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Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 08:04:34 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Mr. Green has evolved...
With all progressive life, comes change--and better yet evolution. Mr. Green has returned to Thailand from a week and a half of inspirational travel in the Malay peninsula world cities, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Looking back on the developed photos and journal writings, its hard to believe that I have already left such great places. Remembering the utopian ambiance I felt in the lion's streets-particularly along the emerald Singapore river at CBD (central business district), and along with taking a fresh peaceful sigh of admiration of KL's impressive king skyline in Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) park, its quite hard to readjust to the smog, traffic, and noise of Bangkok. But, you can't have your cake and eat it to right? But also from this short travel experience, as them all, I have gained a greater appreciation and pride for where I come from. And now I'm referring to Thailand. I haven't ever felt it so much of a home to me until this trip. It is my second home, and really, I have no unconstructive complaints for this wonderful country. Sure Singapore and KL are great cities, but I couldn't get half the things at half the prices as I could in Bkk (Bangkok) there so well, every place has something of its own to offer. Just like people. While many people may appear to be robots, every person is bound to offer some difference in variation of the program that you can respect for its own uniqueness. Well kinda...but anyway, as I said, with progression comes evolution. And Mr. Green has advanced. From a productive completion of the past phase(s), Mr. Green has self proclaimed himself a new title:
The Emerald Prince.
Simultaneously, the Emerald Prince has advanced further into this information/communication age. He has purchased himself a mobile phone. Feel free to contact him. Internationally you must dial the country code of Thailand first (66), than 9, and finally 023-3867, But if you are local here, just dial: 09 023-3867 [not current anymore] Ok that's all that is relevant for the moment, but take care all,
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Date: Mon, 27 May 2002 21:55:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: For my first time, I saw a...
...Siamese cat in Siam (Thailand)!! It was at a mini bar/restaurant--more of an addition to a wooden house, near Bpukthien beach, a beach town about 20 km from the provincial capital of Petchaburi. This place thrives off of the three "kru farang" (westerner teachers) that live in beach houses 100 meters from it. Simply known as "Joong's place" to the teachers, they use it for its convenience and budget for a simple meal and beer. Dan, Joe, and Darrell frequent it daily, thus keeping a monthly tab. Dan is from the Toronto area, Joe from upstate New York, and Darrell-Liverpool, England. They are the "veteran" tachers at the company I work at. All of em' have been there maybe half a year to a year. And so this week, I am temporarily staying at a beach house at Bpukthien, near these other teachers'. The past few days, I've been there and Petchburi socializing with the teachers, my employers, and local Thais-preparing my entrance into the local circle. Though next week, I'll move on to another beach house at Cha Ahm beach-some 45 kms from Petchburi. Cha Ahm is a little bigger and more touristy than Bpukthien, thus more resources to live and most importantly commute to work everyday. Pretty exiting!! So I'll keep you all posted on everything as it becomes concrete. later
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Date: Mon, 3 Jun 2002 03:33:42 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: "Good Mon eeng Tea Jer, How ah you today"
The week has been filled with days of teaching and nights taking pride in my beach house. I teach all levels and ages. Depending on the week, I'm leading classes from kindergarden, to Pratom 1-6 (primary school) up to Matayom 1-6 (grade-secondary), and even technical/vocational students. Its a big responsibility, not much room for slack, etc. but I am loving it. It sure beats the machine work that I've had in the past back in the states. The class room is like my (but mainly the student's) stage. And the show is the English language using props from the chalk/dry erase board and my guitar along with everyone's singing voices. There is a scrip-the teacher's manual, but it's real loose and open to improvisation. The main target is speaking and listening.
