Tuesday, June 12, 2007
3:09:11 AM (Bangkok Time)
Well, flying into L.A. Just around 1o AM local time, I could see the San Francisco bay bridge through the morning fog below us. It was quite the site and quite the feeling to be back in North America again. This feeling was soon over as we were shunted into long maze like lines; first to clear US customs, then the US agriculture service. I have nothing good to say about that aside from the people were nice. I told them I had a 12:15 connection, but they still insisted instead of going through every last inch, every last corner of my luggage. They even spent some time searching through my laptop looking for possible child pornography. I guess I just look like a drug dealing pedophile or something like that. Anyhows, long story short, I ended up missing my connection; which completely sucks because it changes all the plans now. I’m on a flight to Montreal now, unfortunately they booked me on a connection an hour before we get there. Ah well, I have high hopes that my bags are on the same plane as me. I’m quite fortunate to be on the flight that I am on. They rebooked me knowing that this flight was already overbooked, luckily at the last minute, someone didn’t show up and I ended up getting on. Thailand seems so far behind now. Its amazing that in this short period of time alone, I’ve seen Bangkok, visited Tokyo for the first time, eaten a McDonalds Teriyaki burger, seen the largest Zen garden I’ve ever seen, arrived to the most world renowned state, California, and am now heading for Montreal, the place I’ve been to on class trips as the farthest we’ve ever gotten before at that time. I hope to arrive to Halifax sometime shortly after when I had meant to originally. When I get to Montreal, I’ve got to find my bag, check it in, go through Canada Customs, and rebook my connection to Halifax. I can only hope that it won’t be too long of a stopover. If It is for any length of time, I can maybe sneak my first Tim Hortons Double Double. If not, otherwise, we’ll wait till I’m back home again with my mom and sisters. It will be all good. I’m also lucky that this plane has A/C power outlets, a first from my experience. I can’t complain.
June 12, 2007 12:53 AM
Well, as it turns out, my connection to Halifax isn’t until 8AM tomorrow morning, so now I just get to chill here in Quebec for a while. I suppose I could could go out on the town, but I’m so tired I guess I’ll just stay here and do some stuff online.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
June 11, 2007 6:00 PM (Bangkok Time)
Right now we’re somewhere over the pacific, nearing the international date line at an altitude of 37,000 feet. The air has been turbulent ever since we left Tokyo and slipped into the false darkness of this strange night. We left on time from bangkok to Tokyo early this morning. The flight was still several hours. I sat (as I am right now still on this plane) with Vero[nica], who was the dance captain, and Charlotte, from Belgium. While in Tokyo, there were very few places to eat, so I exchanged my remaining Thai Baht currency for some Canadian cash and some Japanese Yen. I headed to McDonalds and had The Teriyaki burger. It was really good and much needed. Between that and the largest zen garden, I think I was able to get a small brief taste of Japan. I think I’ll write some more after I get some sleep; man, that Cognac works fast. (and is very reminiscent of my flight to Denver so long ago.
June 11, 2007 6:00 PM (Bangkok Time)
Right now we’re somewhere over the pacific, nearing the international date line at an altitude of 37,000 feet. The air has been turbulent ever since we left Tokyo and slipped into the false darkness of this strange night. We left on time from bangkok to Tokyo early this morning. The flight was still several hours. I sat (as I am right now still on this plane) with Vero[nica], who was the dance captain, and Charlotte, from Belgium. While in Tokyo, there were very few places to eat, so I exchanged my remaining Thai Baht currency for some Canadian cash and some Japanese Yen. I headed to McDonalds and had The Teriyaki burger. It was really good and much needed. Between that and the largest zen garden, I think I was able to get a small brief taste of Japan. I think I’ll write some more after I get some sleep; man, that Cognac works fast. (and is very reminiscent of my flight to Denver so long ago.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Somewhere over the pacific (5:36pm Bangkok time)
Today was Greg’s birthday and I was the first one to wish him happy birthday as we woke up late, a bit sore from the show still. Our Host family had prepared breakfast for us and we all sang happy birthday and ate breakfast our on the front patio. Their neighbours were moving so they were over for a visit; and just in time too. We had some Swensons ice cream cake. They gave him a tshirt and a wooden frog. (later I got one too). I finished packing and although my bag was substantially overweight, I went with it anyway. We said our thanks and goodbyes and our host dad drove us to our final banquet at a 5 star hotel downtown. I brought all of my luggage along, but Greg didn’t because he is staying in Thailand and traveling to Phuket for 15 more days. I’m happy to finally be going home though. The hotel we arrived at is quite fancy indeed. We had a few final wrap up sessions and our banquet commenced at 8:oopm. The dress code was all white. I borrowed some white Thai pants form my host mom and wore my white shirt that I wore when I was in Honour choir so so many years ago. Come to think of it, that shirt has seen a lot of action. Graduations, weddings, funerals, and closing banquets of all sorts. During the banquet I sat at table #4 with Kaori (and later Jeff), Yuri, Simi, Jorge, Luis, and Kelly. It was all good. We had a very fine meal, free beer, and many activities including the old “Most likely to…” survey. I was voted most likely to become a teacher. This wouldn’t be the first time either, I was also voted this in my high school grad class. We had a confession session; hilighted with Peter saying that the Haka we had been performing all semester was actually learned from the internet and he hadn’t actually done it before UWP. There was the appreciation book as well; I finally got into it. I was appreciated (along with a few other people) by Renee for being such a great help with computers to a lot of people for the semester. After Andrew had read another touching speech, we all received our certificates and we officially graduated to become Up With People Alumni. Joern gave his final words and we were finished. Afterward I we had a dance party of sorts until we all parted ways at 3am. In the absolutely pouring rain I loaded the bus bound for Bangkok airport for our 6:50AM flight for Tokyo Narita.
