Friday, June 17, 2011
Getting Ready for the Job
I have decided to continue the blog that I never finished, as I continue my adventures in Thailand with a field guide position at the International Sustainable Development Studies Institute, located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Currently, I am spending my last few weeks in the United States, traveling around the state of Washington and Idaho, the surroundings of my hometown in Spokane, WA. As I get ready to leave, I find myself both ecstatic and nervous--ecstatic to see my host family who I have only had phone contact with for the past year; ecstatic to have a "motorcycle" (really a scooter: The Honda Dream) to ride around on in Thailand; ecstatic to be an instructor at the institution that I had so many great experiences at. Yet I am also nervous to step into the real world, the working life, in a country where I already have a bit of a struggle getting around. Whatever happens, it will be an adventure, and I am definitely stoked to make my way from Eastern Washington to another world.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Acclimated and Ready to Roll
Home stay: Done--Set Lau
Foundations: Done--Set Lau
Language: Still in Progress--Yangmai Set
Wan a teed, pbai meh nahm mun--Sunday I'll go to the Mun River
Now that foundations and the home stay are over and my language is such that I can comfortably converse with those I am required to in order to survive in Chiang Mai, ISDSI has moved me (and my fellow students) into apartments in the 'downtown' of the city. We are now to fend for ourselves for a week every month--feeding ourselves, getting our own laundry done, doing our homework, buying water, walking to school--this week is the week before we head out for our three week field courses which the program prides itself in.
I write this post on the Thursday night before we leave on our first field course experience. The course is "Human Rights and the Environment," and it is focused on how government and corporate 'enclosure' on villages in Thailand in the form of Dams operates and how Grassroots organizations are formed to counter such projects. Basically, like the title implies, the class is meant to relate how human rights and environmental concerns, two ideas that are often separated when being protected, are actually very closely entwined with each other. By analyzing river communities and how the construction of Dams has or will affect the livelihoods of individuals within those communities, we are meant to get a better understanding of how human rights and the environment can work together.
On Sunday we will leave for the Mun River in the East for two weeks where we will talk with villagers who feel the impacts of the Mun River Dam. The third week will be in the North in Mae Hong San. (I am pretty sure these are where we will be--if not, than I'll post that when I return). I know we have home stays while we are in the East, I think for about a week. This time around we will probably be staying two to a house and for a shorter period. I have been told to expect spicy food in the East, at least spicier than that what we've been eating up here in the North. I am excited for it, but I'm not sure I can say the same for my bowels. We'll be canoeing down the river while we're in the North, though in the Eat, I think we are taking it mostly by foot.
I'm stoked for the experience. I am ready to try out some new areas of Thailand.
Foundations: Done--Set Lau
Language: Still in Progress--Yangmai Set
Wan a teed, pbai meh nahm mun--Sunday I'll go to the Mun River
Now that foundations and the home stay are over and my language is such that I can comfortably converse with those I am required to in order to survive in Chiang Mai, ISDSI has moved me (and my fellow students) into apartments in the 'downtown' of the city. We are now to fend for ourselves for a week every month--feeding ourselves, getting our own laundry done, doing our homework, buying water, walking to school--this week is the week before we head out for our three week field courses which the program prides itself in.
I write this post on the Thursday night before we leave on our first field course experience. The course is "Human Rights and the Environment," and it is focused on how government and corporate 'enclosure' on villages in Thailand in the form of Dams operates and how Grassroots organizations are formed to counter such projects. Basically, like the title implies, the class is meant to relate how human rights and environmental concerns, two ideas that are often separated when being protected, are actually very closely entwined with each other. By analyzing river communities and how the construction of Dams has or will affect the livelihoods of individuals within those communities, we are meant to get a better understanding of how human rights and the environment can work together.
On Sunday we will leave for the Mun River in the East for two weeks where we will talk with villagers who feel the impacts of the Mun River Dam. The third week will be in the North in Mae Hong San. (I am pretty sure these are where we will be--if not, than I'll post that when I return). I know we have home stays while we are in the East, I think for about a week. This time around we will probably be staying two to a house and for a shorter period. I have been told to expect spicy food in the East, at least spicier than that what we've been eating up here in the North. I am excited for it, but I'm not sure I can say the same for my bowels. We'll be canoeing down the river while we're in the North, though in the Eat, I think we are taking it mostly by foot.
I'm stoked for the experience. I am ready to try out some new areas of Thailand.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thai Life
At the Market
Wat Doi Sakhet
Wat Doi Suthep
Wat Doi Suthep
Waiing near the bells at Wat Doi Suthep
Failing the dart game at the carnival--didn't manage to win Meemee the stuffed animal she wanted...