Matt Mulloy from Colorado joined me late last week. After a full day of teaching in Ratchburi last Wednesday, a few hours outside of Bangkok, I went to pick him up at the airport in Bkk. He arrived at the BKK arrival gate near midnight. We met up and I escorted him to Petchaburi where we arrived 3:30 am. With minimal sleep, taught the following morning. Matt observed me and the other teachers as he was on the schedule to teach the next day, Friday. This last week end, we have been taking pride in our beach house at Bpukthien beach. Matt seems to be adapting accordingly and well. Its great and I can really say I have no complaints about my current situation. But I do have to run now, so take care all for now, Oh by the way, if you need to send me anything, send it to my office base at:
73, 75 Petchkrasemkoa Rd.
T. Klongkrachang, A. Muang
Petchaburi 76000
Thailand
[not current]
Ok, and by the way, if any of you ever are wanderers in the area soon and wanna drop in for a visit, you are welcome, just give me a ring,
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Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2002 03:36:00 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Patience Perforce...When dues are paid...
Second week into full time teaching. The Emerald Prince got up as usual around 5:30 am. Hopped in the shower. The last night--sleeping with the fan on high power, the sea breeze coming through the open screened window, and no comforter rewards nights here with a taste of cool Colorado home weather in contrast to the hot melting days the Thailand sun brings. And thus, the cold shower wasn't one to reckon with. Jumped out quickly and suited up for the day of teaching. Matt and I rushed to our pickup spot down the beach. The bus (modified truck) leaves every 15 minutes after 7 am. For the 25 km ride into Petchaburi, its a good hour sit picking up the various country commuters. The day teaching in both Ratchburi and Petchburi (hour from each other) was filled passionately dirtying my green dress shirt with sweat, chalk, and dry erase marker dust. The tiredness swept over me grandly after lunch and one class. After another hour commute back to Petchburi, one more, and was I relieved finishing that last class.
Just as the students were exiting, the mobile phone shot out its digital ring of "The Entertainer" And so I answered. I heard static of a bad connection and the line cut quickly. Thought nothing of that and just as I was getting my briefcase/bag together, it rang again...This time, a man shouted out in Thai over the static. I eventually gathered that his name was Bancha Kesakorn. I clarified and confirmed. He told me so. His name was the same as my long lost brother! I had to be sure though. So I asked him (everything in Thai) if he was mixed blooded Thai/Westerner just like the boy/man I have seen in many pictures. He told me yes.
My purpose in Thailand was one-to find all my long lost relatives, particularly my brother. I had found everyone except him. For the last 3 months prior to accepting this job, I had wondered the country blindly looking with no real leads or finds. Exhausted with the search, I gave up and vowed that if it were to happen, I'd done all I could, and I had no energy left to continue that wave. Well, I have to run, but my brother has now found me. I am in the process of arranging a meet. I can't really transfer with words the feeling of fulfillment I have at the moment. It is grand beyond language, but I'm sure some of you understand now. I have to rush now as my ride back to the beach is running out, fill you all in on more once it comes, take care
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Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2002 09:53:10 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Oh Brother...
Finishing class on Friday, the Emerald Prince caught a Bangkok bound bus from the little Samut Sonkram roadside depot/terminal. After one and a half hours, I arrived at the Bangkok southern bus terminal in Thonburi. By now, the clock was approaching 18:00 hours. I caught a public bus which took me as far as Democracy monument on the Bangkok side of the Chao Phraya river where I prematurely got off. This led me walking for at least an hour in a darker Bangkok neighborhood before I was able to recognize any surroundings. I managed to catch a tuk tuk to the nearest BTS skytrain terminal, Paya Thai. There I phoned and confirmed my stay at a friend's house for the night. From Paya Thai station, I took the reliable sky train to Ari station along the Sukhumwit line. After browsing at a book store and getting lost finding my friend's shop, I finally met up with my friend. Friday night went by w/o mention-woke up early Saturday morning and by the time I was ready and commuted to the Bangkok eastern bus terminal, Ekamai, it was nearly noon. It was then another three and a half hours on the bus to Jantaburi, near the Thai/Cambodian border. Once arrived at the Jantaburi bus terminal, I caught another regional bus northbound. About another 45 minutes, I got off the bus where I was supposed to be. Through the help of a phone guide (a friend of my brother's) he instructed the hired motorcycle where to go from there.