There are over 80 photos, so I've embedded them here in a slideshow.
Somewhere over the pacific (5:36pm Bangkok time)
Today was Greg’s birthday and I was the first one to wish him happy birthday as we woke up late, a bit sore from the show still. Our Host family had prepared breakfast for us and we all sang happy birthday and ate breakfast our on the front patio. Their neighbours were moving so they were over for a visit; and just in time too. We had some Swensons ice cream cake. They gave him a tshirt and a wooden frog. (later I got one too). I finished packing and although my bag was substantially overweight, I went with it anyway. We said our thanks and goodbyes and our host dad drove us to our final banquet at a 5 star hotel downtown. I brought all of my luggage along, but Greg didn’t because he is staying in Thailand and traveling to Phuket for 15 more days. I’m happy to finally be going home though. The hotel we arrived at is quite fancy indeed. We had a few final wrap up sessions and our banquet commenced at 8:oopm. The dress code was all white. I borrowed some white Thai pants form my host mom and wore my white shirt that I wore when I was in Honour choir so so many years ago. Come to think of it, that shirt has seen a lot of action. Graduations, weddings, funerals, and closing banquets of all sorts. During the banquet I sat at table #4 with Kaori (and later Jeff), Yuri, Simi, Jorge, Luis, and Kelly. It was all good. We had a very fine meal, free beer, and many activities including the old “Most likely to…” survey. I was voted most likely to become a teacher. This wouldn’t be the first time either, I was also voted this in my high school grad class. We had a confession session; hilighted with Peter saying that the Haka we had been performing all semester was actually learned from the internet and he hadn’t actually done it before UWP. There was the appreciation book as well; I finally got into it. I was appreciated (along with a few other people) by Renee for being such a great help with computers to a lot of people for the semester. After Andrew had read another touching speech, we all received our certificates and we officially graduated to become Up With People Alumni. Joern gave his final words and we were finished. Afterward I we had a dance party of sorts until we all parted ways at 3am. In the absolutely pouring rain I loaded the bus bound for Bangkok airport for our 6:50AM flight for Tokyo Narita.
There are over 80 photos, so I've embedded them here in a slideshow.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007 (Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean During a Turbulent Lightning storm)
Greg and I took a taxi early in the morning to the Show facility at one of the larger Universities in Bangkok. In the morning (like every morning) it was already hot and sticky at about 32°C. As far as show days was concerned, it was to be a very laid back kind of day. In the morning, we had a rehearsal for fun in which people could play parts in pieces that they’ve wanted to do just for fun. I danced as the front line dancer in the song “Power With”. It was supposed to be a big break dance hip hop break and I broke it for sure. I achieved my goal and I made everyone laugh. It was all Good™. We had some more wrap up type activities in the early afternoon before rehearsal; this included an excellent presentation by our would be cast manager from the first of the semester, Kory Riggs.
For our show today we have an intermission because we have over 40 minutes of guest performers. We had some Thai Dancers, a childrens violin group, a thai orchestra and some Thia drummers. We had our last green room and many people were very emotional. Although due to a major political protest of some kind happening in the venue next door, we still managed to almost half pack the auditorium to its 2500 person capacity. All in all the show went very well and we raised in excess of 20,000 Baht for the charities we worked with. After the show I went home and did a bit of packing for the long journey home.
Tuk Tuk Taxis
Advanced Team!
David Appreciates Charlotte
Thats a lot of water!
Andrew and I in Mic Groups, one last time
One of our Guest Groups
Thai Flag
ViP reception
Sun Sets on our last show day
Ayiko!
More Guest Performers
Green Room
Wouter & Chris
Final Show List
Its all Good™
Monday, June 11, 2007 (Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean During a Turbulent Lightning storm)
Greg and I took a taxi early in the morning to the Show facility at one of the larger Universities in Bangkok. In the morning (like every morning) it was already hot and sticky at about 32°C. As far as show days was concerned, it was to be a very laid back kind of day. In the morning, we had a rehearsal for fun in which people could play parts in pieces that they’ve wanted to do just for fun. I danced as the front line dancer in the song “Power With”. It was supposed to be a big break dance hip hop break and I broke it for sure. I achieved my goal and I made everyone laugh. It was all Good™. We had some more wrap up type activities in the early afternoon before rehearsal; this included an excellent presentation by our would be cast manager from the first of the semester, Kory Riggs.
