Good Luck!

If you have any experience with Asian people or culture you soon realize that many things are based on the concept of luck, either good or bad. They say fortune. In other words, superstition is rampant. For example, many Thais believe in ghosts. I haven't seen (or heard) one here, but that doesn't mean anything. If I doubted their existence, then it would surely bring me bad luck. Why would I want that? It's a social control mechanism. We all live with conformity, at least to some degree.

Tie a Yellow Ribbon
Around the Old Oak Tree

Some spirits live in the forest and if you cut a sacred tree, then you will have bad luck. What makes a tree sacred and how would you know? Look for the ribbons. These have been blessed by someone, usually a monk. Sacred forests are a major force behind nature consevation in Thailand. Imagine if America preserved the environment because of spirituality, instead of regulations and enforcement?

Fortune Telling

Many people worship at the temple regularly. Usually, they bring food offerings and burn incense. Sometimes people shake a container of 'sticks' while praying, until one of them falls out. Then, it is matched with a set of 28 predetermined outcomes posted nearby. I'm assuming that most messages promise good luck, but if you don't get the one you want, then you can try again. Many of these beliefs are rooted in the teachings of Buddha. In other words, if you live a good life, then good things will happen to you. The opposite is also true. Surely you've heard of karma and practice some form of it yourself.

If you support,
then you will be supported

Yesterday, while getting dressed, a small lizard (gecko) which had been resting on the closet door, fell on top of my head. I'm not sure who was startled the most. The lizard quickly escaped into my bathroom and I made no attempt at pursuit. After all, it has been living in Thailand, and perhaps in my room, longer than me. When telling one of my co-workers about the experience, he exclaimed that it was a sign of good luck. I wasn't surprised, but I'm sure that you are!

I'm lucky to experience Thailand, thanks to the lizard! I'm lucky to have met some great people, eat some delicious food, and see some incredible scenery. Thanks for some valuable life lessons. Leaving Thailand today, but not in my mind!



Lucky Penny

    

The Great Divide

Coming Together?

As you know, the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. Or does it? It's only an illusion since we live in a sun-centered universe. Yet we talk of sunrise and sunset as if it's real. Many things are this way. That aren't real, but we think they are. If we think long / hard enough, they become true, right? After all, perception is reality. What a joke.

Western people have many preconceived notions and ideas about Eastern people. The opposite is also true. Granted, there are some fundamental differences. It's not about right or wrong, just different. Here's where most people focus - on our differences (looks and actions, food choices, clothes, etc.). It's much harder to see the similarities because they require attention to detail. Not enough time or energy for that! In other words, people would rather live with an illusion than reality. What's worse, we think (or know) it must be true. What a joke.

What do you see in this picture - the rock or the crack? Instead, focus on the plant in the middle. You are planted to bridge the gap somewhere. No joke.




Breaking Apart?

Back to the Future?

Olympian

Boxer








The US has Caitlyn Jenner (Olympian) and Thailand has Nong Tum (Boxer). Both were famous male athletes prior to becoming females. Welcome to the third gender. There's probably no place on earth more accepting of transsexuals than in Thailand. It goes both ways, males converting to females, and females into males. The official term is Kathoey, which covers a range sexual identities. For males, the name on the street is ladyboy. They are similar to our drag queens. Some are effeminate, while others have sex-change operations and/or take birth control pills daily. Others are cross-dressing gays. Straight men who take one home are in for a big surprise! Some are easy to identify, but honestly I don't look that closely. Here are a couple of them I have seen on campus recently.


Michael Jackson?



Local Ladyboy

   








Why is it that I see so much of America's past and present in Thailand?  

Science Week

Speeches

They tried to warn me, but I was unprepared for what happened on campus yesterday. Science Week! Science is good. Good enough for 10,000 students to visit campus each day for three days! What's more, it's Science Week across Thailand, meaning that every science program at every university participates. Wow! Talk about big. The College of Science cancelled classes, but students in other programs had to attend. There must be a scientific explanation for this kind of discrimination. 



