Experiencing Thailand

Missing Thailand, now studying and living with 3 frenchies in Bulle...

2008-06-02T21:18:00.002+07:00

Hey everybody...
It took me sometime to write again on my blog...I am pretty sure nobody checks on it anymore...however I will try to write again about my adventures after the big adventure of exeriencing Thailand. It sure was a very interesting experience that enables you to learn a lot that you could never learn in a school. Therefore I am greatful but I was also eager to finish my 6th semester in Glion (bulle, switzerland) and in 2 months I will start my last semester... after that the plans are a little confused, because Im not sure if I will travel, work or study some more for a master in Tourism for example...i also have to think of my dissertation that will be finished by December this year...
However perhaps this blog will get me over my sumer break, in which I have some plans but alos plenty of time in between...except when I am working on my dissertation...
Okay thats it for the moment..pictures will follow later on...

Bye
Marie

The end is near...it is here...

2007-12-15T22:47:00.000+07:00

Exciting week these last week... I went to Hua Hin for the long weekend with my friend Alison..it was fun. Fir the one last time to the beach experience here in Thailand..in DECEMBER!!!! We were havinbg a lot of fun and it is aöways good to travel with someone whpo can speak a bit Thai.. We went to the monkey temple in Prachuab KiriKhan and then we go to Hua Hin which was pretty turistic. We chose our Hostel on internet the day before..it was a bit out of HuaHin centre but pretty nice... and we were very lucky because one of the employees offered us his tickets with a value of one thousand baht to go to a special HuaHin night concert organized every year...with free buffet dinner and concerts, the main act being THE saxophonist with a veryy talented singer (woman) (both Thai) and pretty famous. Yes... so look at the pictures and see for yourself...

By the way, Im enjoying my last few days here and I dont think there will be much more to tell...except the singing contest in which I took part in the Hotel and on Tuesday Im invited to the 'president' or responible person from the ambassy of Luxembourg in Thailand...after that on Wednesday, I will join the staf party from Sofitel and say goodbye to everybody the day after is my flight ... so hope toi see u soon...

The Perrier VIP Party

2007-12-06T23:18:00.000+07:00

Last week Nicolas and I got invited to the Perrier Party here in Bangkok for a new promotion. The dress code was , (how else) amazing green!! It is not so easy to find nice green clothes...finally we gave in and bought something...
I was a bit disappointed by this 'soirée' because the music was very loud and not that many people and a lot of Models that were photographed the whole evenings... Fortunately the food (buffet) and the drinks (red and white wine) were for free the whole night... It became a sort of game for us to catch the next waiter with his 'plate' with wines...
All in all it was very nice and we got a little drunk...but it was funny...
Oh and of course I find many Christmas trees here..which is pretty funny because you are melting already because of the hot weather and I still cant believe its winter?? That will be a shock in 2 weeks...ahhhhh only 2 weeks? I must admit my feelings are very mixed..of course Im still happy to go home see everybody..but I feel that I leave an important part of my life behind...even if it is only for now...
But then end is neaaar...
I am lucky my brother took my tickets for back later...so I will finish my work on next Friday and then I have one more week to enjoy life here...
Next weekend I will go to Hua Hin (beach) with my Scottish friend (long weekend) and then later that week we will have the staff party...with song contest (and of couuurse I will sing..what do you think??) and I got a very nice invitation from .......tadaaaa: the Luxembourgish ambassy here in Bangkok...the person in charge calls all Luxembourgish people together to a Buffet-Dinner in his place and we can even bring one person...of course I accepted..I want to see how many Luxemb. people are actually living here...
Okay thats it...enjoy the pics..

My fiftiest post, about exciting Weeeekend!

2007-11-26T20:22:00.000+07:00

I have to admit that I had a very nice Weekend, starting 2 days after the Wedding ...so I didnt work that much...this week..
Friday nice I met with my french neighbour who is leaving just in front of my appartment and we went to a special night in V9 (famous bar in my hotel, Sofitel) dj leomeo visiting from l'étoile disco in Paris. The first cocktail (big red one was a gift from the barman (best barman in Thailand) but was actually a mocktail (no alcool, but amazingly good mmhhhh) the second one was offered from the boss of my neighbour, this time alcoolic...after followed a glas of white wine for each (free of charge again) and finally I asked another cocktail from my favourite barman ^^
After being in a good mood we left the ar because we wanted to go to the Khao Sarn road. Already on the taxi to there, I felt a bit drunk...but it was immediatly better after being in the fresh air of the Khao Sarn... I showed my neighbour around since he didnt see this road yet...a lot of falang a lot of shops, bars and drunken people...then we went to my favourite place, of course; the Hippie bar..and what a nice surprise they celebrated their 7th birthday and a quite famous Thai ska reggae band played the whole night! All in all we had a very nice night in two very different places!!
Next morning we went to Chatuchak market and my neighbour (and me part of it) bought a cat!!!! SOOOOO CUUUUTEEEE!!! It is supposed to be a Korat (thai cat) but we think (since everything i Thailand is faked) its actually a fake one. Nontheless its a very nice cat and it is sleeping on my lap as I write! Te best part, we called the cat Yoda after the little creature in Star Wars because sometimes it looks very similar ^^ in a good way...
Saturday night, Loey Kratong (a big festival) took place here in Bangkok and other different places in Thailand. itis a festival to thank and say sorry to the water. They make little ships with candles in it and put it on the river, lakes and even swimming pools. Of course I think its a big paradox, because say thank you by poulluting the water even more (in some way) is not a good way...well however...we almost missed everthing, and saw only a bit of the fireworks...but there were a lot of people and it feeled the same as at home...
My Sunday I used it to go to the fitness and supermarket (to buy catfood) and relaxed the whole day...Thats about it...I would put more pictures but I cant ^^

Ancient city near Bangkok!

2007-11-25T16:52:00.000+07:00

Here just some pictures about kmy last weekend here...it is a very nice park build in the form of thailand and showing all big attractions and temples are displayed in miniature. By the way it is a very nice alternative to the quite dusty and polluted Bangkok city centre.

Sorry I have problems uploading my pictures...propably something with the connexion...I will try tomorrow again...

Thai Japanese Wedding

2007-11-24T18:29:00.000+07:00

This 20th of November I was inbvited to this traditional Thai weddinf between a Thai woman and a Japanese man. I have to say, in some oints very different from the weddings I experienced before, nontheless the basics were still the same. Except for the monks singing, that u sit on your knees wit the hands folded. That there is a whole ceremony for the groom to propose money and gold to the family of the woman before he can enter the house. The traditional thai music and dancing was fun. After that you pour water over the hands of groom and bride to be and you also give them a little cord to wish them luck for ther marriage. The nice part was the enormous cultural clash of Japan and Thailand (and me falang) Well I was almost adapted to thai culture, but to see the Japanese gave me even a better understanding of the differences, eventhough Japan is not that far away. For example, in Thai culture you shouldnt wear black or white with black to a wedding because these colours are used for funeral. As you can see one of the Japanese girls had a black and white Kimono on. Fortunately, the Thai people didnt feel offended. After the ceremony, Ooy and me had to try the Kimonos on...its quite hot i there and we couldnt breathe properly, but nice to try. After that we went to theresort which was so nice. We went swimming with the kids...they dont really learn swimmning here...but it was fun...after that we had a little barbecue and party, All in all it was very nice but was so tired since I was up from 4 oclock in the ,moring until late at night!
Well so far for the wedding...but I have more news!! ...

News...

