Top of the World!

Songs for the day : The Carpenters "Top of the World" & Mandy Moore "Top of the World"

It's been a month since I touched Thailand soil but it feels like I've been here forever! These past few days have been the most positive ever! Since I got here I've been experiencing happy moments that quickly turn into sad moments but since the beginning of the week it's been nothing but UP. Which kind of frightens me thinking what goes UP must come DOWN! I think Bangkok really did me well...I will eventually get to PART 2 of "CHERALOT + BANGKOK = LOVE" but I have been really pressed for time this past week.

It started off really great...Our office was closed Monday and Tuesday! We were kind of upset because there was a lot more things we wanted to BUY ... I mean see and do in Bangkok and Justin and the gang did not inform us until we were heading back to Pattaya Sunday night that our long weekend was extended! We had a feeling the crew was not going to be back in time because they drove 12 hours north near the LAOS border to visit Ratanna's family and meet up with other non-profit organizations. So Monday we hit the islands to work on our tans and relax from our chaotic weekend in Bangkok, but our fun at the beach quickly ended because it got colder. It looked like there was a storm coming our way. Reena and I were in denial thinking the sun will come back but then we were the only ones at the beach who did not work there and the beach staff were putting all the beach chairs and umbrellas away!
We went to the most "popular" beach on the island. It was nice but more commercialized than the other beach we had gone to previous. It was like a little Virginia Beach with the many shops along the boardwalk. Last beach we hit on the same island did not have a boardwalk or shops. The difference with this beach, was that the waves were incredible. They slapped us hard but it felt good. It was the saltiest beach I had ever tasted! I never drank so much salt water before thanks to some Chinese chick! She was such an O.A....in other words too dramatic. She was scared to go deep into the water because of the strong waves, but her boyfriend kept forcing her to go further. She kept on screaming but in such a funny way that Reena and I were over our heads with laughter that we ended up drinking the salt water every time the waves hit. It was punishment for laughing at the expense of someone's pain! Her swimming skills were so bad, we felt we had to keep our eyes on her in fear we may had to pull a BAYWATCH as the beaches here do not have lifeguards.

We finally got back to the office on Wednesday and I finally made the final touches to the OPENaid t-shirt and it was finally sent off to the printers. Earlier I had a HUGE fight with a American Express customer service rep. I had spent all my money in Bangkok! The shopping was so amazing and intense that I was willing to starve for a few days and spent EVERYTHING!!! That and I knew I could easily call American Express to reclaim my lost cheques. I wasn't prepared for a 4 day, downhill battle with them. I didn't think it would be such a B with an ITCH to reclaim my lost travelers cheques. It's sad but the only time I actually got service, was when I acted like the BIGGEST asshole on earth. Why can't we reward nice customers? Why do we only tend to the rudest people on earth?After getting the run around, on the 4th day I had to bring it, or go broke. Everyone at OPENaid was so shocked at how rude I was on the phone. They had a good laugh seeing another side of me. They also saw how bad I can be if they mess with me. You may be laughing now, but those who've seen me at my baddest can attest that I can be anyone's nightmare!

I was hoping the mean side of me would end, but later that afternoon the dark side of me came out again but this time with Ratanna. We were at the printers choosing the color and style of shirts for the OPENaid staff. I think she is so color blind. How can anyone think maroon looks good with baby blue???? She was acting like a baby and did not understand what I was trying to tell her. She said all the colors I chose made her skin look dark. I was like what's wrong with looking dark? Besides, I am a whole lot darker than she is! Anyways, in the end she didn't chose the maroon shirts, but she chose the ugliest style possible and a really lame color. So now my awesome design is ruined because of her, but it really didn't get to me because I feel like I am back. I am the graphic designer for OPENaid and I have many projects lined up ahead so I've been really busy and unable to blog or email regularly. Even though I know there is a lot of work ahead, I feel happy. It feels good to get my creative juices flowing again. I felt like I lost myself because it's been so long since I've been in the game. Now my confidence has boosted and I feel like I am the old me before I went to Japan. I feel like I am on TOP OF THE WORLD again! It's a really good feeling to finally get my swerve back. For once in a really long time, I feel really happy.

The other night was my first official night on duty for "BAR WORK". We went to SOI 7, the hardcore street with the "DO OR DIE PROSTIES". One of the programs OPENaid offers, is to try to get women off the streets and out of the sex trade. So what we have to do is go out to different bars and search for young women to befriend and try to get them out, provide counseling and teach them vocational skills as most do not have formal education. Reena spotted 2 really young looking girls. So young that Ratanna didn't think they were working, but we went up to them anyways. We started conversation and Reena and I bought drinks for the girls. They looked like they were 14 & 15 but they were 17 & 18. The 18 year old showed us a photo album of her and it was rather disturbing. It was soft pornish. I felt so awkward having to "pick up" girls, that I bought beer to loosen up my buttons, forgetting I was "on duty" and we aren't allowed to drink on the job. Bad move on my part because next thing you know I was really tipsy and acting a little too happy. Reena and I had a good laugh later because she kept nudging me to talk to "my girl". I couldn't really have a conversation with the 17 year old because her English was so bad. Anyways, those girls opened up to us fast. Both are fresh into the industry. Only 4 months. The 18 year old "Tan" became really teary. She said her parents had forced her into the sex trade to make quick cash for the family and her mother said she isn't able to come into their home unless she comes home with a lot of cash. It's like we hear stories like this all the time, but to actually put a face to the story. To see them, to hear them is really sad but it motivates us to keep doing what we are doing. I think I am getting better at handling myself. It's a big change to how I was on my first day exposed to all this. I have a better understanding about how things are here and how the people are. I used to think they are all whores who have a choice in life, but sadly enough most don't have a choice. They grow up in poverty unable to afford schooling. They can't read. They can't write. No one would hire them. So what's left? Pattaya is known in the WORLD as the city with the LARGEST sex tourism trade. We were able to get the girls to take their first step out. There is still a lot of work we have to do with them but the fact that we were able to build a connection with them got us motivated. So motivated that we wanted to keep going and search for more girls to befriend.

