Bangkok, Thailand and Bumrungrad Hospital

Bumrungrad Hospital

What a surprise it was to learn that my medical insurance would cover a complete high-tech yearly exam in Bangkok, Thailand! Of course, I had to pay for air travel, hotel and food. But to say that this was worth every penny is an understatement. Two colleagues, Kris and Ellen, and I took advantage of a 4-day weekend to make this happen.

In five hours I was thoroughly examined through blood tests, eye exam, full-body ultra-sounds (including heart), etc. and analyzed and consulted with by three doctors. All in one day! The hospital is state of the art, impeccably clean, and a technological wonder. Attendants dressed in silk pant suits directed and accompanied us throughout the process. It was assembly-like medical care with compassion. People come from all over the world for medical care here. Okay, the intimacy of meeting with my own private physician was not there, but I walked away with a DVD of all my stats, ultra-sounds and recommendations for dietary changes. As thorough as it gets. Best of all, I am in great health (minus a few pounds I need to lose...).

Best foot massage ever!

On every block there is a Thai massage business. For $9.00 you can have an hour-long foot massage that includes head and neck massage as well. We definitely took advantage of one each day.

Largest Reclining Buddha in the world.

Our first day we ventured out by the wonderful Sky Train mass transit and a river boat ride  to visit the Buddhist temples of  Wat Pho. This 160 ft long  sculpture  decorated in gold leaf was magnificent.

Wat Pho Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok and still home to a monastery and traditional Thai medicine school.

There are over 1,000 images of Buddha at the temple, all different and unique.

Thai woman placing coins in 108 bronze bowls as offerings.

Giant stone Chinese guards outside temple.

These whimsical sculptures were a mystery to me. They were found throughout the park-like setting of Wat Pho.

Just a cat...

Colorful tuk-tuks of Bangkok.

Ariyasomvilla Hotel

Thanks to Ellen, we stayed at this tropical oasis hotel in the  middle of Bangkok, five minutes from the hospital. What a gem! Complete with organic vegetarian food and spa.

Kris and Ellen. Can you guess the speckled fruit?

Poolside sculpture

What a pleasure it was to be able to eat the street food without the worries of getting sick as in India. I was in heaven!

Young waiters at a typical Thai cafe. Our yummy rice and chicken dish was served in a half pineapple. $3.00!

Saturday Kris and I hit the streets in 100 degree weather with 100% humidity to find the famous weekend market. We spent hours weaving in and out of stalls finding all kinds of inexpensive treasures. Didn't even manage to see 1/2 of the market.

Treasures

At one point we found ourselves in the heart of the section selling all kinds of animals. Not pleasant watching hundreds of bunnies, puppies, birds, etc for sale in horrendous heat. 

Puppy market

Bunny with dress

Our four days in Bangkok were certainly not enough, but next year I'll definitely go back for my annual physical.

Salaam Baalak Trust

Last week we took our students on a guided tour led by former homeless children in Old Delhi. Our guides carefully navigated us through back alleys and garbage-strewn streets to eventually end in a shelter housing 60 boys from age 6-16, who were previously living on the streets of Delhi. This is the charitable work by the Salaat Baalak Trust.

Tour guides: Former street children

One of our guides told us his life story in graphic detail. He had lived in a small Indian village with his abusive father, mother and siblings. His father beat him often and eventually killed his mother through a beating. Satyendar ran away from home at the age of 12. He locked himself in a stinking toilet on a train headed for Delhi. He ended up living at the Old Delhi train station where sleazy men tried to lure him into illegal propositions. He was near the point of committing suicide when a woman dressed in a colorful sari approached him. She was wearing a badge that said, "Salaam Baalak Trust". He decided to take a chance and go with her. He is now about 20 years old (he does not have a birth certificate and therefore does not know his birthday) and is anxiously awaiting his test results to get into a tech college in the U.S.

Walking the back alleys

Typical wiring. No wonder I lose electricity once in awhile!

Hindi gods on concrete wall...why?

Hindi gods are placed strategically on walls to prevent men from urinating on the walls. If there is no god on the wall, it is free territory for urinating!

Rockin' out

When we arrived to the shelter the boys were trying out some new dance moves. Our boys joined right in.

 

Doing art together

We brought an art project to do with the kids. We'll be making greeting cards to sell as a fund raiser for the Trust. SBT uses creative arts to help these kids break down their hard and distrustful shells. We were delighted to share our project with the boys. They loved it!

Although few of the boys could speak English, this joint art project brought lots of smiles and hugs.

 It was a stifling hot day and the 60 boys packed into two bare rooms with  no furniture was unbelievable. Still, they had huge smiles and took joy in our time with them.
  