2007-11-11T17:33:00.000+07:00

This weekend was pretty uninteresting... I spent my Friday evening with some friends from work, including Ooy, Boum, Ant and Chalee. We went to that so-called Japanese restaurant where you also have boiling soup where you cook your food in, in the midle of the table. The plates with what you want turn around you on a little I dont know how to explain...like a trail that turns and you can take sushis or meat and vegetables from it. We ate sooo much!! You can see on the pictures the numbers of plate we have with Chalee on the picture. ^^ It was not him who ate all of them..so that was quite nice... Then I met Oad and went home. Saturday I re-discovered Sukhumvit area and I also discovered a really nice place in one of the Sois (streets) its called Crepes&Co and its totally like in the Junbgle but since it is recommended in many Toursit guides a lot of people find their way through! ^^ My crepe was pretty good and they also have Maroccan specialties and I think I will go back shortly to try the Tajine and Couscous...
I think I can ask my new found friend..he is Management trainee in the Hotel as well, french BUT (haha) very nice, he comes from Biaaritz and hates Parisians so he was directly sympathetic ^^
Unfortunately we have totally different times for working (not totally but I have the weekend off and he has off thursday and wednesday). However I think I found a nice person and since he is living next door(opposite), I think we will see each other a lot ^^
Today I just relaxed in bed and went out to read in my favourite Starbucks shop ohh by the way I found this KFC sign so charming drive thruuuuu^^
Amnd then I came back and Nicolas (my neighbour) should me his drug: a video game he plays alll the time which is really funny ^^ (called Worms)
Then we went out to eat and came back...voilaaa that was my weekend...and tomorrow it will be baackt oo wooork again ^^ buhuuu
Thats life ^^
Keep your heads up I hope you had a nice weekend!!

My parents in Bangkok!!!

2007-11-05T00:18:00.000+07:00

Text will soon be added...

okay okay... and who is anonymous?? However, my parents came to seem me last week and it was pretty nice to see Bangkok as a tourist again even if only for 2 days (because I had to work) But I think I could make them feel at ease here and show them perhaps a bit mor then the average tourist will see in one week (which is short for a city like bangkok) According to their remarks I think that they liked it very much and I didnt have any other comment until now (between all my different visitors) I really want to show this city to everybody because eventhough its pollution, the hot weather and sometimes the annoying taxidrivers (my parents now know what I am talking about) this city has a lot to offer, palaces, culture, food and at last (but REALLY not at least) the people! The people you meet here daily and the ones I know from work are just darlings...I am going to miss them a lot when Im gone and I really want to come back here as soon as possible (saying that while still being here haha)
Of course I know that there are a lot of difficulties and the language (communication between falang and thai) is only one of them! Okay but Im not here to tell you this, I want you all to come here so you experience it ^^ one month to go if you want to stay for free!! ^^
Back to my parents, i finally managed to see the khlongs which are the small riverstreets on the other side of the river of bangkok which was pretty nice to see...you cant see any skyscratcher and you feel miles away from bangkok when it is just around the corner... we were lucky with the weather as well and I have to say that it is even better know..it is winter and you see the people with long sleeves ...but actually it is still hot with a little bit of wind (lets say a hot day in Europe would be the same) Okay however, I showed them chatuchak market as well and I think that was a bit of a shock ^^ because it is just so different from everything we know...I remember my first time there..wow...
the other day we just went to the shopping malls (air conditioned) shop a bit and relax...eat ice cream...the other days I left my parents on their own and I think they managed more or less well...they went a lot by foot ^^ but normally in bangkok you get quickly used to taking a taxi or a tuktuk because everything is just so faaar away! well and then unortunately for my parents they had some problems with the airlines; to come here they almsot lost 2 of their 2 luggages and got one back immeditaly but the pther one got send to them on the next day...as for the return to London/Luxembourg, the plane didnt start so they had to fix it and my parents had to stay in abngkok for one more night and happily got one flight back to london where there was only one flight left to go to geneva, where they suddenly got back with luxair to luxembourg.

I hope my flight back will be okay...especially because I haaate flying.
Okay that was my report with delay..sorry for that...whoever my fan was ^^
marie

Much to tell, but no time...^^

2007-10-22T23:02:00.000+07:00

Okay finally here I am again to tell a bit about my life here in Thailand. For the moment I just enjoy my time here and work late everyday, go out with friends etc...
So in short, I am fine eventhough of course...I still miss my home my friends and family...luckily my parents come to visit this WE!! I think its going to be very nice...and I hope they enjoy Thailand as much as I do and that I can give them a better insight then most tourists get here...
So since my last blog I was going out with friends to my favourite Saxophone bar...I even made it to the famous RCA!! Eventually!! I finally drove on a Scooter, not on the road, dont worry...too confusing to drive on the left side! I joined in a sort of indian Hinu festival to praise one of their goddesses...which was a bit strange...a lot of people dancing with their tongue out of their mouth and doing strange noises...a lot of music to and a big parade where the people through coconuts against the road, (wich after my boss explained to me, was done to clear the road for the goddess to pass, because water was not clean enough) which I found (personnally) a big waste of food and drink!! AND I alos went fishing again and this time we caught a big fish!! Its funny but after a while it gets a bit boring...because the fish dont always bite..!! Enjoy my pictures!!^^

Actionfilled Weekend...

2007-10-14T18:57:00.000+07:00

Yeah wow loong WEEKEND this weekend...Fridaynight I met in my friends house the people he is living with: the man thai and the woman japanese...I think their girl is the most cutest baby ever!! So i just had to take a picture and post it here... She is very nice and fuuuuulll of energy!
Then we went to the Vegitarian Festival (for one week) in Chinatown..and for one day I didnt eat meat or fish or anythng from animals..its very annoying ^^ but I did it!
(So proud) then I left with Ooy and her boyfriend to go home to leave early the next morning to see her parent who leave outside Bangkok (3 hours driving) in a province called Chai Nat (said China) Very nice we cooked thai Fishcakes, Som Tam and Stcky Rice...we ate a lot all the time..and I still dont know how Thai people stay so thin!!! It was good fun and after eating we wentz to the park to see butterflies and flowers and to take a look at their Crocodile farm and their aquarium...it was very nice and relaxing. I saw a lot and as always I experienced a lot of different and interesting things! Her family was very nice...but unfortunately they didnt speak a lot of English so the communication was a bit restricted and I saw a lot of THAI movies and series ^^
All ind all it was anpother very rich experience and Im home , exhausted because of the medecine that I take against the many Moskitoes that bit me again!!
okay so looong... Kisses

Panic at the Hotel!

2007-10-09T20:16:00.000+07:00

Yesterday we had a firealarm training planned at the Hotel for 4 o'clock! 10 minutes past 4 it started ringing and all employees hurried down the firealarm stairs from 11th floor to ground floor. We did it many times and its always funny...however this time was a bit different. While my friend Ooy and me were waiting for allt he other employees to get back up with the elevator we were talking until there were almost no people left anymore. We waited in front of the 3 levators and startewd betting on which one would be the first to open. Ooy was sure to take the left one and I honestly didnt care because it meant that for thr time waiting we could talk and didnt have to be that serieous than in the office...
Finally the elevator on the very left opened and about 6 or 7 people entered. There was still space and we laughed and said that we shouldnt have eaten too much else the elevator would not get us up. Suddenly when we arrived at the 1rst floor the lift stopped abruptly and fell about one meter down. SHOCK!! My friend and me were shrieking because of this suddenly pretty serious situation. The thing was that the lift didnt dtop then but continued falling a little bit every time. i couldnt stop thinking that we were almost on the floor so even if we would fall down that nothing very bad could happen (fortunately)..
This situation went on about 2 min before we heard some people coming for help. Fortunatly people were making fun of the situation now and I have to say that everybody stayed pretty calm. Because of the continuous little up and falling sensation we startted making fun of it, because we felt safe again. As a joke I now took out my phone and said loudely thatr I will have to call my parents to say good bye.. Everybody laughed and 1 minute later we were saved by the security man of the Hotel. After the first shock it turned out pretty funny...but it also gets to remind you that life can be very short and that u should take advantage of any minute ur healthy and breathing!!
Okay so on, carpe diem!!
Mali

Fishing, Relaxing...

2007-10-03T22:24:00.000+07:00

Last weekend I went fishing on Sunday with a friend I met through my scottish friend from the fitness. It was my first time fishing and I must say it surely is a relaxing Sport. We went for one day, its a place in Bangkok where they have a big swimming pool like they cal it, with very big fish. You basically have to pay for entry and for the fish food and then you try to catch the fish that can be up to 1 meter.
We went for one day and we got to fish ONE!! It was really funny though... it was my Thai relaxing day! Eating, talking listening to music and fishing one fish...
It was a very nice place which is open 24 hours, and they sell you Bungalows to stay over night etc. I never saw anything like it and as you can see my moral and my state of mind are slowly healing from the lack of social lif here in Thailand.
I put some pictures and I'll try to put a movie from a fish on google video or utube for the ones interested in seeing a huuge fish. Oh by the way, once you fished one of the fish you quickly make some pictures and then you'll put it back again...I think its a great idea...people making money out of this...we should build something like that in Europe if it doesnt exist yet...mhhh.. any ideas? Should I get rich with this idea?? I dont think so, waht do you think??

