I have to first start with once again, TRANSPORTATION!! :) The night ferry was nothing compared to the ride thru 6:00pm Bangkok traffic and catching (yes, catching) a train. Dad, you may want to skip this post....;) However, I'm safe and alive and looking back at the ride as adventurous and halarious!
So, next transportation adventure was the night train to Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is where I will live for a month and take my TESOL certification course. First, I took a little "tuk tuk" to the train....they are the cuttest little things and I should put an image of one but I still need to figure out the whole picture thing on this website. I thought I was safely arriving at a good time prior to the train leaving and meeting my friends Jim and Grahm to continue my next adventure. However, when I got to the train station I went up to an attendant to show my ticket and they looked at me as if I was crazy. It turns out that my train had already left minutes before I walked up......I had the time wrong. Normal Jenna thing but shitake!!!! So the nice Thai woman said, "we have to catch the train"....I asked, "catch?" and she said, "Yes!"...with a calm smile. So, her friend grabbed me, put a helmet on my head (protection...;)) and I put my backpack on my back jumped on a dirt bike (not a scooter) and had no idea what was about to happen. All of a sudden I felt like I was in an enduro race with Mr. Thai Speed Racer....excuse my language but HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!! It was the city (Bangkok) and the traffice was terrible....bumper to bumper and people just all over the place. He was going 70-80 miles per hour and dodging trucks, cars, humans, bikes, scooters...dogs ...You name it! So, we were really "catching the train"......It took us about 20 minutes to get to the track to STOP the train...HA!!! But, we missed it...I know what an unempressive (spelling) ending. Wouldn't it have been grand to stop the train and to have actually caught up with it. Crazy People! Anyway, glad to be breathing and alive in Chiang Mai....;) It was a rush!
So, long story but I had to spend one more night in Bangkok (not my favorite place at all!) and fly to Chiang Mai yesterday. Chiang Mai is a cute little city with used book stores all around, the people are really friendly and it's surrounded in lush mountains. So much to do on the weekends such as; elephant treks, jungle treks, mtn bike rides, hot springs etc....cooking classes, etc. I will go to the University today to meet the supervisor and try to find a cute little bungalow to satisfy my life here is the city of Chiang Mai! Hard to believe I'm going to be a student again and not sure where this will all take me but being open minded and knowing that ANYTHING is possible.
Missing you all and Sending Many xoxoxoxox's your way!
Jenna
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Crazy Bangkok and Transportation Along the Way!!
Please forgive any grammer especially on this post. The computer is Japanese / English and the keyboard is a bit different.
I took a night ferry from the small beach town Kao Tao which was an interesting way to travel. If you are a person that needs your personal space or a nice bathroom experience this would not be the way to go. However, if you want a good laugh and the chance to share a bed with a stanger then this is the path for you....HA! The ferry took a total of 8 hours and we started at 9 00 pm until 5 30 am. I didn't realize we had assigned beds and I was one of the first to enter the famous night ferry. So, at first glance I plopped my stuff on a bed. Then a little Thai boy plopped his stuff on my bed and crawled right in....hmmmmm, I thought, this is interesting. So, I smiled and moved to the next bed. I thought maybe this was a special bed he always took and that he was telling me to move over sista!!!!! So, relaxing in my new bed...HA...a family of 3 decided to sit on my bed....hmmmmmmm this is really strange or else Thai people think I'm an angel of sorts and can't resist. However, I didn't think that was the REAL truth so, I moved over to yet another 5 star ferry bed. Finally, I noticed I wasn't the only one who was wondering and figured out we had assigned beds. I was number 8.
Oh yeah, on the way to the ferry I was to catch a free cab at the travel agency at exactly 8 00pm. When I arrived the taxi driver asked if I was ready and pointed at his small scooter. I laughed out loud with my big backpack on the back and small backpack on the front. Its amazing because in Thailand they can fit a family of 3 on a scooter and a small dog in the front. Very talented and safe, HA!!
I have to admit even though I love the transportation adventures, my night and day of traveling were frustrating. I could have taken a night bus to Bangkok and been there in 10 hrs BUT for some reason I took a ferry for 8 hours, a cab to the airport which was one hour. I waited ouside at 6 00am at the airport until it opened and then proceeded to wait another 7 hours for my plane and then had to jump on a plane to Bangkok. I should have taken the bus with David and just let the plane ticket go. I am a young Grasshopper!