This past weekend we were supposed to go back to Bangkok, but our friend Heather from New York was unable to meet up with us until next weekend. So Reena and I decided to take it easy and really pamper ourselves for a really productive week (even though it was only 3 days!). We slept in until 1pm. Watched a HILARY DUFF movie "Cinderella", then had LUNDIN on a terrace over looking the beach. The view was spectacular and our food was amazing (pizza and garlic bread, ice cafe and MILLE FEUILLE!) it felt good to live the high life again. We then decided to get a much needed pedicure and a THAI MASSAGE. Let me tell you....the THAIS don't mess around when it comes to massages! We met up with our friend PHI who is our Masseuse. She is amazing. She gave me a foot massage last weekend and it was fabulous! I wanted another foot rub but we didn't want to ruin our pedicures and Reena wanted to try something new. I was kind of hesitant to try it because I saw pictures and it looked kind of scary but I thought why not try something new! Reena chose PAHN an older, tubby lady to do her. We knew she meant business when she took off her long skirt and slipped into these baby blue tights. They took us upstairs into a really dim room lined with low mattresses on the wooden floor. Each client separated by blue curtains. Reena and I asked if we can be together side by side so we can talk and experience the Thai massage together. They gave us these really funny shorts and a shirt and told us to take off everything and slip into them. When they drew up the curtains the room got even more darker that after I had undressed, I had problems looking for my shirt and shorts. Reena told them she was ready so they opened up the curtains thinking I was ready as well. Let's just say that PHI & PAHN got a little show. I was so embarrassed that I was screaming and I think HANZ (some old German guy) got annoyed for ruining the peace.

Hanz (not really his name) was near the end of his Thai massage and started making these really weird noises. I guess they are the sounds of extreme pleasure and pain. I started to crack up and so did Reena, Phi and Pahn. I was like, "Oh my god, will I be making those noises too?!!!". We started off by lying on our backs and having to spread out legs. I was so nervous because I am extremely ticklish and Phi was touching and rubbing me in places I never knew I was ticklish. So I was laughing like a maniac partly because I was ticklish and partly because I can see Pahn in her baby blue tights really man handling and rolling all over Reena and really giving it to her. They moved our bodies in positions we never thought was possible. It was really intense. What they do is initially painful, but then you feel good after. I think they made every bone in our bodies crack and stretched EVERYTHING out. Phi was telling us we will eventually get used to it the more we do it. I feel a little traumatized by the experience, especially when they were squeezing and rubbing our buttocks - but at the same time, I've never felt so good. When the massage was done, I felt so disoriented and could not stand straight that I had a hard time putting my clothes back on and Phi and Pahn got another show. I think they should charge me less for having to expose myself to them! We decided to make it a weekly thing and take advantage of it because it is only $6 for one hour. They asked if the Thai massages in Canada are the same. We said we don't know because we never had one, but all we know is that it is probably costs a helluva lot more to get one! If anyone has had one before, I would really love to know how your experience(s) was! After that we watched a horror flick SKINWALKERS (DO NOT WATCH IT! IT IS REALLY REALLY BAD!). Then we had dinner at Pizza Hut on a terrace in front of the beach. Sadly enough it was night time, so the beautiful beach during the day was lined up with older and young looking prostitutes. Not really my idea of a view!

I originally came to Thailand with the intent to volunteer at the Pattaya Orphanage. I went to the compound and I can see that the orphanage was pretty well off. They had a nice establishment and although volunteers are somewhat lacking, I can see that the funding is there. After seeing young girls selling themselves to support their families, seeing poverty left and right in Pattaya, going up North and learning more about the struggles, the killings, the unimagineable poverty, pain and suffering of the Burmese, I had a sudden change of heart. That's when I decided to volunteer with OPENaid International (http://www.openaid.org.au/) as I felt that the need was a lot more greater, and much more urgent. I believe in their cause and what they are about. "OPENAID INTERNATIONAL IS DEDICATED TO SERVING AND EMPOWERING THE COUNTLESS WOMEN TORN APART BY POVERTY, OPPRESSION, EXPLOITATION AND SEVERE SEXUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE IN THAILAND AND BURMA". I feel that I can contribute a lot more with my skills and touch the lives of the abandoned and forgottened.