Communication

It's a big world and a small one. 

I called Verizon and I got my phone to work in Thailand. They're on the same network. I may not have coverage up in Mae Sot because of hills. Same as Deruyter.

It will cost $2/minute to talk. Text is $.50 or $0.05 so Jim and I will be doing lots of texting. The time difference is 11 hours.

Jim just calls my number normally. I need to dial 0011 (315) xxx-xxxx.

Other ways to keep intouch are:

this blog

twitter

facebook

gmail

That seems like enough. I should have access to a computer at the hotel in Bangkok. Not sure about Mae Sot. I'm sure there's wi-fi there but I just need a computer. Not sure if anyone in my group is bringing one. 

Can I really learn Thai?

I bought the learn-thai CD's (Pimslers) and loaded them on my ipod, along with some podcasts I found. Then I listen to them driving around. I've been in the car alot lately and just finished with lesson 10 today. Each lesson is 1/2 hour. Think 5 hours is enough? I can ask you if you want to eat rice (gin kao) with me or in a restautant. And do you want to drink water? 

my cow jai translates to "don't understand". I hope I can say more than that.

I do think I understand the format of the language. It's alot simpler than others with no tenses. But there is that tonal language thing. 

I took french in school for 6 years. I remember quite a few words but suck at verb tenses and such. So maybe Thai is my language. 

Tonight I ordered a thai-english pocket dictionary. so I guess I'm all set.

Bangkok Dangerous

Since Mom & Dad were in town this weekend we took advantage and Jim and I went to a matinee of Bangkok Dangerous. I wanted to go just to see how they portrayed Thailand. Wound up liking it much more than I thought I would. Nicholas Cage was kind of engaging as a tragically heroic bad guy.  We only had to close our eyes twice for the really gory parts, although there was lots of violence. 

Most of this movie took place at night so I'm not sure it looked like what I will see. But I listened hard when they were speaking Thai. I think there was 2 words I picked out and one "thank you". Nobody added ka and khap at the end of their sentences. 

Bangkok Safely

I bought emergency evacuation insurance today for $95. Could have gotten it a little cheaper but this one sounded like I had some say in what hospital they send me to. Went through InsureMyTrip.com like Hope suggested.

To Do

1. Submit money request to IFW

2. Call Cris Town to make sure insurance is good. Ask about evacuation insurance.

3. Verizon says to rent a global phone. Looks like it's $2/minute to talk. Text is cheaper.

4. Confrim there's a computer at the Silom Serene

5. Get an outlet plug

6. Buy sensible cute flats. Probably black. 

7. Get 2nd round and 3rd round of shots at doctor.

8. Plan meals for Jim. Cook and freeze something.

trip planning

1. buy tickets - spent about $1700. Connecting in JFK and Seoul, Korea. To get good connections I spent a bit extra for the last leg JFK-SYR to be on Jet Blue. Otherwise it's Delta/Korea Air the whole way.

2. hotel reservations - Silom Serene in Bangkok through sawadee.com They had a special 4th night free so it winds up being about $50/night. There's a pool.

3. Learn Thai. 

4. Plan touristy things. I have Thurs-Sun before the official trip and Sat-Sun (1/2 day) at the end. I'll stay at the Silom Serene but I'd like to get out of downtown Bangkok a bit. Looking at daytrip bicycle tours.

5. off to Mitch Brody for overseas medical stuff...