1) Shower curtains. Most bathrooms are open with only a ledge defining the shower area.
2) Conditioner. Every hotel we stay in provides soap, bath gel, toothpaste, shampoo, sewing kit, and razor, but not a single one has had conditioner.
3) Tampons. This one's weird and I really don't understand, but it's true.
4) Top sheets. I don't think I've stayed in a single place that has had a top sheet to go along with the fitted sheet. Beds simply consist of a fitted sheet and one blanket.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Same Same but Different
That's a popular expression in Vietnam and it does a good job of explaining the country. In many ways, it is the same as Thailand. It has a tropical atmosphere and the people are very friendly. However, it's also different. In Thailand you are always haggling with people. You get into a taxi and have to haggle over the price. You go to a club and you haggle over the cover fee. You walk down the street and you haggle over everything. Vietnam does not have this same experience. Taxis are always metered (though we did have our first taxi scam when we used a taxi with a rigged meter), club prices are not necessarily set, but at least more set, and you don't have to haggle quite as much at the markets. Though we may have haggled less because the Viet Dong is a terrible currency and so everything is incredibly cheap. I got to enjoy being a millionaire for the first time in my life. Too bad it was short lived.
The most interesting part of the trip, and the reason I wanted to go, was seeing the Cu Chi Tunnels and the war museum. We went to the museum first and it made me wonder how Germans feel going to any sort of Holocaust museum. The museum had very graphic pictures of people who had been injured during bombies and children who were born disfigured. The thing that I thought was most interesting was that instead of having other people say how terrible the deeds of the US were, they used our own words against us. They had all kinds of quotes hanging up from politicians and other protestors during the era. They even quoted the Declaration of Independence to show us as being hypocritical. I've never spent a whole lot of time studying the Vietnam War during school, but now I want to do more reading about it. One thing that is curious is that China occupied Vietnam for 1000 years, France was there for 100, then we were there for 20. It seems all of the resentment that is left is towards the US.
The Cu Chi tunnels were also interesting. The tunnels were built starting during France's occupation, but became much more utilized during the War with America. There was a portion dug just for tourists (because we're too big for what they actually used), and I crawled the 20 or so feet through it. It was pitch black and incredibly scary. The tunnels twists and turns and it is very hard to tell if you are going in the correct direction. Overall, the site was a little too touristy for me to have any desire to go back. One other interesting thing was that there was a video at the beginning of the area. The tour guide we were with, who was not associated with the tunnels, told us we should not watch it since we are Americans. I wish we had seen it, but oh well.
Sorry I didn't post this sooner. My plan was to post it over the weekend, but if you haven't heard, my weekend was very eventful.
The most interesting part of the trip, and the reason I wanted to go, was seeing the Cu Chi Tunnels and the war museum. We went to the museum first and it made me wonder how Germans feel going to any sort of Holocaust museum. The museum had very graphic pictures of people who had been injured during bombies and children who were born disfigured. The thing that I thought was most interesting was that instead of having other people say how terrible the deeds of the US were, they used our own words against us. They had all kinds of quotes hanging up from politicians and other protestors during the era. They even quoted the Declaration of Independence to show us as being hypocritical. I've never spent a whole lot of time studying the Vietnam War during school, but now I want to do more reading about it. One thing that is curious is that China occupied Vietnam for 1000 years, France was there for 100, then we were there for 20. It seems all of the resentment that is left is towards the US.
The Cu Chi tunnels were also interesting. The tunnels were built starting during France's occupation, but became much more utilized during the War with America. There was a portion dug just for tourists (because we're too big for what they actually used), and I crawled the 20 or so feet through it. It was pitch black and incredibly scary. The tunnels twists and turns and it is very hard to tell if you are going in the correct direction. Overall, the site was a little too touristy for me to have any desire to go back. One other interesting thing was that there was a video at the beginning of the area. The tour guide we were with, who was not associated with the tunnels, told us we should not watch it since we are Americans. I wish we had seen it, but oh well.
