Sawatdee ka from Bangkok. Finally.
I should have known, as I was writing blog one, that I was being overly optimistic. With a snowstorm predicted for DC, my 6am flight to New York was cancelled at 10pm the night before, forcing me to cancel my beautifully orchestrated 17 hour, non-stop, Premium seat, flight on Thai Airways from JFK-Bangkok. I will admit to being really heartbroken imagining that perfect seat on the perfect flight going to waste. Especially since it was purchased for Thai Airway's upgraded economy-located between coach and first class. In my imagination it was quite a seat: on the aisle, 100% recline, empty seat next door, and an easy 17 hours of non-stop on demand movies with delicious food. I had to cancel this ticket for a refund and, with no other options, buy a ticket on the WORST international airline, Cathay Pacific. Here I want to denounce Cathay Pacific and suggest that you not use it ever.
I should have known, as I was writing blog one, that I was being overly optimistic. With a snowstorm predicted for DC, my 6am flight to New York was cancelled at 10pm the night before, forcing me to cancel my beautifully orchestrated 17 hour, non-stop, Premium seat, flight on Thai Airways from JFK-Bangkok. I will admit to being really heartbroken imagining that perfect seat on the perfect flight going to waste. Especially since it was purchased for Thai Airway's upgraded economy-located between coach and first class. In my imagination it was quite a seat: on the aisle, 100% recline, empty seat next door, and an easy 17 hours of non-stop on demand movies with delicious food. I had to cancel this ticket for a refund and, with no other options, buy a ticket on the WORST international airline, Cathay Pacific. Here I want to denounce Cathay Pacific and suggest that you not use it ever.
That being said, it was really nice to be sort of snowed in with Jeremy for Valentine's Day and get an extra 24 hours at home. Sort of settled my mind and got me prepared for the actual departure.
The Flight. I flew DC-JFK (with significant delays since apparently 1 inch of snow/ice cannot be properly managed at the airport in either city.) Then flew 16 hours from JFK to Bangkok SQUISHED next to the wall of the airplane in a place where it actually curved outwards on me! Leg room, and I'm not exaggerating here. is 12 inches between seat and next seat. My knees, and I am short you know, hit up against the seat in front of me. First meal made me very sick-forcing me to stand in a 10 person deep line for one of the 4 bathrooms trying to accomodate hundreds of cattle in coach. Then there was my seat mate. Miss Yiu. Apparently going home for Chinese New Year. Age unidentifiable. She had no sense of personal space and liked to jab me with her elbow. Also insisted that I operate her movie remote control as she couldn't possibly be expected to turn on the Cantonese option and figure it out herself. And finally, I will admit to using for the first time the little eye shades for sleeping since Miss Yiu refused, for 16 hours, to turn off her overhead light. Oh, and have I mentioned the 55 men from Philadelphia sitting in my section who were part of a parade performance group? Turns out they were all too big for their seats and ended up standing in the aisles most of the time. They regaled us all with bursts of singing, clapping and yelling out oh so hilarious comments like "hey, do you need a passport to enter Hong Kong?" Loved them.
I made it through thanks to two very nice girls from Hong Kong behind me who spoke English. We passed the time discussing our favorite episodes of Sex and the City and both of their boyfriend troubles.
Finally flew the Hong Kong-Bangkok leg. Arrived at midnight to learn that my luggage was still in New York. Making me very anxious that they had discovered my contraband (pepper spray) and were ransoming my things for a $250,000 penalty fine. However, I was promised they would arrive the next day so I went on my way.
Hotel is fine. Sleep was good. Luckily packed all overnight and makeup necessities in my carry-on.
I spent all day yesterday with my friend from graduate school, Darrin, and it was so great to see her face at the hotel! We went to a party for her former boss's daughter and received a home made noodle meal and green tea ice cream cake. The rest of the day is a sort of jet lagged blur. Darrin has endless energy! We went for a boat ride down the river, we took the skytrain, we shopped, we went to the mall, had gelato, saw her apartment, visited a spa, and then had dinner out with her friends.
In one of those bizarrely random occurences we ran into another IDS graduate at the spa. Sweta Shah! Sweta works in Nepal for the IRC and was just in Bangkok for one day. What a small world. I love it when that kind of thing happens. Makes me wonder who else might be in this city.
So while Darrin beautified herself for dinner I tried to clean up my t-shirt (which had been worn for approximately 36 hours at this point (although it hadn't been slept in fortunately) and pull myself out of the heat/jetlag stupor. Darrin assured me that the dinner was informal. Hah! We get there and all of her friends are dressed up and ready to go out. I definitely looked like the poor relation. Anyway, we ate at a place called Cabbages & Condoms (which has a really interesting premise if you want to google it) and stuffed ourselves on Thai food. In a very funny twist, I paid with my debit card and at that same time Jeremy was checking our bank account online only to see a late night charge come through for a place with Condoms in the name. He didn't know it was a restaurant. We had a very funny conversation about it this morning! :) ]
Today I went to lunch and the Chinese New Years celebrations with Lynne, my boss, and her husband and friends which was a great time. However, we made the mistake of ordering Peking Duck at lunch. This is the speciality of the house and very popular at this time of year. I will post photos later. It came as fried and sweetened skin peels first. These were eaten wrapped in small crepes with sauce. Fine. Good. Then the duck arrived. It had been chopped, bones and all, into small, horrid, chewy gross pieces. Horribly disgusting. We all sort of stared at it in horror for awhile. Attempted to chew off a bit of meat. Asked the waitress about it - creating horror in her that we were horrified at it (as this is the house favorite) and then promptly orded dim sum, fried rice and sweet/sour chicken instead. Hey, I ate the skin-that should count for something.
It was a very good day. Clear blue sky. Yes, hot and sweaty but not unbearable. The Chinese New Year's celebration was hilarious as they spent a good deal of time presenting important people on stage with plaques and other awards. The grand finale award was accompanied by Star Wars music, confetti and a box of gold! Goodness only knows what that was about but we got a great laugh out of it.
All in all I have to say that this time around (vs. 10 years ago as a college student) I have a very different view of Bangkok. Huh, who would have guessed that living in a hotel instead of a roach infested apartment with only cold water and a squat toilet would be more comfortable? That taking taxis instead of buses is easier? That eating in restaurants vs. shacks on the street results in a calmer stomach? I love Bangkok! I love having a salary and expenses paid for! I know I have to visit the English Center I volunteered at 10 years ago but I am fearful of breaking the spell and falling back into that disgusting world of stink and sweat and general grossness of 10 years ago! 
Not much more to report. I start work tomorrow and after a crash course in wai-ing (the steepled hand greeting) today - ie. who to wai, how high or low it should be based on their status, my own status now giving me a different sort of wai responsibility, etc, I think I am ready. At least I am ready for the first 10 seconds of greeting!
Amanda
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