Finally I arrived in Bangkok and was looking forward to meet up with David one last time before we parted. However, he thought I was coming in the day before and waited off and on ....oops. When you dont have a phone and you count on eveything working out then sometimes you can miss the opportunity to meet up with a friend. However, he gave it another go the next day and we were lucky to have another night of laughter.
So tonight, I will continue my transportation journey with a night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. I start school on Monday and will hopefully find a peaceful little bungalow to settle into.
Sending you all fun and safe transportation journeys!!!!!
Jenna
I took a night ferry from the small beach town Kao Tao which was an interesting way to travel. If you are a person that needs your personal space or a nice bathroom experience this would not be the way to go. However, if you want a good laugh and the chance to share a bed with a stanger then this is the path for you....HA! The ferry took a total of 8 hours and we started at 9 00 pm until 5 30 am. I didn't realize we had assigned beds and I was one of the first to enter the famous night ferry. So, at first glance I plopped my stuff on a bed. Then a little Thai boy plopped his stuff on my bed and crawled right in....hmmmmm, I thought, this is interesting. So, I smiled and moved to the next bed. I thought maybe this was a special bed he always took and that he was telling me to move over sista!!!!! So, relaxing in my new bed...HA...a family of 3 decided to sit on my bed....hmmmmmmm this is really strange or else Thai people think I'm an angel of sorts and can't resist. However, I didn't think that was the REAL truth so, I moved over to yet another 5 star ferry bed. Finally, I noticed I wasn't the only one who was wondering and figured out we had assigned beds. I was number 8.
Oh yeah, on the way to the ferry I was to catch a free cab at the travel agency at exactly 8 00pm. When I arrived the taxi driver asked if I was ready and pointed at his small scooter. I laughed out loud with my big backpack on the back and small backpack on the front. Its amazing because in Thailand they can fit a family of 3 on a scooter and a small dog in the front. Very talented and safe, HA!!
I have to admit even though I love the transportation adventures, my night and day of traveling were frustrating. I could have taken a night bus to Bangkok and been there in 10 hrs BUT for some reason I took a ferry for 8 hours, a cab to the airport which was one hour. I waited ouside at 6 00am at the airport until it opened and then proceeded to wait another 7 hours for my plane and then had to jump on a plane to Bangkok. I should have taken the bus with David and just let the plane ticket go. I am a young Grasshopper!
Finally I arrived in Bangkok and was looking forward to meet up with David one last time before we parted. However, he thought I was coming in the day before and waited off and on ....oops. When you dont have a phone and you count on eveything working out then sometimes you can miss the opportunity to meet up with a friend. However, he gave it another go the next day and we were lucky to have another night of laughter.
So tonight, I will continue my transportation journey with a night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. I start school on Monday and will hopefully find a peaceful little bungalow to settle into.
Sending you all fun and safe transportation journeys!!!!!
Jenna
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Laughing with David and Luck along the way!
I'm spending my last night in Kao Tao (beach town). It has rained the past two days but it has felt nice and it's nice to have a break from the sun. Still doing a lot of yoga but taking a break (it's Sunday). I have made a new friend from Australia (David) and he has become an amazing friend in the past few days in such a short time. One of those moments in life where you meet someone and you feel as if you have been friends for a lifetime and maybe a few lifetimes at that. I have laughed so much in the past few days with David that my cheek bones hurt!!! Love it. We meet in yoga and have been attached to the hip ever since. Such a beautiful soul. One thing about traveling that I don't like is saying goodbye...goodbyes come very frequently and for those of you who know me well,....................know that I can get a "little" teary....;) David left today for Bangkok and on his way to surf and endulge in a yoga retreat but I will meet up with him one last time in Bangkok in a couple days which will be nice to have him in the "big" city with me.
My yoga instructor Kester was a DJ lastnight at a dance bar called Fizz and so everyone went out (the yoga peeps) and danced the night away. Another guy in yoga, Brad is from Crested Bute and actually owns a yoga studio there. He is an amazing Yogi and had a chance to take a class with him. David and I call him "the Guru" man.....;)!
I have really enjoyed Kao Tao but looking forward to Chiang Mai and starting school. I have been so lucky and blessed to meet a few wonderful and unique friends already and I'm sure many more will cross my path.
Tomorrow I take the night ferry to the airport and then fly to Bangkok on the 27th. I then will join my friends Jim and Grahm (friends from the start of my journey...the funny old Englishman) for the train ride to Chiang Mai. Oh yeah, they are going to Chiang Mai to visit a friend who they used to work with in the "days". They all worked for an organization called C.A.R.E. If you don't know the organization it's a pretty interesting subject to look up perhaps......:).
