I had to come 1/2 way around the world to see this one...

I run a "G" rated Blog - but some questionable situations - even those that are over the edge - are at times too funny to ignore. Besides once I see the humor in those moments all I remember is the laugh.

My apologies in advance - and now that I have your curiosity......

The pic you see was taken at Emporium which is an upscale department/apartment complex, located across the street from my serviced apartment. I was looking for shaving cream and saw this display of designer toiletries. At first I thought it was another example of Thais stretching English. Like the clothing store named "Previously Loved". But this is such an example of bad English in so many ways. I was amazed and also laughing when I thought of all the possibilities the consumer might have from buying and using these products.

I came back to my apartment, did some research and discovered that this is indeed a company - British even - " French Connection UK". It has been around for years. I've never seen it in Kansas City - go figure, but it's been in San Fran and other US cities for quite sometime. This may be old news to some of my readers. I then grabbed my camera, went back to the store and shot this photo. I kept thinking of all the opportunities with this Brand. Even ordering more stock. "Yes... I would like a Cluster of......"

My Friday nights are fairly open. Only one regular conference call back to KC - and at a decent hour 8 PM. Earlier this week I was having conference calls starting at 8PM and lasting until after Midnight. One night it was followed by another call at 5 AM the next morning. Hopefully that will be rare. Wed nights I have a regular call from 10-11PM my time and on Thursdays a regular call starting at 10:15 PM until Midnight. At least for 5 weeks. I only have 7 more to go, so maybe my last two I can get some sleep.

People in the KC office think I don't sleep. They don't know I talk in my sleep.

I'm still finding ways to try to use the Thai that I've learned. I only made one mistake today. I asked the Taxi driver if he sold Eggs instead of giving him a street address. We both a good laugh - he at me. I shut my Thai up after that.

I need to run. The "Iron Maiden" (washer/dryer combo unit in my apartment) is beeping. It has been 5.5 hrs. since I fed her 5 white shorts and 1 pair of white socks. 5. 5 hrs to wash and dry. I bet they are still damp. Good thing this is a 3 day weekend. I have 5 pair of dark socks to wash and have dry by Tuesday AM.

More fun with Thai Language Lessons

Yesterday marked my 5th Thai lesson. I've learned the common social expressions, how to ask questions, be polite, numbers, how to "barter for a discount" and now we move into relationships. Family...mother, father, sister, brother, children.....

The lessons have advanced so that Khruu Phom (my teacher) and I volley with questions and answers - all in Thai. And with me being as careful as I can, not only with the words themselves, but more importantly their tone.

Remember Thai has 5 tones. The same word spelled out for us in English can mean five different words in Thai. For example Mai Mai Mai Mai can mean New Wood Doesn't Burn depending upon the tone spoken for each word (Mai). Flat, Low, High, Rising, Falling. The tones are subtle. Trust me, it ain't easy. Then again the Thai language does not have tense (past, present, future) nor does it have plural nor possessive. So in a way it is a nice trade.

Back , Back, Back <--- as Khruu Phom says when we digress

Important to remember Khruu Phom Cheu (my teacher's name) is Noi

After learning about my entire family, names dates of birth etc. it was my turn. I'm not used to asking a lady if she is married, has children etc. This part of the lesson started off a bit awkward. I tried to think "clinical".

Me: Khun mii phii saao mai? (do you have an older sister)
Noi: Mii Chai (Yes I have)
Me: Phii saao Khun cheu arai? (what is your older sister's name)
Noi: Phii saao dichan cheu Noi (My older sister's name is Noi)
Me: (pausing...... did I ask for her name or her sister's name?) Mai (again) I said Phii saao Khun chue arai? Krap (I added the formal Krap at the end thinking I missed something in my first attempt)
Noi: Phii saao dichan cheu Noi (my older sister's name is Noi)

I moved on to the next question......

