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It's about that time for an update--don't want to let the present slip away into the strings of the past limited as memories to be forgottened in the passing of generations--so here is the Wanderer Green's latest propagations and experiences; Come and indulge in this archive of passionate existence of one Siamerican in central Thailand.
As I advance into the middle of my second week back teaching, I find myself with a full plate of work to be did and dun. So after I finish this blog, my mind should be cleared for humble teaching and efficient web content writing projects over the next several days and, weeks, months, and years to come. Weekend excursion on the motorbike: Most people think I'm insane and ever-daring to make the 100 kilometer trip into Bangkok 's heart, and back-giving me more reason to keep as focused, aware, and conscious as possible in such commutes. Back in 2003, when I was based in Phetchburi and Mae Klong for teaching and Bangkok for studying, I took my Suzuki Akira, motorbike-then back and forth between Bangkok, Mae Klong, and Phetchburi on a few instances over several months span. At that time, it took me about 4 hours in total from Phetchburi, which is a good 160 kilometers into the heart of Bangkok . On that old bike, I was sure to rest the heated motor ever 45 kilomers on such long legs, coasting about 60-70 kph along Rama II highway and some backroads in Samut Songkhram.
Ofcourse in central Bkk, most of the bridges are crossable for all vehicles including motorbikes, but the idea was to avoid the mess of central bkk on a Friday evening and get to my destination on Sukhumwit 62, where my friends' apartment is, of which I arrived 19.45ish. Had a beer at Jussi's and passed out early Friday night hanging at Jermy's pad in the apartment next door. Saturday, eventually got up with Jermy and headed for Bangkok University where we met Jussi in the afternoon at a bar-lounge on Bangkok University soi. Jermy went to class and Jussi and I went up to the Music practice room on the second floor. The 150 baht an hour fee for the room complete with electric guitars, bases, and a trap drum set, is ideal for a group of serious fully coherent musicians, but for our little experiment, is probably best written of as 'kicks' for the dynamic of myself, Jussi, and Jermy-who returned about 17.00 to join in a final hour of noise making. Well maybe with enough persistence and dedication by everyone, it would work, but from what I've seen and felt at the two sessions I've done in the past 3 months, it's not a promising career to plan around. So anyhow, Sunday Saturday night, fell asleep around 22.30ish as was bloated from the beers, singing, and my cheeseburger and additional 7-11 chicken steak burger dinner. Was awoken around 04 am Sunday morning by Jussi and Jermy's chit chat and caught the Mexico Uruguay game, watching Mexico seize Third Place of the Copa America with a convincing 3 nill score. Atleast someone from CONCACAF stood their ground in the South American tournament, as the Stars and Stripes' B team accomplished no victory but hopefully gained valuable experience for the future American squad. After that game, watched some stuff with Jussi and we ultimately decided to go to Panthip Plaza around noon . I wasn't so jumpy to go at first as I didn't have a second helmet and I didn't want to risk a pointless ticket. We ended up buying a cheap plastic 80 baht one in some small Motorcycle accessory shop on the way. It certainly wouldn't have protected his head much if at all, but at least keep the cops from fining us. I didn't end up buying anything at Panthip but Jussi dropped off his notebook to be fixed, and we continued to Victory Monument, where he met his girlfriend, and after two small bowls of noodles, I continued solo back to Samut Songkhram. With several hours of daylight left on my return, I decided to stop at Lotus for some food stock up. Temple School Teaching: As was the story last year (though I failed to archive most of it) throughout the week, in the midst of prestine Coconut orchards, I'm at various Buddhist temple based schools teaching English to primary school students. As religious as it may sound-teaching at a temple school-there's not necessarily any obligation or connection to religion in the state/government school, at least not for me. The students usually get a lesson from a monk every week as Buddhism is a regular school subject in most Thai schools throughout Thailand .