Miss You All! Sending you luck and laughter along the way!!!
Jenna
My yoga instructor Kester was a DJ lastnight at a dance bar called Fizz and so everyone went out (the yoga peeps) and danced the night away. Another guy in yoga, Brad is from Crested Bute and actually owns a yoga studio there. He is an amazing Yogi and had a chance to take a class with him. David and I call him "the Guru" man.....;)!
I have really enjoyed Kao Tao but looking forward to Chiang Mai and starting school. I have been so lucky and blessed to meet a few wonderful and unique friends already and I'm sure many more will cross my path.
Tomorrow I take the night ferry to the airport and then fly to Bangkok on the 27th. I then will join my friends Jim and Grahm (friends from the start of my journey...the funny old Englishman) for the train ride to Chiang Mai. Oh yeah, they are going to Chiang Mai to visit a friend who they used to work with in the "days". They all worked for an organization called C.A.R.E. If you don't know the organization it's a pretty interesting subject to look up perhaps......:).
Miss You All! Sending you luck and laughter along the way!!!
Jenna
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Watermellon and Thai Massage
Hello~!
I need to start posting some pics but not sure how to do so yet...Mark? I know you wrote me a little cheat sheet on my blog but now I can't find it....;) I'm sure it's easy. Thanks for updating my image on top of page, Krasnows..ha!!! You are officially my blog designers and I love the whole voting thing. So far most people think I'm NOT crazy. I do need to correct your little poem because you spelled friends as "frinds" or something...LOL!
Today is a rest day from the sun and beach. My forehead is a shinny red and I need to take some shade time. Every day I have been doing yoga which fells good! The instructors are Ena and Kester. Ena is from the US and Kester is from Scottland ......it's fun to take class from Kester with his accent. He has lived in this small little simplified place for 13 years, WOW! Ena is from Austin, Texas and just landed her wings here.....she is very sweet.
For those of you who have't traveled to Thailand the food is spectacular and very healthy. My favorites so far are Panang, Masoman, Pad Thai (of course), a mango spicey salad but I don't know the name, watermellon juice (so yummy) and once again the fruit is beautiful in every way (taste, appearance, smell, etc.). Lastnight Gulia, Kevin (Switzerland friends) and I went to a restaurant on the beach. We picked what kind of fish we wanted (red snapper, barakuta sp??, tuna, etc.) and they would grill it up for you (a Thai barbeque) with grilled corn and potatoe....very very tasty! Lastnight was an early night for me due to enjoying the party scene the night before...;) I may have mentioned this already but the fire dancers are so amazing...I may take lessons while I'm here. "Jess, you are my best teacher though...xo"! Glad to hear you and Turtle made it safely to Coloumbia!
Later today I'm getting a Thai Massage from a girl named Mai and looking forward to it. I have been taking a couple yoga classes a day and my body is sore. It's about 300 bht (which is $8.00).....Imagine, in the US it would probably be at least $65.00. Life is "Twanis" (meaning good).
One thing I adore of the traveling life is the simplicity....I can wear the same thing over and over, wash all my clothes by hand, I don't need all the material positions that I'm used to having and, meeting people with the same joy in life is nice! Most of you reading this know this lifestyle very well but sometimes when we head back "home" we forget that essense..!~ I'm really adicted to the band the "Wheepies" while on this journey and they have a song called "The Simple Life"...one of my favorites. Those of you who don't know of the Wheepies you should download there music because it's meant for whatever journey you are on in your life.
Hope you are all laughing and full of love!!
love, watermellon and Thai Massage!
Jenna
I need to start posting some pics but not sure how to do so yet...Mark? I know you wrote me a little cheat sheet on my blog but now I can't find it....;) I'm sure it's easy. Thanks for updating my image on top of page, Krasnows..ha!!! You are officially my blog designers and I love the whole voting thing. So far most people think I'm NOT crazy. I do need to correct your little poem because you spelled friends as "frinds" or something...LOL!
Today is a rest day from the sun and beach. My forehead is a shinny red and I need to take some shade time. Every day I have been doing yoga which fells good! The instructors are Ena and Kester. Ena is from the US and Kester is from Scottland ......it's fun to take class from Kester with his accent. He has lived in this small little simplified place for 13 years, WOW! Ena is from Austin, Texas and just landed her wings here.....she is very sweet.
