I have been waking up early every morning. I'm no longer riding my bike 15 miles a day or running around during work for 6-8 hours, combined with early mornings, makes for perfect early morning walks at sunrise. I am in Chiang Mai Province, not the city proper, but I don't think I could tell you exactly where I am. There is not a lot surrounding the small pond enclosed compound that I'm staying at for the next four weeks, but it is beautiful.
The compound is fine and normal and beautiful in front. Ganesh and happy elephants are there to welcome everyone. Ganesha is my personal favorite and, I believe, a popular one in Thai culture, too.
The back of the compound is a bit more... rough? Not as well maintained?
I'm in Bangkok. The last time I traveled out of the country was to Puebla, Mexico just about a year ago, exactly. The trek here was completely insane and I am not yet fully recovered from the 22 HOURS of traveling. I flew with Korean Air, which was great. I know a little bit about Asian flight attendant culture because my manager at my school in Tokyo was preparing to become a flight attendant, and I helped her with her interview questions which had to be done in English. An entirely different realm of society exists between Asian flight attendants and American flight attendants. The differences are based on the companies and the cultures the companies come from, but seriously! I wish I had taken photos. The Korean Air outfit is a khaki skirt-suit with a light blue satin blouse and a twisty thing that is perfectly placed above an immaculate bun and slight bouffant. Look at this video for their "new uniform campaign" (but only look at the Asian women, because there were only beautiful Asian models on both of my flights):
Now compare that ad with the stereotypical version of riding on Southwest Airlines. My former manager, Taka, went through 4 interviews for her flight attendant's job-- 4! Speaking English is a must. Additionally, you must speak whichever language is native to your company's homebase. I wouldn't be surprised if a third language was required. My flight was from Chicago to Seoul was translated from Korean into English and Japanese, and my flight from Seoul to Bangkok was translated with those three plus Thai. Truly amazing. These woman are smart! I got the vegetarian meals, which were blah, but included lots of fruits and salad, so I was happy. The cutlery wasn't plastic, but metal. The bathroom at toothbrushes and toothpaste and fancy face moisturizers. On the flight from Seoul to Bangkok we got ice cream, which I don't normally like, but devoured because it was my 20th hour in the air and I needed sugar. Ok enough.
I am traveling with only an enormous backpack and a small messenger bag. It's 90+ degrees. I have been up since 4am (it's 1:45pm now). The time difference in 12 hours from Chicago: I didn't have to change my watch. Today I did somethings that I have already done in Bangkok back in 2009. I bought jeans from MBK, they fit perfectly and were cut to the length I wanted. I bought eyeshadow from Boots. I trolled around Siam Square where I had a Kiwi ice shake. I drank a hot espresso- delicious! All in all I might actually be tired. I might actually be delirious. I have another flight to catch tomorrow morning, but today is for relaxing, eating, getting over jet lag.