Sorry I didn't post this sooner. My plan was to post it over the weekend, but if you haven't heard, my weekend was very eventful.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
4th of July and Being American
I realize this post is a little late, but oh well.
For the 4th of July, there is a group of Americans in Singapore that hold a big event each year. There is lots of BBQ, live music and fireworks. We went to it and had a lot of fun. The one scary thing was the fireworks. They were really really close to us and pieces of fireworks kept falling on us. I don't just means ashes either. Pieces about 1 square inch fell on people, including myself.
Overall, there has not been much reaction to us being American. Especially outside of Singapore, nobody over guesses we are American. People generally assume we are either British or Australian. I think I have met more Canadians than Americans while traveling. It really puts into perspective how little world traveling most Americans do. I know that after this trip I definitely have the travel bug and want to do a lot more (though I am also looking forward to eventually going home). It's now going to be my mission to convince all of my friends and family to do more world traveling with me ;-) The good thing about Asia is that other than the plane ticket here, everything is cheap!
The one place there was some reaction to us being American was in Bangkok. A few times after telling people we were from the US, they would say "Obama!!" and it was very clear they were big fans. You all know my personal feelings on this, but I figured that in the name of international diplomacy, I would not say anything.
For one of the taxi rides, it was myself, a guy whose parents are from Taiwan, and a guy whose father is from Nigeria. The driver was very very confused on how we all knew each other and could all be from the US. It made me realize that while we may not get out much, America really is still the melting pot of the world.
For the 4th of July, there is a group of Americans in Singapore that hold a big event each year. There is lots of BBQ, live music and fireworks. We went to it and had a lot of fun. The one scary thing was the fireworks. They were really really close to us and pieces of fireworks kept falling on us. I don't just means ashes either. Pieces about 1 square inch fell on people, including myself.
Overall, there has not been much reaction to us being American. Especially outside of Singapore, nobody over guesses we are American. People generally assume we are either British or Australian. I think I have met more Canadians than Americans while traveling. It really puts into perspective how little world traveling most Americans do. I know that after this trip I definitely have the travel bug and want to do a lot more (though I am also looking forward to eventually going home). It's now going to be my mission to convince all of my friends and family to do more world traveling with me ;-) The good thing about Asia is that other than the plane ticket here, everything is cheap!
The one place there was some reaction to us being American was in Bangkok. A few times after telling people we were from the US, they would say "Obama!!" and it was very clear they were big fans. You all know my personal feelings on this, but I figured that in the name of international diplomacy, I would not say anything.
For one of the taxi rides, it was myself, a guy whose parents are from Taiwan, and a guy whose father is from Nigeria. The driver was very very confused on how we all knew each other and could all be from the US. It made me realize that while we may not get out much, America really is still the melting pot of the world.
Bangkok
I have survived another trip to Thailand. Bangkok is very very different from Phuket. Phuket is a more relaxed beach town while Bangkok is an incredibly busy city. If I were to choose, I'd definitely go to Phuket again and skip over Bangkok. If nothing else, I would never go to Bangkok with a family. While going to the red light district was our own choosing, it is impossible to avoid all of the sex in the city. The hotel that half the group stayed at had minibars stocked with fruit flavored condoms. One of the restraunts we ate at had pictures of naked women on the walls. During one of the taxi rides, a guy in our group made a reference to the song, "Boom, Boom, Pow." The taxi driver thought that meant the guy wanted to some "boom, boom, pow" and pulled out a handy flyer for a "real Thai massage" where you can get two girls!
By the way, Maria, since you found out the meaning of the ping pong shows, you are welcome to explain to Mom.
The other problem with the city is the traffic. Many of you have experienced Atlanta rush hour and probably think that is bad. I can tell you that traffic at 11 am on a Saturday in Bangkok is far worse than anything I have ever experienced in Atlanta. Now I understand how all of those people on the Amazing Race feel in traffic jams. The one good thing is that taxis are cheap and tuk tuks are even cheaper. I actually really enjoyed riding around in the tuk tuks. They definitely give you a sense of adventure. Also, both the taxis and tuk tuks have no limit for the number of people. We went on a 30 minute taxi ride with 6 passengers plus the driver.
