"Will I Suffer If..."?

"Will I Suffer If...", somebody asked me.

I said: Yes, you will suffer a lot, if you spend your life in a lazy and worthless manner, wasting it with trite and unimportant things.... instead of doing the deep and the difficult stuff you were born to do. I don't know.... do you want to waste your life... or take it to the max?

I prefer the max, but that's just me.

Wander with Human Heart Through the World...

"Anyone who wants to know the human psyche will learn next to nothing from experimental psychology. He would be better advised to abandon exact science, put away his scholar's gown, bid farewell to his study, and wander with human heart through the world. There in the horrors of prisons, lunatic asylums and hospitals, in drab suburban pubs, in brothels and gambling-hells, in the salons of the elegant, the Stock Exchanges, socialist meetings, churches, revivalist gatherings and ecstatic sects, through love and hate, through the experience of passion in every form in his own body, he would reap richer stores of knowledge than text-books a foot thick could give him, and he will know how to doctor the sick with a real knowledge of the human soul." -- Carl Jung

Koh Samed

We spent several days on Koh Samed. 

I ended up renting the best 2 bedroom bungalow on the island.

Spent lot of time on that veranda, very pleasant.

Had a blast on the beach, dad really loved it.

And of course great time with my girlfriend. :)

What I'm Reading

 

Addiction

I knew I'd get addicted to something in Thailand sooner or later... and I did.

BEACH MEDITATION. I sit on the beach and meditate, Ramana Maharshi style, a type of meditation that I have been finding the most useful in recent months.

TIT - This Is Thailand

Two pieces of news too funny not to share.

Fly Thai, Get Laid

15 Degrees Celsius Temperature Declared a Disaster in Northern Thailand

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

Stonehenge? Nah... Thailand baby. :)

Sriracha Tiger Zoo Visit

 Did I have fun today. :) Took a day trip to a Zoo close to Pattaya, the Sriracha Zoo, and was pleasantly surprised. Some photos and comments follow.

Just hanging out with my buddy there for a bit. Amazing experience petting a large tiger.

... and he liked it. I still have both of my arms to prove it. :)

Shooting down some food for the tigers. If you hit, a piece of meat drops from the target.

Reminded me of roads in Thailand....

Good Guys Go to Heaven, Bad Guys... :)

Couldn't resist snapping this photo on the Walking Street in Pattaya. Unless you've been here, you have no idea. :)

My Inspiration

This guy is my inspiration. While taking a ferry back from the Coral Island, we ran into a blind guy from Turkey. No vision? No problem. He travels blind by himself, an absolutely fearless guy. (It's sometimes tough enough to travel in Thailand with a 20/20 vision, nevermind blind. Very challenging getting on and off the boat in high winds, for instance... or crossing the road at a busy intersection.)
Inspiring.... while the rest of us who can see invent 100 excuses why we cannot follow our dreams. JUST DO IT. You got that right, buddy. Thanks for helping us to see...

What I'm Reading These Days

30 Seconds from my Hotel Room

Why haven't I been posting? Because I've been BUSY! Busy exploring, relaxing on the beach, spending time with my girlfriend, and enjoying new experiences, life, and everything around me.
This is Jomtien beach, 30 SECONDS from my hotel room. While not as nice as the Coral Island, it is good enough... :)

My Office

Went to Coral Island today, and had a wonderful time. A nice and peaceful place (... compared to Pattaya at least).

In Pattaya

Left Bangkok and arrived in Pattaya today. An insane place, will be posting photos in the next few days.

Tiger Temple

Had a fun visit at the Tiger Temple. :)

Whatever Good I Can Do...

One of the good deeds that I do on regular basis is feeding street animals in Bangkok. This is a cat from the Lumpini Park, the largest park in Bangkok. The poor thing was absolutely starved and went nuts when I bought her a chicken drumstick ($0.50, by the way). Got drumsticks for the other cats too. Made them happy, and made me VERY happy. :)

Learning Thai

Thai is a tough language! Five tones... and a word can mean five different things based on a tone. Take a lesson yourself. :)

PHOTO: My girlfriend teaching my dad.

Grand Palace and Wat Pho

Grand Palace and Wat Pho are some of the main attractions in Bangkok. Magnificent architecture.... lots to see and explore inside and out.

