In the Great Desert – Day 01

Well, first of all, I had been thinking about going to Egypt–one of my dream destination–for a long while but never really made it happened until now.  I was very much looking forward to it.
It was Friday March 13, 2009–the day that I would fly to Cairo with my sister and her husband.  This trip would take about 7-8 days.  Initially, we were planning to go to Japan but with the same amount of budget we finally changed our mind to Egypt.
My Friday was very busy with the work at the office.  (Actually, I had been busy the whole week preparing the work while I was away.)   I worked until about 6:00 pm. and hurried back home to pack.   My flight was about midnight with Egypt Air.
Well, even though I felt a bit pressure on time but I did not to worry about other stuff i.e. accommodation, transportation, etc. because I would go with a tour.   At first, we almost had to travel alone by ourselves and met the Egyptian local guide when we reached Cairo.  (If that was the case, we would not have known how things were going to be.)   But later on, the group members were added and finally everything was arranged throught the tour agency.  That’s why I was not so frustrated.
Arriving at the Suvarnabhumi right on time to meet the tour group.  The flight was around midnight so after getting done with all the documents, we went for shopping a bit; then headed for the gate.
When we reached the security check point, the line was very long (and it’s longer than we thought).   What else could we do, except wait.  Passengers were all complaining and the final calls were announced for many flights.   Well, there were only about 3-4 security check points on the concourse.  Umm…I really did not know what to say.
Well, now it’s time to fly.  Hope it would be a pleasant flight.

Food Stories :: 03 :: Street Food in Seoul

I think that one of the best way to really be able to say that you are in one country is to try the taste of local regardless the purpose of your journey either for vacation or work.  The answer is through food!
Nowadays, there is a so called “Asian Fever” around Asian countries.  In Thailand, a huge number of people are crazy about Korean media i.e. songs, movies, books, etc.; and I am with no exception.  One of the most outstanding nations in this area is Korean.  For the past couple years, I had a chance to go to Korea for three times at different seasons.  Each time, I also tried different food, especially what I called “street food” which sold at tents and kiosks along the footpath.  It’s pretty much similar to Bangkok.
Beside Kimchi, one of the most common quick food that we, foreigners, often see in almost every Korean series is Teok Bok Gi (떡볶이), which is made from rice flour and boiled with hot and spicy, thick red sauce.  I had it every time when I went to Korea.  I just simply love it.
In addition to Teok Bok Gi, you will see another food call Eomuk (어묵) or sometimes called Odeng, which is made from fish cake, skewered and boiled.  I had it in front of the theatre, where I went to see the show called Nanta.  It’s good for a quick meal, especially when having it with soup.
	The first time that I had this sweet red bean cake in fish shape was when I was in Chiang Mai visiting my uncle, and my cousin bought it from Nimmanhemin.  Later when I went to Korea and saw this similar dessert, I tasted it and wondered that it had to be the original because it’s much better.
	When you are walking in Myeong Dong area, you probably forget that you are in Seoul because it’s very close to Siam Square.  However, when I was there the first time in Summer, there was an ice cream called “One-Foot long ice cream”.  It’s a creamy and rich, served on cone.  I think it’s only out during Summer because when I went back to Seoul again in February, I didn’t see it.
At night around Myeong Dong, you will see many kiosk with frying pan selling a fried squid.  I, personally, loved squid so I would have to try it.  But I didn’t like it that much because it’s kind of oily for too much butter.
	Moreover, along the same road you would see the grilled corn!!!  I just couldn’t resist it.  The corn was so sweet and the grilling process made its aroma even richer.
Last but not least, small but larger in taste, the one and only, “Melon Ice Cream”. It’s my most favorite thing. Ever since I tried it, I got addicted to it. And I did not even change the favor, I just stuck with melon!  It’s very refreshing and cheap.  You have to try it and you will know what I mean.
Pictures are from Google Images

