Going away - Birthday Lunch

The team decided to have a luncheon for Toss and Nat (the two guys in the 1st pick holding their hands up). They were returning to DSTi division having worked with AWD for a few months while others from AWD were assigned DSTi projects.

And the team decided lunch would be Japanese - which is my favorite after Thai.





A block away from our office is Soi Yippun (Japan). It is called that because it is home to many Japanese restaurants shops and groceries.


But our team is so large we can no longer all sit together. So I was seated at the "Adult Table" . See the lady in the red shirt? That is Muay and today we also celebrated her birthday. She said she was "18", however she still sat at the "Adult Table."

And the children sat at two other tables behind us.

The highlight was an ice-cream Birthday Cake. Which we all shared.

We had a great time. We wish the best for Toss and Nat, and congratulations for K'Muay for reaching the ripe age of "18"

These two kids sat at the adult table - they needed to be reminded to mind their manners.

Phuuying Gai

"Chicken Lady" - Phuuying Gai

For my first two weeks in BKK, I've been eating only 1 meal a day - like a Monk (but not necessarily before 11AM, as they require). And its becoming difficult. So I get a bite from the "Chicken Lady" on my way to work. This morning I didn't see her cart, so I went across the street to another Gai (Chicken) food stall. The line was long and so was the wait.

But after making my purchase and heading home I looked and my "Phuuying Gai" was there. So I went back to her other side of the street. She had no "big pieces" which I usually purchase while on my way to work. And for only 40 THB (57 cents). I purchased what chicken parts she had available. These parts were also on a stick.



I had always thought what I was purchasing from "Phuuying Gai" was chicken breast. but after seeing what I saw this day, I realize must kill the chicken, pluck, separate the innards, then beat all the white meat parts together. I've seek dark meat (Legs for example) sold separately. I'll have to investigate how this is done.

So now I had my breakfast in two warm plastic bags. I took both servings to my apartment and enjoyed. But there was a potential problem. The chicken from "Phuuying Gai" had the consistency of mash potatoes. I may be going to Boots (Pharmacy Chain) later this afternoon.

Witsawagawn nai hawng phom mai

I don't have Thai alphabet on my PC (yet) but that's how it is said. I think.

In English: Engineer in my room again

Pheuan Thai Phom (my Thai friends) will have to correct me, Na Krap.


Witsawagawn (engineer) was here this time to fix the "Iron Maiden" as I affectionately call her - the washer/dryer combo unit - it is my weekend challenge. Time to wash 3 hrs - time to dry 2 hrs. She was stuck in spin cycle. Press Reset and hold for 10 seconds. <---- note to self.

I decided today I will work from apartment. I have been burning AM & PM Hours so much my bio-clock is really messed up. More so than normal when I travel here. Maybe it is because I had an aggressive challenge when I arrived. I hit the ground running and continued to "hit the ground."



Amazing Thailand

I am connected again

Waanni thohrasap phom OK na, khawpkhun krap.

Today my telephone is OK, thank you very much!

I can once again dial out to the US. Let's hope another oceanic earthquake does not happen again for a long time.

Waterboarding - is it really torture?

Not sure, but it will keep you awake. For those who haven't read the earlier posts in this blog which gives all the details of my apartment - that box on the wall above the bed is an AC unit. There are three of these in this 55sq meter apartment. Did I mention it gets really hot here in Bangkok? And there is a competition between temperature vs. humidity - which one can be higher?

The AC over my bed started dripping water last night from a number of places. First time in over 2 weeks. There was so much water that two of the four pillows needed to be wrung out in the shower and will be drying out all day, or hopefully replaced.

Where there are pillows is usually where there is my head.

Thankfully it is not that hot here in BKK (Airport code for Bangkok), not yet. So I can survive with this unit being turned off. Of course I have to lower the temp in the living area which means I walk into a "freezer" if I need to get a drink of water during the night. Water - yea, that's another issue. You just don't drink water out of the tap. You have to boil or buy Nam Plao (drinking water). And you have to be careful when you say that word. Because Nam Pla means Fermented Fish Sauce. - made by packing anchovies in a barrell, allowing them to rot for months, then drain off the liquid. That is Nam Pla, not Nam Plao. Did I mention Thai is a tough language?

