Flash Floods and the Battle of the Baht Bus

I was so excited to take Brian to the Mall on friday.

I have only been once with Tania, and it made me so happy to see a mall like back home!!! Plus there are so many dentists and spas in the mall :) I knew seeing all the "proper" bread places would make Brian happy too!!!

We left sorta late. Brian had to go running first. His normal routine of running on the beach at sunset.

We decided to take the Baht bus. Why deal with traffic? We paid 10 Baht this time!!!! We were made aware that the Baht bus should only cost 10 Baht one way not 20 Baht.

We ate at a delicious Japanese/Sushi restaurant on the top floor. Sooo good and not very expensive by Baht standards either. Mochi Ice cream for dessert!

We walked around the mall for a bit. The smell of rain was wafting into the mall. Brian was getting pretty anxy looking at spa treatments. He wanted to get to bed early because he was doing his Advance Certification tomorrow. I had no idea it was already close to 10:00 p.m. We only got through 3 of the 5 floors! Boo, I didn't want to leave.

As we neared the doors we could see the downpour. Everyone was crowded around the doors and sitting along the outside of the mall covered by the overhanging roof. I already knew getting home would be a struggle in this weather. If the Baht bus does not have passengers they usually will haggle you for a higher fare. I had already experienced this. Brian had not.

We took off into the rain. We flagged down a baht bus. He wanted 200 Baht to go to Jomtien. We got out.

We walked down the street more in the downpour. This is the ideal situation for the drivers to make alot of money in a short period of time. We flagged down another one with passengers in it. He said he was going to Jomtien, but he lied. He took us across the street to the main hub of Baht Buses. We had to pay the 10 Baht. It wasn't ideal, but it was a good location to get dropped off at if it couldn't be our house.

This main intersection was flooding fast! We had to cross two streets to get to the Baht Buses. We crossed over one street and started walking down. The water was up to my ankles. Each time a car would pass, a wave of water would come hurling at you. This is dirty smelly water too, not beautiful clear rain water. The water dramatically got higher. People were walking knee deep in the water on the side walk. I made Brian turn around. There was no way I was walking through that. It would probably be even higher on me!

Alot of the other farang were in the same situation as us. How to get to the Baht buses on the other side, and for us not pay outrageous prices. We starting walking down the street again where it was not flooding yet. We flagged down a baht bus. He wasn't going to Jomtien. Burn. I could tell Brian was getting upset. He wanted to get to bed early and never really wanted to come to the mall in the first place.

We flagged down another Baht Bus - No passengers. Great. He wanted 200 Baht to go to Jomtien too. Awesome... Then, out of nowhere a Thai woman with an old man came up to the bus. They needed to go to Jomtien too. The new deal was we would pay 100 Baht and he would pay 100 Baht.

We took it! We're not dumb. We weren't going to get a better offer than that until after the rain stopped. And there was no telling how soon that would be. I had an anxious boyfriend who needed to get home too!!!!

We got in. The Baht bus turned and started going through the water. I was amazed that we were able to wade through that water. It was nearly up to the floor of the bus. You could hear the engine struggling. I had never experience anything like that before. There were people on their motorbikes behind us. "No way in hell," were Brian's exact words. He was right... How were they able to stay upright and drive? Brian and I would have tipped over. 

We passed the worst portion of the flooding and the old man rang the buzzer. The Thai woman looked a little confused too. Shit, we are going to get kicked out and have to find another Baht bus. But, the old man paid the 100 Baht.  It did little to calm my nerves. Each time the driver slowed down, I thought we were getting the boot.

The old man got off at another hotel, perhaps his wife was back at the Jomtien Hotel.  Either way, I was very grateful for that dirty old man and Thai hooker.

We went through another section of deep water. The usual road we took ahead was closed off. We took a detour. Benefit - We found little India.

Finally, we were half way home. It seemed like forever trying to get home. Paying 100 Baht was seeming more and more like a wonderful price! Having to deal with the traffic and water was worth it. As we neared Beach Road, the flooding started again. We picked up two other passengers on the side of the road. They were so happy to find a Baht bus. Beach road was pretty empty. All the Baht buses were in the city trying to make money.

