait to see you all when I get back. Thanks for reading my blog and sending me emails. I have appreciated knowing that so many of you care about what I am doing and are following me on this adventure. I hope to post pictures in the next week. So keep checking back! Peace out.
# posted by ErinW @ 10:00 PM
WELCOME TO THE MAE TAO CLINIC Mrs. BUSH: Travel Update #10
Saturday, August 9, 2008
We took a tour yesterday (Saturday) of the Mae Tao Clinic for Burmese refugees that hosted Laura Bush two days earlier. We know this because the "WELCOME Mrs. BUSH" signs were every where. It was a little surreal. For many Burmese this is the only hospital of any kind available to them. History lesson: basically on the border of Burma near Thailand (near Mae Sot) there are the "karen" people. Often the new military regime is after them... it is sort of like an ethnic cleansing. Incredibly tragic. I asked what I should call this country: Burma or Myanmar. Have you ever wondered what to call it? Well, I will give you a little lesson I got from the Burmese guy who picked us up from the bus station upon our arrival into Mae Sot. He said that "Myanmar" is what the new, sadistic military regime calls the country. But if you want to honor the PEOPLE than you call it "Burma"... So... join me in calling "Myanmar", Burma (despite what the title said as their team entered the Olympic stadiums in Bejing). Burma. Stand in solidarity with these people whose government perpetrates injustice to them on a daily basis, and whose youngest victims are the children. Who have no country and often no parents.
Here is where we (and Laura Bush) visited this week: http://www.maetaoclinic.org/
We also went to the safe house that Compasio has for 7 abandoned children of refugee parents. First what you need to know is none of these children have birth certificates. Seriously. So, we are not sure how old they are. Second, they are fascinated by their own pictures. You know that cute bunny, ruffly picture-book album your parents take out to embarrass you in front of a new boyfriend/girlfriend with that obligatory picture of you under the age of 1 naked on a blanket? These kids don't have picture albums of their childhoods. But they have scars. And they can tell you the stories of them. So we want to make new memories for them. And take pictures. Lots and lots of cute pictures (that I will post later). You know what else they don't have? Passports. They have no citizenship. Thailand will only tolerate them, and may deport them. And Myanmar government doesn't want them. On little girl who stole my heart still has a father who comes looking for her. Why? Because he can make money if she will go out in the streets and beg FOR him. Yep. He is really mad his daughter is in this safe house, because then she can't support him. How old is she? about 2-ish. Imagine. At 2 years old. You are just perfecting your walk. And your father is looking to you to earn money FOR him. Startling thought, isn't it? We played until we were warn out. And sweaty. And happy.
Here is where we (and Laura Bush) visited this week: http://www.maetaoclinic.org/
We also went to the safe house that Compasio has for 7 abandoned children of refugee parents. First what you need to know is none of these children have birth certificates. Seriously. So, we are not sure how old they are. Second, they are fascinated by their own pictures. You know that cute bunny, ruffly picture-book album your parents take out to embarrass you in front of a new boyfriend/girlfriend with that obligatory picture of you under the age of 1 naked on a blanket? These kids don't have picture albums of their childhoods. But they have scars. And they can tell you the stories of them. So we want to make new memories for them. And take pictures. Lots and lots of cute pictures (that I will post later). You know what else they don't have? Passports. They have no citizenship. Thailand will only tolerate them, and may deport them. And Myanmar government doesn't want them. On little girl who stole my heart still has a father who comes looking for her. Why? Because he can make money if she will go out in the streets and beg FOR him. Yep. He is really mad his daughter is in this safe house, because then she can't support him. How old is she? about 2-ish. Imagine. At 2 years old. You are just perfecting your walk. And your father is looking to you to earn money FOR him. Startling thought, isn't it? We played until we were warn out. And sweaty. And happy.
# posted by ErinW @ 9:44 PM
Friday, August 08, 2008
I go where Laura Bush goes: of course! Travel Update #9
Krista, Kristen and I crossing over the "Friendship Bridge" on the border between Thailand and Burma (Myanmar) to get our passports stamped. It rained. It was quite an adventure! That is the Burmese border in the background.
Friday, August 8, 2008.
