First Night in Bangkok

Arrived at the airport, having of course made friends with the Indian beside me on the plane. He gave me his email and phone number and suggested I get in touch ... he's married with child, and has lived in Bangkok for 10 years. Awesome! I love being Canadian - totally didn't need a visa! 

Got through customs and rode in a pink taxi to my host family’s house. Even the inside was pink – intense! The driver didn’t speak much English, so I was kind of confused. We got most of the way to the house, but then we couldn’t figure out the streets/numbers – not as easy as it sounds …. Definitely not like in Canada.

The taxi driver called the number I had, and we figured it out. He drove away and I rang the doorbell. I rang it again. I asked a neighbour if I was at the right place, because no one was home. Not good – I’ve just been stranded by a cab and there’s no one here …. I can’t even read the sign on the door cause it’s in Thai. Eep!

Luckily, they showed up a couple of minutes later. I was given a tour of the house, shown my room – I have my own room! – and asked if I was hungry. What a great family!

So, we went to a restaurant. I thought I’d be staying with just Pluem, but actually her whole family lives here. Both parents, 2 brothers, and her! The restaurant we were at is where one of her brother’s works. The boys are great at English, and we had a nice dinner.

I got to try so many new dishes! And boy oh boy, my spice factor will be so much better by the time I get back! I tried real pad thai – they put sugar and chilis on it! Fish burger, sweet chilli fish (the entire fish, with bones, tail, eyes, and everything … it’s actually so delicious, just requires a lot of effort to eat all of the meat), garlic pork, hot noodles with pork, squid! And that was just one meal! AWESOME! Let the culture begin!

The family left at different times, and when Pluem, her boyfriend Pau, and I got home, her mother was in the living room singing karaoke – FOR REAL. Way too good!!

Before heading to bed, I looked at some photos from Pluem’s village to Ottawa when she was 11. Sarah Laughton, a member on CISV Canada's national board and the director of Canada's first Youth Meeting (that starts in a week) was the Canadian leader, which totally blew me away! So great! 

Sleep now - talk soon!