It will be my last few days in this city, and I feel like I have covered a lot of ground. But just yesterday after my yoga class, I stumbled into a new place which served the best cappuccino yet. A German student who just graduated with her masters in chemistry sat beside me and we chatted it up for a bit. So cool to see the younger single women taking on the world on their own. No fear from these Europeans! She has a 6 week break between her graduation and her job starting, so she decided to travel the Far East. Phuket was the last on her stop and she was heading to the airport Monday to fly home. She could not name her favorite spot on her trip- saying they were all so different and she met so many people along the way at the hostels she stayed. *I wish this for my girls one day.
Michelle- the German Chemist
Loved the chandelier!
My last Saturday night in Phuket Town so thought I would wander the streets in Old Town. I don’t really like the night markets where most people go on the weekends- they tend to be selling “same same” and cooking very strange foods- which I guess is the appeal if you are an adventurous eater. But my belly keeps me basic 🙂
Decided to try another Phuket brew called Phi Phi- It was two for one promo so how could I go wrong?
I’d never heard of this New Zealand brand- but loved the can designs. Cost about $8.50 USD- so NOT cheap!
It’s been fun to watch this city get ready for the coronation ceremony of their King. I have not thoroughly researched it all- as I dread history and politics both- but it’s big deal! He was announced as next to throne in 2016 after his father passed, but May 4-6 this year will be the official ceremonies. I’m so glad I will be here for it- I imagine Bangkok will be a mess!
Nobody is allowed to speak badly about the King or they will be jailed. Everyone here loves him….and in broken English I was told he was getting married? Guess he has been with three women, and people want him to marry the second? Not really sure—and certainly didn’t want to get caught gossiping about it.
These white and bright yellow ribbons are hanging up all around the city on all public buildings and schools I swear they have a formula for this yellow color- as they nail it everywhere 🙂
Portraits of the new King are starting to also appear throughout the city
Starting to see screen print tee shops opening up and displaying bright yellow shirts—I also am seeing more and more locals sporting theirs out. I asked Anna, the owner of 90s Bar if she has/or would wear one – and she said “no”. So I guess it symbolizes something to wear one. I can only relate it to the US politics of showing a like for a party- but since its a Kingdom, i am not sure what wanting or wearing one symbolizes.
Clock Circle Tower- I have walked past this clock about every day for the last month . Tiff can verify this. And when Tiffani was with me, we sat at the 90s bar and watched the workers fix the lamp post lights- thinking it was just maintenance. But since then- this tower has become quite a feature! They fixed the clock and it now chimes every hour, they put up monuments of the new King, and they installed new lights and fountains that you see at night.
Tiff and I would joke that this is like Phuket Town’s Times Square- but now with this clock tower lit- its looking more and more like it. Anna explained that people will come here to honor the new King. And she said they would change out his picture in one month . I hope to see if that’s true- Pretty sure I will be back in this town, as I am not yet done with immigration- nor ever will be.
As I was walking again in Old Town, I found an art shop that featured sketches, original watercolor paintings etc. In attempts to support them, I purchased 10 postcards….hoping to get them sent out to family next week—to see if they ever arrive will be fun. When I used to travel in my 20s I always sent postcards back to my grandparents and aunts and uncles- parents etc. They would look forward to them. My Maida- 92 on her death bed, reminded me that she never did get that one from El Salvador 🙂
Sharing the inspiration shot of a few of the postcards. Such beautiful architecture.
On another note, it has been a tad rough here bureaucratically – I need the place that I am staying to have the owner sign off saying I am here with them. But the owner is foreign and nowhere to be found to do this. I need this paperwork done to declare myself as “here” for my scooter documentation and to open a bank account. I need the bank account in order to renew my immigration visa. So this has all pushed up my condo search for a permanent place. I am proud of myself for finding a handful of decent places on the internet and making appointments to go see them. Min is going with me to one on Tuesday, located in Kathu. It is such a comfort to have her and Mimi here with me every day. I will miss them when I move to Kata Beach, May 1st.
Still looking for an expat community. I am able to get advise” on procedures etc from this community on FB- but still looking for people to converse with and hang out with. I downloaded another app called InterNations- but who knows. In the meantime, I have my local bar ladies that I love and will continue to visit with. Anna is really good at teaching me new Thai phrases. Its just honestly difficult to really chat deeply/past the surface level as English basics is all they have, and I barely have any Thai—–
On top of all of this, my wifi was no longer working on my computer….and thank goodness I have my love to fix it for me. —-I was seriously sinking not having this outlet. Hope anyone still following is enjoying my adventures with me. Maybe a good break from your every day grind. To watch someone stumbling their way around a new country.
