February 6-11, 2006
Got to our hotel in downtown Bangkok at 2:30 am Monday morning. We are staying at the 5 star Plaza Athenee Royal Meridian Hotel. United Airlines 747 was like an old jalopy but it got us first to Tokyo and then, another 6 hours later, to Thailand. The plane reminded me of the space ships in Dan’s Star Wars videos they way it bounced around like a ping pong ball. I was sure the wings would snap off, but apparently no one else shared my worries. There was lots of food and drink, plus my seat mates were from Thailand so had nice conversations. They taught me Thai words. Don't know if I slept much, I mostly just rested and closed my eyes. Once to our 5 star hotel (fanciest I’ve been to in a long time) it felt good to stretch out in bed. Hotel is very nice, but very hot. I don't think the lobby/restaurant is air conditioned. It's still rather dark outside this morning.
Right now it is 3:45 Tues morning in IL. It is fun hob-knobbing with ISU’s president. Had dinner on top of the Banyon Tree Hotel last night - 61st floor. Today we toured grand palace. My capri pants didn’t measure up so I was politely handed a wrap around skirt. Later I had a full body massage for $7, paid for by SWU, the Thai university. The massage place was also right next to the reclining Budda, but we were so relaxed after the massage that we forgot to check it out. I did surprisingly well with the massage.
Tonight we have dinner on the river. Food is good. Had foia grais (duck liver) in a soup, but the wine was fab... I've enjoyed the spicy food, although a lot of it is served buffet style which isn’t my favorite approach but when in Thailand, do as the Romans, er, I mean Thais.
Rossman and I go swimming every day before breakfast in the beautiful outdoor pool on the roof of our hotel. Went out with the girls (the high level administrators from ISU, heh, heh) to the night market last night. Just a bunch of shops where you bargain for gifts. Don't really know what to buy anyone so I'm just getting little Buddha statues, chop sticks, refrigerator magnets to give away. I'm told that Thais don't use chop sticks, but I doubt anyone will know this back home.
Today we go to the university. We were supposed to give a presentation to the students but poor planning and they have something else to do. Hum.
Our boat cruise was funny. A big ole rickety boat that swayed and bobbed in the river. Everyone kept it together and didn't get sick. A variety of Thai stir fry was served up with mounds of rice as the boat pitched and rolled its around the Chao Phraya river.
Not feeling so well this morning. Went to a cultural show which was good, but I slept through part of it as the chairs were too relaxing. Hope you guys are well. When I don't feel well then I just want to be home with you. But it's been 12 hours now and I'm sure I'll be better as today begins.
How is Dan doing? What’s the weather like? Anybody die? What other gossip is out there?
It's not quite Feb 10 (2 hours short) but I'm going to wish Tom Terrific happy birthday! I'd tell you to take the day off but you have to take care of Dan! Oh dear. Well, Happy Birthday to you just the same! I'll give you the day off when I get home.
Today we finished our work at the university. Made a presentation, met with deans, interviewed a potential graduate student, met with faculty, reviewed curriculum, and discussed the possibility of a faculty exchange this summer between the Thai university and ISU.
The Thai people go above and beyond with hospitality. It's been an amazing experience.
Hope all is well in the US. We fly home on Sunday and get back into Chicago at 2:30 after nearly 24 hours in travel time. I wonder what it will feel like to teach on Monday and attend meetings!
We went to a floating market today near the Burma border, SW of Bangkok. People sell their veggies and fruits from long boats. Pretty cool.
Am feeling better. The problem was I drank the water from the hotel room faucet which was a no no. Ended up with bacteria and needed an antibiotic.
Went to a floating market yesterday about 80 minutes away. Really neat.
The ISU gala was a classy affair. This trip has really made me feel thrilled that I work at ISU. I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know 3 Thai women who have graduated from ISU with EdDs and now hold high admin positions at SWU.
Thai people look sooo young.
Got to our hotel in downtown Bangkok at 2:30 am Monday morning. We are staying at the 5 star Plaza Athenee Royal Meridian Hotel. United Airlines 747 was like an old jalopy but it got us first to Tokyo and then, another 6 hours later, to Thailand. The plane reminded me of the space ships in Dan’s Star Wars videos they way it bounced around like a ping pong ball. I was sure the wings would snap off, but apparently no one else shared my worries. There was lots of food and drink, plus my seat mates were from Thailand so had nice conversations. They taught me Thai words. Don't know if I slept much, I mostly just rested and closed my eyes. Once to our 5 star hotel (fanciest I’ve been to in a long time) it felt good to stretch out in bed. Hotel is very nice, but very hot. I don't think the lobby/restaurant is air conditioned. It's still rather dark outside this morning.
