Different worlds

I woke up this morning thinking of Pod.  We are the same age, same profession.  She has more education than I, having attended four year university in Bangkok as well as Massage and Nail Tech school.  We both run our own businesses.  She works twice as hard as I do for a small fraction of the money, in much less comfortable conditions... At first I thought to myself, this would be awesome doing massage on the beach! But by the 3rd hour she was chasing the bugs off of me and dabbing this special ointment on the many bites on my skin.  She shared with me how sometimes there is no business because of the other massage and nail salons that are indoors (I easily saw 10 yesterday in a 3 block radius).  I don't know why I felt compelled to share that... Not sure what I'm feeling, just digesting it really.  I suppose you could say I'm feeling a little ashamed for taking all that I have for granted in the past... Starting to feel a newfound appreciation for all that I have.  I have great admiration for Pod, her work ethic, her happiness, her mothering skills, her gentle nature and her presence.  The imprint of her has touched me deeply.

Kata Beach Visit

This little hut on Kata Beach is where I spent the majority of my day.  Not sure if you can read the sign or not, but I got a Thai Massage, a mani and pedi... Today- I'll admit... I was the american tourist on the beach holding a sign that said 'sell me stuff I'll buy anything' lol.. It's probably not as bad as I make it sound, but I'm such a push over.  People literally walk the beach selling  scarves and clothing and a variety of things. I walked away today with a new bikini, two swimsuit covers, a crazy Thai whistle flute thing, mani, pedi, massage, and eye brow wax.  And after all that, food and drink, taxi- didn't spend over $150.  I can't have a day like today EVERYDAY, but it was my first real day of vacation after travel and I made sure to enjoy myself.  

This is Pod, the woman who did my massage and beautified my fingers and toes.  She works everyday at this little hut on the beach with her mother who has worked there for over 25 years.  Her 3 year old daughter also comes along with her.  It was endearing to relax there in this make shift hut and listen to grandma sing and fan the little girl to sleep, while the ocean waves crashed on the shore and rushed around and under us, all while Pod walked on my back.  Since I was there for about 4 hours we got to know each other a little and make conversation.  I bought the ladies a round of fantas which they seemed to enjoy.  They looked out for me when I forgot my iphone there and had to return for it.  Grandma says, 'Oh you forgetful lady' lol... If you know me at all, your laughing.  Especially you Jessica Porter, with your check list for me every time we leave my house 8-)

 

 Grandma and Pod's daughter.

 Coconut delish.

 Hey looks it's me!  I'm in a tuk tuk!  (basically a funky taxi)

 Look at the love 8-)

 I also got my eyebrows waxed today.                     Tuk Tuk-->

 Fresh seafood + pina coloda + beach view + great book = bliss

 This cat is always outside of my room

 I was upgraded to a new room poolside because the ceiling started to leak.  Bonus!  This room is awesome.

CC Bloom's

Another long day of travel from Bangkok to Phuket.  I got to CC Bloom's last night after a car ride that seemed to last forever!  I was so tired but I couldn't sleep in the taxi because I was in awe (and terrified) of the driving conditions.  People on scooters everywhere, people loaded (and I mean LOADED) into the back of trucks going 50mph or better.  I read online that many Thais and tourists die in traffic accidents, it's no surprise to me after my experience yesterday.

Much to my excitement I discovered that this quaint resort is modeled after the character CC Bloom from the movie Beaches, which is an old sappy favorites 8-)  'Everything here is just as CC would have wanted it to be', reads a little sign on the bar.  Im still getting used to the time difference, I tried my best to stay awake last night but ended up sleeping at 6pm.  I woke up around 3am and walked around a little, took a dip in the pool, and realized the bar was open.  I made my first english speaking Thai friend!  His name is Top, and he works here at CC's.  His biggest dream in life is to come to America, according to Top that is what most people here dream of.  When I asked him why, he said the economy.

I planned on checking into Rawai Training Camp today but I have decided to take a couple more days at CC's to get on a better sleeping schedule before embarking on my 7 hours of day of training.  Here are a few photos from CC's this morning.

 You can't really tell but I am the at the top of a mountain, and the ocean is what you see in the distance.

 Um.. this morning it was dark and I accidentally killed his brother via bottom of sandal... 8-(

 Swimming pool at CC's.  Isn't it lovely?

 Breakfast this morning, I was blissfully dining alone 8-)

Another shot of the swimming pool.  I love Thai decor, its so colorful and vibrant.

