Is Not Chicago | 2006 - Asian Odyssey

Podcast

October 14, 2006

The first podcast… It’s Friday night here in Chicago, and I am just finishing up my packing. Tomorrow as rosy-fingered dawn (to borrow a phrase from the Greeks of our last adventure) arrives I will be heading to the airport for an epic plane flight across the Pacific. My flight departs at 11am and arrives at 11pm on Sunday night. Being exactly 12 hours ahead of us… Read more

Chang Mai

October 12, 2006 — Sa Wat Dema

Well, the Full Moon Party was absolutely amazing. Though I lost adam within about 30 seconds… Read more

Shark

October 10, 2006 — Tuk Tuk Reagan

The dive boat pulled away from the beach at 8 this morning. Wat, our dive master took a long drag from his Marlboro Red “See many shars,” he smiled, extending his hand from his forehead, like the dorsal fin of a fish. We rigged our gear. SCUBA tanks hissed as we tested our regulators. The old diesel engine pushed us though the waves and rain. An hour away from the island of Ko Tao… Read more

Brian at the Full Moon Party

October 9, 2006 — Tuk Tuk Reagan

The Full Moon rose over Hat Rin Beach. 5,000 people from around the world desended, stuffing the beach with dancing, drunken bodies. I walked to the end of the beach, climbing the rocks for the view. Tranced music blasted along the beach and the sand crawled. Noen lights lit the water, and flames climbed into the sky. Locals serve buckets: 1 can sprite, 2 redbull… Read more

Update from Brian

October 7, 2006 — Sa Wat Dema

So much has happened in the last few days… Once the culture shock of touchdown in Bangkok faded away, and once we overcame the apprehension we felt about coming to place we had heard so many misconceptions about, what we found was a strange and amazing place. To tell you the truth, I have so much to say that it is hard to do it justice. It is very much unlike any place I have ever been… Read more

Brian and Adam in Thailand

October 7, 2006 — Tuk Tuk Reagan

Hat Yao, Ko Pha Ngang Bottle Beach Ko Pha Ngang Grand Palace Bangkok

Wat in the Jungle

October 7, 2006 — Tuk Tuk Reagan

We rented motorbikes to explore the island of Ko Pha Ngang. We sped through winding roads past palm trees, bungalows, internet huts, taxi cabs stuffed with backpackers cruising to Hat Rin, a western beach. A curious bike passed as Brian and I stopped to take in the emerald green of the beach. A Monk held tight to his driver. His orange robes blew with the wind… Read more

TITLE MISSING

October 4, 2006 — Tuk Tuk Reagan

“Tuck Tuck” he says with a squinted smile. He points to his motorcycle taxi. “sexy time” His stubby copper colored fingers dig through his pocket to present a folded brochure. I sip my beer and nervously adjust my pack. “no thank you” The English gets stuck in my teeth… Read more

Tuk Tuk

October 4, 2006 — Sa Wat Dema

“Tuck Tuck” he says with a squinted smile. He points to his motorcycle taxi. “sexy time” His stubby copper colored fingers dig through his pocket to present a folded brochure. I sip my beer and nervously adjust my pack. “no thank you” The English gets stuck in my teeth… Read more

Brian in Bangkok

October 3, 2006 — Sa Wat Dema

It is official - I am in Bangkok. I arrived about midnight last night (which was Monday night here) and it is about 10:00 on Tuesday now. I already have no idea what time it is at home. 20 hours on three different flights will do that to you. As for Thailand, this place is definitely very different from home. I have only just begun exploring this morning, but just from the array of sights… Read more

Thailand