The driver started to fly down beach road. You could tell he wanted to be back in the city too.

Brian and I made it home. It was still raining. As Brian says, "We had to experience the rain eventually." Next time we will check the weather.

Bowling Night

When our friend was visiting us, we took her to Walking Street. One of the have to do's if your ever in Pattaya. However, it was a Buddhist holiday when we took her. Pattaya isn't that dirty, they do observe their religious holidays. All the bars were closed. Needless to say she didn't get a true glimpse of Walking Street.

However, we did make a wonderful discovery of the Avenue. It is an outdoor-ish mall. It had an Au Bon Pain. Brian was all too excited to buy "proper" bread. It also had a movie theater and bowling alley. It was a very nice mall. You could tell it was new and did not have all it's stores open yet. 

Emily, a new teacher at school, had just arrived from California. It was her birthday in 3 days! We had to do something. I suggested bowling. The bowling alley looked so fun that night we discovered it. It was easy for everyone to meet up at and not get too hammered. We did have to teach the next day.

It was a fun night. 

Tom, Lucky, Me, Emily, Simon, Sam, Brian

Brian with his Chang Beer Tower

Toast to Emily's 22nd Birthday

Me and Tania

Brian's bromance partners Tom and Sam :)

AK represent!

Thanks Hanalani for all the bowling training :)

"Is it wrong that I like this song?"

Quote Brian!

We are addicted to V - the music channel!

Haha... Right after this song they played R.E.M. "Everybody Hurts." Gotta love the random playlists :) It's so refreshing to hear everything mixed up. It's like inserting one of my mixed CD's at home. You never know what song to expect next...

Speaking of never knowing what to expect... then they played DubStars' "Stars." That was my favorite song in 11th grade of High School!!!! I  knew they were a UK band, and they didn't get alot of play in the States. I happened upon them by chance online while researching something for school... so it was cool when the song caught my ear while I was preparing my lessons for tomorrows class, and I actually got to see their music video. Made my night :)

Walking Street

We decided to take the Baht bus into town rather than ride in on the motorbike. We are still learning the roads and are still beginners on the bikes. Right hand turns still make us nervous. Having gone into town with Tom and Cob before, we know it can get pretty busy especially at night. Pattaya/Jomtien comes to life once the sun sets. It's a whole new world.

A baht bus is pretty much a pick up truck with bars and a top over the bed. You see them running up and down the street. They usually stop if they see you on the street or honk at you as to ask if you want a ride. If nothing else, you just stick your hand out and one will stop. It's not unusually to see a Baht bus filled to capacity with several people hanging out the back. Again, limited rules in Thailand regarding safety.

Example of safety! Always be careful walking by low hanging wires or wires on the street!

Once you get to your destination, you ring a bell and the driver stops. Most Baht buses have fixed routes, so you want to make sure your going in the right direction. Apparently, in the past there was a lot of discrepancy about fare. Farangs were being charged double what Thai's paid. The government stepped in to pacify the problem. A typical fare on the Baht bus is 10-20 Baht one way. If you go further the price increases.

Since we live right off the beach, it was easy to flag one down. It was nice not having to worry about driving or traffic. Brian pounded at least 2 beers on the ride. He was happy not to be driving! It only took around 15 mins to get to Central/South Pattaya. Time of course varies according to the number of passengers/stops, but we really do not live far from the city anyway.

We got off and paid the driver. We went into a Kodak store to buy batteries for our point-and-shoot camera. The batteries we bought at the corner store lasted 30 seconds but only cost 24 baht. We should have know better, but no other batteries where offered anyway. The new batteries were 80 baht.

A whimsical mannequin along the walk.

No more than 5 minutes of walking from getting off the bus, we where standing at the beginning of Walking Street. This is probably the most famous part of Pattaya. It is know for its bars and sex scene. I expected to see scandalous dressed girls, but was not expecting to be offered sex show after sex show... We barely made it in under the sign that said, "Walking Street," before we where being barraded by men trying to sell shows.