Finally going out...meeting people...

2007-09-29T16:36:00.000+07:00

2 days since my last post...when I was a little down..BUT I think Im on the right track again..I went out Thiursday and Friday and had a lot of fun..
Thursday I met my scottish friend, who is going to leave for Scotland with her Thai boyfriend for 3 weeks! So we went to Khao Sarn Rd and there are some very nice spots if you know where..so we went to massage, eat and then met her boyfriend plus friends and went drinking, since it will be there last day in town...
I was having a lot of fun and one of the friends (though being Thai) spoke very well English AND even French!! He is a cook and he was actually looking for a position in my Hotel and had an interview the same day! Would be nice if he will come to the Hotel...at elast a person t talk to...and thai
He asked me to go fishing one of these days so that was a very nice evening and Im slowly getting it together again..
Yesterday went out with some guys with the Hotel..it was nice as well...but they are very odd...I think it wasnt a good idea to go with them because only guys and 1 falang girl...wel you can imagine for yourself..finally at 4 oclock I was able to convince them to send me home with the taxi...
Here some pics...

What comes up must come down and down..and down..

2007-09-26T22:41:00.000+07:00

So like written in the title, getting used to the nice company and actually talking with people all the time, sightseeing etc got me very 'high' this last week... The problem is now that they are gone again, I can not help but feel alone and somehow sad...I miss my family and friends...and I can not wait for my turn to go home again.
I think this is normal though and that I will get used to the 'loneliness' again. And its not that I am totally lonely...its jsut that I dont really have one person I can call or meet and tell this person everything, my state of mind..that is why in some strnge kind of way, this blog has become this 'friend'. I think already by only writing these things..that I will instantly feel better...
Not even 3 months to go and I have my parents visiting me at the end of October to which I can look forward to as well... so its not all bad ^^ and eventhough I feel a little down these times I think Im very lucky to be here to live a life for 6 months that a lot of people will never know. Afterall it is normal to feel homesick from time to time...no? If my readers want to cheer me up with something..please feel free to write a comment or to send a link or something ^^
Okay ... the pictures I will put will show u a lot of dishes we ate ... just to give u an ides...and after all food always cheers us up no? ^^ ...

Without Words...

2007-09-25T23:53:00.000+07:00

Week with the boys!

2007-09-24T19:36:00.000+07:00

This week I was pretty busy, but fortunatly not with work but with my 2 friends visiting me from Luxembourg. We had some very nice moments and in a whole it was almost the perfect week... The cherry on top of the whipped cream was of course the weekend in Krabi by the sea. We went diving, kayaking and basically just relaxed in front of the beach..with some beers, suncream and moskitospray ^^
The weather was pretty good it didnt rain our hotel was cheap and nice and the food was EXCELLENT!
All in all some amazing days in amazing Thailand! ^^
Unfortunately now everybody is gone and Im alone again...I think the contrast after this week is going to be hard for the next weeks...but I'll survive that as well! ;)

I think you could say that we did a loooot and saw a looot, we went to see the Grand Palace, Chinatown, PingPong Show, ate on the highest openair restaurant in Thaialnd.., went to see a Muay Thai fight, went to the VIP cinema session, went to a Thai/Expatriate Bar, called Saxophone and where they were playing some amazing music (bogband and jazz soul band, of course thai!!)...
I think I did more in this week then in the 3 months alltogether that I am here already... so now I have to save some money again, for a change ...

Okay I let the pictures speak for themselves...

2007-09-09T21:38:00.000+07:00

F&B Competition in Paragon!!

This Saturday was a big competition between big Hotels and Restaurants mostly from Bangkok. So Ooy, whose boyfriend is the executive chef of Asia Hotels and who took part, and me went there to see the different competitions: Ice Carving, Food Carving, Cake Decorating, best Pasta Plate and best Bartender. Sofitel Silom Bangkok (our Hotel) took only part in one competition, which is the bartender one, for classical Cocktail and we won!! We won best performance and we won first place with the same guy! He is very talented and he will go to the Philipines now to take part in an even bigger bartender competition around Asia!! We were so proud!! I think there is going to be a big Party in V9 (our famous restaurant) sometimes next week. We'll see...
Okay Sleepy again byee

Lets talk Lux...

2007-08-31T19:11:00.000+07:00

Ech mengen et get mool Zeit fier main éischten letz. Andraach. Sin souwisou net vill Lait di de Blog liesen an net letz. sin! ^^
Maja wollt mool bessi iwwert mai Sozialt Liewen vun hai schwetzen...

Wi gesoot di meeschten Thai sin ne grad su bewandert am Engleschen oder iergendenger Sprooch ausser Thai. Dowinst kann et haiansdo (sproochlesch gesin) relatif einsam gin. Mee daat woor gréisstendeels am Ufank...am Moment kennen ech di leit di mat mer schaffen scho besser an verschiddener trauen sech lo och puer Sätz op Englesch rauszebrengen. An deem Department wu ech schaffen (Cost Control F&B) sin ech mam Ooy, waat sech em mech kemmert an mer mettlerweile scho richteg un Herz gewuess ass, de Chef (Moo) vum Dpmnt., dee menger Meenung no keng foutéiert an lait alles um Ooy, an dann na een dee sech nemmen em Beverage bekemmert, de Pan. Mam Chef hun ech mengen ech na ni geschwaat...an mam Pan amfong o na net su richteg well hien baal nemmen Thai schwetzt an nemmen selten Englesch schwetzt an versteet. Mee mier verstin ais awer deck gudd...as zimlech witzeg... ass haiansdo e bessen wi mat engem daafen ze kommunizéieren (also 2 Daafer di mateneen kommunizéieren) mee haut hun mer mool baal eng richteg Konversatioun mat nicken an sou ferdeg bruet...as schon zimlech Erliefnisreich daat ganzt!
Ech muss soen ech versti mech super gudd mat deene meeschten, mee et mierkt een dann awer o (waat e sech besser kennt) dass et awer na grouss Ennerscheeder kann gin waat Edukatioun, Manéieren, Gewunnechten a Gespréichsthemen ugin.
Mee natierlech emsou méi interessant fier mech e richtegen Ableck verschaaft ze kréien. Daat eenzegt, wat mer lo na mi kloer gin ass, waat mech ufenkt mat nerven as d'Relatiounen zweschent de Fraen an de Männer. Egal op Thai männer an Fraen oder Falang an Thai gemescht...si sin na net graad souwait mat der Emanzipatioun wi sech daat op den éischten Ableck ugesait! Ee vu de Meedercher vun der Arbescht huet mer erzielt dass et opwuel et guer keng Locht dozou haat mat sengem Frend geschloof huet, nemmen well et net wollt eng ganz Diskussioun draus maan. Ech hund aat su krass fonnt...hun awer su gemaa wi wann et okay waer...froen emch awer lo op ech ent awer soll eppes soen...mengen awer net dass ech eppes maan kann.. Mee as awer krass...et huet mer erzielt dass et express mega lues gemaa fier pennen ze goen an extra na Buch gelies huet an wi et dun gemengt huet e ging schloofen wollt et luuues Luut ausmaan an zack du woore beemool rem hellwaakreg...Mee pardon et schafft menger Meenung zimlech vill am Moment an wann een da net engkéier kann Nee soen...daat as jo scho baal Viol!! An hun haut an der Zeitung gelies dass et bai ville Thai Koppelen su waer dass de Mann dFra quasi vergewaltegen ging an dass Fraen daat acceptéieren gingen well se mengen et waer huier Schold oder sou...
Daat woor mool ahut su de Schock... an jo dann di dégeukasse Koppelen hai ; fetten (reichen) aalen Preiss oder Fransous oder waat o emmer sicht sech eng jongk Thai Beauté!! HELLEEEEF!!! Losst di Meedercher da mat Rou!! Et sin esouuu léiwer...

Maja sin awer lo ab denowend geet et an RCA (Party Quartier hai zu Bangkok) allez bis demnächst!!

