Thailand is getting better all the time. It is nice to feel more comfortable in my surroundings. I can now take the bus by myself and say where I am going. Well, at least 3 of the places I go, and I learned how to write my name today in Thai. That was neat! Too bad I have no idea how to do that on here. I guess I just have to do it for you when I get back, or take a picture of my new skill!
Well, back to the weekly facts: (these may run out at some point, then again, maybe not)
1. It is proper to eat with your spoon (shelley this one is for Dick), you use your fork to place things or scoop things onto the spoon, but never eat with your fork. It isn't polite. Chopsticks are still in here, but most people use spoons. (I am not going to lie, I felt ridiculous for the 1st week trying to adjust to eating everything, noodles, eggs, cutting things with a spoon. Somehow it just doesn't work out the same. I have adjusted though, I just have to not forget!)
2. Thais don't walk very well. I am not trying to offend any thais that are reading this, it is just that, in America we stay out of other peoples' way. We hoover to the right so that anyone can pass. The moment I stepped in the Bangkok Airport people were always walking as if on a leisurely nature walk and weaving about, so that no matter how close you got to them and tried to pass them, it wasn't happening. Even on the moving walkways, people would hang out in the middle, completely stopped with their baggage placed all the way across the walkway. Come on! Really!? haha, it is really annoying! Really my only complaint so far. It has actually gotten so out of hand in Bangkok that there are now lines down the middle of walkways so that people know to stay on their side of the line. Even in schools! It is funny! It still doesn't solve the problem.
3. Never pat a child on the head. It is a sign of great disrespect. I never realized how much I always touched kids' heads until I had to be conscious of it. Sometimes I go to do it and realize what I am doing and end up stoking the side of their heads...it is weird and funny at the same time. (we have two little boys living in the house...they are pretty cute!)
That's all I can remember for today.
My second week was busy busy busy. I have been doing various tasks for the office at Rahab. Putting together bulletin boards, writing thank yous to supporters, helping with the website, answering emails, teaching Alex how to use facebook. Oh facebook, the world is on facebook now! It is wonderful. Such a great way to connect!
Anywho, so first I should update you and say that WOW did come back! I am so excited. I give her a hug everyday and tell her that I am so happy to see her! I was so nervous that she wouldn't be back. Apparently, she was a prostitute for 11yrs and just got out last month. That would be intense. They say that after you have been in the industry that long, it really isn't that hopeful that you will get out because you are so used to it, numb to it, and it is such a part of your life that it becomes like a drug to you. Most girls are also making so much money by that point that to leave would mean a tremendous cut in pay! It's so horrible!
I went back to the international school this week to teach more jewelry. I had to share a powerpoint on prostitution statistics in Thailand. All of the statistics come from the United Nations, and it was funny, to me at least, because at the end we had a discussion time, and all the girls(they're 14) said they didn't believe any of it. It is really interesting because in Thailand, if it is considered "bad" you don't talk about it. That was really made apparent to me talking to these girls. They didn't even know what prostitution was. Their parents shelter them because it is customary to not speak of things like prostitution. Most prostitutes even lie to their families about what they do because it isn't okay to talk about it.
I have learned a lot about prostitution this week. I went to the bars on Tuesday night and the streets that I work on became a different world at night. Three of us, from Rahab, went to the Thigh Bar. Inside is a platform of girls with 12 poles that they all dance around. They are squished so tight, it is hard to believe they can dance. Every 15 min they all come down and chat with customers and the next 11-12 girls go up and dance. They trade off every 15min all night long, that is, unless they are purchased. When you first walk in it is a bit disturbing, especially seeing the men around staring at the girls deciding which one they are going to take for the night. It was especially weird to see several couples come in and sit and watch. I wasn't sure what to think of that. We stayed for an hour chatting with 4 different girls about their kids and where they were from and the various tv shows that were playing in the bar. They don't mind sitting with us because they make commission off every drink they sell, so they are still making money while we sit and talk. All 4 of the girls were from Isan, a northeast region of Thailand.....
Isan is the poorest region of Thailand. The majority of the girls working in the bars are from there. The problem is that because of the lack of money, you struggle with having enough to get a real education. Education here is only free until 9th grade, so 14 or 15. If you have high marks/grades, then you might be able to get a scholarship, but if you don't and you weren't able to pay for a tutor to help you, then you won't be able to continue your education. (money makes the difference unfortunately) Most girls come to Bangkok hoping to find a job where they can make some money, unfortunately, they are poorly educated and most have no real skills, so they end up in the bars. They normally get invited by a friend who says that she makes lots of money and it isn't hard work, the sad thing is that she gets trapped by loans and getting pregnant and then having to provide even more for children and sometimes even spouses. It is a crazy cycle that leads them to a life where they have to sell themselves and all their innocence to just provide for their families.
....So we chatted with the girls for awhile, and every once in awhile, while a switch was happening. I would look up at the girls and look into their eyes. I never knew what people meant by emptiness until I saw these girls. If you really pay attention to them you'll see that when there are no customers in the bar they never smile, they practically crumple over with sadness. They lean against their poles and won't even look at you. Then, a customer comes in and it is an immediate silent fight to win the man over. That man could be their food for the next day. It is a battle for me and Sarah said this as well, but you don't want them to get a man because they will have to sell themselves and do horrible things, but if they don't they won't be able to survive. It is tough to see what a lose-lose situation it can be.
I must say that the up to the experience was the bar manager. Apparently, she really likes Rahab and she always welcomes our team in. She even introduces us to girls. Very interesting I must say!
It is really neat to come back to Rahab the next day and know where these ladies have come from and how much their situation has changed for the better! It is cool to see them smile and know that it is genuine joy and not just a smile to get attention like it was in the bars. They are all incredible women!
On a lighter note, today I ate so much spicy food that my lips cracked and starting bleeding. It was brutal. Haha, but I deserved it. They told me that I should try their spicy Papaya salad and it was hotter than normal, then I picked something spicy for lunch, and then again for dinner. It is no wonder they cracked! Good thing I brought my burt's bees.
Well, I'll talk to you all later!
Laura
I was listening to the song "What do I know of Holy". When I was a young Christian, I thought places like you described were far from holy. It is not about a place though, is it. It is the person of God with all His attributes. If you look deep in their eyes you will still see a glimmer of Him. He is our creator. Take hope in that and call them out with those beautiful eyes of yours that so reflects His Holiness. Yes, His Love. Mom
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