Me: Khun mii luuk saao mai? (Do you have a daughter?)
Noi: Mai Mii (don't have)
Me: Khun mii luuk chaai mai? (Do you have a son?)
Noi: Mii Chai (Yes I have)
Me: Luuk chaai Khun cheu arai? (What is your son's first name?)
Noi: Luuk chaai dichan cheu Focus (my son's name is "Focus")

I have to pause here. Thais give themselves nicknames. Their first and certainly their surnames can be quite long. The reason for that I'll share in another post. Their nicknames can be anything one can imagine. Oftentimes nicknames are English names. For example Thais I work with have nick names such as "Champ", "Eg", "Eve", "Wow", and I've seen "Boy", "Apple", "Peach" ", "Ford". And sometimes they are Thai names which don't translate well into English such as "Dum" and "Porn". Therefore when Noi said her son's name was "Focus" I kept a straight face. But I thought ".... how wise of a mother. Everytime someone calls him or talks to him they will be reminding him to concentrate. Did she think her son would have ADHD?

At the end of the class I asked her.."Why did your parents give two daughters the same name?" She had me listen again. One "Noi" was rising tone, and one was falling tone. ..... My head started hurting - again.

Then I thought Oh My, I may have been asking all the wrong questions .......all the tones to remember....

I dared to ask ".. so why did you name your son "Focus" ? She laughed, "Focus... Maa dichan" <-- "Focus..... is my dog."

Amazing Thailand

San Phra Phum

When is comes to religious expression, the Thai people are the most expressive I have ever seen. It is impressive and beautiful to observe.

Their religion is Buddhism. It also includes certain aspects of Hinduism and Animism.

It is a wonderful experience to see how they perform various acts of merit, and how everywhere you turn there is a San Phra Phum or "Spirit House". I do not quite understand all the meanings behind this, but I believe the thought is that there are spirits who are invited to live in these houses and protect the area, be it a home, business or in this case shown in the photo, to protect the upscale shopping center - "Emporium".

The practice of building and maintaining a Spirit House extends over most of South East Asia. It is an expression of the influence of Animism. I can assure you these Spirit Houses are kept in immaculate condition. That only adds to their beauty.

It is common practice to see people on their way to work pausing to perform these rituals. Or if there is an image in the Spirit House to see people pause and Wai - Thai greeting (bring both hands together and raise before your face and bow).

I find great comfort is observing all of this religious activity. It reminds me to pause myself and be grateful for everything I have and my opportunity to be once again in Bangkok. I've said it so many times before. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought I would travel 1/2 way around the world and get paid for it too!

I am going to make it a point to take photo of as many Spirit Houses as I can. Then make a CD with the photos and traditional Thai music to play when I am back home in KC. A perfect reminder of this very important aspect of Thai culture.

I must add in closing that Thailand is respectful to all religions. His Majesty the King has, as one of his titles, decreed by Thailand's Constitution, "Protector of all religions". I have never felt more safe and secure with my own religion than in this country.

Morning and Evening Ceremonies

Every day when I leave my apartment and every evening when I return the guard at the entrance (driveway) to my apartment complex gives me a firm 'click of the heels, salute' and a loud "Krap". When he says it the "r" is soft, so it sounds more like "Cah'p". I believe it is a short version - perhaps more masculine/military form of "Sawadii Krap". Which is both hello and goodbye.

I surprised him the other day and spoke a little Thai. Not much more than "How are you." "See you again" etc. He responded in Thai the way I would expect, so I must have spoke my Thai good enough.

"We have Chang.... "

Anyone remember the movie "Twister" and the scene where Helen Hunt yells "We have Cows....." Well that's about how startled I felt. I'm from Missouri - I know how a tornado can move farm animals about, but this was a different feeling.

I turned the corner of my Soi (Sukhumvit Soi Yiisip Sii - 24) and was faced with this gentle beast standing in front of the stairway to my local BTS Station. Had I been drinking I would have asked to see the bottle and could have sold it for double what I paid. Triple if the Chang was Pink.

I've heard that native Chang (Thai word for "Elephant") have been brought into the city, but I had never seen one here during any of my previous visits. This one was giving rides in front of the Emporium - I need to publish an entire entry about Emporium, but meanwhile, seeing this Chang today was the highlight of my day. Yet.....

I have been told that when Chang are brought into the city their lives are cut short. I can well imagine. I don't think they were meant to walk on concrete and asphalt. Being aware of that, I felt sad for this magnificent creature standing here, in the poluted city, hired to give rides to tourists and, blocking my hurried way to the skytrain.

The latter, selfish concern, gave me pause as I made my way up the stairs to the BTW fly-over. Neither the Chang nor I wanted necessarily at this moment to be near the Skytrain. But we were - each for our own reasons.

