Doi Suthep

Today for my class (which now turned into Sustainable Development instead of Cultural Foundations of Thai Society?) went on a field trip to Doi Suthep.  In Thai, Doi means mountain and Suthep can translate to angel or heaven like.  Our purpose of the trip was originally supposed to be to look at the ecology and biodiversity of the forest in the mountains but since we were up there our teacher took us to the temple.  Doi Suthep is a very important and significant temple for the Thai people.  I was so glad we were able to go to the temple-it was so amazing and beautiful!

Lina, Me, and Trina

 Gorgeous temples

 My attempt at being artsy

HUGE Ficus (Fig) tree in the forest we weren't supposed to be in..

We also went to the jazz club again tonight where I ordered my first "legal" drink!  A Chang beer.  I guess it's like turning 21 twice, right?!  I really only have two more in class lecture days left for my first class because on Saturday at 9:00 AM we leave for our excursion!  We'll be gone until Thursday so I won't be able to communicate with anyone but I'll do another post before I leave :)

Prison Product Shop

I know you're all probably confused and alarmed at the title but I actually went there.. My friends and I went to go get massages from inmates at the Chiang Mai Women's Prison.  It sounds super sketchy but it's for a good cause!  The massages are performed by inmates as a part of a rehabilitation training program for those eager to have a second chance and use the job skills they've developed behind bars.  The ones working in the massage centre are supposed to be released within 6 months and use the money for use after their release.  The cost for an hour massage was 180 baht which is around $6-so crazy!  Not to mention that the massage was amazing!  It was a traditional Thai massage which is a bit different than ordinary massages.  They use different parts of their body to massage you, like their feet and elbows. I was actually surprised how rough they were but I got used to it.  I would definitely go back there again.

Also, a group of us went to the Old City tonight to The North Gate Jazz Co-Op.  It was a little bar/music venue with a very casual and relaxing atmosphere.  Dad, you would of loved it!  The music was great too.  It's supposed to be open mic night tomorrow and we were going to go again to check it out! (No, I am not singing..)

Baan Thai Cookery School

Yesterday on my birthday some friends and I went to the Baan Thai Cookery School to attempt and learn how to make Thai food.  Surprisingly, it was a success!  We made 6 courses and were given 3 options for each course.  What was really cool about it was that we got to go to the market to learn more about what we were cooking with and get fresh ingredients!  Also, we were given a little recipe book so I'll be able to cook for everyone at home!  But keep in mind I will be doing it with no help.. so don't get your hopes up!  After we got back from the market we were given an sample platter full of different Thai snack foods and fruits:

 First course I made, Stir-Fried: Fried Noodle Thai Style (Pad Thai)

 Second Course, Appetizer: Spring Roll

 Third Course, Soup: Hot and Sour Tofu Soup

 Fourth Course, Curry: Chiang Mai Noodle with Tofu-my favorite, so yummy!

 Last Course, Dessert: Deep-Fried Banana with Ice Cream

Ohh and we had to wear this..

As you could guess I was soo full after this but my friends and I went into town for my birthday that night and of course I couldn't resist a pizza!  We were planning on just having a relaxing night at the restaurant and order drinks (since I am legal drinking age now in Thailand!) but because of the upcoming election they are not serving alcohol for an entire week.. so strange.  Also because of the rain we werent able to go to the MTV Exit Concert or the Elephant Park today but we rescheduled for Saturday, July 8!
All in all I did have a good birthday but it made me miss home a lot and it was weird to be celebrating without my family, especially my dad.  But I know the homesickness will pass so I'm just trying to think on the bright side!