21st Birthday Cake
Another picture of the Korean BBQ on my Birthday
Children's Day at the Mall
Posing for Meemee at Children's Day
I can easily pinpoint my greatest source of enjoyment in my time in Chiang Mai to be my host family, with whom I have stayed day in and day out for the past three weeks. Luckily for me, I found myself living with a kind, caring, exciting, English-speaking Thai family out in the 'country' surrounding the main city of Chiang Mai. I couldn't name exactly where I am located--I have no idea other than that it is on the way to Doi Sakhet--I know that I get off the rot luuang (yellow bus) at the second bridge on tanon (road) 118 and then have a ten minute bike ride to my house thereafter.
The family I am staying with is made up of six members (excluding me)--my Koon Yai (Grandma), Meemee (Mom), Papa (Dad), Nong Yok (my little sister), Nong Nim (my little brother) and Nong Trunk (my youngest brother). I could spend every day of my time here with any member of my family and have an amazing experience. Having them all together with me daily allows me to drastically improve my Thai along with allowing me relief from the mental drain I get from four hours of Thai class followed by 2-3 hours of learningThai Foundations. I could talk for hours about how much fun my parents are, or the many interesting conversations I have had with my Koon Yai, or how my little brothers and sister are keeping me on my toes and in camp counselor mode.
However, for the sake of making this post quick and easy for me, I figure the best way to describe my time with my family along with my current classes is to simply lay out my typical day:
I'll wake up every morning at around 5:45 AM when it is still dark out, but two hours after the roosters have started keekaakaaing around my window. When I can finally drag myself out of bed (usually around 6) I'll shower, brush my teeth, and get dressed in my school uniform (white collared short sleeve shirt and black pants) so as to look reep roy (proper/put together).
I'll eat breakfast and then bike ten minutes down the road to highway 118, where I can park my bike for 5 baat (~15 cents) at a small cafe/restaurant for the day. From there, I catch a rot luuang downtown, where I switch the the rot dang (red bus) that will take me to ISDSI. The 'buses' I refer to are actually called song tow, which means two benches, and pretty much describes the nature of the vehicle. They can comfortably fit around 10 people inside, though when adding those who hang off the back (often me) and the occasional person who rides on top, I have seen song tows hold up to 23 people, though two of the passengers I am counting are infants.
I'll be at ISDSI from 8 until about 4 PM, with four hours of Thai class, an hour lunch break, and two to three hours of Foundations, which more or less is a discussion of Thai culture, economics, government along with sustainable development (this is all 'so far' in the course's progression). There are 17 students in my program--for Thai classes we are split up into groups of four, though we are all together for Foundations.
ISDSI provides students with a small bouldering wall in the back of the building, and is located next to some tennis courts. I have, along with my fellow students, taken the liberty to use both the bouldering wall and the tennis facilities multiple times in my stay at the school. Other exercise, such as running, has been somewhat of a burden around my house, as I'll often be chased by dogs as I pass by peoples' houses. I still try to regularly run, though, in the evening after returning home.
So once classes are done, and I have gotten some form of exercise, I'll head home the same way I came, usually arriving at my house at around 5:30 or 6 PM. From there, I have 4 hours until I usually am too tired to make any conscious actions, so I try to use that time as wisely as possible. I spend a good amount of that time with my little brothers and sister--we'll either play out in the yard (football (soccer), basketball, or just watching Nong Trunk push his stroller around) or inside, playing hide and seek, checkers, or just kicking a balloon around. Usually I have a lot of homework, mostly from my Thai class. Nong Yok helps me study for about an hour every night--we'll draw pictures of animals, body parts, clothes, or whatever I need to study, she will write out what everything is in thai characters, and I will read them and learn the translations. Nong Yok, Nong Trunk, and Nong Nim will all be in bed at around 9 PM--once they are in bed, I'll usually do the rest of my homework, read for a while, and then pass out at about 10.
I figure now that I have laid down the general foundation for my current situation in Thailand, I can start writing posts of substance, more focused on my studies, Thai culture, and development in the country. I am more prone to answer questions about my experiences here than I am to document them in posts, so if you have anything you want to know- like have I ridden on an elephant yet?- just comment (and I taken an elephant ride).
Sunday, January 17, 2010
My Koon Yai (Grandma) and my three siblings
Parrots at Wat Doi Sakhet
Stairs leading up to Wat Doi Sakhet
Me and Nong Yok (my little sister)
Hooking up to zip line 150 meters above the cave floor
Chillin out Maxin' Relaxin' all cool
Inside the Cave
Climbing with ISDSI
Birthday Concert
My little brother Nong Nim
Birthday Korean BBQ. My mom is on the left and my Papa and little brother Nong Trunk are sitting on the right.
Getting Birthday gifts
My Koon Yai
Nong Yok
Getting ready to eat marang tawt (fried insects)
Large Cricket
Parade outside the Guest House on our first night
Thursday, January 7, 2010
It is 3 PM somewhere in the world...