Ciao

Long absence...

2007-08-29T22:13:00.000+07:00

Sorry I didnt write for quite some time...I didnt pay my internet bills since my money (salary) just evaporates every month..
I still havent paid but I told them I will pay by the end of the month..and apparently they believed me because I have my internet back!!

Some news, I met a philippino guy who is working in my hotel and speaking (even teaching) english...we go out sometimes and its fun, but then he told me (OVER SMS) that he loved me which I found pretty strange after 2 weeks of knowing one another...
Then I thought I felt a bit alone and got myself a rabbit...but nothing to write home about, befcause he died 2 days after I got him...he didnt want to eat and then he got diarrhea...well it wasnt funny but well...its life...I guess..

At least my social life is getting more interesting and I will have some visit from luxembourg in September ...and Im looking forward to talk in my language again and to see them and show them around of course!!

What else lets see.... I hope nobody reads this blog hahaha
People will think I am a heartless, bunnykilling and heartbreaking bitch..
Okay enough I am very tired and obviously have nothing really to talk about...^^
cu

Gwen Stefani in tooownnn!!!

2007-08-20T22:36:00.002+07:00

I know not a very nice picture but I have a video as well...it was pretty nice the show...I wantewd to see a concert like this in a long time..and I wasn't deceived..
The princess of Thailand was there as well and Gwen and her Cancers and Musicians rocked the scene!!! Thai girls went crazy and screamed like hell..
After the show the big problem was to get a taxi..One would think that it would be easy t get a taxi in Bangkok..but suddenly aftetr the concert there were so many people all the Taxis full until there wwas only me and a Japanese guy with whom I wanted to share a cab. After half an hour one axi was finally available but did not want to put on the Meter that measures the money u have to pay per KM and asked directly for 300 baht. We found it a bit too much and did not want to pay such an amount. So we denied and waited for another 10 minutes..the next Taxi stopped (FINALLY) and asked for not less than 500!! baht. It was quite a shock and my freshly found Taxisharer got that upset that he tapped on the Taxi and almost started a fiught because the driver eanted to take advantage of our situation..at night far from Bangkok centre with a now almost deserted street...
I almost started to lose hope to find a taxi when suddenly tha 3rd taxi stopped at the winking hand of my 'friend'.
Thanbk god this taxi driver wasnt that kinky and took us with him to go back to Bangkok. Happy and exhausted after one hour spent one the street almost crying for a taxi we fell into our seats and were FIBALLY FINALLY driven back home...
Indredible the Taxi drivers here...soime are very nice but some just take advantage..or sometimes they chose if they take you where u want to go or not... Imagine in any other country ( I know at least) that you ask a Taxi to go somewhere and the Taxidriver laughs, waves no with his hand and head and just drives off!!!
Well ... thats Bangkok I guess!!
Happily there are normally so many Taxis that its just a matter of time to get to the destination of your wish!!

Cho Ping WE!!

2007-08-20T00:29:00.000+07:00

So this weekend I had some visitors at my appartment and we went to shop around Chatuchak market and Night Bazar...
On Friday night, we first went to a Bowling, Karaoke bar? and then we went to a sort of 'Concert bar' like in Luxembourg the Atelier, BUT everything the band was playing was in thai (naturally). The entrance was free but the beer quite expensive..we dances for some time and went home again..I have to say I really start to like Thai men...^^
Okay Im quite tired so I let the pictures tell the story for me:

A weekend away in sunny paradise!

2007-08-13T19:38:00.000+07:00

So much for the rainy season...I got so much sun that I am actually burned very badly now! But it was a lot of fun. I met a guy from Shanghai and we went to visit and cruise the island together ... it was very relaxing not too many people, good weather and the beaches were...PERFECT!! Even after the people from work told me I would never find a place to stay because of the long WE etc..but that was no problem I got a bungalow on the beach for myself with basics(bathroom, bed and a MIRROR!! haha) and free moskitos as well but for 500 baht it was correct..and vveeeery close tot he beach! I took some pictures when I cam into the bathroom the floor was moving so many insects were there so I turned on the shower and washed them away! After we went on a trop to discover the different beaches and to try the sea!! There were beaches where we were practically alone and this was amazing!! However to move from the east side to the west side we had to take a taxi (because wee wanted to see the famous sunset on Ao Prao) and this was quite an adventure since the 'roads' were very bad u sat on the truck and had to grip on the car not to get thrown out of the car...
After we watched the sunset and had a bite and a cocktail we went back cloeser to our bungalow to grab a beer and after we watched a pretty amazing fire show on the beach ..and directly next to us were some americans sitting down with a guitar and singing songs..it was very nice...after we rested a bit more we went to the 'beach disco/bar just next to our hotel and danced our asses off! It was really funny...so at 2 oclock we went back toe the bungalows to fall into our beds...
In order to give u a better idea of this weekend I put some pictures in...enjoy...because I most certainly did!! ;oP eventhough Im burned now...^^

Long Weekend...!!

2007-08-10T00:09:00.000+07:00

Okay back now and in a better mood as well... the Weekend (long weekend) is near and I was very social these days so my mood is goig better all the time. Fortunately. The smell I could barely bear last time seemed to be Durian (conserved, not fresh) and I still think its the wosrt of all smells!! Well its perhaos because Im a farang...but anyways..
So this Weekend I have big plans to go away to ko Samet an island near Bangkok which seems to be quite dry, even for the rainy season..I think a bit relaxation on the bech will do me good. Tomorrow Im going to sleep at the Hotel, because Ooh (a friend of mine) was employe of the month last month and she 'won' a dinner at Mistral and a room in the Hotel for 1 night So tomorow is Pijama party and then cards evening I think we are going to play a thai version of Poker, with money...but not a lot...and I planned to leave the morning after...with the bus first to Rayong the Ban Phe then with the boat to Ko Samet. I will be back on Monday to show you guys some 'hopefully' nice pictures of the beach! ^^

Okay so then so long... see u soon..my dear readers!
and Nice weekend to you too..

this smell...

2007-08-07T23:27:00.000+07:00

I was working today and I was not feeling very well..OI think i reached the point where I ask myself what am I doing here on the edge of the world..so far away from home...and I miss home a lot...but I guess this is normal and that it is because the first WOW effect from Bangkok is fading...(I still like it a lot here though)
I think its like having a new love..after somewhile the first adventurous and exciting time is fading but then the next phase is coming...the more serious phase where the love develops more... ^^ Okay I probably exagerate a bit comparing Thailand with love between 2 people, but thats just the metaphor that came to my mind...and since Im not Thai nobody can call me a patriot! Haha...^^
Today another Metaphor came to my mind...well its more the metaphor of somebody else..namely Proust. Exactly the one from The Madeleine in the Tea, only that in my case it was not that nice and comnfortable. There is a lady in my office (it is funny because all the people in my office match to a special caracter) this lady is the LADY, she is always very nicely dressed and only eats low fat and very healthy...and I guess that why she brings her rice etc but this time ( I was sitting next to her since her ususal neighbour was off) she took something out of her office that had the most disgusting smell I smelled in a long taste...It was the kind of smell that remided me of something I knew but I could not help and felt sick the moment I smelled it. It was HORRIBLEm between the eversame work I do and one of the girls that piut one song they play on the computer that will repeat for the whole day if I do not say change the song please... SO between the ever same work, the samne turning song plus this unexplainable completely WRONG smell I just wanted to cry...
Now when I think back it was kind of funny...The only thing missing was somebody hitting me for my touch-sense and that the lady offered me to take a bite of this 'thing' that smelled so bad I wanted t cry, well as for the sight...numbers arent that beautiful to see...
After that 'torture' I decided to go eat in the restaurant from the Hotel to relax a bit and to eat european to feel less ... stranger...
And sipping on my nice cappuccino...I must say I felt directly a little bit better...

New Side of Thailand...

