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September 23, 2002
A mansion and a temple
yesterday was very neat. i got to see a temple that in all of the 15 years of traveling to Thailand, i've never seen. it's called Wat (Temple) Pra Kaew. according to the travel books, the emerald buddha inside is one of the most sacred buddha's in Thailand. lots of foreigners roaming around as it's one of those "must-see" tourist attractions.
(rant) one thing i hate about Thailand is their perception that since westerners make more money, they are somehow allowed to charge them more for the same services. this is complete and utter nonsense. at the front of the temple entrance they had "free clothing rental" (not including the socks you must buy) which included renting skirts if you were wearing shorts and black sandals (which if you're Thai you do not have to rent). they take a piece of I.D. from you and give you a key to a locker which all have numbers on them. these numbers on the key, locker, and cubby hole with shoes in them are non-descript. of course me being an american somehow could not comprehend how this system was used so when kris and i got back to retrieve her shoes, found a locker that was double-locked. well according to the lady running the show, i failed to easily realize that the system in place was to take crappy black sandals from and put own shoes into locker with corresponding number. the system was so backwards that i started ranting like a mad man when we got back. no signs posted, no nothing about how people are supposed to do things. just little white cards that say "use these sandals", "lock things in locker". this rant is getting way too long but the whole fact that Thai people didn't have to "rent" the "free clothing" and could wear crappy shoes irritated me. so walking out of the place I was ranting in Thai about how screwed up the system was and that they didn't know what they were doing. of course Thai people being non-confrontational, were a bit surprised and were caught off guard. in this day and age when people go other places expecting to be treated the same, this sort of thing is intolerable, it irritates me just as much when they think they can charge foreigners a different (read 2x) price for goods. as soon as i start speaking Thai, things usually are a bit more fair. (/rant)
one of the interesting things i pondered while i was there is about how Thai people are so superstitious and lifes triumphs as well as difficulties are explained by 'luck'. while visiting grandparents, after saying goodbye and leaving, one of the last things they always say is "good luck". after thinking about how my beliefs have switched from luck to fate and destiny, i've realized that the change in my fundamental beliefs are huge. however the majority of the population in Thailand which is buddhist believes in chance and reincarnation. more microcosmically, we're talking about the other half and largest part of my family. it doesn't put me off or bother me though, to each their own i suppose.
after the temple, my step-mom took kris and i out to lunch. kris is doing amazing with the food and all of the culture. i don't think she gives herself nearly enough credit as she deserves. a lot of times she'll tell me what she likes and doesn't like so after awhile i got concerned about her being able to handle the different culture and world that makes up thailand. nope, no trouble with the food, the people or anything like that. (the only thing she's complained about so far is the hard bed's we're sleeping on which are as soft as a blanket on a tile floor)
after lunch it was on to the mansion of king rama the fifth. kris and i went on the english speaking tour alone while my mom waited for us. the lady giving the tour speaking the english was so unintelligeable that we got maybe 30-40% of what she said. the tour was very cool though, much like that of the biltmore estates in north carolina. no photography was allowed but that was understandable. fortunately today the whole place which was open-air up until a few years ago has class window panes and full central air-conditioning now.
aside from some of the moronic idiosyncracies, the day was much fun. these sort of trips force you to think more and analyze the fundamental cultural differences as well as suck in all the beauty of the moment.
pictures are here
Posted by beamz at September 23, 2002 8:47 PM
Comments
I just looked at your piccys again :) I'm so glad you guys are having fun...even if they do charge you more for it hehe. I'd freak out if my house was flooded. Hugs to you and Kris. Oh yeah, it's my cousin Jonathan's wedding in Chicago. Tree and I will be there Nov 1-3. Are you guys close enough to visit?? That'd ROCK.
The wedding's at uhhh some basilica thingy and the receptions at the university club and our hotel is the palmer house.
Posted by: krystal at September 24, 2002 3:50 AM
It sounds like your vacation is doing both you and Kris a lot of good.
I think its interesting that your expectations are to be treated the same. The idea that men are created equal seems to be an American idea.
Perhaps they charge foreigners more because in general they are disrespectful or expect special treatment?
As for fate and destiny, I believe that even destiny needs a little luck sometimes.
Glad to hear everyone seems to be having a good time.
Take care.
Posted by: espidre at September 27, 2002 5:32 PM