Generally I keep track of my training. I've got a little creme coloured imported Thai day planner I picked up at a Dollar Store in Canada I reference. I do this to keep tabs on the coin I owe the gym (I pay by the day) and to take note of my health. I'm sick often out here. Ninety percent of it is due to msg poisonings and other allergy and / or (dirty) food related issues. For example, when reviewing the last eight weeks of my life, I realized I was sick for five of the past eight Mondays. If I don't take this all down on paper, my brain efficiently washes it way. I don't see the patterns, I just live in the present and push forward. Keeping tabs on my … [Read more...]
THAILAND
The Thailand traditional travel guides overlook. I spent 2.5 years living in Buriram. The last time I checked, my Lonely Planet guide had a few paragraphs that essentially said, skip it. Read travel stories and advice from others who experience The Land Of Smiles the same way.
Clean Heart, Dirty Heart
Training was almost finished. I was unlacing my gloves when the old man called my name. "Lolah", he pointed at the plastic bags of food on the kitchen table, parallel to the ring. "No msg. You can eat it!" He smiled gleefully into my eyes. "Oh! Awesome." I smiled back. Due to my extreme allergy to msg, my post training meal at the gym generally consists of a bowl of white rice and two to three eggs - sometimes boiled, sometimes fried, sometimes deep fried. The rest of the gym eats a variety of dishes. Buying food without msg in Thailand is difficult. People will lie to you. They'll say it's msg free when it isn't. They'll throw in … [Read more...]
A Moment Of Gratitude – Buakaw Por Pramuk vs Sataban Tor Ratonakiet
An integral aspect of muay thai culture here in Thailand is reverence for those who teach you. Each fight commences with what is called the Wai Kru, a pre-fight ring ritual of respect. The Wai is a Thai gesture of veneration and Kru is the Thai word for teacher. A few days ago, my pre Lookchaomaesaitong Sit Namkabuan kru, Gai, a.k.a. Sataban Tor Ratonakiet called to let me know a fight of his was on YouTube. This was new as he neither owns any footage of his career as a nak muay, nor could we find footage anywhere, other than a K.O. highlight lifted from the standard entrance cd given out at Lumpinee stadium. The following is a fight between … [Read more...]
Blonde Hair and Red Lips
Lately I've been catching glimpses of myself in the mirror and thinking, What's up Armando? You're looking pretty worn out. Translation: I see my father with dark circled peepers, a bad wig and clothes that look like they've been pulled in opposing directions staring blankly at me. Or, as stated by a female who, when sitting at my laptop lurking portraits of prior Thailand me, turned her head in my direction and said, "Wow, you really have given up a lot to come out here." So my recent manifesto is to bring the stereotyped feminine back into my life. Dresses, hair treatments, perfumed sheets, clothes that weren't made for boys, and today, straightened, freshly blonde … [Read more...]
Training Muay Thai in Thailand? Beware the Poser Kru
It was about 10:00 pm. I was standing on the street when he drove up on his bike. "Lolah! He says he knows you." Beer in hand, he silenced the ignition. I walked over to meet him and one of the ladymen I was hanging with. "You're a boxer, I've seen you at fights." A conversation ensued. The details, I currently forget prior to being told he was a trainer. This interested me, as I was still looking for one. The following is paraphrased, best to my recollection. "I'll train you. I train my son." He motioned with his hands as though he was holding pads. He then looked over my … [Read more...]
Tips From Along the Way….Thailand
It's relatively easy for me to spot someone who either hasn't spent a great deal of time in The Land of Smiles or who has, but can't speak the language. I see the rainbows and stars float out of their eyes. It's not difficult for me to identify, I was one of them. Often when in conversation with someone in this state, I'm left in a sort of ethical bind. I want to educate them, give them some advice and warning signs of the possible dangers here, but I don't want to dim that light I see. Sometimes I think perhaps their path is different, their experiences will not resemble mine. Or perhaps, quite simply, they will go home soon. Thailand can be a wonderful place. If it … [Read more...]
Missionaries in Thailand – Breaking Down Idoltry in the Land of Smiles
The following video was found on the Iris Thailand YouTube page. Iris Ministries is a Christian missions organization that was originally founded in the U.S. in 1980. Since that time it has grown considerably. Their presence is felt in many countries and they are presently working on new bases around the world. Thailand is one of those places. From March 1 to March 15, 2011, a crew of missionaries toured Thailand. Their main concern is prostitution in this country. From the Iris Thailand website... Now, we all know that Heidi’s (one of the founders) lived in the poorest parts of the world, but she said that in Thailand, she experienced one of the darkest … [Read more...]
Changes – Finding A New Muay Thai Gym
Finding the right trainer and/or muay thai gym in its homeland can be a difficult task, particularly for those here long term. If I had to generalize, I'd estimate that your average Foreigner who is on limited time and of limited knowledge has a fairly easy time finding the right fit. New is beautiful. Again, if I had to generalize, I'd estimate that those of us here long term generally tend to develop discerning tastes. We know what we want, we know what we don't, and oftentimes other elements influence our decisions. Among them, our financial situation. A number of us stepped away from our employment and saved considerably to follow our passion for muay … [Read more...]
If You’re Good…On Being A Foreign Woman In Thailand
Thai massages generally last two hours and during that time multiplied by a few visits, you can get to know a lot about the person administering the massage, and them about you. It's sort of reminiscent of getting your hair cut in the West. Today, as I sat with my legs crossed and head bent, signifying the end of my massage, my massage lady rubbed my back softly and in the tone one uses when one wants to impart wisdom and comfort said, "You have the soul of a man but the body of a woman." Her hands paused and she squeezed my shoulder blades lightly. "If you're good/do well, in your next life you will be born a … [Read more...]
Western Mind, Eastern Mind And The Space In Between
Excerpt from an email sent to a friend..... "Please tell me delicious stories of Canadian life. I'll call it Canadiana and hold it close to my heart..... I've been out here long enough where I'm fucking up English words... i.e. on the TV I saw written in English (on Thai dubbed Bugs Bunny yesterday)..... BOX OFFICE..... Because there is no real transliteration for Thai here, meaning, there is no standard spelling/use of the Roman Alphabet so people spell words however the fuck they feel like it... I read BOX OFFICE as... BOX OF FICE... meaning BOX OF RICE? BOX OF ICE? What is this they speak of?.... Haven't quite lost my mind, … [Read more...]
A Portrait Of Pear In Lamplaimat, Buriram, Thailand
This photo was captured on a clear, sunny afternoon in Lamplaimat, Buriram, Thailand. I made the trip to the small community from the city of Buriram with my friend and one of my muay thai trainers, Gai (Chicken). More about Gai here. Gai and I rode on his motorbike, from the city, to his parents' rural home where he grew up. It's customary for Thais to refer to home (baan) as not where they currently live, but where they grew up, and where their parents most likely still reside. For Gai, his home is in Lamplaimat and specifically, it's the dwelling you see pictured below. Upon our arrival on this particular day, Gai instructed me to go take a nap. I … [Read more...]
Understanding Isaan Weddings
Approximately one week after my post Muay Thai In Limbo, I found out that Gai, my trainer was getting married within two weeks. One of his oldest friends mentioned it to me and they had just found out that day. If what I've been told is correct, Gai had recently found out. Perhaps a few weeks prior, possibly a few months, no one I spoke to really knew. This, from what I've been told by a number of people is normal. Families and/or monks often deem that people are to marry and when, not the people dating. In addition, the people who are getting married aren't obligated to tell their friends. Many don't. I've learned to stop … [Read more...]
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