I hope to see this particular Chang again. Maybe buy the bananas that are sold by its caretaker and feed him/her. In some way it will be my way to connect to this creature who, like me, feels well taken care of, but sometimes feel like a stranger in a strange place.

Before I close this post, let me share CHANG is the brand name of the most popular Beer in Thaliand. I hear it is 6%. I've never had a taste, but if I do, I'll include it in a later post.

Amazing Thailand.

Just in case....

June and I were talking today (phone) and I asked her if anyone besides her was reading this blog. She assured me YES.

She added that maybe not all readers know they can post their comments on the blog or have my e-mail address. So with that in mind, let me share the following about the Blog page itself:

• At the end of each post, you can click the link "comment" and add a comment. You can even post Anonymously.

• Each picture on my posts can bee see 'Full Size' simply by double-clicking the picture.

I hope everyone who is reading this blog is finding enjoyment.

Being in Thailand is great - but I'm getting homesick, and I have a long time to go on this visit. So I don't care what you want to share with me - anything would help me stay connected. Comment on the Blog or what load of laundry you washed today. If you've read my blog you'll understand my challenge to do laundry with "The Iron Maiden". We can share "wash day secrets."

Send e-mail to phil@pisciotta.com.

A reply on this Blog or a personal E-Mail..... Either way will be appreciated. And I assure you you will receive a reply.

At these times in my life I find myself listening to the Bee-Gees and Maroon-5 more than most. So you know I need some help.

Siam Complex and Swensen's Ice Cream

I'm running out of things to talk about and take pictures, that I didn't already cover in my last blog of 08. I suspect for those who are reading this as insight into Bangkok, new items will start to dwindle. For those who read this blog to keep up with what I'm doing - I'll continue to post and it will be of value to you for your investment in reading.

Today (Saturday) I rode the BTS (Skytrain) a few stops up the line to Siam Complex. This is a complex of shops, IMAX, Aquarium, and food. Because it sits right next to the large BTS interchange I could not get a good shot of the main entrance to one of the buildings - Siam Paragon - but you get an idea of the upscale quality of the area. For my KC readers, think of Crown Center than multiply by 5. That will give you an idea of the size of this place.

It has a very large outdoor staging area for gatherings. I liked the decorations running the length of this one particular walkway. The decorations I assume are left over from the the Chinese New Year. Note the right side of the picture. That is how close the Sky Train is to the complex. Siam station in an interchange of two lines that run in Bangkok. To keep the width of the stations all the same the line run one on top of the other at Siam Station. The system is quite amazing including its ticketing access control systems. But more important, it is always impeccably clean. Maybe if I have my camera with me and have the nerve, I'll take a photo of how they keep the Skytrain immaculate. They do so by hand, rubber gloves, pail and towels. They do this on the steps, side rails, handrails, everything. And I'm talking the entire complex of each station which is more than just a station. Each is its own shopping mall. They keep the BTS clean the same way we clean our kitchens. Amazing Thailand.

This blog entry has 'Swensen's Ice Cream" in the title. After 3 weeks of eating basically one meal a day and that also being Thai food, and having only 30 TV channels available in my apartment - 18 of which are in English, and Internet connection that is better than Dial-up, but not quite what I'm used to at home and consider I'm working off a laptop rather than my flat-panel monitor at home, I realized something was missing in my life. Ice Cream. Did I list enough excuses to gain your sympathy? I really only needed one myself. So off I go to the Emporium which is right across the street from my apartment complex. It has an indoor Grocery Store - smaller than the new Cosentino's at the Light District, but it sells "American Comfort Food". It is higher priced than Villa Market which requires walking up the 16+16+15 steps. Desperate measures for desperate times. I searched a bit and then I saw her. A 450g container of Swensen's Rocky Road. She had my name on her. I'd say she called out my name but then the wife would read this and end up calling my company saying I'm having another TGA episode and must seek immediate medical attention.

450g I don't disturb myself with doing conversions. That's the joy of wanting to loose some weight and living in a country that is on the metric system. Everything seems smaller. "Gram" sounds like something from Chemistry class...something small. The very word seems "light". I eat ice cream out of the coffee cup. One and half cups later while watching CNN News in English (not British but American), my little 450gram "Precious" and I were quite comforted to be together.