For those of you who have't traveled to Thailand the food is spectacular and very healthy. My favorites so far are Panang, Masoman, Pad Thai (of course), a mango spicey salad but I don't know the name, watermellon juice (so yummy) and once again the fruit is beautiful in every way (taste, appearance, smell, etc.). Lastnight Gulia, Kevin (Switzerland friends) and I went to a restaurant on the beach. We picked what kind of fish we wanted (red snapper, barakuta sp??, tuna, etc.) and they would grill it up for you (a Thai barbeque) with grilled corn and potatoe....very very tasty! Lastnight was an early night for me due to enjoying the party scene the night before...;) I may have mentioned this already but the fire dancers are so amazing...I may take lessons while I'm here. "Jess, you are my best teacher though...xo"! Glad to hear you and Turtle made it safely to Coloumbia!
Later today I'm getting a Thai Massage from a girl named Mai and looking forward to it. I have been taking a couple yoga classes a day and my body is sore. It's about 300 bht (which is $8.00).....Imagine, in the US it would probably be at least $65.00. Life is "Twanis" (meaning good).
One thing I adore of the traveling life is the simplicity....I can wear the same thing over and over, wash all my clothes by hand, I don't need all the material positions that I'm used to having and, meeting people with the same joy in life is nice! Most of you reading this know this lifestyle very well but sometimes when we head back "home" we forget that essense..!~ I'm really adicted to the band the "Wheepies" while on this journey and they have a song called "The Simple Life"...one of my favorites. Those of you who don't know of the Wheepies you should download there music because it's meant for whatever journey you are on in your life.
Hope you are all laughing and full of love!!
love, watermellon and Thai Massage!
Jenna
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Yoga, Switzerland and Beach
I finally have arrived in the little beach town of Ko Tao and it's perfecto. It took a full day and then an hour ferry this morning to finally get to my destination but well worth the travel. Part of the joys and paths you take during traveling (backpacking) are of course the hours on plans, trains, ferry's, elephants...:) etc...Along the way I met a couple from Switzerland (Gulia and Kevin) and we all clicked very easily and have continued to travel together. I'm staying at a little bungalow on the beach called "Blue Wind" and a yoga studio (a nice one) right accross from my little house for 6 days. So, in just one hour I will be satisfying my yoga soul. I was supposed to go to Ko Pha-ngan because of time etc...but certain things along the way guided me here instead. Sounds like once again the universe (yes Astrid by wordly angels...;)) have been watching over me because the yoga studio in Ko Pha-ngan is supposed to have bad ju ju...really bad ju ju. So, vavooom here I am.
Lastnight we all stayed in a place in Ko Pha-ngan and Kristen......I used your method of wrapping my beach spread around me. Not the best accomodations :) and Tortuga, the moment of the toilet finally entered my innocent eyes, life, experience....etc.....I don't know about that. For those of you who don't know..."the toilet" is a hole in the ground so you must squat and hope you are in good shape and also hit the hole successfully :). Then there is a bucket with water and a scooper...no need to go any further.
Went to the beach today and the water is crystal clear and the Thai people along the way have such gentle smiles.
Hope you are all enjoying life and more later.
love , yoga, Switzerland and the Beach!
Jenna
Lastnight we all stayed in a place in Ko Pha-ngan and Kristen......I used your method of wrapping my beach spread around me. Not the best accomodations :) and Tortuga, the moment of the toilet finally entered my innocent eyes, life, experience....etc.....I don't know about that. For those of you who don't know..."the toilet" is a hole in the ground so you must squat and hope you are in good shape and also hit the hole successfully :). Then there is a bucket with water and a scooper...no need to go any further.
Went to the beach today and the water is crystal clear and the Thai people along the way have such gentle smiles.
Hope you are all enjoying life and more later.
love , yoga, Switzerland and the Beach!
Jenna
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Getting ready to buy a plane ticket from Bangkok to Surat Thani. After I arrive in Surat Thani I should...:) be able to make a ferry over to Ko Pha-Ngan and enjoy some beach time in a cute little hut / bungalow....maybe this is where I will be able to use the special toilets...TURTLE!!!! :) Don't worry I know which hand, HA! So far I have had a very easy time traveling and feel guilty almost that I haven't had any challenges along the way. I'm sure there will be plenty so the comfort zone is appreciated right now.