Exhibits & Displays

So, campus was a virtual beehive of activity yesterday. There were elementary, middle-aged, and HS students everywhere. Monks came, students were dancing in the street, speeches were given, food tents appeared, lines were long, people were noisy. At times, it seemed more like a circus than a science fair. Each university science student had to assemble a display for visitors. College students worked outside of class. Impressive!  A new set arrive today. Maybe I will return to work sometime next week! 



Young

Middle

Monks







Long Ago and Far Away

Handyman or
Endangered Species?

Things have a tendency to break, no matter how careful you are. When was the last time something of yours got broken? Chances are it was pretty recent because so many things we own are not made to last. Manufacturers figured out a long time ago it was best for the consumer to replace, rather than repair ($). So long to the handyman and welcome to the throwaway society. Hello landfill.

A few days ago, the pull tab on my luggage zipper came off for no reason. I'm sure the same thing has happened to you. The zipper is frozen in place and you are totally paralyzed. Off to Walmart to buy another piece of crap. Take it to a shop, you gotta be kidding! Not in Thailand! A guy on the street fixed my luggage in about 30 minutes and charged me $3.50. I think I bought it at Walmart for $60, about a third of the monthly income for many Thai people living in Khon Kaen.            

Consumerism

Homemade
Ice Cream

SE Asia is a travel bargain. It's one of the reasons I like visiting Thailand and Vietnam so much. Most everything is pretty cheap, even in the big cities. Yesterday, I paid about .60 cents for some home-made coconut ice cream with 3 toppings, including nuts. Most meals, with a drink, cost about $2-$3. I bought a shrimp and fish lunch for 6 students, myself, and a faculty member for less than $50. A foot massage (actually both feet) cost $7 for one hour. I gave her a $7 tip and she almost fainted. Recently, I paid about $27 for a 3-star hotel which included breakfast. You get the idea. It makes one feel rich, even though I am not wealthy. What value are you getting from your money?

Americans tend to buy stuff. Lot's of stuff, in fact. Although money can't buy happiness, that doesn't stop us from trying. There is a bewildering assortment of things to buy, as if that many choices are really needed. We could probably live with less. Many people do. Of course, some selection is good, but too much encourages social stratification. The more choices, the greater the range in quality and price. Rich folks simply buy things that poorer people cannot afford, effectively distancing ourselves from those who are not in our social group. By doing so, it isolates and insulates our relationships. As a result, we feel bad for those who are less fortunate and simply give them some money or stuff. Hence, we value money more than relationships, except for those who are our friends and relatives. Materialism is killing us, and those around us, softly.

Traveling in SE Asia has given me a lot of opportunities to meet various people. None of them are wealthy, but many are happy. Are you happy? They spend money on relationships, not things. Here's a crazy idea. Be a friend to someone outside your social circle. It's okay to give them some money if you also give them some time. Chances are, they need both. The number one desire of internationals in America is to have an American friend. You can give that, but you cannot buy it.             

Trust?

Respect

There's a deep respect for authority all across Asia. Old folks are honored more than young people, and teachers often get the most respect (except for parents). So, that puts me in good standing here: old professor! One benefit of gray hair in the classroom. :) In Thailand, young people typically exhibit a folded hands posture to older people, instead of handshaking. It's quite charming.

Although respect is admirable, there's a danger of taking it too far. It's as if the leaders can do no wrong. History is filled with examples of bad people having too much influence over others. It can lead to group-think, instead of individual action and personal responsibility. Trust can also inhibit creativity. Why think differently, just do what other people tell you. For example, many Asians have a hard time thinking outside the box. Students simply memorize information and call it learning. 

However, I think that America has gone too far in the opposite direction. It's as if we don't respect any body, any time. Sarcasm and cynicism are signs of weakness, not strength. But why should we trust others when we've been burned so many times before in friendships, marriages, and at work? Worst of all are our politicians. Those who actually trust the government are in the minority. So, trust is good and doubting is good. Which is better? It's bad if you don't trust anybody. It's equally bad if you trust everybody. Which is worse?

Trust is a problem worldwide (either too much or not enough). You are part of it. So am I. Let's do something about it.