2007-08-04T01:48:00.000+07:00

Today after work I was invited to go to a dinner because one of the employees was leaving the Hotel..so I joined the troop.. Okay I guess I was , because I found that the guy that was leaving was kind of cute. Of course I told my dear friend not to tell him, but by magic he was suddenly sitting next to me on the 'table' talking to me eventhough he is very shy and we did not talk a lot before either...
So thats when it started to get embarrassing...he asked me to go out with him tomorrow (saturday) and I accepted because I really wanted to... Ooy and I were going to to go to the cinema after (to watch ratatouille) and I had the spontaneous idea to invite him. He drove us there, but did not talk. ooy and I laughing in the cinema...he was not ... Shy okay bit...soooo shy?? i never saw this before... And then ..the trip home...the trip who I think is quite horrible: the fear of being alone with somebody you do not really know...who is not talking that much and to top it... is not that an expert in English language... I was surprised though that he was reading a book in ancient greek, because rarely spread are the Thai that speak or read anything else then Thai. So this 10 neverending minutes ended finally with him asking for my number and telling me that he wanted to go to Ayuttayah wit me tomorrow..which I found so cute that I could not say : No ...
I think he was just terribly nervous..and I heard him whispering things to him whcih I found kind of strange as well...
I think it is much easier to say No to somebody who wants to push you to something (because you get angry I guess), but if the someone is asking you like this and the absence of words is almost killing you, your lips just ca not perform a No...it was just impossible.
So now I will have to go...I still want to try to change his mind and at least not to go to Ayyutaya (which is like almost an hour from Bangkok) (in the car!!!! again), but somewhere in Bangkok to visit a temple here somewhere! I think being in a car with someone is the worst, because you can not pretend doing something you are not and if the driver has to stop because of a red light its even worse... Okay we'll see, like I say what doesnt kill you makes you stronger and it sure is an EXPERINCE. Oh by the way, eventhough it mustnt have sounded like it, I was pretty happy somebody asked me out...it was about time.. ^^ okay cu

Lets complain...

2007-08-01T20:05:00.000+07:00

Complain..? No not really, but since the name of my blog is experiencing Thailand...sooner or later I had to face the bad experiences that could happen in a country like Thailand. Monday, on my free day, I might add, my neck scratched a lot and then I suddenly got a lot of stomach aches and I could not help but run to the toilet all the time and at some points I couldnt even stand on my feet anymore... So I decided to get home as quickly as possible. I took the first cab and drove home. I went to bed and called my family, because I felt suddenly so alone and they immediately told me I should go and see a doctor. Well after lying on the bed I felt better so I wanted to wait what would happen. But then I felt that it was not going to be better but worse, so I got up knocked on the door of my neighbour who was not there, but happily his girlfriend was who was very friendly and could seak Thai and English equally good. She then asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital and since I did not want to take any risks I accepted immediatly. We went to the next clinic and I got some medicine and the doctor told me that I was foodpoisoned. Then I quickly took the Taxi home, because I didnt feel like walking anymore and after lying in bed again things got even worse and the pill that I took against nausea and vomit did not quite hold its promises. Everything hurt and even Tuesday morning I was still feeling quite bad so I could not go to work. Only today I felt good enough to go to work and eat again!
Still now Im very tired and I guess it is because the antibiotik I have to take.. well then...
Finally its not all paradise here...but almost ^^
hope that you who read this are all fine!! (It reminds that it is so important to be healthy)

From Siam Square to Lumphini Park

2007-07-30T13:35:00.000+07:00

Then I took them to see the Lumphini park near my Hotel which is very nice and the sun was shining.. it was sooooo hot! We walked around a bit and then we wanted to loan a boat to 'sail' a bit round the lake of the park, but they wanted us to have 2 boats because we were 3 so we declined and just walked around a bit. After that we saw the FITNESS-Weekend animation again. 1 guy or girl dancing with Thai music and 100 people aproximately trying to follow what the other one was doing! It was very nice and we tried to follow as well but it was merely impossible because we didnt start from the beginning and it was to quick...but we had a good laugh though. Here is one link perhaps you can take a look: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2267338327948579059
Then we went to the highest Tower in Thailand 802 meters high!! And we watched the Sun go down with Popcorn! and a free cocktail VERY NICE!! all for only 5 euros!
So the picture is shot when we were on the Tower...very nice view, but again on tha picture never that astonishing as i reality...okay kisses

To Thanon Khao San

2007-07-30T13:15:00.000+07:00

So on Satruday I had a visit from 2 girls from lixembourg...and I wnated t show them (and myself because I never went) Khao San Rd, which is the big Backpackers and amrket and outgo street. I have to say I was very happy to see some Falang again...sometimes it is nice to other people when you see all the time the same faces. It was very nice...the atmosphere is so nice...you just feel in holidays...its amazing. We took some cocktails for about 3 euro each!! Very good! And after having chilled and talked a bit we went home again, because the girls were still a bit tired from the trip and also because of the time change! So then we took the taxi home and I told them that I planned to go to the Chatuchak Market (weekend market) here to shop a bit and I think everybody who comes here should see it..its just a must!!
So then I took them to eat something at Siam Square in Paragon with its big Food hall on the first floor. They ate thai, me Japanese...I have to say Im getting more and more a fan of Japanese food, eventhough I love Thai food as well, but since I have it everyday...
Okay soem picture from Khao San its not a very nice one because it can not mirror the atmospher very well...but I think no picture REALLY can...so just to give you an idea...

Long Time No Write...

2007-07-27T20:20:00.001+07:00

Yes, I have to admit I was a bit too lazy these days, with the writing...and it was not because of my job absorbing me too much, believe me... I see that it is getting more interesting though, step after step. Today, for example, a guy from Accor came to us and explained us some new features of Fidelio and then I wrote an Excell file to make things easier which was way better then to control invoices and ordering files. Eventhough I like working in Food Cost as well...this was more credit management and I had a much better insight in how things work today. So eventhough I worked late (and sorry for not being on time for the skype phone call, the one who is concerned, knows) I was feeling much better about what I was doing.
Also to bring up the news; I was invited to Oils parents, who live out of Bangkok, this weekend (long weekend off until Tuesday) so that they would get to know me, Oils Mum is English teacher so at least no problem with the communication there and her grandmother apparently prepared something Thai to cook, so I could learn cooking, (and I was looking forward to it) but then I remembered that I said that I could lodge 2 people coming from Luxembourg here... I thought it was later than this weekend but apparently I was wrong so these plans fell into water. In the very beginning I was going to meet Sma in Shanghai who is visiting and also to see China of course, but eventually I found that the fee was too high plus the visa and I remembered that my salary was not that high!!
So now Im looking at a more relaxed LONG WE with the girls, so I can speak luxemburgish hahaha som nana for all the Thais that speak Thai all the time. Time for reveeenge!! (som nana means like: domm gaang, i do not know how to translate in English!!) I already planned to go to Chinatown tomorrow with Oil looking for some stuff..the girls are coming later on if I got that right and in the evening I planned to go out on Khao San road, which is the backpacker, out go street here; lots of falang. BUT Im not only going with Falang but also with my dear ladyboy friends, I think we are going to have lots of fun! I hope!
And Sunday (obligé) I go to Chatuchak Weekend Market!! Perhaps we can also go to the park and relax in the sun, or take a trip on the boat...we'll see..
Okay that is my update for this week, Im still very happy and I am even more happy to have some company this weekend.
Oh, one more thing, Oil told me that there was a 3 month period coming (something like the ramadan) starting next Monday, in which you can not drink alcohol (for 3 months) and one of the other rules (which noone follows apparently) is not to have sex for 3 months as well! There are some other rules but she only told me these, since she is allergic to alcohol I think that is not going to be a problem for her. As for myself..Im not alcoholic, if I was...well I would had have a problem not drinking for one month already and I DONT, but I like the idea of having a glass of wine if I want to. So i think Im going to stick to 'christianity' eventhough I dont follow the 'Fastenzeit' either, or am that religious either..

Okay bye bye..

Bangkok @ night!