The Beginning of Walking Street

Looking down Walking Street

Men along walking street offer sex shows with these pamphlets. A bit raunchy, but some make you wonder...

 Something for everyone in Pattaya.

For a Saturday night, It wasn't very crowded. It is the slow season right now.

There are alot of seafood restaurants on walking street as well. Most overlook the water. In addition to tons of bars and clubs, there are also alot of places to buy suits. Apparently, buying suites is big in Pattaya. Perhaps all of Thailand, I'm not sure.

We walked through Walking Street. It really isn't that long of a street. It ends at a boardwalk. It is here that you can see the Pattaya City sign. We walked out on the wharf hoping to get to the restaurant at the end. Unfortunately, the restaurant is floating. The men at the beginning of the wharf take you out there by boat. I have no idea how much that costs, but we didn't do it. Maybe later...

Pattaya Sign

We met a farang who offered to take our picture. He was with a Thai girl, V or B. Brian and I argue as to what her name was. I think V... He thinks B... Either way he was part of the U.S. Navy. Their boat had just docked yesterday. That explains why we saw so many military guys on Walking Street. There are several Military Bases close to Pattaya. After all, it is the U.S. Miliatary that made Pattaya what it is today.

Since this side of Walking Street dead ends, We decided to walk back through to the beginning and go along the beach. We checked out restaurants along the way, but everything is rather pricey. Granted it is a tourist area, and we all know the more touristy the place - the more expensive. If you were just visiting Thailand, the prices would not be that bad. You would think you were getting a bargain. Paying 150-250 Baht for a meal seems reasonable. However, living here is a different story. I am used to paying under 100 Baht for a meal. Then again, I am on a humble teachers salary... not on vacation.

Hydration is key in Thailand! ~ That's my excuse for buying the beverage!!!! But Starbucks is still rather pricey, but worth a try. Nothing really different on the menu... Not like in China. China was alot more expensive too!!!

There are tons of girls sitting at the bars as though waiting for business. Most look bored. It was a rather slow night... perhaps things pick up the later it gets. We left around 8:30 P.M.  I wonder if they are paid by certain bars to entertain guests there? I'm sure the owners would like the girl's guests to rack up a pretty hefty tab in addition to paying for any services rendered. Prostitution is not illegal in Pattaya, but drugs are. But you can buy Viagra at any drugstore... no hard drugs are legal. Interesting fact to me.

It's not unusual to see girls dancing on poles or on top of tables as you walk through Walking Street. I suppose it is a way to draw in clientele. You do not see anything too risky on the street, everything scandalous is done behind curtains and for a premium price. You see strollers and children with their parents walking down the street. I do not think I would bring my children to such a place, but to each their own.

With Walking Street behind us, We walked along the beach and spotted a McDonalds. It is our thing to try every McDonalds outside of America. It is always interesting to see different menus and try the food. McDonalds is even expensive in Thailand... Not as expensive as in China though. The hamburgers we got tasted fine and the french fries were indistinguishable.

While we ate our meals, a couple more Military men came in with their Thai escorts. The girls where all too excited to be eating McDonalds.

We walked around the streets so more. Vendor after Vendor. Eventually we caught the Baht Bus home. Our trial run was a success.

This only perpetrates my name being synonymous with sexual innuendos. A Grand Theft Auto prostitute, a common stripper name, and now a Pattaya Go-Go Bar.

Our First Tour

Tom is an American from Massachusetts. He has been vacationing in Thailand for many years, and on one said vacation he decided to stay. In his exact words, "I really don't have to go back, Do I?"

This is his second year teaching English in Thailand, first year at this school. He previously taught in Thailand's public schools. He wouldn't recommend it.

He is the other Primary 1 teacher with Brian. Upon learning that we had just arrived and it being our first time to Thailand, he asked May to have us call him. Brian did just that, and before we knew it he was standing on our doorstep with Cob.