What $1 Gets You in Thailand

Either meal, $1. Damn delicious too.

Mistaken for a Killer in Bangkok

I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried!

I was pulled over by police today on the street, searched and questioned intensely... and it seems it may have been related to the fact I look like a wanted killer of a Bangkok hooker. (You can read the full article here.) I look a lot like him, with my shaved head and muscular upper body physique. I even wear the same damn pants with the same pattern as he does... and similar running shoes. A dangerous combination.

Fortunately for me, the hooker was killed before I got to Bangkok. Phew... close one. I hope they nail him. For the time being, I am wearing a hat outside, and changing my pants.

While Walking to Bangkok Chess Club...

Because I'm a nerd, I figured it was time to check out the Bangkok Chess Club. In order to get there, I had to walk from the Skytrain station through Soi Cowboy, one of the red light districts of Bangkok. It is a bit odd that the chess club is located virtually in the red light district, but if there is one thing that I learned about Thailand it is that the bizarre is the ordinary.
On the way to the club, it was early, 6 pm. The street was quiet. On the way back after 9 pm, Soi Cowboy was PACKED. I walked slowly observing everything around me. Many young beautiful girls, some old, and some ugly. There were two attempts to pull me inside a brothel by the girls, to buy them a drink.. and to buy them. What made the experience even more surreal was that I put on Damian Marley's Road to Zion as I was walking through.
Another unique experience. Sheer entertainment just observing this fascinating country and everyone in it.

Bangkok

Meanwhile back in Toronto...

Fried Roaches, anyone?? :)

I was up in North Thailand for the last few days... Some people are not used to seeing white foreigners there... bizarre having a bunch of cute girls fawning over your skin color and tone.

In the night market, I saw these appetizing BIG ROACHES. :) Bon appetit! For the record,  no, I didn't have the balls to try them... YET.

Street Food in Thailand

One of the best things about Thailand is food... street food in particular. Freshly cooked with ingredients bought that morning and authentic Thai taste, a typical meal will run you about 30 baht ($1) on the street.

But what I really like is the fruits... if you never ate pineapple or mango in Asia, you don't know what I mean. The stuff bought in Canada is really dull in comparison, because it is unripe.... in Thailand, the fruit is fully ripened under the tropical sun.... the taste is AMAZING.

Bangkok, the AMAZING

First time in Bangkok, I liked it.

Second time, I liked it more.

Now, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT... everything about it.

In just a few days, I already had more adventures than I can mention. One time I ended up taking a motor bike taxi. You basically ride on the back of a motorbike. My guy decided that going the RIGHT way was too slow, so he decided to speed AGAINST the TRAFFIC in the WRONG direction (not THAT uncommon for motorbikes in Bangkok). Unbelievable experience dodging the oncoming traffic. You don't get that in the West. But I will think again before getting on one of those. Good for one time, but I like my life. :)

The hotel is in a quiet location. Great rooftop pool. I like to go early morning and watch the city awake. I love the smells and sounds of early morning Bangkok. :) It's nothing like I experienced in the West. The hotel also has a great gym and is within walking distance of Bangkok's Skytrain (you can get anywhere cheap and easy with Skytrain).

November is the 'winter' time in Thailand. The temperature has been great. At night maybe 23 C, during the day about 35. For whatever reason, I don't sweat during the day's heat. I don't know what happened, I still drink enough water, but my shirt is staying dry. Unlike on previous trips, no stomach troubles on account of spicy food either. :)

Yesterday, we went to Wat Arun, a real landmark on Chao Phraya river. Terrific view and lots of things to see around.

I gotta say that Bangkok is different (..and better) when you have a native Thai guide.

 Dad is LOVING IT maybe even more than I do.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

In the past years, I stayed at the LA Tower in Bangkok. Monthly rent ran me about $350 with the utilities (Bangkok is 'expensive' compared to most of Thailand). The place was Ok, the biggest selling point for me was the large swimming pool (swimmer my whole life).

I want to try something new this time. I'll be heading to Novel Place. It's a bit of a step up. Other than a nicer rooftop swimming pool, it also has sauna, gym (WITH weights, very important to me), garden, and is in an excellent location. About $470 a month, but I figured what the hell. :)

Flying to Bangkok on Thursday

It's done. Flying to Bangkok Thursday night.... through London and Bombay. :)

Chillin'? Not Yet!