Today was one small step forward- a slow motion move to what I need to accomplish while still in Phuket Town. Since Phuket Town is the capital city of this island, all the government offices are here and I need to get to know their systems and forms etc. And I am thankful that my hostel is only a 15 minute sweat enduring walk to immigration.
Today I proudly went into the bank with my newly shown stamp asking to open an account, only to be told I needed another form from immigration. 🙂 Here I go again. A new part of the office, and a new form that apparently the hostel owners need to fill out saying I reside with them. I’m glad I gave myself a week to this!
Then was excited like a school girl- heading to buy a scooter today. Rode on the back of Min’s to go to the mechanic that had my bike for sale. Only to have forgotten my wallet—-(so not like me!) The mechanic, who looked similar to my friend Juvy- so I instantly trusted him, has mechanic black hands if you know what I mean. He said he wanted until Sunday to look the bike over and change all the lights, oil etc. So he took Min’s word on a deposit- and gave me a receipt for money not exchanged. Trust is a big thing here. We as Americans always think we are being swindled. (cuz usually we are!)
Its pretty USED—53,000 miles beat up scratches, etc. Which I sort of like- since I don’t want to run around like some rich kid that I am not! The mechanic said he will stand behind it for one full year. Min said she will also buy it back from me when I’m done with it. Its win win! Its only about $432.00—- can’t flipping wait to have my own ride!!! But I am sure the next 3 days after getting the bike will be spent on trying to figure out the plates!
April 23- A very important day for my family- the birthday of my older sister Trisha and my beautiful twins!
The one thing I love about just “living”- is your day over here never ends up what you think it will. And I have been meditating on being “accepting” and not resistant to whatever I am over here to receive.
That being said, my goal for yesterday was setting up a bank account. All my research tells me that Bangkok Bank is the best as far as handling internationals- and also has a branch in NYC making it easier for transactions. So I sweat my way over to the bank. Sit down and in broken English communicate that I want to open an account. She took my passport only for me to overhear a lot of Thai chatter, and later for her to say she cannot because the stamp I received on the way in said my stay needed to end April 30. I was like what?! I mean what if I didn’t decide to open this account until May- I would have been illegally staying!??? yikes. There was a weathered native looking white man sitting in the booth beside me and he asked to see my passport. I showed him.
He was American and had been on a retirement visa for 16 years. He said the customs guys don’t speak English, and would not have recognized my visa since it is very different than the ones he has even seen. He said looks like you did it right and got your visa prior to coming, but normally people don’t and they wait until they are in Thailand and that visa looks different. He also explained that if I travel out of the country I will get a new stamp that will allow me to stay another 90 days without checking into immigration. (believe me I have 90 days marked on my calendar not to miss)—-He explained that the regulations of this type of visa change every 20 minutes 🙂 So its tough to stay on top of it, but you just have to be patient.
Thank goodness for him. So off I go eating my pretzel poxies and cold H20- and walk a mile in the opposite direction to the Immigration office to get a new stamp”- the proper one that I should’ve received. (believe me all this walking, I am starting to think sooner on the scooter purchase!)
Their immigration is about as friendly as our DMVs. After I showed them my issue, they said “what do you want?”—-I said I am not sure—-the right stay stamp? They said I had to make copies of this and that- and fill out this form and come back. I asked if there was a place to make copies…..they said downstairs. I looked around and asked how to get downstairs. They were disgusted with me….but I figure once I get this resolved, my future visits here will be a little easier as I understand the processes.
Well then I see this lovely sign Damn! I am RH negative. HMMMM—-no worries I am healthy right?!
So this is where I spent a few hours sorting it all out. I was so happy to have met the guy at the bank. It’s always rewarding once you successfully work your way through something so foreign. After my stamp was corrected- I decided to drip my way back to the bank and get my goal completed for the day!
I decided to wander down the back roads. Later thinking that probably wasn’t a great idea considering how much cash $ I was carrying on me….oh well….already in too deep- but found this cool building on the way….just down alleys.
A totally different structure further up the road. I felt so alive stumbling across such fun discoveries.
Got to the bank at 4:30 only to find it closed. Really?—-well hell, I saw a Mexican place up the street so decided a margarita was in order and maybe test out some Thai tacos- I’ve had my share of fried rice and cashew chicken at this point.
