Hello to all once again. I hope that everyone enjoyed Inauguration Day and what I hope is a bright future. From what I have heard, the Inauguration Party was the biggest event since the Emancipation Proclimation:) Anyway, I was happy to hear the party was a hit because the next 4-8 years will be the EXACT OPPOSITE of that. However, now that I have commented on that, Go Obama!
In this post I want to share with all of you the joys of transportation. I feel that people in the U.S.A (as well as other countries) take for granted the enforcement of traffic laws. If this is not understood, let me explain. I wake up each morning at 6:30am and leave my building by 7:20am. I take the #113 bus to the front of the village where my school is located. When people get on and off the bus, it DOESN'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP! Typically, at this time in the morning, there are never seats available and there are more people standing than sitting. The floors are made of wood that are tough to keep balance on when wearing shoes that could possibly be used for downhill skiing and all there is to hold on to is bars that are as thick as my thumb. This wonderful ride can be all yours for the price of about 10 baht (30 cents).
Once I get off at my stop, I get to take a motorcycle taxi from the front of the village to my school which is about 2-3 miles away. The driver wears a helmet, and the passenger (ME) does not get to wear one. There are quite a bit of traffic during this time because of school transportation, but these men drive like there is nobody else on the road. They dodge vehicles as if they are traffic cones and go over speed bumps as if they are driving MOTORCROSS in the Superdome! I am not quite sure about their lives at home, but a part of me feels as if they wake-up every morning and say, "I hate my job! I cannot stand my wife, and if today is the day it ends, I AM TAKING SOMEONE WITH ME!" They drive as if they have a complete disregard for life. This amazing ride can be all yours for the price of 17 baht (50 cents). The good news for me is that I get to do it all over again when school gets out. There were times I got nervous when Jom would be driving her motorbike, but in her defense, compared to these guys, she drives like she is in a parade.
Well, I believe that is all for now. I hope you enjoy visualizing me going to work every morning and also appreciate the enforcement of traffic laws back home. As you can hopefully understand, I don't need to spend any money on a cup of coffee in the morning:) Until next time, keep on rockin' in the free world!
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Bah, ha ha! Now that was funny. I thought you were learning how to ride one of those death machines? You could just walk, ya know? Maybe buy a bicycle and act like the rich American? Just a few ideas. Seriously, sounds like a great way to wake up in the morning
ReplyDeleteThat is hilarious...well only because I don't have to do it!!
ReplyDeleteI hope all is still going well.
Love and miss you!!
So I gather you have the “white knuckle death grip” from the time you leave home until the time you get to school. And then again on the way home. Hard to believe it but I bet your grip is getting even stronger than before. My question is do you bring a change of clothes, and I really mean briefs, just incase you soil yourself? I'm picturing you along with 2 or 3 other people and a cage full of chickens or pigs riding a motor bike built for one. And on top of that you’re going like bat outta hell! That's just precious Jon, just precious...ha!
ReplyDeleteJon-A-Tin...oh it make me so happy to hear you have all the good time. I hear the fire show on New Years was oh so beautiful. I'm glad you learn how to take the ba (bus). Enjoy all your time and have all the good time. Take care of my baby! Love you! Uncle G p.s. hope to see you in April. the trip is still up in the air but will keep you posted.
ReplyDeleteJon, your description of the chaotic traffic in Thailand matches how one would describe the traffic in Vietnam. The same craziness and near-death experiences. Somehow, somehow, people manage to avoid colliding into one another in the very last minute. Try searching for "Ho Chi Minh City traffic" on Youtube.com and you'll see. Rush-hour traffic would have millions of people on motorbikes moving in every direction and only an inch or so apart from each other. Crossing the street takes a leap of faith and a ton of courage.
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