Thursday, May 14, 2009

things I learned in Thailand

*Always have toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you - the bathrooms are not well equipped.

*Pass on the ice - it is best to drink only bottled water.

*Heat makes you move in slow motion.

*You will sweat 15 out of the 16 hours you are awake.

*the french do not all smoke. that said, the one french girl we camped with smoked enough for all of France.

*if you can't speed eat your ice cream don't buy any, thailand takes the melting factor to a whole new level.

*Stray dogs like to hang out at the temples because the monks won't harm them.

*If you like to pick at your feet, don't also pick at the bug bites on your legs - they will get infected!

*Beware when eating with Kor's dad - you will get more stuffed than with any buffet (that man knows how to order a lot of food!!)

*Remove your shoes before going in a temple, someone's home, or many businesses.

*Do not step on the bottom frame of the doorway when entering a Buddhist temple, step OVER it.

*The card game Hearts always makes you feel better - it can resolve anything from minor disagreements to serious disputes.

*Beware playing cards in public places, you don't want to set bad examples for the local children.

*It is possible to shoot the moon multiple times in a row... but only if you are on a haunted island.

*If you want roti look for a Muslim owned roti stand - they always make it the best.

*Sticky rice and mango is delicious for any and every meal, including breakfast.

*It is best to sneak your third friend into the two-person hotel room rather than declare them - this is a serious $$ saver.

*Tigerbalm can cure almost any wound... note: the only exception is huge brown ant death bites.

*Stay away from big brown ants and be careful about what trees you stand under, they might drop down on you.

*jelly fish are harmless minus the temporary sting.

*if you aren't sweating it means you are severely dehydrated and probably going into heat stroke - sweat is good.

*spf 30 + is a necessity whenever stepping outside.

*hotel bug nets are not effective.

*you cannot always bargain a little lower - although in a lot of places you can.

*keep your purse in sight at all times - safety first!

*Philippine airlines: liquids ok... Thai airlines: same policy as the U.S., and they mean business.

*taxi's often don't have meters, make sure you work out a deal before getting in.

*the ability to say "hi" can qualify you as an english speaker - see the blog on our guide in Phang-nga.

*toast and non-descript marmalade can be advertised as continental breakfast.

*lonely planet > rough guide.

*after May 1st it is officially low season and much cheaper to travel in Thailand.

*getting adjusted to driving on the other side of the road is not as easy as you might think.

*fried fish and rice soup are perfectly normal breakfast foods.

*bottled water is usually the only complimentary item in hotel rooms

*it is possible to have a chance encounter with someone you know, even if you're 7,000 miles from home.

*bouldering over the ocean is a great way to bond with strangers.

*if Kor's house catches on fire when you're sleeping upstairs, he will abandon you without translating "fire" from Thai to english.

*elephants believe there is no such thing as too many bananas.

ok, i could probably think of more but i'm tired after to Bay to Breakers and in need of a nap. despite trying to fight jet lag I am finally realizing that jet lag always wins and fighting it does no good. All for now! Look for the final Thailand survey in a few days :)

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