I thought after the car and the house are sold, I would be just chillin' at the hotel.
Yah, right.
To my HORROR, I noticed that my debit card EXPIRES next year. In the times past, debit cards never expired, you could use one indefinitely as long as it worked. I was planning to use mine for many years in Asia.....
So I rushed to the bank... they gave me one that expires in 2018, which was a marked improvement as it gives me 3 years. On my other account, I got a card that expires in 2024... so I am theoretically set.
It's amazing how many loose ends there are to tie up before leaving...
Btw, I am probably flying to Bangkok Friday. :)

Closing Day

CRAZY DAY... moved out of a house where I lived 20 years... AND sold the car right after.

I am exhausted... enjoying the hot tub at the hotel.

The 2 Things I Will Miss

As the clock ticks down, I realize that there will be only 2 things I will miss:
1. friends
and
2. the temple!

I said goodbye to the temple today... it was surprisingly difficult. The only place here that has grown close to my heart.

Well, on the upside, there's about hundred million temples in Asia, if not more. :)

Piranhas

People who trade in used cars are like piranhas. After putting up the ad to sell the car last night, I was wholly unprepared for an onslaught of people knocking at my door at 8 am with envelopes filled with cash wanting to close the deal.... which happened, btw. I guess it was my fault for doing too good of a job taking photos of the car... looked better digitally than in reality.
The car is sold, but still have it til Friday night.

Last Day at Work

Done... said good bye to my colleagues, friends, and students.... got an ovation from my class at the end and many students came up to me to shake my hand and thank me afterwards. One student said: "That was a hell of a course, sir!". :) Sure was. I appreciate having the chance to share my knowledge over the last 3 years and teach 100s of students during that time. It was interesting, but it is time to move on now.
Closing day in 4 days!

Thailand and India Ahead of Canada

Thailand and India are ahead of Canada in the HSBC's expat survey. Article here, full survey here.

Breathe (2011)

One of the best documentaries I have seen in a long time. Inspiring... at least for a nut like me. :)

You can watch the full documentary here.

Life is WAY WAY TOO SHORT to be ordinary.

10 Spiritual Tools

10 Spiritual Tools from my teacher... Admittedly, these are still a work in progress in my life. :) Pick one and stick with it.

From "Transcending The Levels of Consciousness," by Dr. David R. Hawkins, pp 333-334."

1. Be kind to everything and everyone, including oneself, all the time, with no exception.

2. Revere all of life in all of its expressions, no matter what, even if one does not understand it.

3. Presume no actual reliable knowledge of anything at all. Ask God to reveal its meaning.

4. Intend to see the hidden beauty of all that exists - it then reveals itself.

5. Forgive everything that is witnessed and experienced, no matter what. Remember Christ, Buddha, and Krishna all said that all error is due to ignorance. Socrates said that all men can choose only what they believe to be good.

6. Approach all of life with humility and be willing to surrender all positionalities and mental/emotional arguments or gain.

7. Be willing to forgo all perceptions of gain, desire, or profit and thereby be willing to be of selfless service to life in all of its expressions.

8. Make one's life a living prayer by intention, alignment, humility, and surrender. True spiritual reality is actually a way of being in the world.

9. By verification, confirm the levels of consciousness and spiritual truth of all teachers, teachings, spiritual groups, and literature with which one intends to be aligned or a student.

10. Accept that by spiritual declaration, commitment, and surrender, Knowingness arises that provides support, information, and all that is needed for the entire journey.

1 Week, 1 Day

Things are really winding down. 1 day of work left. Also, 1 week to closing day... moving out of a house where I lived close to 20 years.
Do I feel nostalgia? Not at all. The house has many ghosts... and I don't mind leaving them behind.

Oh Canada (Thanks!)

Coming Health Benefit Shocks for Canadian Retirees - an article in today's Star which pretty much dis-spells the myth of 'free' health care in Canada. Just one more thing that's bullshit in the 'True North'.

 "...the average cost of medical extras for those between 18 and 80 is $1,561 a year in Ontario..."

Thanks Canada, for making me pay for dental care, eye care, drugs, and other things.

THUMBS DOWN.

If Your Dreams Don't Scare You...