Right now it is 5:20 in Singapore, where Karen and I are hanging out in the airport, waiting for our final flight to Chiang Mai that boards in two hours. I haven't had any consistency in my sleep schedule over the past 30 hours of travel. I should probably be sleeping right now to be fully acclimate for our arrival later this morning.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
About to head out
I am currently in my room back at home in Spokane, looking over everything I have to pack for tomorrow, except for some kayak gear that I'll be getting later today. Right now it looks like I am only going to take with me enough stuff to fill my 70 L backpack--a small amount compared to the load I brought with me to Paris last year for a stay of one month. At 6 AM tomorrow I take off for Chiang Mai, Thailand for five months of environmental studies throughout the country. The program I'll be working with is called "People, Ecology and Development" and is facilitated by the International Sustainable Development Studies Institute (ISDSI for short). You can check out the program at www.isdsi.org if you so choose. From what I have been told, the courses I'll be taking are rather rigorous (as classes abroad go), but I'll be learning in unique settings out in the field backpacking, sea kayaking, climbing...all activities that have had my parents buying me new outdoor gear and replacing old gear that I have lost or destroyed--for example, I just got my third or fourth new headlamp as I have lost everyone I have owned previously. Two or three lucky individuals, most likely campers from Camp Reed, are out there with petzl headlamps that do not belong to them.
The past few days have been rather hectic for me: finishing up my Ritt Kellogg grant for Monday, getting all of my gear for the trip ready, doing some 'pre-departure homework' (reading "A Land on Fire" by James Fahn) and saying goodbye to all of my Spokanite friends, so I really haven't had much time to sit down and get excited for my arrival in a new country on Friday. It doesn't seem like I'll be leaving home anytime soon. I've explained my trip to my friends and my parents' friends several times in the past week, repeating the same speech over and over again as if I were once again a graduating senior in High School explaining Colorado College's block plan to everyone (also similar to Dustin Hoffman in 'The Graduate' if you know the reference). Every time I tell the wary listener that I am stoked for the experience, but I have had a hard time picturing how stoked I actually am. Asiatic countries are so foreign to my experience that I have no idea what to expect.
Anyways, I decided that I would do as college students do abroad and start a blog as my means of keeping family and friends updated to my exploits in Thailand. I'll go ahead and say that I am probably not going to be too good at updating this regularly, but I'll try to put up pictures as much as possible and maybe write a few words here and there. If you want to stay in contact with me, email me at jack.siddoway@gmail.com and I'll most definitely email back. I'll probably get rid of my facebook for the semester as an attempt to get rid of it altogether (I hate how much I love it).
My first five weeks in Thailand are in Chiang Mai where I'll be staying with a Thai family and should have internet access regularly. From there, I will only have internet access the first week of every month (or the first week of every new class--I haven't checked my schedule but I'll post it from the isdsi website). If you want a postcard, email me your address and I'll try to get one to you. I will be much more likely to write you if you write me--snail mail is my favorite form of communication, so please write me.
My address in Chiang Mai:
Jack Siddoway
ISDSI
PO Box 222
Phra Singh, Muang
Chiang Mai, 50205
Thailand
Schedule: http://www.isdsi.org/courses/calendar/
The past few days have been rather hectic for me: finishing up my Ritt Kellogg grant for Monday, getting all of my gear for the trip ready, doing some 'pre-departure homework' (reading "A Land on Fire" by James Fahn) and saying goodbye to all of my Spokanite friends, so I really haven't had much time to sit down and get excited for my arrival in a new country on Friday. It doesn't seem like I'll be leaving home anytime soon. I've explained my trip to my friends and my parents' friends several times in the past week, repeating the same speech over and over again as if I were once again a graduating senior in High School explaining Colorado College's block plan to everyone (also similar to Dustin Hoffman in 'The Graduate' if you know the reference). Every time I tell the wary listener that I am stoked for the experience, but I have had a hard time picturing how stoked I actually am. Asiatic countries are so foreign to my experience that I have no idea what to expect.
Anyways, I decided that I would do as college students do abroad and start a blog as my means of keeping family and friends updated to my exploits in Thailand. I'll go ahead and say that I am probably not going to be too good at updating this regularly, but I'll try to put up pictures as much as possible and maybe write a few words here and there. If you want to stay in contact with me, email me at jack.siddoway@gmail.com and I'll most definitely email back. I'll probably get rid of my facebook for the semester as an attempt to get rid of it altogether (I hate how much I love it).
My first five weeks in Thailand are in Chiang Mai where I'll be staying with a Thai family and should have internet access regularly. From there, I will only have internet access the first week of every month (or the first week of every new class--I haven't checked my schedule but I'll post it from the isdsi website). If you want a postcard, email me your address and I'll try to get one to you. I will be much more likely to write you if you write me--snail mail is my favorite form of communication, so please write me.
My address in Chiang Mai:
Jack Siddoway
ISDSI
PO Box 222
Phra Singh, Muang
Chiang Mai, 50205
Thailand
Schedule: http://www.isdsi.org/courses/calendar/
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