2007-07-22T12:56:00.000+07:00

Wow finally after one month I managed to go out and discover Bangkok at night! I went with a ladyboy from work (ladyboy here not a boy dressed like a woman but only a femeffeminated guy), who asked me already last week to go there (near chatuchak market). Once there, it felt like any other street with pubs let say (for luxembourg) like the 'Hollerecher', only that the club I was in was called Lady BUG and that me and 3 other girls were probably the only 'born' women in about a 200 meter area. Before we went there we had a drink at a little place, the owner was very nice he spoke a bit of english and he told me about his life, that he had come around a lot that he had worked in Hotels as well and that he was happy to have his own little 'shop' where he was selling the most amazing fresh cocktails. He told me like 3 times how beautiful I was looking and that I would probably have a nice life because of that...I guess that is also a good reason why I liked him (but not only)!! ;oP Sitting there and enjoying my first alcoholic drink after WEEKS I was happy and felt relaxed (on holidays). We then went on to the club, first shock: I had forgotten to take my camera, I know I know..stupid. Second shock; I also forgot to take my ID card , happily they believed me that I had 21 and let me enter the ladybug!!
There we met another girl from my work who took care of me and ordered a bottle of whisky and coke and soda and lots of ice n( they only sell whisky here)!! So 6 people drinking on one bottle of whisky... At first I thought wow thats not much...probably they dont drink that much...until the first bottle was empty and I saw them ordering the next one! Holy crap...I was already enjoying myself and did not want to drink more...but they poured and poured one glass after the other... As the time went by, people were starting to eventually dance and the atmosphere was getting a lot better. At one point I asked one of the ladyboys to go dance with me on the stage! We tried to get to the 'stage' and immediatly the boys from the stage took my hand and danced with me! Very friendly..I think I was a real rariety that evening; because a girl AND falang as well!! They were really nice eventhough they didnt speak that much English. We did not speak but had fun nontheless.
I have to say if it is hard to understand a Thai speaking English sometimes in normal circumstances, try to understand them when there is loud music all around you!! IMPOSSIBLE!!
SO mostly I tried to smile and say yes or no when they talked to me and hoped that it was the right thing to say...sometimes I actually understood and then it ended in the same reaction: laughing and nodding so...everything was fine!
At 2 oclock then the light went on and the party was over, the girl from work was pretty drunk and we started to take our things and try to find a taxi! Before that I exchanged my number with some of the guys and they told me that we should go to Khao San road next time, where there are more falang (its a spot for backpackers and I wanted to go at least once) the same road on which Leonardo di Caprio is partying in The Beach. SO they will take me there next week! After that I just fell into the taxi ..I was so tired and could not wait to fall into my bed.
I am now going to lumpini park to read Harry Potter number 7 ahhhh suspense!!! Go ROWLING!!
Oh if ESTELLE or CES are reading this: Je suis désolé encore un fois que je vous ai pas félicité pour vos anniv!!! SOORRRYYYY, pakadong!! (thai qui essaye de dire pardon) Je pense a vous quand même!! CES survit! please. Estelle : donne moi de tes nouvelles please!

( the picture shows desert from here: rothi (lothi) very good!!)

Difficult to chose pictures!!

2007-07-20T23:31:00.000+07:00

Its really hard to chose but I decided to take this picture, it s a nice resume of a very nice and hot, steamy day!
Okay I have to go...in some hours, at 5 am they are going to sell the new harry potter book! and I want to be there!
byebye
oh tomorrow i am going out with a ladyboy, looking forward to it!!

Adyuthya 2 weeks ago!!

2007-07-20T22:24:00.000+07:00

Okay so I got finally the pictures from Adyuthya, today!! I'll put 2 pictures to give you all an impression of the ancient City of Thailand.
This picture shows myself 'performing' a thai ritual, where you have this 'glass' with sticks on it every stick has a number and the number that falls out when shacking the glass is telling something about your life or future if you are going to have luck or not... if the 'prediction' is bad you can throw it away, if its good you should keep it with you all the time. Mine was VERY good and as I wondered if all of the numbers were telling something good I saw the bin full of papers with less happy 'predictions'.
And I have to admit eventhough Im not very superstitious, I was happy that I had such a nice prediction!!
Okay next picture...

How I eat here (sometimes)

2007-07-17T19:58:00.001+07:00

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6545794537443453778

aaaaaaaafff, singe, monkey, affe, ling!!!

2007-07-16T23:05:00.000+07:00

Some pictures!

2007-07-16T22:36:00.000+07:00

Ahh i got a reaction!! 5 comments!! woaahhh!
okay that is motivating! Since I was asked to put more pictures, I guess I will put one or two more pictures : one; so you can see me not getting a tan at all and my friends here. The other one with a monkey!! With me on the picture are Oo and Oil, yeah easy to remember THANK GOD, 2 very nice girls with who I have a lot of sanuk (fun) and who have white hearts! (Im not sure if this expression exists but 'jiai damm' means (word by word) 'heart black' and they are defenitely the opposite!)
I teach them a bit of French and sometimes English if necessary and in revenge they help me to develop my Thai! I teached them to say: J'ai la dalle!! haha sooo funny when they say it now all the time for lunch time...the whole office starts to say it now!

As for the monkey pictures...no words! ;oP Its a monkey...I just think its nice to show it because I think it was the first time I saw a monkey in nature (not in zoo or on television) and I wanted to share this moment..plus it was hilarious when he was 'cleaning' his falang fruit hahaha

Mangrove Final part

2007-07-15T21:55:00.000+07:00

Sorry I slept last night and couldnt finish the last part of my report...but Im sure nobody noticed anyways...Im not even sure if somebody else sees this accept my father and brother... well anyways..at least I dont write for nobody!

okay so then we finally planted the trees which was kind of difficult the men had to push the board on which were normally seated one of us girls and some baby trees...the picture explains it better though...
then we left and some of us were pulled by the boats with the board which was pretty funny...
arrived at the departure station e showeres (kind of) and after some group pictures we left for the floating market! there I found some thai specialties which I've never seen in my whole life before! and then we went home again! these people are really fun and I enjoy every minute with them..of course there are some exceptions like one of the guys (who is securitas) at the Sofitel called me falang all the time! And I started to get pissed, because I dont like it that much...then ..because he didnt stop I started to say yes thai? what is it...but then oo told me to call him Lao (from the country laos) which is not a very nice word to say apparently..and ohh mriacle after I called him that he went all quiet and the time after he called me mali! yipieehhh
okay toiday I went to a sort of suuuuper festival for thai products, silk but alos of course food again and bags and jewellry ... I bought so m uch it was cheap and the last day and the people wanted to get rid of all this stuff...but it was sooo huuge my feet hurt and Im exhausted..plus I went to fitness after fo body pump and 30 min of running...Im no officially TIRED!! okay good night!

Mangrove PART 3

2007-07-14T22:43:00.000+07:00

SO finally we went to eat in this 'house' in the air over the water (picture)...which was actually a bit strange, but veeery nice also..and apparently you can rent it for 1500 baht for 24hrs! I took a picture of the house and the food but I finally decided that you absolutely have to see the house...we ate fish and sea food (best shrimps ever) and rice of course with spicy sauces...but since I had some problems with the food in the moring. I went easy on the food, fortunately there were no more problems and it tasted very good!
After a quite long break, because thai people are NEVER I repeat NEVER stressed, we went on to the fields to finally plant that tree...but it was actually more like 70 little trees then only one! Okay first 'house in the air' picture.

Mangrove PART 2

2007-07-14T22:30:00.000+07:00

Once on the boats we fed the monkeys and this was quite funny, because we had to throw the falang (its a fruit) next to the monkey in the mud...sometines however it hit the monkey itself and then when he catched it, it was still pretty clean but everytime he put it into the mud water to 'clean' it. Hilarious...when he looked at us and 'cleaned' it..with this suspicious look on the face! hehe

then we went on to the mussel fields and we got an explanation in thai for how it worked ... even though my thai gets slowly better I didnt understand a thing and everytime the girls in my boat went all: ohhh and aaaahhh I was asking: alai (what??) waht did he say!!??

Then we went to the mudfields where some workers tried to find seafood , crabs in the mud etc... one of the boats got stuck and our 'SUPER' driver got his board and went to see to help them..he was really nice he offered me his cap, because I forgot mine and he was really nice in his explanations and then even cooked afterwards!! ;oP
that s why the picture which i found really nice by the way!

