TUK TUK DIARY (MY TRIP TO THAILAND DIARY)

03/01/05

No, no. I am not trying to compete with the Motorcycle Diary at all. I just love this movie too much that I cannot resist my urge to adapt its name and use it as my journal title for my trip to Thailand.

Like the “Yellow Cab” reminds you of New York City, “Tuk-Tuk” is one of the most popular icons on the streets of Thailand. Tuk-Tuk is an open-aired tri-cycle vehicle. Its design is very unique and fierce. Riding a Tuk-Tuk is, sometimes, like riding a roller-coaster. Since it is a tri-cycle vehicle, the driving condition is less stable than four wheels cars; therefore, there will be a moment of thrill, sadistic pleasure and fear, particularly, when it makes a sharp turn at the corner.

I am going to visit Thailand for two weeks. It is my yearly ritual family visit. My visit is, sometimes, called a Santa clause visit (except I am not that old and big like Mr. Santa yet, and I take a plane instead of reindeers) because I bring a lot of gifts to my family, friends and someone who have been good to us.

Diary starts

02/28/05

Another snow storm hit Manhattan again. It’s the third
time in a month!! Mother Nature
is so unpredictable like my hormone lately ?

I have been busy packing and working all day. I did not have a chance to pack during the weekend because I had a friend visiting
from California. I just realize how much stuff I am bringing to my family and friends. I feel like
I am not going to Thailand just for a visit but to move there permanently.

Snow storm is not an obstacle for my friends who are a couple to come down to Chinatown and have a nice dinner with me before I leave. We have known each other less than two months but we become pretty closed.

Other friends call or email me and wish me have a good and safe trip. It’s always nice to have friends who love and care about you.

My flight will leave JFK airport at 11.25 am tomorrow and I have too much stuff to carry by myself. My friend: Brian becomes my white-knight. The snow storm is still bombarding the city. He picks me up after finishing his work around midnight. I have to stay in his place in Queens because it is more convenient to go from his apartment than he comes to the city and picks me up in the morning.

Friend in need is the friend indeed.

Brian is one of my best friends. Even though we have some problems lately, we have, finally, worked it out. It is very difficult to throw away friendship. I am glad that he and his boyfriend come back together after a short break up. I think they are a cute couple and they deserve a second chance. One is very mature and one is very sensitive.

03/01/05

I wake up around 8.30 am. It was such a great sleep for me. Brian wakes up before me and cooks dinner for both of us. Then, he drives me to the airport.

Outside is very pretty with all snow on those trees.

The lady at the check-in counter tells me that my luggage is too heavy, so I have to take a few pounds off, otherwise I have to pay 300 something dollar extra. “That’s ridiculous”, I told her. Fortunately, she does not smack me with my own luggage ^_^. She asks me what is in my small luggage since it is very heavy. I tell her I am carrying stone back just to make her day ^_^

I have to drag my heavy luggage to the sidewalk and then pull out those extra pounds that most of them are books.

Since I just got promoted to the premier member, I am able to check in as if I were a first-class flyer. It is good to be treated so exclusively, isn’t it? ^_^

Every time when I am wondering in the terminal, I feel a sense of adventure. I am always excited and looking forward to seeing new things. No exception for this time, I have one back pack on my back and one laptop bag on my shoulder. I walk around, somehow, I feel like I am going to explore the new world.

Since this jet is a direct flight from JRK to Narita, Japan, Japanese people are dominating this flight.

My fellow passenger on my side is a flamboyant Japanese hairdresser. I am always amazed with people who travel to other countries with little knowledge of English or the tool to communicate with other people. He barely speaks English, but he tries so hard to talk to me. There are many times, I have to smile and laugh without any ideas what is he talking about and I think he does the same ^_^. He is very nice and polite, always offers me some helps. He tells me he loves soul music and that leads to the love of African-American people. I am not sure if that a reason for him to stay in Harlem during his visit in New York City. But I think he looks more reggae dude than soul lover though. He is surprised when I tell him my age. He thinks I look a lot younger (he is just 21 year old). What can I say except: ARIKATO KOSAIMUS!! And take a nice and deep bow.

I am losing a sense of time right now because I forgot my watch!! I don’t know what time it is and which time zone I am. I just know that my butt is numb from sitting too long so I guess it must be at least 7 hours already.

I just notice that I have brought at least 14 magazines that I have not read with me. I try to finish them before Narita

because I still have at least two books to go: The Elegant Universe: Brian Greene and The Lexus and the Olive Tree:THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN.

The trip from JFK to Narita, Japan takes around 14 hours. I have to spend 3 hours at Narita to catch the next flight to Thailand. Fortunately, this airport provides the internet connection so I pay 5 dollars for 24 hours access. I spend two and half hours to try to finish my work that I suppose to finish it yesterday. I look like a crazy workaholic at the airport.

I will arrive Bangkok around midnight but it will be noon time in the US. I hope I can fall to sleep.

It will be a very busy trip but I am sure I will be able to blog from there. I feel like I am a blog whore nowadays. I find it very exciting to know that there are some people who are really reading my stories and journals everyday.

Please follow my Thailand trip diary, it will get more interesting.

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