Now - let's see how many "Engineers" will to tell me "AC drip... Krap".

It is official - my phone will not allow outbound long distance calls

KC office spoke with AT&T and the earthquake that happened close to Indonesia broke an undersea cable which prevents outbound long distance. Inbound is OK. Why that is, I do not know. Estimated time to fix? Up to 3 weeks.

At least now we know.

On this first auspicious day of the Chinese Lunar New Year....

My phone is still unable to connect to AT&T. But I did receive from my apartment complex, 4 oranges in a red sack, tied with a gold string. It is an auspicious tradition which symbolizes the gathering of great wealth. What is the auspicious tradition for receiving a good dial tone?

Happy New Year and Yes Virginia there are Jews in Bangkok!

Happy New Year! Tonight, Sunday January 25, 2009 marks the Chinese Lunar New Year - the year of the Ox. So what do I do today? I head out to find the Jewish Community in Bangkok. Yes, that's right there is a Jewish community here - small, but it exists as you will see.

I checked Google Maps, drew out my path on a piece of paper and headed out on foot. It seemed a short distance and in fact had I known exactly where it was located I could have made it in 20 minutes. But walking in Bangkok is a challenge.

As you can see from the picture on the left, the sidewalks "give out" as it where for street vendors and anything else the city officials decide to put in the way. Some sidewalks are high (by American standards) and so you are always stepping up and down and at times, walking in the street which can be dangerous.

Right after snapping the picture on the left (above) I heard someone say 'Again.' This kind street vendor wanted to pose for my camera. Did I mention people in Bangkok are very friendly? Amazing Thailand - the Land of Smiles

Making my way with hand-drawn map in hand I kept going south from my apartment. Then suddenly I realized streets in Bangkok don't always follow a Grid Pattern as they do back home. I was not lost, but I could not find the Synagogue. I stopped in a 7-11 Store (they are everywhere) and politely asked the clerks (there are usually 5 or 6 in even the smallest of stores) if someone spoke English. One young man volunteered. I showed him the map, and with the best Thai I could muster named off the streets. No luck. I then said "Mii Paak Gaa mai?" (Do you have a pen?). Receiving the pen I drew a Star of David. A long pause then a smile came on his face and he pointed me to the west. Away I went. And went.

No Star of David on any buildings. Again I stopped at food stalls, shops showing anyone who would give me time, the Star of David. Finally I came upon a Aussie and he told me "Sure, it is just up the street, take the first left and it will be on your left about 100 meters." I still can't do feet-meters in my head very well, but 100 didn't sound too far. I was making progress. First left, then on the left. But I saw nothing that looked like a synagogue. And no Star of David anywhere.

I was now in "Soi Hell" (as I call it). Roads (Soi) that go nowhere, dead end for no reason, and run along angles that would give Pythagoras a headache. I was not lost however. I'm from the Midwest USA. I can navigate by the sun. And the sun always shines in Bangkok, except for today - it was cloudy. Luck was not on my side. Suddenly I see a very tall man - western looking. Was that a Kippa (Yarmulke) on his head or just a shadow from the trees? It was a Kippa! I stopped him and we both jumped, being equally surprised. I said "Sorry did I scare you?" "No" he replied, "I thought I scared you!". I could tell immediately by his accent he was Israeli. It was a good feeling to hear his voice. I told him my destination and away we went.

There would have been no way I could have found nor have entered the grounds of the Synagogue without the help of this man. It was tucked away behind a tall wall and guarded. All hotels have guards here. I think of them as "traffic control" more than anything else. But for the Synagogue? Thinking of what recently happened in Mubai India? I have a different understanding for the privacy. Nevertheless - we move on......