As in Thailand and Siam history past, the first schools were temples. Only then, it was the monks and abbot who were the teachers of the minority privileged students, mostly boys learning to read, write, arithmetic, and moral ethics. When I say temple based school, it doesn't infer that the school and temple share the same facilities and buildings, as they are separated. The standard government schools, usually including their own library, lunchroom, meeting room, administration office, and classrooms, are simply on temple grounds. The school is administered by the Thai government with plain clothes civil servant teachers, while monks are busy with tasks at the temple and/or off-sight i.e. for a ceremony. Aside for a special ceremony, the only time you might see a monk at the school is if he is an Ajarn to give some Buddhist lessons. Anyone who knows anything about Buddhism could attest that its values and outlook are of a completely different nature as that of the brainwashing patriarchal hierarchies of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, among others. In Buddhism, the aim and idea is to have one thinking and figuring out life and existence for oneself via observation, logic, and reasoning, rather than rely on miracles and blind faith in God-fearing scriptures, that likely some powerful king rewrote in his own benefit some thousand years ago. The Buddhist Darma (teachings of Prince Sidartha or Buddha) is merely an archive of the Prince's experiences and the path he took to exit the cycle of suffering, and advance to Enlightenment and higher transcendental existences. The Dharma is by no means a law or code that anyone must blindly believe and fear, but simply an archive of interpretations of teachings by one individual who gave up princely riches to achieve an enlightened path --that one can choose to analyze and embrace, or not. Now folks, the Green Wanderer is not declaring that he is some devout Buddhist or anything for that matter, as this Siamerican needs no single box of classification and limitation to express who he is and what he is about, for he has the power to articulate via writing and composition. It is simply an acknowledgement of a respectable philosophy that Buddhism provides, and more importantly does not force or coerce me to limit myself to it as other religions demand. So anyhow, Buddhism, for the sake of fairness, has nothing to do with my obligations teaching, though I suppose it could be. I am a teacher of American English language to students 4 years old up to 15 years old at four government schools in Samut Songkhram, (three being temple based). From me, the students get songs, phrases, and conversational structures with a native speaker's accent. Some embrace the language and show great intent and motivation, while others find little incentive and reason to remember and retain much as is often the case in Thailand rural classrooms. That's where I come in. As a teacher, I'm not going to make anyone speak perfect English, but perhaps if I inspire a Learner to learn how to learn, than I'd say my job was well-done. The difference with Thailand and other ASEAN countries that have a high standard of English i.e. Phillipenes, Malaysia, and Myanmar is Thailand was never formally colonized by English Speaking nations and so have retained a strong pride in their (our) own identity and language. In fact, July 29 is Thai Language day. I'll make sure to devote some new Thai learning on that day! As far as other obligations that I am committed, the last two days, worked diligently to complete my columns for Nation Junior, and now with that out of the way for at least a week, got to tackle some other website content writing soon. Monday night, got drunk and bloated watching Thailand get hammered by Australia in the AFC Asian cup, to lose all 2nd round advancing hopes...bummer! Well, atleast it will be less excuse to go get drunk and fattened... Well anyway, it's Tuesday evening now and the rains have been coming down in short yet heavy intervals as does around here. It seems to have stopped at this moment so perhaps the Tuesday night flea market in front of the municipal building is still up and going. I need to exchange some bad dvds I bought last week and perhaps catch a bite. So untill next time..Sawut dee ! END OF LOG Reader's Comments Great stuff about your last trip on the bike to Thailand and back to Samut Songkhram. Wish I could have been their with my bike to accompany U in S Songkhram -Klaus K (D.U.D.) August 4, 2007 |
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With my Kawasaki ZX 130, I was advised by the dealer that the bike would be fine for 2 hour legs without overheating at a speed of 70-80 kph, which is about what I averaged leaving Mae Klong, Friday the 13 th , evening about 6pm. Didn't take any rest stops as I wanted to take advantage of the clear skies in case the monsoons decided to delay me. Drove for about an hour straight, making it into Bangkok just before sundown. Decided to search for a new route around Prapa Daeng neighborhood, catching a vehichle ferry for 5 baht to get my bike across the Jao Phraya as south of Rama 9 bridge, so I was told by a 7-11 employee when asking for directions, ferry crossing was the only option for getting a motorbike across.