For our show today we have an intermission because we have over 40 minutes of guest performers. We had some Thai Dancers, a childrens violin group, a thai orchestra and some Thia drummers. We had our last green room and many people were very emotional. Although due to a major political protest of some kind happening in the venue next door, we still managed to almost half pack the auditorium to its 2500 person capacity. All in all the show went very well and we raised in excess of 20,000 Baht for the charities we worked with. After the show I went home and did a bit of packing for the long journey home.
Tuk Tuk Taxis
Advanced Team!
David Appreciates Charlotte
Thats a lot of water!
Andrew and I in Mic Groups, one last time
One of our Guest Groups
Thai Flag
ViP reception
Sun Sets on our last show day
Ayiko!
More Guest Performers
Green Room
Wouter & Chris
Final Show List
Its all Good™
Friday, June 8, 2007
June 10, 2007 7:52 PM
Friday was the last full internal operational day for the cast. We were located back at the facility where we had first gathered that hot Bangkok morning; the Holy Redeemer Church.The morning was full of activities from Carolyn Lee, a guest speaker we first had in Dallas, Texas. I can’t explain it but we did a circles activity to better understand each other. In the afternoon, we looked back on some if the cities we’ve visited and the good memories we’ve had from them. Later on, we had another delicious box lunch; I had the spicy Thai noodles. It was all good™. After we had wrapped up (a whole hour early for the first time), Greg and I phoned our host mom as to travel arrangements for getting home and plans for the evening. She informed us that no one was going to be home because Hugo was at a sleep-over and they were heading to a going away party downtown for a teacher of their son. We were invited to come as well. We were given the address of some of their Swedish friends near to where we were. We hopped in a taxi and handed the diver the address we had transcribed. Once again we were off, to a place we had never been, not knowing the way. We arrived at their compound and found them easily (as Swedish People are easy to pick out of a crowd of Thai people). We waited in their apartment and had a few beers before we jumped into two taxis and headed to the place where the party was to be held. The Bar was called “The Pelican” and it was decorated with an international flair. We met and talked to some of the other people at the party, there was even a guy from Peterborough Ontario. The beer was free so we had some more and hot dogs along with that. Our Host parents did come eventually and introduced us to some more people. The Thai barkeepers were completely enthralled by the fact that Greg and I were wearing our UWP tshirts that said in Thai “We love Chang Mai” or (Pom Rok Chang Mai). Since the next day was show day, we decided to jump in a cab and head back to the house. I think we were a little more than tipsy at this point as I fell directly asleep as soon as we got back.
My New Shoe laces, not so often the shoes outlast the laces.
Bjorn the Scout opens our bottles with his Multitool
Red Bull Alternatives
Carolynn Lee
Yay Milk!
Kenzo
Greg and I
Host mom, one of their Swedish friends, and my host dad
Cheers!
The Party Person
Its all Good™
June 10, 2007 7:52 PM
Friday was the last full internal operational day for the cast. We were located back at the facility where we had first gathered that hot Bangkok morning; the Holy Redeemer Church.The morning was full of activities from Carolyn Lee, a guest speaker we first had in Dallas, Texas. I can’t explain it but we did a circles activity to better understand each other. In the afternoon, we looked back on some if the cities we’ve visited and the good memories we’ve had from them. Later on, we had another delicious box lunch; I had the spicy Thai noodles. It was all good™. After we had wrapped up (a whole hour early for the first time), Greg and I phoned our host mom as to travel arrangements for getting home and plans for the evening. She informed us that no one was going to be home because Hugo was at a sleep-over and they were heading to a going away party downtown for a teacher of their son. We were invited to come as well. We were given the address of some of their Swedish friends near to where we were. We hopped in a taxi and handed the diver the address we had transcribed. Once again we were off, to a place we had never been, not knowing the way. We arrived at their compound and found them easily (as Swedish People are easy to pick out of a crowd of Thai people). We waited in their apartment and had a few beers before we jumped into two taxis and headed to the place where the party was to be held. The Bar was called “The Pelican” and it was decorated with an international flair. We met and talked to some of the other people at the party, there was even a guy from Peterborough Ontario. The beer was free so we had some more and hot dogs along with that. Our Host parents did come eventually and introduced us to some more people. The Thai barkeepers were completely enthralled by the fact that Greg and I were wearing our UWP tshirts that said in Thai “We love Chang Mai” or (Pom Rok Chang Mai). Since the next day was show day, we decided to jump in a cab and head back to the house. I think we were a little more than tipsy at this point as I fell directly asleep as soon as we got back.
My New Shoe laces, not so often the shoes outlast the laces.
Bjorn the Scout opens our bottles with his Multitool
Red Bull Alternatives
Carolynn Lee
Yay Milk!
Kenzo
Greg and I
Host mom, one of their Swedish friends, and my host dad
Cheers!
The Party Person
Its all Good™
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