When I first came to Khorat I was unsure of what to expect. I had just traveled to Bangkok then Chaing Mai then Khorat in what felt like less than a week. I was going through a whirl wind of emotion, there was so many changes so fast. But I have been having a BLAST! I mean I knew there would be fossils but I never anticipated so many. However, Khorat hasn't been all about the fossils, every day has been a brand new culinary experience for me, where Chaing Mai is somewhat catered to a more western taste, Khorat is all Thai. I have stepped out of my box and showed my taste buds a world they never new existed. In America I am the pickiest eater around but here I have opened my mind and my mouth. So far I have tried a soup with pig intestines, fried chicken cartilage, pulverized cat fish in a spicy mango salad(normally I dont even eat fish), cow lip, frog and even a ducks BEAK!!!! I feel like I am in an episode of "bizzar foods" with no end in sight. -Crystal
The tlāds in Thailand (Thai for “market”) have definitely been some of the best experiences i have had since arriving here. From the Weekend Market in Bangkok, arguably the biggest market in the world, to Walking Street in Chiang Mai, there is always something to do and see. Vendors sell food, clothing, and little trinkets that are always catching your attention. Just when you think you’ve seen it all you stumble upon another booth of handmade goods that always require the last hundred baht that you have left. Bargaining is an art and a source of entertainment within itself, and also offers a great way to practice our numbers (nung, song, sam). Having spent close to twelve hours in the markets already, I probably haven’t even seen half of what they have to offer. They are a melting pot of tourists and locals who are all hunting for a good deal and some even better food. I can’t wait til next weekend to do it all over again!
By Crystal Today was a pretty intense day for me, not only am I half way around the world away from my family and friends but this morning I had to leave the comfort of the SMRT group that I have become so fond of to travel 12 hours away from. I am now in Khorat with my Ajarn and her two students in a place where not one person speaks english, staying in a cabin in the woods. Yet I find myself intrigued by the unknown, the food, culture and people are different than those I came across in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, there are no tourist here just people living their day to day lives the markets are less crowed and friendly and there is a since of piece in the air. I can not wait to see what this week has in store in me. Not only will I get to play with fossils but I will have to dig deep within myself and find my inner peace.
I have had the privilege to represent CSUF while studying abroad at Chiang Mai University located in northern Thailand. After weeks of mental preparation, packing, and repacking we finally started our adventure. The plane ride from LAX to Incheon Airport (ICN) was around 12 hours. Then From Incheon Airport to BKK we had a shorter flight, only 6 hours. We stayed in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, for two days as a period of adjustment. Bangkok is gigantic and very different to LA. Our hotel was located 30 minutes away from the Airport. We observe that in Bangkok they drive on the other side of the road, narrow freeways, and an enormous amount of motorcycles. During our two-day stay we visited several malls, markets, and took a taxi boat on the Chao Phraya River. We also visited the Grand Palace, which was a very moving experience. Once you get passed the tourists distractions, it was possible to appreciate the locals and their folkloric traditions such as flower offerings. It is important to realize that even though the temples are tourist attractions, for Buddhists it is a place of worship. We have been a couple of days in this country, but I believe that this traveling experience is starting to mark all of us for a lifetime.
Everything I've experienced in Thailand so far has struck me with an overwhelming presence of respect and appreciation for the Earth. The people here have so much reverence for nature - if there is a tree in the path of a walkway or building, they do not cut it down. Instead, they build around it. This provides not only a sense of respect for our plant family, but a beautiful scene of huge trees cutting through the cement walkways and ceilings of buildings. The manual in our hostel warns us not to kill insects in our room unnecessarily - in fact, the words they use are "you may see some local residents who have lived here on the land for many years before we arrived. Please be tolerant to them, however...sprays are available if needed." I find it beautiful, the reverence that the people have for all forms of life that many others would deem "insignificant" or "icky." It's an attitude that I believe would be great to bring back to the states! My favorite concept so far is that of the spirit house, or ศาลพระภูมิ. It is a tiny house that is built on the yard of all residencies, allowing a space for the spirits of the Earth that are uprooted during construction of the building. The house is adorned with gifts of food, flowers, incense and little elephants to give thanks and respect to the land that the people are able to call their home. I am overwhelmed with love at the amount of respect, appreciation for nature, and consciousness of community that is present in this culture. I feel right at home here and can't wait to learn more! -Miranda
The uninhibited greenery of Huay Kaew Waterfall! A beautiful place on the path to Doi Suthep Temple, with butterflies everywhere.