Golden Bones

Today my class lecture consisted of going to a "Payap Presents" presentation from the former US Ambassador to the UN, Sichan Siv.  I cannot think of the right or enough words of how to explain this presentation.  Sichan Siv talked about how he escaped the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia finding refuge in Thailand and ultimately overcoming all the hardship to make all of his dreams come true in the United States.  His motto is, "No matter what happens, never give up hope."  Climbing his way to the top he took on many jobs including teaching english, becoming flight attendant, and also a taxi driver before he later reached his apex of becoming a senior White House aide and worked with both George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush.  I bought a copy of his book, "Golden Bones" (which he signed!) and am so excited to read it!  If you're looking for a good book I highly encourage you to read this!
Aside from that, it is my birthday in approximately 15 minutes Thai time!  It will be weird celebrating my birthday here and especially not sharing it with my dad.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! 40th right?!  Anyways, my friends and I are going to learn how to cook Thai style tomorrow and I cannot wait because white rice and watermelon is getting pretty old.. Actually we were craving American food so we went to what's called the "Big C" and ate at pizza hut and dairy queen to fill the void..

My friend, Lynley, and I

It was also pouring ran this afternoon which is pretty typical for this time of the year but unlike normal, it lasted until pretty late.  We're supposed to go to an "MTV EXIT" concert tomorrow with popular Asian bands to help end sex trafficking so I hope it doesn't rain then.  I'll keep you updated on my birthday festivities and I promise I'll upload pictures to facebook soon to share more of my daily events :)

Sabai Sabai

I am not sure how people live here year round-it's unbelievably hot.  However, like I've said before, the people are so welcoming and nice it's hard not to love Thailand.  We actually are taking a "Survival Thai" class and have been learning some basic and important phrases.  "Sabai Sabai" is the Thai's way of life meaning, "No worries" or "It's fine".  It's a hard language to learn since a lot of it deals with the tone of your voice but our teacher, "Ajan Gai" is very animated which makes it a really fun class.  In my cultural foundations class we went to a museum today which was really interesting but boring at the same time because our professor used a megaphone but talked to the walls the whole time..

I should also tell you about the food.. it is amazing and SO cheap too!  I get a lot of my meals for around 25-35 baht which is around $1.  Even though the food is inexpensive it is still very good quality.  I can guarantee at the end of the 6 weeks though I will not be able to look at rice or noodles for a while.  They even have noodles for breakfast.

I'm pretty tired now so I'm going to head to bed-so early I know.  I'll probably post again this weekend after I do my cooking class and elephant tour :)
p.s. It's not letting me add pictures right now so i'll add them some time tomorrow!

City Tour and First Day of Class

On Sunday we took a city tour around Chiang Mai and stopped at one of the other Payap campuses, the hospital, and two markets.  It was blazing hot yesterday and it didn't help that it was sunny but still, the city is amazing and the people here are so nice and welcoming.  The markets were so cool to see and everything is very cheap compared to at home! I may or may not have bought some gifts for people yesterday.. :) 

Song Thauws-"Thai Taxi"

 Indoor Section of Market

 Sunday Walking Street Market

Since we were in Old City Chiang Mai there were a lot of museums and temples which were all so beautiful.  It was also really cool to see the community atmosphere that the Thai people have.  Everyday at 8AM and 6PM the Thai National Anthem is played and everyone stops and stands still to respect their country.  Unfortunately at the market my friend, Lina, lost her wallet when we were leaving.  She noticed it was missing when we got back to the dorm but she had it when we paid for our meal which we ate right before we left.  A Thai graduate student, Champ, who was also helping us on the city tour was nice enough to take us back to the market to file a police report.  Champ also introduced us to some Thai hip hop, Thaitanium-new favorite artist.

 Temple in the Old City

 Temple that was ruined by an Earthquake

And now on to today..
It was my first day of class which I was both excited and nervous for.  I had originally told you I would be in the Struggle for Human Rights in SE Asia but it different from what I had expected and not that class that I wanted to take (plus, the readings we got were HUGE..).  Luckily I am able to switch to the Cultural Foundations of Thai Society class and will start that tomorrow.  The excursion for that class goes to the Soppong, Pangmapha, and Mae Hong Son Provinces which will last from July 2 to July 7.  We are staying with hill tribe people and I cannot wait to experience that.  We did have to dress in uniform which I am not used to but then it saves me from picking out what to wear :).  I'll post more pictures on facebook later.  I hope everyone is doing well-miss/love you!

