cops on segway scooters
Originally uploaded by letsgoeverywhere.
Scott took this picture at Chatuchak market (Bangkok) a few weeks ago, and then I heard from a friend that his sister saw tourists riding the scooters only a week or two ago! Obviously, I am on the case. Next weekend I’m going back to the market with the express purpose of riding a segway scooter.
Hopefully I’ll do better than President “More Trees Less” Bush and won’t fall off.
First though I have to secure my work visa for Thailand. I’ve been in Hanoi since 26 Oct and the Royal Thai embassy is helping me get all my papers together. The Thai staff is extremely friendly, so it’s been painless so far. Hopefully I’ll be back in Thailand by 2 Nov at the very latest. Until then, it’s a countryside vacation.
I didn’t expect it to be dry and cool, but the humidity and rain in this country is unbelievable. Bangkok has had record rainfall and the river levels are at their highest in 30 years. Luckily for me, the Canadian embassy keeps in me in the know about impending storms and disasters via text message, though I do live on the 10th floor of a condo far from any flood areas.
Anyway, here are some pics by The Nation. See how cheerful the Thais are? That’s not just for the camera.
You gotta love that floating dog.
WHA GO’ON! Today is the day I’ve been waiting for since I heard the jigga man himself was coming to B-kok.
I’ve got my 12 official forms needed to pick up my tickets and a half bag just waiting for J-to-tha-Hova to take the stage tonight at Suan Lum night bazaar. The concert is sure to be a blow out, particularly with the set up the organisers have planned. I’m hearing that the theme is block party, with different sections of the BEC Taro Hall turned into the five boroughs of NYC… plus warmup acts like Rihanna and hip hop group ‘Thaitanium’.
Look for me in Harlem with a drink in one hand a hot tamale in the other.
For people wondering what Shawn Carter might be up to while visiting Asia’s City of Angels, I’d hazard a guess he’s checked into The Oriental and will spend whatever free nights he has partying at Q Bar or Bed.
Filed under: Afghanistan, Canada, News and politics, army, empires, freedom
rant on
I’ve been asked a few times why I’m not freelancing for Canadian/North American publications.
At first, I questioned it myself. Was it a sort of defect? Laziness? I seriously doubted it was laziness, since when I was in Vietnam I was editing the majority of a thick tourist mag as well as working for the daily paper. And here in Bangkok, I’m at the office until at the earliest 6:30 every night. I supposed I could go out on weekends and talk to people, attend the few protest rallies against the coup, etc. but to be honest I don’t have a valid work visa yet and I don’t particularly want to be expelled by the kingdom (or shot by some trigger-happy zitfaced teen soldier).
More importantly though, my issue with the “why aren’t you freelancing in the west” question is that these days it strikes me as a little bit racist. Not in the big, nasty scary racist way, but in the way that assumes that Western press is more prestigious or important. I can’t say I’ve developed much insight in my time in southeast Asia, but what I am beginning to see are the signs of a declining (American) empire and a rising ‘third world’ empire. The new power may be China, India, maybe even Japan, who knows, it could be a stark raving mad Kim Jong-il armed to the teeth with atom bombs and high heels. Whoever it is, in the next few centuries the world will belong to the east.
People may be shocked at the assertion that the west is on the decline. While the economic and capital flow eastward is a little easier to perceive, it’s the power flow that’s barely perceptible but oh so important.
For all the violence committed in the name of money, resources, political favours, all I can say is “you reap what you sow.” The damage done, by all parties and governments and armed groups since January 17, 1961, the day Dwight D. Eisenhower warned the world of linking industry and wealth with war, is scandalous plain and simple.
The rampant exploitation of land, corrupt governments, ongoing denials of basic human rights, torture and secret prisons are all landmines on any road to co-existing peacefully.
Or have we given that up as option by now?
Without peace and security, the economy can’t thrive and there will eventually be civil unrest. If nations don’t pursue peace and security as long term policies and instead work against it for gain, well, what is sown will be reaped. And sadly the victims will be innocent citizens already cheated by their governments.
Speaking of living peace to spread peace, we need Canadian troops focused on rebuilding Afghanistan’s schools, hospitals and roads, doing beneficial work while protecting the civilans. I’m all for our special ops forces doing their work wherever it sends them, but there are approximately 19,500 US soldiers in Afghanistan so why do we keep hearing about Canadians fighting and dying in the frontlines? If Canada hadn’t been willing to send troops to Afghanistan maybe it would have put another obstacle in the path of George Bush’s march to war. But that’s another issue.
rant off
Just say no to the Asian Mullet
The same goes for the ‘Garth Algar’ Wayne’s World flippidity-doo I see on so many beautiful women. Just say no!
-N.B Photo’s not mine, all credit goes to www.mulletjunky.com If mullets are your thing, this is the site for you!
Bangkok has basically returned to normal, even if things barely changed in the first place. The soldiers outside my building are all but gone — only one or two remain and they can’t be older than 15 or 16.
I still haven’t seen any elephants either. Maybe the mahouts are pro-Thaksin and are staying off the streets in protest. Or maybe the junta is cracking down on massive piles of elephant shit on the sidewalk. If that’s the case, they have my support.
I was in Hanoi on the weekend to visit Scott and the animals and the Vietnamese were getting ready to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. It seems to be the only “real” holiday in the country… kids get colourful masks and lanterns and tons of electric toys. There are also mooncakes — round mince meat and dried fruit cake thingies — involved. Not my bag. I say it’s the only real holiday because all the other ones involve dusting off graves, cleaning the house, cooking piles of food and respecting elders. SNORE.
So, to all you Confucians and those influenced by the Chinese, happy Mid-Autumn Festival!!