Another good find- strong and yummy!
As I am finishing my tacos ,in walks another “farang”- sweating her ass off- sitting alone and ordered a beer and tacos. I know you all think I’m so outgoing, but it took a lot for me to initiate conversation – across the horrible muzak- across tables—-but I asked her what type of tacos she had gotten and if they were good. ( I feel like elementary school all over again)—So weird though how this day ended up. Vanessa, pictured above, a mix of my friend Meredith and Gweneth Paltrow—-asked if she could sit with me. And there we sat for 7 beers and 6 hours. She is an amazing 30 something- taking 6 months off (a new UK perk if you have worked for a company 5 years – they will hold a job equivalent to yours upon return)—she was burnt out, as I- and said fuck it. And took off. She also came with her sister at the start of her journey—She flew out to Vietnam this am. So unfortunately no more fun nights with her company- but we made the most of the Mexican joint, and literally closed it down before heading home.
I started my day with my everyday $1.60 breakfast and then headed to the church I discovered. Wore the best dress I packed and you all know my toes were finally prettied up. The church was hot as hell….would expect nothing less in Thailand. The service was done in English, complete with terrible tunes and tambourines….led by a Filipino minister which made sense. I didn’t partake in communion being that I am not a Catholic….but did line up to pick up my free Easter egg and blessed Holy water.
I later gave my egg to Mimi, I mean what was I thinking…but I thought it was cute how they incorporated the western culture in the eggs…so I was trying to support the fun in that idea. I didn’t meet a single soul…and was surrounded by mixed crowed of farang and locals. I took a few photos hoping not to offend. But wanted to share the experience.
So the only thing on my agenda today beside Easter Sunday church was returning the flip flops to the nail salon. I wanted to share some of the amazing art Shakila does-Since I only get pedicures about every other year….maybe this type of nail art is common but I don’t recall seeing it on anyone in The States.
After I wandered a bit I ended up here, right where I should end up. At a corner bar with an entertaining view of another roundabout. After my third beer, the owner and cook opened up to me. This bar represents women power to the best degree! http://the-corner-bar-restaurant
Sonia the owner who is the gal on the right opened this bar/restaurant on her own 2 months ago. Piea, the woman on the left used to work with Sonia at a bar called Prohibition which is owned by an Aussie guy. Someone came in and asked him why he had an ugly fat Thai working for him—-and then they go rid of Piea. Sonia immediately hired her to do all the cooking and food buying for her place and now the two of them run the place together.
I loved hearing their stories. Sonia is dating a 50 year old man, and she wants to have kids but her boyfriend doesn’t because he will be 70 years old when the kid is 20—-understandable but sad for Sonia. She said she can’t get married yet because she doesn’t have enough money. Piea was married to a German guy but once she moved there, it was too cold so she left him. She only has an education up to the 6th grade since she is poor- and picked up fluent English while working in hotels. She is remarried and lives in a place that is just a room for about 60$ a month. She said her new husband doesn’t buy her flowers, or perfume, or teddy bears when he is sorry for making her mad, but instead he buys her fried chicken and sticky rice until she breaks down and forgives him. She blames him for her weight. Love them.
Art that Sonia’s uncle painted for her new place- I love this style of fun art all throughout the city.
Well, in typical Tonya style….I decided to apply yet another layer of my toe nail polish in attempts to not be completely embarrassed by my feet when the yoga instructor comes over to help my awkward attempts to copy the agile Thai’s poses. (i have yet to find any polish remover in their stores here) Well that completely backfired, as the first downward dog, my toe polish literally came off onto the matte. Now even worse than dripping sweat on their purple mattes, now I also added blue scrap marks on one.
I did chat with the instructor after, name is Oat- I cant figure out why he’s helping me so much- maybe he sees I’m really trying and O-So-Lost- or maybe its my boobs. Either way, he’s super kind and keeps encouraging me. I have 8 more classes to use up in the next 10 days….so he will see me again 🙂 Little does he know I only packed one work out bra and one pair of leggings….gonna get stinky. I also actually attempted to chat it up with a few women after in the locker room…..especially the two that were in the back and failing like myself….they are here on business and said they bought a 5 day pass. They agreed it was much harder than what they are used to! (made me feel a little better)
Decided it was time to get my feet done. Found a place for about 12$ which was completely unsanitary to US standards. A very narrow shop with only me as a customer- but also squeezed in were five adult women, one adult male and a three year old boy with a play sword crazily running around. Not a spa treatment by any means.