Update

It's currently 5:41 AM here and I cannot sleep.  I've been having trouble adjusting to the time difference and am still a bit jet lagged.  I also miss home a lot but met some Americans yesterday who are in the same boat as me so that makes it a little more comforting.  More Americans are supposed to arrive tomorrow and I am hoping to meet them all on Sunday when we go on a city tour of Chiang Mai. 
Orientation starts Monday at 9 AM followed by my class at 1:30 PM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday and a class Tuesday-Thursday at 10 AM-12 PM.  I am also scheduled for two excursions for my classes:
For my first class we are going on a Thai-Burma Border Excursion to Mae Sot, Tak Province on Thursday, June 30 to Saturday, July 2.  For my second class we are going on an Excursion to Bangkok and Pattaya the weekend of July 14-17 (exact dates TBA).
I will let you know more about the city tour and post some pictures on Sunday!  Love and miss everyone.

Let the Adventures Begin..

Well, I'm finally here!  It didn't hit me until I said my goodbyes that I was leaving.  I arrived in Chiang Mai around 10 PM last night which would be 10 AM Wisconsin time.  The flight from Chicago to Seoul was over 13 hours and it felt like forever!  In addition, I was sitting in the very, and I mean very, last seats.  I was so nervous and homesick that whole flight that I did not sleep once and instead watched about 7  movies in a row.  Also, Korean Air was very hospitable, providing 2 meals and snacks, so that was a plus.  I had a little trouble once I got into Seoul with trying to contact my parents back in the U.S.  My dad had signed me up for an international plan to call home once I arrived at the airports and such but once I arrived I found that my phone did not work.  With that being said, I freaked out and needed to find a way to call back home so I ended up buying an international pay phone card-which by the way, is very confusing-and I was able to reach them!  I was so drained on the next flight to Chiang Mai that I slept the whole way.  I was picked up at the Chiang Mai airport by Kluaymai, a student from Payap who had studied abroad at UW Eau Claire for a year, as well as her friends.  They were all very friendly and spoke English pretty well and have also been very helpful with my arrival.  My roommate, Poppy, speaks little English but it will allow both her and I to gain experience from one another.

View from doorway-my bed is the far one

 Bathroom

 My desk/dresser-still haven't unpacked..

 My bed-the mattress is as hard as a rock..

I have orientation on Monday and that is also when my classes start.  I'm nervous and excited at the same time to see what they are all about.  I will most likely be on skype at 8-10 AM my time so it would be 8-10 PM Wisconsin time.  I miss everyone more than ever and hope it will get easier with the passing days.  E-mails and messages would be appreciated and helpful :/ :)

Almost

It's hard to believe that I am actually leaving a week from today!  I ran into some difficulty with my visa but it is currently being processed and fingers crossed that it's in the mailbox before next Wednesday.  I am working at J.Jill until Monday the 13th but have been running some final errands in order to start my packing.  Of course knowing me, packing will be the most difficult part.  Also to keep busy, the fam has been back and forth from up north working on remodeling our new "cabin"/"lake house"/"cottage" but still can't figure out what to call it.  We went up there last weekend and got a lot of work done and already the place looks so different!  I'm excited to see how much more work will be finished when I get back:

What will be the kitchen

Wood floors that were hidden under hideous carpet

No more smelly carpet and curtains

 Lils doing work

 Never too late

My communication options in Thailand will be pretty limited.  Although I will have access to the internet, the connection is very slow compared to here.  However, aside from posting on here I will have facebook, email, and skype:
Skype: maggie.meitzen
Email: meitzeme@uwec.edu
Thailand is 12 hours ahead of Wisconsin time (if it's 8:00 AM in Middleton, WI it will be 8:00 PM in Chiang Mai, Thailand).  Hopefully I'll be able to find times that are convenient to skype!