Plant a Mangrove treeeee! FIRST PART

2007-07-14T21:27:00.000+07:00

I have to admit, when I created my blog in the beginning of my internship I did not know that the title: Experiencing Thailand would be that accurate and true!
Today I went with some of the Sofitel employees to the Mangrove plantations to plant a tree, which is an activity organised for every year by accor to help the nature develop. I was already happy to have plans for this Saturday that gave me a reason to stand up early in the morning but what came was even more interesting and amazing! I had the best time!! and I took soooo many pictures! because they can help to understand and explain my happiness ;oP
Okay it al started of with me oversleeping but not enough to miss the bus leaving from the hotel! I was perhaps 1 minute late...after that we waited 1 hour for 2 other people who were late so I think that I was pretty on time!! ;oP
Then just after having entered the bus, they told me: Khun MALIII here I have breakfast for you ... since I was hungry mak mak (very much) I happily accepted the sticky rice and sate kai for uuu! ...Unfortunately my stomach didnt like it so much, so immediatly after having left the hotel the falang (me) had to go to the toilet again verryyy urgently...so they stopped the bus and I ran to the toilet...which looked more like a hole in the ground then an actual toilet...
Happily after this short break I was all better and we could continue the trip. They had the whole Karaoke suuplies, micro and televison, installed and they were singing thai songs all along! It was very funny even though I didnt understand.
Okay arrived on our 'tree plantation farm' I ran to the toilet again and we prepared for our departure on the boats to visit the mussel fields, the salt fields and to feed the monkeys. And there were like a thousand little crabs in the mud and alos the fis which they called feet fish for me... I laughed but then they got very serious and asked me: come on u know the fish...which have feet!?? Honestly I hadnt heard of it in my whole life and I thought that it was an invention by mankind (for myths or other stories) but they actually did have some kind of feet.
Okay we took off our shoes (like always) and we took a 'seat', always 6 people on 1, in the boats. follow...part 2

Getting to know Accor today..

2007-07-12T19:29:00.000+07:00

Yeah today was an interesting day! All the trainess (meaning ; two guys (mexican and ecuadorian and me) went to see the Headquarters of Accor today! Im most impressed with the organisation of the training and the whole management. If I compare to the Plaza in Brussels where I did my first internship!! Its like 2 completely different worlds!
The lady that welcomed us was very friendly (of course) and you immediatly feel at ease when they speak to you. She explained us some of the plans for Accor and how this whole company is functioning and since she was the Jr. Graduates and Mobility Coordinator she also talked about the future what we wanted to do later on and how it would work if we wanted to come back to Asia. I dont know if it was her talent to promote but she was really convincing..so that I am now thinking about coming here to work for a while! Of course its not sure and reeeaaally not sure to find a job but she gave me her adress and she can surely help us later on if we need help, which is very reassuring. So we discussed with her for like 2 hours and we really enjoyed it. She also showed us around and to work in the headquarters is really tempting, since as an expat you can travel a lot and you learn a lot since work wit a lot of different people.
Okay however...I will let these informations go through my mind and think about it...who knows where I might end up?? and thats what I like so much about hospitality; it could be anywhere in the world!

okay thats it for now im just coming home from aerobic (in the hotel they organise a new class for the employees which is reaaaly nice, but in thai) and I think Im going to relax a bit! Oh yeah on saturday, accor (once more) organised a day on the beach for the employees (and trainees) where we will plant a tree in order to make people more aware of ecological issues. And ofor Sunday (wahn aa tiiid) Nong Em asked me to go on a silk festival, where you can find nice silk for (apparently) a very low price. please give your order to me if u want anything!! bye

A Weekend away in real Bangkok

2007-07-09T22:28:00.000+07:00

Hello again!! I apologise for my looong absence on my blog, but I was invited by my thai friend Ooy and her boyfriend to stay at their house this weekend..also they gave me the private guide tour through Ayutayahhh and I have to say...is it possible to love a country that much!? ;oP I really have to say these people were the sweetest and nicest people during the whole weekend! They wanted to pay everything for me and I had to be quick if I wanted to pay the bill!! But i suceeded 2 times!!! They showed me the real Bangkok where Thai people live and where falang were still only veeeery rarely seen! (farang or falang is the common word to describe european or americans here in thailand) Their house was quite small, but cosy... they had plenty of fish in the garden and no kitchen. Therefore 2 bathrooms one when you came in and one on the first floor. Well bathroom...lets say toilet with a bucket of water (for the shower)! Very economical though.. and not that dramatic, because its so hot you dont really need hot water (I have to say as a girl from the western countries I was at first staring in disbelief at the bucket, and I must admit I was shocked, but after a while I laughed to myself and told me, this is not going to stop you and it is not that big of a deal. Its just amazing that I was shocked, evnethough I know these things, I saw in that moment (again) how spoiled we are with our european norms and I could not belief it... I think this 6 month job is going to bring me a lot more then just a good internship and a wonderful time.

Then again, ironically, they had 2 televisions, and very nice ones too(perhaps they were putting their priorities, I dont know) and one computer a nice little living room another room for laundry and clothes etc (perhaps for a baby later on), but no bed in there so far. And now the best part; their bedroom which was pretty big and also had an big bed in it was ment for all the 3 of us to sleep in. So Ooy s boyfriend insisted that I slept in the bed with ooy and he took place on the floor! I was trying to speak with him but there was nothing to do..at the end he said : dont wooollly dont woolly...I like to sleep on the floor!! Thats when I gave in! SO that is where I spend my last 3 nights and that is why I didnt came online to write this report on my blog.
For Ayuttayahh I have to say that it is verrry beautiful and the weather was very good , a lots of Buddhas to see and lots of other falang..we wanted to take a tour with the changs (elephants) but we didnt had the time at the end. Here I have to add, if you have the chance to see Bangkok and its suroundings with a local; do it!! grap your chance, it is the best! Oh yeah as for the picture I unfortunately forgot my digital camera at my appartment BUT dont worry! They had one and we took a loooooot of pictures...Now I just wait that they burn me a cd or something than I will put some pictures here! Ohhh I also tasted some new thai delicious desserts mhhhhh for those who come here it will be my pleasure to make you experience them!! muahahaha
okay that is all for now...since we woke up at 5:30 this morning to be at work on time (8:30) I am kind of deeeaaaad and will go to sleep!!
Ohhhh one last thing; everything was very nice BUT the moskitoes!! they like falang blood a LOT I was biten about 20 times and it itches like hell!! ahhhh
A miracle how Im still able to write... ( happily I got vaccinated...I couldnt help but thinking, but Im sure it will be okay) bye bye..

FFIIIRRREEE ALAAAARM!!!

2007-07-02T23:21:00.000+07:00

Today we had a little fire alarm, but nothing to worry about it was planned!! I have this very nice video of us running down the firestairs, but I can not go to youtube so i can not post it on the blog!! Grrr but I have another picture with my favourite Thais on it ;oP from work ; Rachenii (oo), Nirachallah (ooy), temduang (nong em) and me of course. Nong (means older sister or something like that, and she wants us to call her that way because she wouls feel younger!! She is a really sweet lady and she always does my hair at work!! She is like a mum to me! really nice! (nothing in comparison to my mum of course!! ;o)) and oo and ooy I like these girls, they are so much fun ... oo is not so good in speaking english, but ooy is and helps us communicate!! Normally if Ooy is not there oo and I are talking thai english hehe very nice!! In that way we both learn! Ooy is lovely, she looks after me like a sister (again nothing in comparison to my sister, but it is sweet to have people like this around) and she always helps me out and makes me laugh! Great people and soooo cuute ... they try to learn french now...its the best their accent ... because they can not really speak the R...its hilarious!! Okay thats it for today!!
OOOHHH one more thing!! HAPPY BDAY!!!! to SMA and HERVE!!!!! Ech vermessen ierch meeega hai!! Sma ech wees net op ech kann op SHanghai..sugäer ech komm wier...par contre well ech alt rem net do sin as awer vu muer un a päckelchen ennerwee op Letz mat kadoen fier ierch an fier all di aaner di na gebuertsdach haaten (marc, julie, carmen) aiaiai ech schecken dese päckelchen bai meng eltren also musst der dann engkéier all bei mer laanscht kommen an kennt ierch dann em kadoen zerklappen!! muhahaha maja ciaoooo

So much to say so little time!