That's all for now.  I'm off to catch the shuttle to the beaches, and explore Phuket today.  8-)  Choose a beautiful day.  <3 Tiff

Thailand Night One

Hello dear friends!  I have absolutely no idea what time it's supposed to feel like right now.  After 23 hours (and counting... heading back to the airport in few to catch my hour flight to Phuket) I finally understand what jet leg means, and I will never complain about my four hour flight to Indiana again.  The flight wasn't really that bad, I used this website called seat guru to pick the most comfortable regular cost seat.  I actually did have a little more leg room with no additional cost, thank you seat guru!  (Downside- someone near me had some pretty intense gas 6 of the 11 hours to Japan.  What do you do?   Thank goodness for those little airblasters that continually blow fresh air in your face.) 

I arrived last night close to midnight after a very long flight.  The hotel that I had reserved overbooked and sent me to a different hotel just down the street from the airport.  At first I was a little cranky about this because I had to pay more and pay for internet for a room that was not as nice, even a little on the ghetto side.. I didn't want to fit the stereotype of bitchy american tourist, so I just paid the extra and forced a (twitching haha) smile and climbed the 5 sets of stairs to my humble room.

Once I showered and brushed my teeth my crankiness dissipated and I moved onto THE BEST PART OF MY NIGHT... I had a Thai Massage in my room from a gifted older lady who snapped, cracked, and twisted my limbs into submission and health.  She charged 300 baht/hr ($10), I paid her 400 baht and she was so incredibly grateful.  Neither of us spoke the others native language, it was kind of endearing the two of us trying to communicate.  Every time I said something she'd laugh 8-)  At the end of the massage I felt like putty, and I bowed to her with my hands in front of my heart and rambled on about her greatness in my own language.  She seemed really moved by this and bowed back to me and said something I of course didn't understand, but I'm sure it was along the same lines.  She gave me a genuine hug and was on her way.

Tonight I'm staying at a beach resort to decompress from the travel, and tomorrow I'll checkin to Rawai Muay Thai Camp. I made a last minute decision to change my training camp (again) because this camp is close to a beach and seems to have more women fighters.  Today and tomorrow are about beach and sleep- Monday morning I learn just how hard I can train... The day starts out running and skipping rope for 60 minutes, followed by 6 hours of intense training.  Considering I feel like a champ when I do 40 minutes on the elliptical in my air conditioned gym, I have my work ahead of me.  At first I was going to pay daily in case I change my mind and it's 'too hard', but isn't that the point?  I'm paying for the week upon arrival so I don't give myself the option of looking back.  I'm in it!

Sending you all love back home, thanks so much to Ezra, Meg, and Christina for taking care of my business- you ladies are already on fire and I've only been gone a day!

xoxo <3 Tiff

Trip Overview

Wanna know what your pal Tiff will be doing in Thailand?  Escape on a little day dream with me for a moment.

My current plan is as follows… I arrive in Bangkok on July 29th, from there I will take a one hour flight to Phuket.  Can you believe it's only about $87 for a one way flight?  BOOKED THE DAY BEFORE?? that's the crazy thing about Asia.  Once you get there from the US, you can pretty much fly anywhere for a buck or two within reason.  

Arriving in Phuket I'm sure I will have a little jet lag after the 23 hour flight.. No worries there, I'm checking myself into a beachfront hotel at Patong Beach (so many to choose from).  I'll decompress on the beach for 3 days before heading to Tiger Muay Thai Training Camp.  Beach side massage 2 hours = $5 USD.  

Next comes the work.  Happy work!  I'll be training for a week at Tiger Muay Thai, learning MMA and Thai Boxing, not to mention getting into million dollar baby shape lol… training starts at 7am and ends at 7pm.  Cardio, running, yoga, sparring, kicking, punching.. You name it.  Sweat!!  So excited.  I'll get more into this a little later. 

Next comes the reward.  Phi phi Island (pronounced PP island).  The most beautiful beaches in Asia.  The movie the Island with Leonardo Dicaprio was filmed there!  I found a beach front bungalow for $33 a night US… Check it out!!  This is where I will have my sea and sun adventures.  i'm really not sure how long I will stay here.  And I LOVE not having an exact plan!  Go with the flow baby.

Then the learning.  At some point I'll make my way back to Bangkok where I will attend school at the Wat Po School of Thai Traditional Medicine for a week and learn Thai Massage from a Master, and of course have adventures in Bangkok and see Temples, etc.

The most important thing is that I'm leaving room for adventure.  There is no plan, no schedule.  I can do WHATEVER.  I.  WANT.  8-)

Ahhhh I can't wait!  Everything is falling into place.  So grateful.  

<3 Tiff