Janelle and Jim have an older friend named Grahm from England (he is in his seventies) and he is hilarious and adorable. Jim, Grahm and I had a few Thai beers lastnight and then as the night came to an end I watched Grahm jump on his motercycle and speed away...it was histarical...I hope I'm riding a motercycle at age 75 speeding down a little alley way in Thailand. I also have a sticker on my water bottle that says "girls kick ass" and was trying to explain what it exactly meant...he didn't quite get it and he likes to give me the "bird" (middle finger) every time he sees me because of the sticker. Just wanted to share that with all of you...and maybe it's more funny to me and so those of you who are wondering if I have already meet my soul mate, not there yet.....;)
Hope you are all well! love and motercycles....:)
Janelle and Jim have an older friend named Grahm from England (he is in his seventies) and he is hilarious and adorable. Jim, Grahm and I had a few Thai beers lastnight and then as the night came to an end I watched Grahm jump on his motercycle and speed away...it was histarical...I hope I'm riding a motercycle at age 75 speeding down a little alley way in Thailand. I also have a sticker on my water bottle that says "girls kick ass" and was trying to explain what it exactly meant...he didn't quite get it and he likes to give me the "bird" (middle finger) every time he sees me because of the sticker. Just wanted to share that with all of you...and maybe it's more funny to me and so those of you who are wondering if I have already meet my soul mate, not there yet.....;)
Hope you are all well! love and motercycles....:)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Starting the Adventure
Thanks to the Krasnow family I have my very own Blog. With getting ready or preparing to move abroad, I had my amazing friends and family help me along the way. And of course the oh so great Universe presented me with gifts and connections to make the journey an intended one. And so, I give you all so much love and take you all on this journey and hold you dear to my heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The flight to Bangkok was a long one but arrived safely at 12:00am. I'm staying with a couple named Jim and Janelle and oddly enough they own a house in Bloomington, IN (friends of Trish and Zach...;)). They both have lived abroad since their early twenties and are already an inspiration in what they have done throughout their lives...WOW!!! They live an hour outside of Bangkok in a town called Baesean...I think I'm spelling that completely wrong...:). Janelle teaches at one of the colleges here. I somehow got up fairly early my first day here and went to one of the yummy colorful markets with Jim and then ended up going to the college to sit in on a few classes. The college students are adorable and look like they are 14 and not in their early twenties. They all welcomed me with open arms and I found myself teaching English already. I sat in on a debate class which was all in English and quite entertainng to say the least. Interestinly enough half the population of male students are gay and are very open about it, they had me laughing until my cheek bones hurt. It's very accepted which is great but amazing that most of them are gay, hmmmmm. Janelle has a way with he students and she has already give me ideas and inspiration in my future of teaching.
I will be staying here thru the weekend and then off to a beach for some Jenna and relax time. I'm not sure where yet because I only have a short time before school in Chiang Mai (Feb. 2nd).
I feel as if this new adventure was always meant to be, just a matter of time. The paths I have chosen along the way have only prepared me and ignited the passion to live and work abroad. I'm so excited for the unknown and will always welcome any of you who care to join or want to visit. So much love to all of you! <3 Jenna
The flight to Bangkok was a long one but arrived safely at 12:00am. I'm staying with a couple named Jim and Janelle and oddly enough they own a house in Bloomington, IN (friends of Trish and Zach...;)). They both have lived abroad since their early twenties and are already an inspiration in what they have done throughout their lives...WOW!!! They live an hour outside of Bangkok in a town called Baesean...I think I'm spelling that completely wrong...:). Janelle teaches at one of the colleges here. I somehow got up fairly early my first day here and went to one of the yummy colorful markets with Jim and then ended up going to the college to sit in on a few classes. The college students are adorable and look like they are 14 and not in their early twenties. They all welcomed me with open arms and I found myself teaching English already. I sat in on a debate class which was all in English and quite entertainng to say the least. Interestinly enough half the population of male students are gay and are very open about it, they had me laughing until my cheek bones hurt. It's very accepted which is great but amazing that most of them are gay, hmmmmm. Janelle has a way with he students and she has already give me ideas and inspiration in my future of teaching.
I will be staying here thru the weekend and then off to a beach for some Jenna and relax time. I'm not sure where yet because I only have a short time before school in Chiang Mai (Feb. 2nd).
I feel as if this new adventure was always meant to be, just a matter of time. The paths I have chosen along the way have only prepared me and ignited the passion to live and work abroad. I'm so excited for the unknown and will always welcome any of you who care to join or want to visit. So much love to all of you! <3 Jenna
Monday, January 12, 2009
welcome Jenna!
Hey Jenna. Welcome to your blog. I hope you like it. Kristen, Kai, Marley and I are all very excited for you to begin this great journey. This will be a fun way for all of us to stay up to speed on your adventuers. Please post often. The more you use it the easier it will become. Best of luck!
We love you!!!
We love you!!!
Mark
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