It's no secret that sexuality runs rapid in Pattaya. You may have heard the term ladyboy, which refers to a transvestite. Ladyboys are very common in Pattaya. Needless to say, they are also totally open to homosexuality and hold no judgment on the subject.

Cob is Tom's partner. They are the cutest couple! Cob is quiet a bit younger than Tom. Alot of the farang men in Thailand are older and have younger partners. Age isn't an issue in Thailand.

Cob and Tom came with two motorbikes so they could take Brian and me around. Though we were happy to get a tour of Pattaya, I wasn't exactly thrilled about riding on the back of a motorbike. Regardless of my feelings, when it came time to hop on the motorbike, I did. I rode with Cob. Tom felt that Cob was a rather reserved driver compared to others and of course has more experience being Thai. This fact did comfort me. However, trusting all the other drivers on the road is a different story.

Cob is probably half the size of me. Holding on to him felt like holding on to air. I put on a helmet that was a little too big for me. It was very worn and would offer little help if an accident should occur. When we first took off, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I found myself holding my breath alot of the time or closing my eyes when passing cars.

Of course, he couldn't help but zip through traffic. The sound of cars passing you is a bit precarious. At times you find yourself squeezing your legs in as tightly as possible in order to fit through small spaces. I can honestly say, I have never been so close to other moving vehicles in my life. I thought we were going fast considering, but other motorbikes where flying by us. I kept hoping we were there!

Eventually, we turned into their "neighborhood." Luckily, it was a straight shot to their apartment. We only made one right turn. Going into town would be a different story.

They live in government assisted housing. Since Cob is Thai, he qualifies for the program. The buildings are still being built so they have no neighbors yet. Their apartment is smaller than the other apartments we've been looking at. It does have it's own bedroom cornered off.

We decided to get cell phones. We had a loner from May, but wanted one for each of us. Tom took us to a shopping place... somthing Com... Anyway, it's much like a department store. The second level is filled with Cell Phone vendors. Cell phones are very popular in Thailand. Even the poorest person has a cellphone and the average person has at least 2 or 3 phones.

There are no contracts in Thailand. You merely buy a phone, put in a sim card, call to activate it, and pay for minutes at convenient stores. It's a totally foreign idea to American's because we are used to being locked into contracts and paying fee's.

I love this new system! You just walk into the convenient store and hand the cashier the amount of Baht you want added to your phone. We did 250 Baht each. They print out a receipt and then you type in the number to your phone. Minutes are added instantly. Hopefully, it will last a month if not longer. If you don't have the money to buy minutes, no big deal... you just add money when you can. If you are really in a pinch, you can call someone and press *22 and use their minutes to talk :)

Example of 1-2-Call Sim Card Package. Number is in Left Corner.

Brian and I both bought a cell phone for 1,000 Baht each with a little negotiating. The sim cards came free with the phones. They holdout a couple choices for sim cards out because a specific cell phone number is assigned to each card. I picked the number that ended in 0.  I had 15 free minutes added to mine until I could run into a 7-11 to buy more. The sim card we use is 1-2-Call. I hear this is an affordable one. Meaning, when you go to buy your minutes at the store, they go futher and don't charge more per minute used. I forget the name of the other sim card company, but they are notorious for being expensive. Tom clued us in on this fact.

Our cell phones are very simply. No camera or touch screen. We could have bought those phones, but we were being cheap. We just needed something that works. Believe me, they had tons of I-Phones and other technologically advanced phones I have never seen before. Ironically, the police had done a raid on the place prior to us arriving. I can probably bet most of the phones in that place are high quality knock offs. When Cob approached the counter with us, the girl who sold us the phones thought he was an undercover cop. Ha.

Misty's Left, Brian's Right.

We went down the street to eat. Choice of either boiled chicken and rice or fried chicken and rice. It came with a soup broth on the side. 30 Baht. It was very good.

After eating, we went to Cob's mothers house. She is recently divorced and Cob helps her take care of the store. It was a glimpse of real Thai living. Her storefront is her house. She has a tiny bedroom behind the store... really only room for the bed. There are a couple picnic tables out front. That is where we sat and talked while Cob worked. The neighborhood children play outside the store front. Bun is Cob's younger brother and the leader of the gang. As soon as we stepped off the motorbikes, they wai'd us. My first time being wai'd :) So cute. They go to public school so their English isn't that good.

