A Starlight Soiree

The culmination of my work with the foundation was realized last night at "A Starlight Soiree".  This event, which I had no part in planning but have spent most of my time with foundation working on, went amazing.  I had my four big mistakes which were fixed in time for the actual event so no one actually noticed, but I did.  "A Starlight Soiree" was hosted by the British International School.  This school has primarily farang children and is a beautiful campus.  I would love to start a cross country team there.  Their outside amphitheater was where Julie-Anne Hunter, a world renown soprano, sang opera.  It was spectacular.  To quote a post I put up on the foundation facebook page "Julie-Anne Hunter would have blown the roof off the place if there was one, instead she settled on shattering a few glasses."  We lined the walkway with paper bags filled with sand and candles.  The walkway lead past the registration tent then the silent auction until it headed up to the outdoor amphitheater.  The scene at night was truly amazing.  The event hosted around 160 people which was less than we had hoped but looking back any more people would have made the seating a little cramped.  The whose who of Phuket made it out...or atleast I like to think so.  

The lead up to the day there was an international day at the school where we had a booth.  Sadly we didn't sell many tickets at the event but it was good to be seen.  Because we had to be there around 11:30 am we had a long day with clean up ending around 10:00pm.  I am sure Tina would be happy not to have to see me for a few days.  Everyone I have talked to and heard from though it was a great event.  I am pleased with how the first event I have helped out with at the foundation is now in the bag. One woman said it was one of best events she had been to on Phuket.  None of this would have been possible without the help of so many people involved from the staff on the night, the sponsors, the donors and everyone who had a hand in helping out along the way.
  
This morning I slept in a long time which was very kind of Tina to let me.  After I woke up (around 11:30) I got some items for my fridge (it was beer).  I was putting them away the shelf broke and everything came crashing on the floor.  Luckily I grabbed most of the items in the fridge but my pitcher for water broke and one bottle shattered everywhere (eerily similar to what Julie-Anne did to a glass last night).  Tina was down stairs and ran up to help me out.  I was halfway in the fridge holding bottles of beer from falling surrounded by water, beer and broken glass.  She jumped in and saved me from my precarious situation.  Around 20 mins later we were done cleaning up broken glass (only one bottle broke) and the pitcher of water.  It was a rather sneaky/dumb way of getting Tina to help me clean my floor..she was a good sport about the whole thing.  That was the excitement of the day before a rather busy weekend of social events.


Top 3 for this post is favorite Opera songs:
3. Brindisi, La Traviata -Verdi
2. O Mio Babbino Caro - Puccini
1. Ave Maria - Schubert


Not this Ave Maria or this one.


As always comments are welcomed.  Thanks for reading and I hope you all are doing well.  I think I should have some photos later.

Nai Harn Beach, Patong and Lady Boys

Friday Night I met up with Claire, a Kiwi, who was really good friends with the girls who had my job at the foundation before me.  We got connected through Tina my boss and met up on Friday night in Patong.  Her and her friends have a usual hangout called Bodega.  Bodega is a hostel with a bar.  I ate dinner and it was really good.  I met Claire and her friends which was really nice to meet some farangs.  They all have very similar stories of life on the island and a few of them are dating the Thai staff at Bodega, who are cool guys.  After a late night of hanging out, I got home at 1:30am, I went home to get some quick sleep. 

Sadly at 7:45 am my alarm went off.  Lynn an American teacher with the foundation picked me up around 8:30 and we drove to Nai Harn beach.  Nai Harn is on almost the southern most point on the island.  It was great to be a passenger on the drive down there so I was able to take in the sights.  Anytime I drive myself, on my motorbike,  I get too caught up on the road in front to really appreciate paradise.  We drove through Patong (ie party central), then through Karon, Kata and finally into Nai Harn.  We didnt go to the main beach we went to a little one farther south.  Nai Harn is a big bay.  We got to this beautiful secluded little beach which I would never have known existed.  We dropped our stuff after meeting up with some of Lynn's friends and snorkeled off the beach.  Highlight for me was seeing a sea snake which was about 3 feet long hanging out on the sea floor.  We spent some time relaxing on the beach as all the families arrived.  Lots of little kids and Italians.  Interesting mix I know.  We then went to get food at a nice trendy little joint called Delish.  This is not Thai food.  Lynns friend got a quiche and I got a toastie which was salami, parmesan cheese, rocket, mushroom, and pesto.  Like I said not exactly Thai food.  Lynn then dropped me off back at home and I passed out.  Around 6:30 pm I woke up and went out to get some food before going to a bar and watching the second half of a soccer match. 