Right now it is 3:45 Tues morning in IL. It is fun hob-knobbing with ISU’s president. Had dinner on top of the Banyon Tree Hotel last night - 61st floor. Today we toured grand palace. My capri pants didn’t measure up so I was politely handed a wrap around skirt. Later I had a full body massage for $7, paid for by SWU, the Thai university. The massage place was also right next to the reclining Budda, but we were so relaxed after the massage that we forgot to check it out. I did surprisingly well with the massage.
Tonight we have dinner on the river. Food is good. Had foia grais (duck liver) in a soup, but the wine was fab... I've enjoyed the spicy food, although a lot of it is served buffet style which isn’t my favorite approach but when in Thailand, do as the Romans, er, I mean Thais.
Rossman and I go swimming every day before breakfast in the beautiful outdoor pool on the roof of our hotel. Went out with the girls (the high level administrators from ISU, heh, heh) to the night market last night. Just a bunch of shops where you bargain for gifts. Don't really know what to buy anyone so I'm just getting little Buddha statues, chop sticks, refrigerator magnets to give away. I'm told that Thais don't use chop sticks, but I doubt anyone will know this back home.
Today we go to the university. We were supposed to give a presentation to the students but poor planning and they have something else to do. Hum.
Our boat cruise was funny. A big ole rickety boat that swayed and bobbed in the river. Everyone kept it together and didn't get sick. A variety of Thai stir fry was served up with mounds of rice as the boat pitched and rolled its around the Chao Phraya river.
Not feeling so well this morning. Went to a cultural show which was good, but I slept through part of it as the chairs were too relaxing. Hope you guys are well. When I don't feel well then I just want to be home with you. But it's been 12 hours now and I'm sure I'll be better as today begins.
How is Dan doing? What’s the weather like? Anybody die? What other gossip is out there?
It's not quite Feb 10 (2 hours short) but I'm going to wish Tom Terrific happy birthday! I'd tell you to take the day off but you have to take care of Dan! Oh dear. Well, Happy Birthday to you just the same! I'll give you the day off when I get home.
Today we finished our work at the university. Made a presentation, met with deans, interviewed a potential graduate student, met with faculty, reviewed curriculum, and discussed the possibility of a faculty exchange this summer between the Thai university and ISU.
The Thai people go above and beyond with hospitality. It's been an amazing experience.
Hope all is well in the US. We fly home on Sunday and get back into Chicago at 2:30 after nearly 24 hours in travel time. I wonder what it will feel like to teach on Monday and attend meetings!
We went to a floating market today near the Burma border, SW of Bangkok. People sell their veggies and fruits from long boats. Pretty cool.
Am feeling better. The problem was I drank the water from the hotel room faucet which was a no no. Ended up with bacteria and needed an antibiotic.
Went to a floating market yesterday about 80 minutes away. Really neat.
The ISU gala was a classy affair. This trip has really made me feel thrilled that I work at ISU. I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know 3 Thai women who have graduated from ISU with EdDs and now hold high admin positions at SWU.
Thai people look sooo young.
I am tired of buffet style food, Thai or otherwise. Please don't make rice for dinner on Sunday.
Most people went home today (pres and his entourage). Sandy, Bob and I return tomorrow and the last three return early next week. Our friend Panpim will take us shopping today. We had dinner at the Seafood Market Restaurant, a big brightly lit restaurant where you pick out the meat (seafood) you want and tell the cook how you want it prepared. You even go to an area of the restaurant where you pick out the wine you want. Everything is bought to your table and served lazy-susan style. Feeling better after my bout of bacteria, and being served my favorite food in the world (seafood), I was a happy camper! Plus, the wine was fab.
The trip home went well. At Tokyo, Bob and Sandy left 2 hours before me so I flew home across the pond alone. I enjoyed walking around the Tokyo airport but only bought batteries. Do you know they have little shelves that you can rent to sleep in? Reminds me of a crypt... They also had internet service which I enjoyed.
Most people went home today (pres and his entourage). Sandy, Bob and I return tomorrow and the last three return early next week. Our friend Panpim will take us shopping today. We had dinner at the Seafood Market Restaurant, a big brightly lit restaurant where you pick out the meat (seafood) you want and tell the cook how you want it prepared. You even go to an area of the restaurant where you pick out the wine you want. Everything is bought to your table and served lazy-susan style. Feeling better after my bout of bacteria, and being served my favorite food in the world (seafood), I was a happy camper! Plus, the wine was fab.
The trip home went well. At Tokyo, Bob and Sandy left 2 hours before me so I flew home across the pond alone. I enjoyed walking around the Tokyo airport but only bought batteries. Do you know they have little shelves that you can rent to sleep in? Reminds me of a crypt... They also had internet service which I enjoyed.
Tom met me in Chicago and it was great to be home. Thailand is a fascinating place. I would love to return and visit Chang Mai and the south coast. The Thai people were so welcoming and hospitable.