Tom took Brian down the street for motorbike lessons. I sat at the picnic table and watched the children play. On the other side of Cob's mothers house, there were about 4 public school teachers. They where enjoying American Country music and drinking. Typical night. Apparently, the real joy is seeing them sing karaoke. Unfortunately, I didn't get to witness that.

There was a steady line of patrons coming to the store. I found it particularly interesting that when one purchased a soda, Cob would fill a little clear bag with ice and pour the soda into the bag. He then topped it off with a straw. People were just carrying bags of soda with them. I didn't understand this, but it looked cool. Later, Tom informed me this was in order to recycle the glass. If you return the glass bottles you get a discount. If they know the people buying the soda, they just give them the glass because they know they will bring it back. If they don't know the people then they get the bag.

After Cob closed up the store, we decided to go to the Temple on the hill. Cob locked his mother in for the night - literally. Her door is a metal garage door. You leave a portion cracked at the bottom, and lock it. Obviously, fire safety is not a concern.

The temple has a beautiful view of the city. We stopped at a convenient store on the way and bought cat food. Apparently, alot of stray animals congregate at the temples because the Monks try to take care of them. This offers little comfort as you see tons of dogs and cats roaming the streets half starved and diseased. PETA would have a field day in Thailand.

View of Downtown Pattaya from Temple

Tom taught us the proper way Thai's do temple. I found this very interesting having studied religion in school. You grab a pre-made cluster of incense with a yellow candle in it. You take the candle out and light it using an already lit candle close to where you are kneeling. You light each incense... I think it was about 5 sticks. You hold it in your hands and say your prayer, and then stick them in the bowls of sand. Be careful not to burn yourself on preexisting lit incense! Brian took a burn to the forearm. Then you get up and walk around the 5 statues that happen to be in this temple. In the cluster there are also sheets of white paper. In the paper is a piece of gold leaf. You walk around the statues and put the gold leaf on each statue. This is a very hard process as most of the gold leaf sticks to your fingers. I am sure there is a proper way to do this.

The temples resident monkey. We tried to wake him but he was soo sleepy! Too cute!!!

The temple wasn't very busy at night. However, during the day you can actually see the big Buddah statue. We also did this thing to find the lucky lotto numbers. Apparently, gambling is not condemend by Buddahists. Inside a cup is about 30 or so sticks. Each has writing and numbers on it. The idea is to shake the cup until just one stick falls out. That stick tells your fortune and gives you the lucky numbers for the lottery. I had 24. Cob said it meant good health. I will take it!!! I have no immune system, and living in a 3rd world country is sure to be waring on my body.

We feed the cats. Not too many this time by Tom's estimates. Cob scared the dogs away so the cats could eat in peace. Tom really wants a cat so he was sizing up each animal. He says if you ever want an animal just get one from the temple. Kittens are born every other week or so. I turned to see Brian's reaction. He was not amused. If I got a kitten, It would have to go back to the states with us. I would get attached.... Plus I doubt my parents want another animal :) So, no cat for me while in Thailand ;)

A couple temple cats snacking.

Tom wanted to take us to Walking Street but it was already 1AM. Brian and I were getting tired!!! Plus we had an appointment in the morning to look at apartments. We skipped Walking Street.

Instead we got a midnight snack of chicken kabobs. We decided to eat them on Jomtien Beach. We are always down to eat. We didn't oppose.

However, we got separated. Apparently, Cob took off and left the others in our dust. We also had to pull over to get a soda full of gas (Explanation later). We thought that they passed us when we pulled over, but they where no where to be found. As luck would have it, both our phones had died. We had no way of calling Brian and Tom. Cob and I went up and down the beach at least 3 times. We finally went back to our apartment, and they were there. They had lost us and decided to go eat on the pier. Hmmm...

Good first tour!