10pm came around and I headed back to Bodega in Patong to meet up with Claire and friends for her birthday.  We all met up had some cake and drinks before deciding it was time to hit the town at 1:00am.  You cant exactly do this in Luang Prabang.  Claire wanted to go to the Lady Boy section of Patong.  I was surprised at how packed the town was that late.  We pulled up to a large alleyway lined with bars on each side, tables in the street and a few dance platforms in the middle.  This is something I would never do by myself but was a fun time in a group.  Dancing on the platforms were, well, Lady Boys.  When I heard Lady Boys I just thought guys in drag....OHHH NOO.  These are mostly post op trannies looking to be taken home for the night.  They ranged from the Wow she is absolutely hideous and could probably bench me to the What thats a, What? Are you sure What???  They dance up on the stages until people want to take their photo and then the jump down pose for photos (sometimes with their tops off) and then charge the person taking the photo.  A guy in our group took a photo so this woman came over and took photos with all of us and I got a kiss on the cheek.  Hopefully thats the only/last kiss I ever get from a Lady Boy.  Some of these Lady Boys wore the most revealing clothing I have seen yet.  Sometimes a goofy farang, mostly girls, will jump up on stage with them and dance for a little bit before getting shooed off the stage.  Only lady boys dance on the stage and supposedly must pay for the privilege of going up there.  Their goal is to dance well enjoy for a guy to take them home for some extra curricular activities.  Thats were the real money is.  One of the least attractive, ie very obvious that they were a dude, went up on the stage and then exposed more than her top.  Later on that night she was on stage with a drunk white guy and she basically stripped him.  Another item on the list of things to hopefully never see again.  Around 2:30am the road shut down and the lady boys tried their best for one last shot at going home with someone.  It seemed to meet like it didnt work out very well.  We walked back to Bodega then I drove home.  The roads much busier at 2:30am than 1:30 am.  It was a night I wont forget, and may never repeat but it was a must do.  It confirms that Patong is where the soul of Thailand goes to die.

One thing that is always hilarious to me is how often travelers, primarily back packers, bring up the movie "The Beach".  Its an interesting film and you should all rent it just for the scenery.  I would think most of you wouldnt enjoy the story line.  The thing that is hilarious is that people think that this ideal untouched beach would be available to find considering they have heard where it was filmed.  Every other person talks about it so they cant possibly think that they will be the only ones there.  Sometimes people amaze me.  They will be the only ones on this beach that is still under the radar...I think not.  Every backpacker wants to find it and since the Thai know that its now just another tourist spot not the perfect place the movie makes it out to be.

Of course your favorite part:

 Lynn sitting in her car outside a temple beside Nai Harn lagoon which is 100m from the Nai Harn Beach.

 The main Nai Harn beach.

 The Nai Harn beach we snorkeled off.

Driving down the road with the statue of Buddha looming the background.


Sorry about the lack of photos with Lady Boys.  I hope you all are enjoying yourselves in the much colder weather (I assume).  Always love the comments.  No top 3 list this time.

Social Circle?

Interesting how things in life seems to work themselves out.  This past week has been a crazy one.  It started off by waking up at 6:30 am to go to a bar.  Obviously I was watching the superbowl but there was a little drinking to be had.  The bar was surprisingly almost all Pats fans.  I went into the game wanting a close one and I got it. I got the giants score dead on but thought the pats would get that extra touchdown.  What a game though!  I then headed off to work knowing that the celebratory drinking wasnt going to happen.  This past week I have been at my arts and crafts best preparing for the silent auction next week.  I got connected with some people who live on the island and are about my age so I will be meeting up with them tonight....things are starting to turn around.  I will probably meet them and they will hate me now that I published this post.  I have also met an ex-Portlander who lives in Kamala and used to work with the foundation.  I might be joining her husbands soccer league.  I tried to make it very clear that I am NOT good.  We will see if they truly get desperate enough to have me on their team.  Today I got to meet Julie Anne who will be the Opera singer for our show "A Starlight Soiree".  She came to the Kalim school and sang for the kids.  She was amazing and I cant wait for the real show next Thursday.  It is super hot here and I will have nights where I am sitting at my computer in my kitchen drenched in sweat without doing anything.  Wearing dress slacks to the school everytime I go makes things even worse.  Anyways things are looking up except for one major thing.  I am running out of episodes of Community to catch up on.  It is one of the best shows on tv and sadly it is in an extended break.  I hope it comes back and doesnt go the route of Arrested Development.  Great shows ended before their time.
 
Now for some photos:

 The Kalim School which got wiped out by the tsunami you will see why.

 This is the view from the top floor of the school.

 Another shot from the top floor. Look how close the ocean is.

 The kids playing at coconut club.

Biscuit my arch-nemesis!  Look at those crazy eyes.  I know what he is thinking.....I was to go s*** on your bed!

Thanks for the comments on the last post.  Some great songs on your lists there. 

