Buses dont have scheduals

Yesterday we had orientation, most of the things covered i already knew, but some was interesting. The issue with orientation was how late it ran. As most people know, I value punctuality, and as we were waiting for a keynote speaker at the orientation, a professor, Ajan Edward (Ajan is the thai title for teacher) explained to us Thai time. Its quite a bit more relaxed than American. I suppose it will be useful for if I am late to class, but I dont know how well I shall adjust to it. In the packet they gave us there was a phrase that summed it up: Thai Buses dont run on scheduals. Apparently they just drive their route and get to the stop when then get to it.
Thais also have a phrase that is pronounced Mai Ben Rai. It roughly means "it doesnt matter" or "nevermind" and it often used when things go wrong or as a way of saying "its okay" after someone appologizes to you or "dont mention it" if someone thanks you for something.

After orientation was finally done Steve and I hopped on the water taxi with some friends we had made, Pacco and Jennifer, and made our way to the train station where we road the train to the mall again. Apparently on wednesdays they have muy thai exhibitions, and i hope to go just to see those.
Our mission at the mall was bedsheets. Steve and I just moved into a 1 room apartment, and needed sheets for the bed. We also realized we needed toilet paper. We were able to pick these up at the mall. Jennifer went to get a phone (I should get one, but my isep stipend wont be in till tomorrow). The intresting thing about buying cellphones is that you almost always get a pay as you go cellphone. You can choose from a selection of new and used phones, and can choose from a selection of numbers. Numbers with lots of 9s can sell for more, because it is an auspicious number in Buddhist culture.

After spending a good deal of time in the mall, we were ready to head back to the appartment building (we all live in the same place). We then found that Taxi drivers do not want to drive out to our building, because it is in a different section of the city were they do not usually drive and they dont think that they will find many passengers. So far i havent found out how to convince them go to there (besides giving in to their high monetary demands). With every taxi we try to talk as much as our broken thai and their broken english will allow. We finally flagged down a taxi for 300 baht and chatted him up about the business (since i am on the outlook for a summer job). Apparently with costs subtracted the taxi makes only 300 baht a day. His sister drives a tuktuk and says that they make more money. Ill write about about how a tuktuk scam works later.

Upon arrival at the Amarin Mansion apartment complex, we went up to the rooftop to join a bit of a party going on. We meet some people, including a guy named Johnny who decided that he wanted to come to Angkor Wat with us when we make that trip. In case you are wondering the parties here are fueled by cheap Asian beers; Singha, Chang, and Leo. They have a higher percentage of alcohol than American brews. I think I can honestly say that this was the first college party I have been to where all of the drinkers were legal.