It was a little confusing and frustrating, but eventually made it. By 2 pm, I was in a hugging grasp with my long lost half brother, Bancha. I had known about him since I was a kid through my mother's old photographs, but he had never known about me untill just last week. Nevertheless, he was on the verge of tears. I symbolized and represented more to him than just a younger half-brother. I was his connection to our deceased mother and everything she had after she left Thailand more than 30 years ago..So the weekend at the family owned orchard was lax. Along with bonding with Bancha, his g/f, daughter, and uncle, also relaxed watching football (world not American) and some world class boxing. As I said, they run a orchard. There were plenty of laborers picking and packaging the fruit called "Lom Yai" (I'm not sure the English name for em' or if there even is one. They are similar to Rambuten but much smaller and not red peels) getting bunches ready for export to China, Indonesia, and elsewhere. And so the view there in Jantaburi country is grand. Pristine lush jungle mountains galore. And while I was there, I never encountered that nasty trash burning smoke that I usually do in the Thai countryside. So that was a plus.
But early Sunday afternoon demanded me back on the commute for a job calls me first thing Monday morning. So my brother drove me to the Jantaburi terminal and saw me off. We are sure to meet again. The door has been pleasantly opened-the bridge harmoniously built. I arrived back here in Petchaburi by 10:30 pm. I did stop over in Bangkok for dinner so I lost some time there. But now I'm back, ready to start a new week with knew light to my wave. Now I shall rest up in my employer's house here. take care all,
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Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 04:12:35 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Vvvrmmm..rmmm...
Three weeks o' full time as an English teacher...the Prince awaits his next challenge, Another step up...a little more responsibility...I bought me a motorcycle!! It's a six year old Susuki, 120 cc purrin kitten. Pretty clean for what I ended up paying for it. (Under 10,000 baht or less than 250 USD) If I saw anything like it in the states, it certainly would be no less than 2000 USD at the very least. One thing about Thailand is there are many more bikes on the road. We are not talking about big ol' harleys, just little dirt-bike sized street bikes. The bikes are just as a part of Thai traffic as cell phones are in society. The Thai country wind blowing in my hair at the work day's end is quite rewarding. Not too mention, I don't have to rely on the public transportation to/from the beach--which limits to me having to come home to the beach every day before 6 pm. This cuts my commute time in half. And best of all, it will be cheaper for me economically. Now lets just hope that it doesn't break down on me soon. Or better yet, I don't get stupid on it. Thailand's roads are nothing back home. It can be a bloody mess out there sometimes, believe me. Not to scare any of you, I'll use my best judgment. Ok, take care,
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Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2002 04:24:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: And now...
Hello all, Its been some time since the last update. And that would be due to busy times. And forgive the brief character of this message, for time stands in the way once again. Teaching has been wonderful and ofcourse, more fulfilling than any other job I've had. Exhausting, yes, but worthy of it. Some of you know that a good friend from the states, Mathew Mulloy had been co living/working with me since the beginning of June. It has been great to have a "brother" right there for 2 months. Unfortunately, but for the better, Matt made the decision to return to the states for higher learning. He left work last week for some indy travel and will fly out Wednesday. I haven't heard from the "Universal Envoy" since his parting from me over a week ago but I imagine he is in good health. Now adapting back to where I was before he came, living and commuting alone, which isn't so bad and don't imagine it will be longer-for I'm sure a new teacher will come soon.
And of course, I have to leave the country briefly again. This coming weekend, I will fly to the city of life, Hong Kong. I will be there only a few short days, but enough to make a dent in my capital, for a lot of you know how expensive the city is (especially coming from somewhere like Thailand). But I'll budget it and come out alive, with stories, pictures, and all the travel likes... now I must run, take care,
END OF PHASE TWO
Contact Jao Moragoat
Transistion : Hongkong
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