This posts top three most obscure sports:

3.Western States / Tevis cup (which started out as a man vs horse competition)
2.Jai Alai
1.Stair Climbing

My First Week

Last time I check in I had just gone to my first event with PHBGTUF.  It went great and the kids had a really good time.  The time since has been interesting, exciting and challenging.  I knew going into this position that I was moving half way around the world to work for a tiny organization in a city I have never been and never seen.  I also knew that I didnt know anyone.  This is turning out to be much harder than earlier anticipated.  I almost feel like a kid at his first day of school.  Trying to meet new people is well, really freaking hard.  Normally adults meet other adults through work or mutual friends.  This would seem like an easy way of meeting people and I like my coworkers.   I think they are great people.  The problem is that they have lives (who would have guessed that) and aren't 20 somethings with time on their hands to go out.  This leaves me to make my own friends (shocking I know).  As I stated before its really hard.  I have decided to try a few things. One of which is signing myself up for couchsurfing, so if people are in my area and want to grab a drink I am available.  Sadly I wont actually be able to host anyone.  I have tried going around to bars and for a few days I had a roommate named Ron.  That was a lot of fun to have someone to go out with but alas he has left and I am back on my own.  Any other ideas would be great let me know.  I have tried the go to bars and meet people but most people who go to bars here aren't exactly in my age bracket....ie. grey hair.  I am assuming they aren't looking for a 25 yr old, new drinking buddy.  Dont feel sorry for me I am just relating how difficult it is to truly leave any safety nets behind. 

Now onto the recap of the last week.  We will be hosting a fundraiser on the 16th.  I have spent a lot of time trying to learn as much as I can about work, while setting up the fundraiser.  I feel dumb at times asking my boss, who I know is busy, for things to do but I dont know the ropes yet.  That transition should better come soon. Wednesday night I was taken out to dinner by the Foundation creator's son.  The foundations starter has passed away.  Now his son looks after the restaurant group Baan Rim Pa and the foundation.  The dinner at Baan Rim Pa was one of the best meals I have ever had.  It was nice of him to take me out considering he didnt have to.  It was good to talk to him about how things have changed here over the years and he is a fun guy to talk to. Thursday was my third birthday in SE Asia but the first non on the Mekong.  It was also my first birthday without friends I have known for years or family but was still a good time.  Tina, Graham, Arati, and Ron took me out for some drinks and dinner.  I am not sure when it will sink in that I live in a place where everytime we get drinks on the beach its one of the most beautiful places I have been.  The thing that made my birthday nice was how many people to wished me happy birthday.  Many great friends through facebook and by email reached out to me on the day.  I felt that although I was all the way around the world people spent the time to comment and I appreciated it.  Thank you all. Next time you just have to visit so we can celebrate in person.  Friday I drove over to the second school where we employ an English teach.  She kindly let me sit in on a class. This experience made me so happy that I am not a teacher.  The class was made of up first graders and they might have been on crack.  I give people who can teach all the credit in the world.  I know that if I were a teacher I would have probably killed someone by now.  Well atleast I would have really considered it.  The kids did a lot of singing and screaming English phrases.  Thinking back it was exactly what my Lao classes with Chanta were like but only two students not 19.  Saturday I finally did a relaxing touristy thing, I spent the whole day at the beach and found out Sunday morning that I didn't do as good of a job putting on sunscreen as I thought.  The beach is beautiful but I have never seen so many wrinkles.  If I never see a speedo again it will be too soon but I know I will see some tomorrow.  I forgot about the best part of this whole week.  One night the house cat got locked in my room for what turned out to be 4 hours. When I got home the cat was crying and he had laid a nice little gift on my bed.  I bet you all can get what the gift was.  Anyways I cleared my sheets and had to flip my bed after doing my best to get rid of the smell.  Sadly none of my coworkers felt bad for me they just laughed.  I wish I could say I wouldn't have done the same thing but I would have laughed too. 

Here I am on sunday after my first week I am starting to get the feel for things.  I am spending more money than I originally thought which is shocking fine.  I am finding regular places to eat and drink.  I have become a hit with some of the bar girls because I speak some Thai or they speak Lao.  I have made up an imaginary wife so they know that I am not going to take them home with me.  My roommate Ron was born in the Philippines but is American and every time we went to a bar they would try to speak to him in Thai and I would understand and respond and he would have no idea.  The people at the bar kept saying he looks Thai but doesnt speak it and your white but you kind of speak it.  I was actually sort of proud about my Lao skills.  I still have a lot of studying today but so many expats I have met dont speak any Thai and they survive fine.  I have found a place to watch the Superbowl so at 6:30 am tomorrow I will be sitting at a bar watching the big game.  I hope its a good one.  I was in Vietnam and missed the first Giants Pats match up.  I think the Pats will pull out the win for whatever its worth.  24-21 Pats. 

Currently I am trying to put together the perfect beach music mix.  If you comment please put down your top 3 favorite beach/summer songs.  Here are three of mine:

3.Summertime by Sam Cooke
2.The Boys of Summer by Don Henley
1.The Harder They Come by Jimmy Cliff

As always comments are appreciated and you can talk about almost anything. You could even give me some blog post ideas.