The site seeing we did consisted of going to the floating market, the bridge over the River Kwai, and the grand palace. The floating market was very cool, though not how I would want to shop on any sort of regular basis. You rent a boat and driver and go around to other boats that are selling various goods. The best part is seeing all of the people trying to cook soup in a boat. You truly can see nothing like it in the US. As much as I enjoy history, the bridge was not as exciting as I had hoped. It really was just a railway bridge over the river. I was somewhat surprised that more people in our group had no idea what it was, but then I realized I only knew because I had seen the movie many many years ago. The Grand Palace was interesting. My biggest takeway was that it looks much better from far away than up close. Up close, you can see that everything is kind of falling apart and all the decor is fading. It was built in 1782 and I have a hard time imagining what condition it will be in after another 200 years.
By the way, I hope everyone's been cheering on the Cardinals now that they've taken sole possesion of 1st!
By the way, Maria, since you found out the meaning of the ping pong shows, you are welcome to explain to Mom.
The other problem with the city is the traffic. Many of you have experienced Atlanta rush hour and probably think that is bad. I can tell you that traffic at 11 am on a Saturday in Bangkok is far worse than anything I have ever experienced in Atlanta. Now I understand how all of those people on the Amazing Race feel in traffic jams. The one good thing is that taxis are cheap and tuk tuks are even cheaper. I actually really enjoyed riding around in the tuk tuks. They definitely give you a sense of adventure. Also, both the taxis and tuk tuks have no limit for the number of people. We went on a 30 minute taxi ride with 6 passengers plus the driver.
The site seeing we did consisted of going to the floating market, the bridge over the River Kwai, and the grand palace. The floating market was very cool, though not how I would want to shop on any sort of regular basis. You rent a boat and driver and go around to other boats that are selling various goods. The best part is seeing all of the people trying to cook soup in a boat. You truly can see nothing like it in the US. As much as I enjoy history, the bridge was not as exciting as I had hoped. It really was just a railway bridge over the river. I was somewhat surprised that more people in our group had no idea what it was, but then I realized I only knew because I had seen the movie many many years ago. The Grand Palace was interesting. My biggest takeway was that it looks much better from far away than up close. Up close, you can see that everything is kind of falling apart and all the decor is fading. It was built in 1782 and I have a hard time imagining what condition it will be in after another 200 years.
By the way, I hope everyone's been cheering on the Cardinals now that they've taken sole possesion of 1st!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Red Lights
Yes, these are those notorious red lights. The lights of the red light district. We are in Bangkok this weekend, so of course all of the guys wanted to experience the true Thailand experience, so we went to a "ping pong" show. If you try googling that, I will warn you that it was in the red light district of Bangkok, so it's not exactly safe for work. From what I understand of American strip clubs, the only things these places have in common is the naked girls. The things they do here are completely unnatural. I think I am scared for life.
For all the boys out there (and girls, actually), if you're ever feeling low on self-esteem, go to a bar in Bangkok. No girl will ever turn you down. If they can physically reach you, they will hit on you. They do not discriminate between males and females and they're not afraid to start touching if it looks like you're not going to say yes. Needless to say, I have never seen so many middle aged, balding white guys with young, Asian companions.
Today we are off to the temples and palace. Sorry I haven't been updating more.
For all the boys out there (and girls, actually), if you're ever feeling low on self-esteem, go to a bar in Bangkok. No girl will ever turn you down. If they can physically reach you, they will hit on you. They do not discriminate between males and females and they're not afraid to start touching if it looks like you're not going to say yes. Needless to say, I have never seen so many middle aged, balding white guys with young, Asian companions.
Today we are off to the temples and palace. Sorry I haven't been updating more.
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