May 16th, 2005
Day 3 — my first day at work!
Thais probably lead the world in the transportation department. I can’t even count on my hands all the ways to travel around town! Just yesterday I rode the canal boat to the Banglampoo section of town, a “tuk tuk” (kind of like a golf cart on steroids) to the piers, then down the river on a long river-style boat to Khlong San, and the skytrain back to Siam Square where I live. So far, seeing Bangkok is the most fun from a boat on the wide Chao Phraya River. Some Thai boats are very exotic-looking, with very long “tails” (pointed bows) and prayer flowers (kind of like leis, but made of jasmine and roses) hanging from the bows. All the boats seem to have special sections just for monks to ride in.
My guest house room is tiny, with a slightly noisy air conditioner, double bed, small desk. The bathroom (shower, sink, regular toilet) occupies a room half the size of a small closet! My window overlooks a cute little alley. I wish I could open the window, but the air outside is hot and thick. Housekeeping keeps my room super clean, especially the floor, which is spotless. I do yoga on it each morning before the sun comes up. The family that runs this guest house has two twin white, fluffy dogs that wear goofy grins and collars of tinkling bells. They really make me laugh. I get a complimentary breakfast of toast, fruit and coffee every morning downstairs in the “lobby”. Outside on the porch, tiny fish swim in earthenware pots filled with lily pads.
So last night I watched Kingdom of Heaven in English in a posh, airconditioned theater — much nicer than any theater I’ve been to in the U.S. ! After the previews and funny Thai commercials for washing machines and canned fish, all moviegoers had to stand to “pay homage to His Majesty the King”. It was truly an amazing montage including the king’s baby photos, school pictures, and more recent fancy ones, with on-screen fireworks and a full symphony/choir version of the Thai national anthem.
Today was my first day at work!!! I was a little intimidated by the palace-like UNESCO building with huge walls and guard house. The soldiers working at the gate salute me each time I walk by and one of them told me he was “Happy, happy, happy, happy!!!!!” to see me. I have my own desk and a very nice computer in an air-conditioned office on the second floor. The people working at UNESCO are from ALL OVER the world. My co-worker Francisco, a 60-year-old Philipino man who has the Star Wars theme song on his cel phone, showed me around and introduced me to everyone on every floor! I am currently editing the adolescent reproductive health country profiles for Bhutan, Myanmar, Indonesia and Pakistan.
Francisco took me out to lunch and that’s when I made him tell me his whole life story, which is the MOST AMAZING one I’ve ever heard. It includes four years of Catholic priesthood, escaping death by firing squad by fleeing into the mountains of the Phillipines to disguise himself as a farming monk, learning Hebrew in Israel, working for eight years in Nigeria as U.N. Communications Special Envoy, and MUCH more. He related all this to me and more while we ate “Miso Tofu Sea-Shell Soup” and a pork salad called “Miss Saigon” for lunch at the soho-style Greyhound Cafe while Billie Holiday played on the stereo. This place is one crazy experience after another!
Correction to yesterday’s post: Khao San Road is NOT where the most commercial sex workers are; rather, it’s Patpong, which is Bangkok’s red light district.