We spent the day in the town of Mae Sot. Yes, Laura Bush was here yesterday visiting the refugee camps and a clinic. What can I say? She follows me around... kidding :)
Actually... we are here visiting our friend Rachel who works with Compasio... and helps out with the children who are the remnants of the refugee situation which spills into this town. The Burmese leave the often hostile conditions in their home country... and come to a sort-of safe haven in this Thai town. Often, however, children left abondoned and on the streets. Rachel takes some of them in... and has a safe house of 7 children... we met several today at their school... where we taught them the hokey pokey, and other children's songs. They were adorable and stole our hearts away! We also went across to get our passport stamped on the Burma border. Cool. Another stamp on my passport. Love it. So fun! We have hung out with this church group that is here. Now we are watching (yes, LIVE) the opening ceremonies of the Olympics from our hotel room... the commentary is in Chinese... so we are not always sure what is going on, but it is beautiful all the same and we all keep saying "how are they doing THAT?" Tomorrow we get to hang out and baby sit the 7 kids at the safe house... I can't wait! And then I take the night train back to Bangkok. Don't worry... I won't be alone... I am hitching a ride on the same bus as that church group we met here. Then I spend the night in Bangkok. Then I go home. I can't believe my time here is almost over. Crazy. Cool.
We spent the day in the town of Mae Sot. Yes, Laura Bush was here yesterday visiting the refugee camps and a clinic. What can I say? She follows me around... kidding :)
Actually... we are here visiting our friend Rachel who works with Compasio... and helps out with the children who are the remnants of the refugee situation which spills into this town. The Burmese leave the often hostile conditions in their home country... and come to a sort-of safe haven in this Thai town. Often, however, children left abondoned and on the streets. Rachel takes some of them in... and has a safe house of 7 children... we met several today at their school... where we taught them the hokey pokey, and other children's songs. They were adorable and stole our hearts away! We also went across to get our passport stamped on the Burma border. Cool. Another stamp on my passport. Love it. So fun! We have hung out with this church group that is here. Now we are watching (yes, LIVE) the opening ceremonies of the Olympics from our hotel room... the commentary is in Chinese... so we are not always sure what is going on, but it is beautiful all the same and we all keep saying "how are they doing THAT?" Tomorrow we get to hang out and baby sit the 7 kids at the safe house... I can't wait! And then I take the night train back to Bangkok. Don't worry... I won't be alone... I am hitching a ride on the same bus as that church group we met here. Then I spend the night in Bangkok. Then I go home. I can't believe my time here is almost over. Crazy. Cool.
# posted by ErinW @ 5:53 AM
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
All wat'd out! Travel Update #8
Yep. We took Chiang Mai by storm today. It really is a nice little city. Lots to see, but also a bit leasurely of a pace. We saw several of the wats (Buddist Temples) and even took a rather interestingly windy trip up to one on the top of the mountain (amazing views!). But I am pretty wat'd out. I have seen lots of images of Buddha's on this trip. Today I saw many people praying to them. Giving them food or flowers... or lighting candles. We saw many monks around. My Christian sensibilities don't always know what to make of this religous devotion to idols. It seems kind of futile. A gold idol cannot eat the fruit you give it, can it? But then I wonder what MY idols are? What do I revere and feed? What do I count as sacred that maybe does not deserve such reverence? Just the thoughts going through my head today. Tomorrow it will be on to playing games & doing arts and crafts with some cool kids at Mae Sot with our friend Rachel. I can't wait. But the 6 hour bus ride seems long... all the way there. Tomorrow bus ride. The next few days with the kids. I may not have access to a computer after that. So I will chat with ya'll later.
# posted by ErinW @ 9:09 AM
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Chiang Mai - what a difference a day makes! Travel Update #7
We just woke up on Wednesday, August 6 our time. We are staying at this really cute guest house in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Last night, despite the rain, we shopped at the famous night bazaar here. It was amazing. And taking a tuk-tuk in the rain: priceless. I really like this little gem of a city so far... and all of you who encourged us to come here for longer than we stayed in Bangkok, we thank you!! We will visit some wats today and the night safari, hopefully, tonight... and then the night safari (lions and tigers and bears, oh my! - well, probably not any bears... but probably elephants! :) Then tomorrow it is off to see our friend in Mae Sot, and bring the art supplies we have been carrying around to the children who live in the orphanages near the Burmese refugee camps.
# posted by ErinW @ 6:19 AM
Monday, August 04, 2008
Ode to my nose: Travel Update #6
Well not so much an ode as an apology to my nose. You see I was told not to bring any perfume on this trip (it attracts the dreaded mosquitos). But in place of my normal perfume (Philosophy's Amazing Grace)... my poor western, sanitized nose has had to really endure a lot in these last few weeks... but NOTHING prepared it for the smell of tourist-laden Bangkok. Whew! The smells here are truly one of a kind and astounding. Hoping Chiang Mai will smell a little better... hoping to give my nose a break! So, sorry nose.... you have really been a trooper on this trip, though!