Most of the boys living in the shelter will only be there for 6-12 months until they can be placed in more permanent shelters. Some of the boys will be returned to their families, if safe and appropriate. It is estimated that over 11 million children in India are living on the streets.

At the end of our tour with Satyendar, he proudly stated that because of SBT every day is his birthday... because he is alive.

For more information about the Salaam Baalak Trust go to their website: www.salaambaalaktrust.com

Cappadocia, Turkey

"Fairy Chimneys" of Cappadocia

I have long peered at photos of the land formations in Cappadocia, Turkey in National Geographic, etc. And here I was in a land of geological and historical wonder. These rock formations were created from volcanic eruptions and circulating winds some 30 million years ago. But, some people still live in the cave dwellings, and hotels are created within them. My own hotel room was a "cave room".

Cave dwelling along our hike

Getting ready for launching.

The best way to really view these formations, dwellings and canyons is by a hot-air balloon ride.

And I am afraid of heights!

Once launched, it was like floating on a bubble. Amazing!

Ancient cave dwellings

The Hittites lived in these dwellings until around 1200 BC.

Monastery. The two long slabs are thought to be tables.

We took a guided hike through one valley that housed many ancient rock-cut churches and monasteries. In the first century Christianity was introduced to this territory. Many Christians took to the hills and caves to escape attacks by Arab raiders.

Underground city

This underground city was rediscovered in 1962ish. Seven levels, food storage rooms, intricate air supply systems, wells and stables for livestock, places of worship are all still evident. It is thought that as many as 1,000 people took refuge here to escape the attackers.

 One of the most special events for me on this trip was meeting one of my students from AES and her family at the bottom of level 7! Small, small world indeed.

Su Hyun and family

Other special sights from Cappadocia:

Man and burro

Yummy bread with every meal

Sue outside our "cave" room

Tree full of old water jugs

 One morning I went hiking by myself in a little canyon off the main road. I could have gone forever, but my water ran out. I am still mystified by the ancient AND present groups of people who live here. Although Cappadocia is becoming quite the tourist stop, it only takes a few minutes to get off the beaten track.

Women knitting on the sidewalk. Notice the harem pants they are wearing. Now I know where that fashion statement of the 70's came from!

Doll maker. Yup, I bought the one on the left for you, Gage!

One week in Turkey was certainly not enough. Must return one day...

Turkey: Istanbul and Cappadocia

Blue Mosque in Istanbul

When my good friend Sue, a fellow Fulbrighter and Seattlelite, asked if I wanted to meet her for spring break in Turkey I jumped at the chance. Turkey has been on my top ten list for a long time. Now I know why.

The city of Istanbul is brimming with history and tradition. It is 99% Muslim, so seeing women completely dressed in full burkas was no surprise. Many women of the Islamic faith simply wear a hijab headscarf. According to the Quran, the dress code is to protect women from lustful gazes. The men were dressed conservatively, but most definitely more contemporary. And the Turkish men are quite handsome!

The minarets (towers) around the mosques throughout the city are used to announce via loudspeaker the "call to prayer", which happens five times/day. So out of our cozy hotel room in the wee hours of the morning we were awoken by a reverberating system of loudspeakers from every mosque in Istanbul.

Inside the Hague Sophia, now a museum

Man selling twisted bread

The cistern, an ancient underground water system.

 One of my favorite sights was the cistern. Giant marble pillars and archways were created for an  underground water system.It was originally built in 530AD but then rediscovered in 1545 and used to water the gardens of Topkapi Palace. Today it is a tourist attraction, lit up with lights to give it an eery mystical feel. There are even fish swimming in some of the pools.

Medusa's head at the bottom of one pillar in the cistern

Istanbul is a lively and colorful city. The Grand Bazaar is a sight to behold. If you find something that you want to buy, buy it, or else you will never find the booth again. The Bazaar is huge!

Amazing Turkish pottery

Glass lanterns are a Turkish specialty

Turkish Delight

Just how many varieties did I try in one week?

My favorite on the left: Pomegranate Pistacio

And then there was the bread...

Much of Istanbul is based on the carpet industry. As we walked the streets each day, young men would approach us and try to befriend us in very polite helpful ways. The conversation ALWAYS ended by them asking us if they could take us to their "uncle, brother, father, or best friend", a carpet dealer. We managed to steer clear of the "guides", but found ourselves in a lovely carpet shop (of course). Both Sue and I bought small carpets for quite reasonable prices. It is a wonderful experience to have the dealer show rug after rug, sip tea together, eat some Turkish Delight, negotiate and bargain. Expect a couple of hours at least!

Next...off to Cappadocia...