2007-07-02T22:44:00.000+07:00

Since I didnt write yesterday I updated my cinema picture today and also added or at least I want to add to more posts!
COming back to yesterday night I went out eating to a recommended restaurant by 'le routard' and it was very nice...it is called Mango Tree and is just 5 minutes away from me! SO I went there to test the food and to know where to bring some of you that will visit me...!!?? ;oP I would say the almost quality of the Thailand Reszaurant in front of our house (the ones who which one it is, know what that means!!) but the prices were a lot more acceptable!! It really is a nice adress and very nice...you are seated oin the edge of a big mango tree with some people playing Thai music and very nice! AND the service was quick...I just gave my order in when the first course arrived not even 5 minutes later!! Amazing...!! Wow!! and sooo goooood... anyways, I started eating when I thought of my mobiler phone I wanted to check on the time and that was when I saw this cat, a BLACK cat I might add, sitting just beside me as if it was the most natural thing in the world!! and surely for Bangkok it is, with dogs and cats everywhere, but I was still a little confused...that is where the picture comes from!! SOOO cuute!! But a bit 'raaaatzeg'!!! ;oP I tried to give her some of my peanuts from my salad but she didnt want to so I just resumed she wouldnt be that hungry and eated the whole red curry duck myself ^^ hehehe

In this post I thought of course especially of my sister and her 2 'lovely' cats ;oPthe link for her blog: www.mecha-lanomadesedentaire.blogspot okay enough advertising for the family!! ;oP (I will put it on my page anyways)

My journey to the cinema...

2007-06-29T19:32:00.000+07:00

Hello everyone!
I just wanted to tell you about my strange 'rencontre' with the cineplex here in Bangkok! Its not normal...it is so big and looks so luxurous..and Im surprised (me that always thought we had a big cinema in Luxembourg) to see always something new about it. So yesterday I went to see 'The Fracture' (not that bad but not that good either) and snce I was a little late there were only VIP places left... I quickly made a decision since I did not want to wait for 2 hours and accepted the VIP place...woooow never seen any like it.. I have a picture, I will put it on later. After a quick stop at STARBUCKS (of course there was also a starbucks just in front of the cinema and the luxurous waiting zone) I finally found!! the cinema hall number 2. A lady helped me into a seat no sorry I take that back, she helped me into a sofa!! I had my own little table in front and the sofalike seat was electric so I could move back and forth and lie down. Then she came with the blanket and a pillow and as I was getting comfortable...there next surprise...everyboday in the room got suddenly up. I looked around, wondering if I was in the wrong room and if the movie was already finbished...then it occurred to me; there was the kings music and a movie about the king and since we had to show our respect EVERYBODY had to get up... considering i dont even do that for my own 'grand-duc'.. than the movie started and I laid back in my sofa and shut the curtain that was around my seat (oh did I forget to mention the curtain?).
"curtains down"
have to go picture later after I come back.,..

Just 1 pic of Shopping Mall!!!

2007-06-27T01:22:00.000+07:00

I couldnt resist...additional to the text before: I like this one a lot!! aloi maak maak!!!

ahjo wollt na soen: et gin awer di KOOMESCHST Koppelen hai!!! hehe

Shopping Mall Planet and Chinatown!

2007-06-27T01:00:00.000+07:00

Long day today...at work I had nothing to do for 3 hours... but then I decided to go to the shopping area around Siam! Actually the plan was to go to the cinema, but WHAT a cinema! I have never seen anything like it...impressive really. This special cinema is on the fofth floor of the famous Siam Paragon Shopping Center...where u can find anything from Ground floor to the 5th floor!! Electronics, presents, furniture, perfumes, acessories, a lot of books, magazines, cars!!, food of course and then on the 4th floor a huge fitness center with sauna etc...and on the 5th the cinema halls! It s simply huge (at least for a luxemburgish girl;)). But thats not all, they have bars with karaoke, bowling and more...
The cinema is interesting because if yu buy more then the 5 euros I paid..u can have like a cabin for two with a blanket etc. Since I was alone ;o( ,poor me, I ust took a regular seat...but even those were nice u could lie back and relax with the huuuuuge telly (screen) in front of you!!

On Sunday I went to Chinatown...very interesting as well..but it is not that shocking because there are a lot of Thai as well and you dont really feel in another world! I must admit I tried to find little India for like 2 hours and I couldnt find it...in the end I gave up and took a TUK-TUK to get home! ;oP

So I decided to show you a picture of Chinatown (it is sooo difficult to show you guys just 1 because I have so many!! But at elast u will only see 'la crème de la crème' of my pictures!!

Its just another Yellow Monday!

2007-06-25T22:25:00.000+07:00

Since it is my second Monday here in Bangkok something very strange struck me.....and it wasnt the fact that they drive on the left side here (like in England) because I got already used to that ;oP ... No what struck me was, that everybody (really almost everybody) was wearing yellow!! At the beginning I thought it was just at the hotel like a uniform for the guys working in my hotel (accounting and other offices), but no..when I got on to the street...it was the same..
Then I asked my friend Ooy, who was of course in yellow as well, what it is with this yellow? She then explained me in her so cuute English of hers that; In Thailand everyday of the week has a specific colour..monday is yellow, tuesday is pink, wednesday is green (obviously!!), thursday is orange, friday is blue, saturday is purple and sunday is red! SO what is the point of giving this colour...mhh..! I just know that u can check on what day u were born and then u know your colour: http://www.amuletjewel.com/index.php?tpid=0088 Mine is orange!! The Kings Birthday was on a Monday and since Thai are very happy with their King ..every Monday they wear something yellow!! Its amazing to see! For those who knew this already (sorry to bore you) and for those who didnt (I hope some didnt) I know it is not veeery important to know ... but I found it most interesting anyways! OKAY so I will rest from my 2 hours in the gym (fitness WITH trainer) and I'll be back soon... ;oP

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY OFF

2007-06-24T14:47:00.000+07:00

I had my first days off! Nothing to get all excited about...well I think it is, it feels nice to sleep until noon and then slowly take a shower and consider what one could do with this beautiful (and hooot) day. I think I will do something touristic and oh yes I wanted to go to chinatown!! SO im going to take my brunch now and then take some pictures of course...yesterday I went to the chakutchak market with ooy and webpam...from work .. It was really nice...it is som much better to be with people who can spealk thai...you will feel less lost

Okay Im gpoing to switch to my language...
Moien!! doheme an iwwerhaapt iwerall!! ech hoffen ierhc geet et all gudd..also mier jo..wi gesoot ech genéisse grad a vollen zisch main weekend! an woor geshcter eben mat de mädels ennerwee..denowend gesin ech vlait d'Jaitip..daat as e meedchen waat bai mier zu glion as (et as thai) dann gine ch vlait na an de kino! hehe majo...wi och emmer...
ech maan mech lo soss get et wierklech ze spéit! decke kuss vun hai!! allez tschuuussss

ahjo wann een meng adress vun hai well, hun se mool schon dem franz an dem michele gescheckt an dem marc och!! soss froot mech!! allez ciaooo

Where on earth?

2007-06-24T00:16:00.000+07:00

Ahh finally...Im joining the club; Im one of the I don't know how many millions of people that think that somebody out there will be interested in what they think, write or post (like pictures) about themselves...with the exception that I made this blog basically because the people, my family and friends, wanted to know where I am at in Bangkok and what I am experiencing everyday!

I must admit that this is probably the most exciting thing I have done in my life and I am far from regretting my decision to leave...eventhough I miss Luxembourg and its people a lot.
It is an adventure to work in a country, even if it is in an hotel,in which almost nobody understands english and everybody speaks thai...adapt you say...I will, actually I bought some cds to learn thai more easily...but it is not very easy...surprisingly ;)
The strange thing is that I dont feel alone...even though I do not have that much contact with people around I feel that I can go to everybody who speaks even if it is just a tiny bit of english and talk to him, sometimes if they feel confident speaking they (they being thai people again) will come up to you and start a conversation. Thai people are sooo friendly...they will never turn you down ( most thais anyways), they are polite and we laugh a lot..even though we dont understand each other thaaat good... It amazes me to see that it is still possible to get along well with people and not feeling alone in a place where you are one out of 9 million approximately.
Okay I think I declared my love to Thailand there, for the record; I will stay 6 months and I ve been here for 1 week now...so lets just see what happens. For the moment I am still captured by this place, by the flow; its energy. However(even being captured to my positive first impression) ...there are some inconvenients that I will probably mention later on..lets get on some pictures!!