Wake up time depends on what day of the week it is, since some days have earlier classes than others. (Please note that our week is Wednesday-Friday right now, and will be Tuesday-Friday next month). Steve and I take turns in the shower, possibly skype with parents, and then head out the door. We live on the 6th floor, so we take the elevator down, and head out through the lobby, saying 'Sawatdee Khrap' to the people working at the desk, and our security guard. We walk about 3 minutes to the river, passing a handful of street vendors on the way. At the river, we climb up the stairs to the pedestrian sidewalk, and cross the bridge. On the other side there is another handful of vendors. To avoid traffic we cut through the parking lot of a Wat, and then through a construction zone next to the hospital (i think they might be expanding the hospital) (this hospital is where the King is currently at) and then to the ferry. There are, of course, more vendors outside of the pier.
The ferry costs 3 baht. And the ride takes about 2 minutes. The ferry takes us to a market that is literally right next to Thammasat. This is where I usually buy my breakfast, often some kind of meat on a stick and a fresh watermellon slice. Then it is up to the 8th floor for class.
Being that most classes only meet once or twice a week, they are 4 hours long. This is a bit of a struggle, although we do have a 10-15 minute break midway through. Breaks seem to last to at least 20 minutes, and most everyone takes this time to head downstairs to get more food.
When class is over its either adventure time, or back to the Appartment to plan adventure. Thammasat is in the middle of a historical district so many places, are within easy walking distance. Today we went to the Royal Palace, which houses many intresting things, most of which you cannot photograph. The most famous is the Emerald Buddha, which is the most holy Buddha image in Thailand.
Tickets to a Muy Thai match at the stadium are 1000 baht for cheap seats, however, there are free matches every Wednesday at MBK (the huge shopping center)
Matches start with a traditional dance to pay respects to spirits, the other fighter, and the coach.
Then things start happening. from what i can tell, no groin shots, no hitting your opponent when they are down, but everything else seems legal.
Of the six matches that were on Wednesday, 4 of them were won by judges decision. The two that were won by knockout (it wasnt actually a knockout, the other fighter was just hurting too much or became incapable of fighting, but was still conscious) were awesome. The first one was won when Red shorts, was able to get control of Blue shorts in the clinch, and slammed his knee into Blue shorts guts twice. Blue was down.
The last match was decided in the first round. Red shorts delivered a brutal kick to the back of the head of Blue shorts. Blue was down.
As for dinner options, We usually either eat at a restaurant or street vendor if we are out and about, or if we are back at the apartment we go downstairs to the nearby restaurant, Khun Kai Kitchen. (Khun is a polite term close to meaning mr or mrs or ms) She serves up a selection of Thai and american food. The american food costs a premium, so i will only buy that when im haveing a bad bout of homesickness or culture shock. Her specialty is the ever popular Pad Thai.
I have made a pact with Jennifer and Steve to only eat McDonalds once a month here. However, when we do eat it, we dont go through the drive-thru (because they dont have those here), we order McDelivery! Yes, McDelivery. Food delivered to our door by motorbike.
We went to the bottom of the atrium and had a picnic. Our stomachs got quite confused by the American food combining with the Thai.
Speaking of stomach issues, both Steve and Jennifer are starting to have the stomach problems that have been plaguing me. Hopefully our stomachs will adjust and this will let up soon.
After dinner, we usually see if there is anything going on. Sometimes there is a party on the roof (wonderful views of the city) other times people go out on the town, and often there is a movie in the lobby.
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