IAP in a nutshell

02Feb08

I’m back! Sorry for the drought. I had hoped to continue blogging as soon as I returned from my brief holidays. But, recruiting came hard and fast and all of a sudden, the creative juices dried up… completely. With second semester just around the corner, it’s now or never. So, a brief narrative from Christmas to now.

It all began shortly after term end. I flew home for a few days to reacquaint myself with my friends and family. A quick whirlwind tour later, I found myself on a flight to join a bus load of fellow Sloanies in Thailand. But, not before transiting through China.

My first time in China. Beijing to be exact. The home of the 2008 Olympics. Cute mascots. 5 to be exact. Don’t ask me what they are. Martians maybe. Martians dressed up as pandas. But, cute. And, colourful.

The best part of transiting through China is the “experience”. You see, I can relate it only to the “experience” of travelling to New York via, my favourite, Fung Wah. If the Fung Wah bus held 10x as many people, cost 100x more… and grew wings… that would accurately sum up our flight. Let me play it out for you.

300 people are waiting at the gate. Tension in the air. You can feel it, smell it, see it, almost taste it. Everyone is covertly eyeing the gate attendant, being sure to be the first in line. The trick is to not let anyone see that your peripheral vision is on overdrive. The moment you hear the microphone click… it’s too late. 299 people are already gaggled around the gate, forming the most orderly obtuse triangle I’ve ever seen.

As soon as we board the plane, it’s like a Chinese restaurant on wheels… with wings. Loud. Noisy. Obtrusive. No one sits down. People walk about the entire flight. But, the best was yet to come. The moment we touch down in Thailand, 10 people shoot out of their seats to stake their precious 3 sqft area in the aisle – much to the flight attendants dismay. Have you ever seen flight attendants sprint down the aisles screaming and pushing people back into their seats? I have. I love my culture.

10 days in Thailand later. I’m amazed at how far my money goes. My suitcase is full, yet there’s more room for shopping. I’ve ridden Elephants. I’ve partied on the beaches of Krabi on New Years. I’ve lit good luck flying lanterns. I’ve haggled with the Thais. I’ve survived Patpong and all its wonders. I’ve enjoyed a full body Thai massage. I’ve experienced Thailand and I’m craving more. But, as much as I’ve practiced and try as I may, my return ticket is non-negotiable.

With a few days in Singapore to visit friends and family, and a quick day stop back in Vancouver, I’m back in Boston. Back to $20 cover and $12 drinks. Back to Fahrenheit. Back to snow. Back to school…

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Tags: Bangkok, Chinese Restaurant, Fung Wah, IAP, Krabi, Patpong, Sloan, Sloanies, Thailand, Travelling, Vancouver