But so nice! The owner was from an International school and spoke perfect English. Gave me advise on places to live and even loaned me her flip flops to walk home in. She recommended I stay in Phuket town and is getting me a pamphlet from her condo…..but I’m still looking at some apartments in Chalong and Katu also. Hoping to land something in June.
The trend in polish here is every finger or toe is its own color. And usually include yellow. Mine remained boring navy. My staple
Staying at this hostel has been so perfect for me. Inner city, yet walk-able to all I have needed/seen in Phuket town. The manager and Mimi are the best! Helping me with finding a second hand scooter and possibly even an apartment to live in. The decor here is so inspiring and its no wonder I feel at home here- decor is artsy (hence the name) and breakfast every morning for $1.60! Wanted to share before I forgot. Found on booking.com which has always been my source for travelling hotels- their reviews have NEVER been wrong. https://www.booking.com/hotel/th/art-c-house.de.html
Mimi who is so kind. I hope not to lose touch with her. She is Burmese, but seems to also help the manager with translating my English to Thai. She is the epitome of a beautiful human being.
This is actually the ceiling of the room I am staying in. How appropriate eh? Thai people are said to have a saying “sanuk” that they live by…which is to have fun.
As i said yesterday, I decided maybe joining yoga at the studio may be a good way to get out and meet some people. So I headed today to sign up for multi class pack to get me through the next two weeks in Phuket Town. I also decided to start on my Monk Journal that Beth gave to me as a gift. Both have been such a wonderful awakening.
Such a great way to start my Friday morning. http://www.monkmanual.com This is a monthly guide to simplifying and prioritizing your life – by segmenting your focus and checking in with yourself on your days/weeks/accomplishments. Focus is not on perfection but on progress. I really need that over here as I stumble through adapting and trying to find my way into a way to survive. Thank you BETH!
Me…..ready for yoga…..in my one and only workout outfit. Of course when I entered the studio, not only are the gals in full make up and adorable outfits, but they are HALF, i am not exaggerating, in size to me! Even the male instructor I could crush easily. But honestly I have never felt more content. Free. I am so lucky to have the financial opportunity to try something completely new for me.
This is the studio. Its amazingly clean. And they have everything there for you to shower after. http://www.absoluteyoga.com This first class was an hour and 1/2—-and was of course in thai….so i struggled to look up and mimic everyone else. The instructor would come over and help me occasionally- as I could not grab my feet or tangle my legs like everyone else. He would provide me cheaters—belts, etc. These thighs do not want to twist and these hips!!! Lets just say I definitely am “farang” here. But i signed up for 10 classes. I have NEVER in my life sweated quite like this…..and this was not even the hot yoga class. My matte was slippery as sweat poured down my face and arms. My face as you can imagine was beat red….I was not a pretty sight, but after my walk home and a cold shower and nap- I’m ready to head out for my happy hour beer at The Cue- then grab a pizza for my movie night with Justin.
One last photo showing the view I had while reading a short story prior to class. Its just so calming here. (of course not working in a stress filled wild west environment also helps!)
Another sticky day…..I decided to not go out until the sun settled to give my aching head a rest. I decided after passing some beautiful groups in the park exercising, that I needed to get that into my routine. So I’m signing up for 5 yoga classes to complete my stay here in Phuket Town. Should be interesting because from what i saw in the park these folks are mad limber! I honestly wanted to just get behind them and see if I could do it….but I wasnt wearing the right colored shirt and didnt want them to be insulted- not sure how those classes work. They seem quite organized into groups.
These guys were playing hackisac like….
My attempt to exercise- and maybe meet a few people
I love these purple flowers- they are everywhere !
An interesting combination for ice cream eh? and no, I didnt try it! I mean its green people! with bean paste and costs 9$
I was excited to start my day with a happy hour date with Stephanie! We promised to try not to let the “half way around the world” issue get in the way of our monthly dates. So I woke up at 6:30 am, took a shower, prettied up as if i was going out…..Mimi delivered me two cups of ice at 7 am with a knock on my door and me wrapped in a towel…..Let the fun begin
My ammunition ……call begins at 7:30 am
Us being ridiculous…..me playing with options and steph yelling at me to take it off, even though i dont really know how…..so i must have snapped this photo while trying….. We ended the call about 10 her time, so I jumped onto having further drinks with Justin via video chat. And according to him, I told him to go to bed, and i passed out 🙂 Only to wake up at 10 pm my time…..total day LOST> but so worth catching up!
Tonya Takes Thailand 