First few days

Check In
I thought Japan was technologically advanced. This is in direct contrast to Japan Airlines no automated check-in.

By luck I fortunately secured the last window seat, after waiting on line for an hour. This is what happens when you don't listen to my Israeli cousins who firmly believe that arriving at the airport twelve minutes before departure is fine, and just because the gate doors may hit you in the ass as you are entering the plane shouldn't deter you from it.

Flight
I am seated next to a pleasant man. We exchange nods and smiles, aside from some shared quips about the broken video system this will be the extent of our fourteen hour relationship. He is not clearly Japanese, I suspect Philipino, but he is clearly an immigrant with both American, and Asian habits.

I was reluctant to spend fourteen hours not knowing whether or not I could eat the plane food, so I ordered the kosher meal. I always greet the kosher meal with levels of both enthusiasm and skepticism. Enthusiasm, because the company that makes the meals bares the name of my extnded family, Borentstein Caterers. The company was started by my great-grandmothers brothers. This has always provide an odd sense of pride for my family. Skepticism because by nature kosher is never as good as non-kosher. My skepticism was well founced, the meal included a mix of pickles, olives and a strange and cold poultry like meet which can only be described as "tastes like chicken". I was elated when the flight attendant returned with a hot dish, my excitment dissapted when I opened it to reveal a large hunk of undercooked beef. Oh well - this is why I packed powerbars.

Somewhere over the pacific
I am hot. There is no above head airconditioners here. I am annoyed. I am reminded that I will be living in 100 degree weather with 70% humidity for the next five weeks. I am comforted by that.

Tokyo en route to Bangkok
Landed in Tokyo. It is alot like JFK barring some suntle differences; namely, squat toilets and sake at the duty free.

Bangkok- Trang Hotel
I have arrived at my hotel, my group has left to get food and I a left with my own thoughts. Bangkok lacks the serenity that I had expected from Thailand. I knew this was an intense city but there is a longing and a fear that has come over me - secretly I know this is a good thing. I read my book, unpack, repack, unpack and repack again. I wait for my group leader. I am hesitant to go to bed as I lack security or grounding in this strange city, and anyone that knows me knows I like security. I expected a share room, but I have the room to myself, and for the first time in a long time I would perfer company over privacy.

Bangkok - Internet Cafe
I can feel the jet lag coming on, I barely slept last night, and I am going to have to fight through it today. I went exploring for an internet cafe only to be approached every step of the way with salesmen. I could have learned alot from these guys while working at Greenpeace. The city has a smell and an energy, it is both frightening and invigorating at the same time. I am glad I am here, but I am scared shitless.