# posted by ErinW @ 10:21 PM
I got kicked in the bootay by Bangkok: Travel Update #5
Yes. Last night was nice malls and huge, plush movie theaters... today the gritty reality of tourist-driven Bangkok. Despite getting advice from my many friends who have visited Bangkok and despite having the Lonely Planet's Thailand guide at our disposal... we totally got taken for a ride today. We realized we had been paying way too much for our taxi rides. Live and learn, I guess. But we almost missed the Grand Palace and the Reclining Buddha. You see as you walk around the great, white walls of the palace... these Thai men who look "official" totally scam you. They say "there is prayer today or there is a Thai religious holiday and you can't go inside"... and we believed him. Because it seemed totally believable and we were HOT... so hot and tired. My defenses were down and we got taken for a ride. So we took this taxi to the water front where we almost paid $20 for a boat ride. Scam. Total scam. After being frustrated with ourselves... my pride suffered the most... we regrouped. Found the proper boat (under $1) we got to the wats we wanted to see and found the Grand Palace. It was quite an adventure. It makes me distrust all of the people I meet in the touristy parts of the city. So many taxi's will say "I will take you to shopping" - which is another scam. They will take you to a place that supposedly sells jewelry cheap... or some such non-sense... and they get kick backs. Where is our Thai Kate Pieper when we need her? Well... Chiang Mai is next. It should be lush and beautiful... and a lot less touristy. Then it is on to the refugee camps and to play with the kids in the orphanage. THAT will be fun.
# posted by ErinW @ 6:00 PM
One Night in Bangkok: Travel Update #4
Tonight we went to this amazingly modern and ritzy mall in the center of Bangkok. Yes, we left the dirt, noise, smell and bargains behind... and had a nice dinner and went to see the new Batman movie. It was wonderful. Such a needed break from the intensity of the last few weeks. What a GREAT movie, too. Batman: the Dark Knight. I could go into the interesting issues raised in the movie in regards to heroism or vigilantism. But I won't. Totally a non-thinking evening... so... Tomorrow we will see some more interesting, old, dusty religious stuff and probably take another crazy tuk-tuk ride... but tonight... was nice. A nice break. And sometimes you just need a break.
# posted by ErinW @ 6:00 AM
Leaving Pattaya: Travel Update #3
We spent some really great time getting to know new friends and some AMAZING incarnational ministries that care for the women who work in the bars in and around Pattaya. Wow. I also was taught a lesson in grace. Grace. That which we give to others only because God first gave it to us. As I watched the men around Pattaya I realized that they need God as much as the women do. And God loves them. Grace. Painful grace. Wonderful grace.
# posted by ErinW @ 3:00 AM
Girl, Interrupted: Travel Update #2
Krista, Kristen and I went out with Pet to the bar scene near the beach in Pattaya early before the men came... and... tonight... I met this girl. I couldn't quite hear her name because the music was so loud and her English was not very good and my Thai is even worse than her English! She was beautiful. She had this sweet, innocent face. She was all dressed up and sitting behind the bar with other young women who looked a lot like her. She served me a 7-up. She was 25. She had been married at 20. Divorced at 22. She has two children. They live with her parents far from Pattaya. How will she support them? She will work at these bars and hope men pay for her time. If she is really "lucky" a western man will really like her and maybe get her an apartment or give her a larger sum of money... and when he comes to visit for his vacations she will be at his disposal, in a certain manner. She has only worked in Pattaya for 4 months. Does she want to work here? No. All the girls will tell you they are not happy about this life. She works from 3:30 until Midnight every day. 7 days a week. She gets 3 days off a month. She sends money home to her family and feels obligated to work here to support them. These women, however, are the lucky ones, as they in a certain way "choose" this life. Lurking in the underbelly of Pattaya (not that "under" either) is women trafficked in from places like Russia or even Cambodia. And women who sell their children for sex. Yes. Mothers selling their daughters because it is easier for them to make money this way than do hard labor. And then juxtaposed here in the midst of this "den of iniquity" are several Starbucks, a Benihana's, a Sizzler, etc. Strange. The marriage of commerce that you find in Pattaya. Money talks here. But what is truly the price for the ravaging of the human soul? It should be priceless. But I fear it is a cheap commodity in Pattaya. But God can restore. God can heal. God can redeem. God loves to make whole what is broken. God loves to make clean that which is stained. I will pray for my friend at Friend's Bar #5. Will you join me?
# posted by ErinW @ 1:42 AM
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