Just being here for a few days I’ve already seen the vast difference between the cultural difference between America and Thailand. Through the way they dress to their language, everything relates back to presenting themselves in a respectable manner. I’ve been able to connect similarly with my Asian background and can see common practices used between my culture and theirs. Though only here for a few days we’ve been everywhere from the Thai Royal Palace to the reservoir at Chiang Mai University.
Growing up as a Cambodian/Filipino American, there are many cultural similarities I share between the Thai culture. One of the main similarities I noticed was saying a phrase before the person’s name as a term of respect. In Thai the proper word is Pi to refer to an elder peer. Growing up I’ve always used this kind of term of respect so it’s nice to know how Thai culture highlights the importance of respect. The term was introduced to me in the research lab. Since all the students in the lab are either graduate or PhD students, it’s important for me to use the term before saying their name.
With fashion the people here in Thailand are much more reserved, especially in the much quitter city of Chiang Mai compared to big city life in Bangkok. There are no Thai women with high waisted shorts or shorts skirts to be seen and no tank tops seen for the men. Even with greetings, a modest bow saying “Sawat Di Khrop” is used compared to the usual handshakes and hugs done in American culture. From their clothes to their fashion Thai people present themselves in a reserved and presentable way.
Thailand has been and continues to be AMAZING! One of the cultural aspects I have learned to love and appreciate is the feeling of respect. Thai people perform a wai, which is a small bow shown to elders and those of higher status. Thai people respect not only each other, but also the world around them. As a primarily Buddhist country, the idea of reincarnation rests silently on both religious and non-religious Thai hearts. They try hard to not harm animals or even insects. Stray dogs run rampant throughout Thailand and even claim territories all over Chiang Mai University, but the dogs are not killed or scared off. Instead they are fed and kept safe from cars and other dangers. Other animals like cats and even insects are also kept safe from harm.
Thai people also construct Spirit Houses on land where they have built buildings. The Spirit House is created to house any spirits that were displaced during the construction process. This is a way of paying respect according to traditional Thai custom. Although I do not share the same religion with much of Thailand, I have grown to deeply understand and appreciate the feeling of respect and love that the Thai people bestow upon people and the environment. Shown in this entry is a picture of a Spirit House at Chiang Mai University.
By Dr. Darren In three days, nine CSUF students and two faculty mentors will board an airplane in Los Angeles, and depart on the 6-week adventure to the other side of the planet with the CSUF international study program we call Science and Math Research in Thailand (SMRT). Those six weeks will be filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences for these CSUF students. Their adventures will stem from the rigors of participating in an international research collaboration, the excitement of making new friend from an unfamiliar culture, and the challenges of life in a foreign-speaking country. This web site will serve as an outlet for recording the experiences of all SMRT scholars (and occasionally of their mentors) so that others may live the adventure vicariously. Selected posts will also appear on the SMRT Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CSUF.SMRT) and possibly on a Twitter feed if Dr. Sandquist can figure that one out.
CSUF SMRT Scholars and Faculty Mentors: Brenna Biggs (Chemistry), Crystal Cortez (Geology), Miranda Domico (Biology), Jasmine Macias (Biology), Apoorva Maru (Biol/Sociology), Carolina Mendoza (Biology), Theary Monh (Chemistry), Judy Nguyen, (Biology), Kyley Olson (Biology), Dr. Richard Deming (Chemistry) and Dr. Darren Sandquist (Biology)