The kind man's name was Alex, I will forever be grateful that we 'scared each other'. Call it providence? Don't know - but a blessing for sure.

The Shul was beautiful.

A multi-story building - as are most Thai buildings. A spacious area for Oneg Shabbat, study, offices and Sanctuary. The style was Sephardi - which makes sense.

It was the Portuguese who first came to Thailand. In fact, the Portuguese also brought Guava (the fruit) to Thailand. The Thais call the fruit Farang. It has become the term used by Thais to label all westerners - the "Farang". It is not a bad word, but it does cause me to feel different. I can say much about this, but maybe later.

Rabbi Kantor was holding a meeting but he still he offered me a rest, refreshments and a good talk. This was only my 2nd time in my life to be in a Chabad House. The first time was in Philadelphia. Both times I felt very welcomed, but it is a lot different than my Reform Jewish Community in KC: Kol Ami. Just as friendly, but different. I come away with the feeling I need to brush up as it where on my Hebrew and on my observance.

For those who are interested, the Hebrew you see written on the Cabinet behind the to men sitting on the left - those are the 10 Commandments written in Hebrew. According to Torah, all Israel heard these 10. They are referred to as "utterances" - "statements". But after these 10 were heard, the people became afraid and asked Moses to go listen to the rest. So Moses went up the mountain. He brought back 603 more Mitzvot (Commandments) that G-d wanted to share with Israel.

Rabbi Kantor asked me if I had laid Tefillin. Fortunately I could answer Yes. Strange as it may sound, I lay Tefillin when I travel - almost every day. It keeps me connected to home, in a way, and to G-d while I'm away from home. And right now, I am about as far away from home as I can get on this planet. It is always enjoyable to come to Thailand, but the sense of loneliness is always just under the surface.

PS: Rabbi if you read this - Mozel Tov on the occasion of your son's Bris.

Did I tell you about my phone?

This is truly amazing. A few days ago my ability to dial long distance stopped working (think you know that by now). Initial reply from the Hotel "AT&T is out in Bangkok". So I thought "ok, AT&T - they will work quickly to resolve the problem - remember, revenue, bad economy etc.?" Next day, "Problem with Oakwood" (where I'm staying). Next day I asked "phone fixed?" "No". "Problem with Oakwood?" "Yes". "What do other residence say about this problem?" "You are only one".



Being special I don't need.



I reported Friday night that the latest "resolution" was for two "Engineers" to come to my room. What I didn't report was that they came twice. Still no resolution.


Around 9AM Saturday morning I received a call from the front desk. 'Mr. Pisleusotstotuawta" <--- they butcher my name... "may we come to your room and show you how to use your phone?" I didn't know what to say but "ok". I'm thinking "I've been using a telephone longer than this man has been alive and he wants to show me how to use the phone?" Is there something I've forgotted?

Do I have Alzheimer's and don't know it? That's a question that will keep my busy for a while.

But I quickly re-read the instructions on the card next to the phone thinking I may have overlooked something. The instructions are quite simple: Dial 9+1 and the number. All I receive is a busy signal.



In short order the Desk Clerk along with an "Engineer" one that had been here before were both at my door. "Sawatdii Krap" (Hello in Thai for males). Taking off their shoes, they both went immediately to my phone as Paramedics to an accident victim. With my "best attentive student face" I watched and listened as they gave me dialing instructions. Before they started actually dialing I said "Let me turn on the speaker". It took everything I had within me not to laugh, when all we heard was the "busy signal".

There is a thing here in Asia about "Saving Face". So I was polite when the desk clerk told me "Your phone has problem."

In my Thai classes I have learned the word for "problem" it is "Panhaa". For me problem can also be said as "Thohrasap" (telephone).

If any of my Thai friends are reading this - please understand I am trying to present a story with a bit of humor. When you come to KC, there are many times technology does not work for you. In particular Internet Connection at "City Place" on Westport Road.


If I had to give up one or the other, I would give up the phone. I must have Internet ! And Internet connection here at Oakwood is GOOD !