Absolut Cities :: 02

This set of Absolut cities is related to the period in which I spent my time studying in the US from 1995 to 2000.  That is my most enjoyable time of my life.
	I remembered that it was pretty busy preparing all the documents needed for going to the States and I was lucky enough to have my aunt and uncle who lived there for many years.  So it was the most easiest choice for me to choose Texas as my first destination in USA.  I decided to enter the English Institute first because I thought I needed some adjustment and I had not decided yet where I wanted to do my degree.  It was a very long flight to Dallas-Ft. Worth and I sat in the plane with mixed feelings of excitement, high-hope, and worry.  Well, Dallas here I came.
	My aunt and uncle were kind enough to give me such a warm welcome and it made me feel less lonely.  Off course, what I thought was that there was a long way for me ahead and I did not have time to be that way.  When I got a bit use to the way of American life and got my rhythm back, I started to focus on my study.  I lived with them for about one month before moving to the dorm at University of North Texas in Denton, where I spent one summer taking the English course.  Then I moved back to Dallas living with them again and now I had to decide where I wanted to go next.
At that time, one of my best friend from Thailand would come to the States and he already applied and got accepted to the University of Denver; and he asked me if I wanted to go there and shared the apartment with him.  I thought that it might be a good choice so I discussed it with my aunt and uncle.  They were not as thrilled as I was expected; however they said that in the end it’s up to me to decide my future.  And to explore other option, my aunt was kindly enough to drive with me to Denver and checked out the school.
The trip to Denver was kind of a vacation for my aunt as well.  It was a very fun trip.  We went white water rafting and visiting Coors Brewing Company.  On that trip we had to spend the night at the Walmart’s parking lot because we could not find any vacant hotels or motels, not even Motel 6.  It’s quite an experience. Off course, we visited University of Denver and checked out the apartment where I might have to stay.  Weighting my options were a very headache task.  Anyway, finally I decided to stay in Dallas and went to University of Dallas.  With this option, I could save some money on the apartment and might be useful for my aunt and uncle when they needed me to run some errands.
At the end of the day, I still loved Dallas and considered it as my second home.  It’s such a fun and smooth time for me living in Dallas.  Whenever I could, I would go and gave them a hand at their grocery store in downtown.  What I remembered the most was a Christmas week on December 1995, almost midnight, and I was still at the grocery shop helping my aunt taking the trash out.  Suddenly, the snow was falling.  I was so excited to see snow for the first time.  I was standing there with my aunt watching snowflakes falling from the sky at the back alley of the store.  It’s just simply incredible. That might be a gift for me from Santa Claus.
Living and studying in Dallas-Ft.Worth area were enjoyable and fun since I had my undergrad friends from Thailand.  However, I felt like it’s not worth my time and did not get much from the program I studied so I applied for another graduate school.  This time I got into the CIS-Program at University of North Texas.  I spent one semester there and later I changed my course again. (To be continued.)
All ads are taken from www.absolutad.com

Absolut Cities :: 01

There was a time when I was crazy about the “Absolut” printed ads.  That was the time when I was in the U.S. and found those ads in many magazines very unique.  From then on, I collected as many ads as possible, categorized and put them into a couple of big folders.
Well, I feel like sharing some of those ads in a series called “Cities”, where there are 122 of them but here I select only those where I relate.
:: Absolut BANGKOK :: This is the city where I was born and grew up.  So, I can say that it is everything in my life.  When I look at the ad, I wondered if this is what Bangkok stands for.  However, from the creativity point of view, I think it is executed quite well.  At the end, it still makes me smile. By the way, from all over the world, I still believe that Thai food is the best!
	:: Absolut BEIJING :: Beijing-China is my first visiting foreign city.  It was the trip that I traveled with my grandparents and siblings.  I remembered that we all were very excited.  That was one of the wonderful time that I had with my family. What I liked the most from the trip was the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City.  I could not imagine that they would be that huge and complex. By the way, do you notice the Absolut logo?  Neat, isn’t it?
	:: Absolut AUCKLAND :: Later on, upon my graduation and before leaving for USA, our parents took us for a holiday in New Zealand.  We traveled throughout all big cities and tourist places in both North and South Island.  It was really a great and adventurous trip.  There were all kinds of outdoor and exciting activities such as speed boat ride and bungee jump, which we did not dare to do it.
Another thing that still impressed me about New Zealand until today are its nature and cleanliness.  The first city that we spent the night was Christchurch.  Through the city, you would see Avon River, which was so clear that you could see its bottom.  It would have been the greatest gift from heaven if Bangkok would have such a river. Auckland, the city in the ad, is the metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand.
Well, I think I leave my journey here.  Let’s see where I will take you next time.
All ads are taken from www.absolutad.com

Food Stories :: 02 :: Yummy Yellow Things !

Next week my sister and her husband will go to Hong Kong for their vacation.  When we are talking about the plan, my memory of the time when I was there working for 6 months relived.  Regardless of good and bad times that I had over there, one thing that I always remember is food.  Every week, the team manager would take us out for dinner at different places.  She said that food was a good way to learn one’s cultures.  I am totally agree with her.

My breakfast was very normal liked other all the locals there–an egg sandwich and soy milk, which I got them on my way walking from subway to the office.  I would stop by the same shop until the owner recognized me.  The very first day that we met, she talked to me in Chinese and I could not understand any Chinese then.  Later on, after she learned that I was a foreigner, she talked to me with her gestures, lots of smiles, and a calculators.  When time passed, I picked up some Chinese words from her as well.

Lunch time was very hectic and not so fancy since we would have only one hour or one and a half hours max before heading back to work.  Normally we would walk to the fast food section at the nearby shopping mall or some times we had our lunch at the food shop on the street.  One common thing was that every place would be extremely crowded.  Many times, we had to wait in line for almost half an hour or even stood by tables waiting for others to finish their meal otherwise we would not have our seats.  We had the usual meal like the locals such as noodles, fried rice, or rice with different toppings.  By the way, there were couple times that we had dim sum.  All I could say was that it was very delicious!

Dinner was what I look forward to.  Why?  Because we would out somewhere different and tried some new food.  That’s the time I discovered my favorite food–an egg tart and a mango pudding.  There were all in yellow.  The yummy yellow things!  :-)  During the period that I stayed in Hong Kong, both dished were not popular in Thailand and not many Thais knew about them.

The first time that I had a mango pudding was at one of the big restaurants out of the city (sorry that I could not recall the name) and the manager said that so far it was the best in Hong Kong.  And I, again, had to agree with her because after that I still could not find one as dilicious as the one I had at that restaurant.

For the egg tart, my malaysian friend who I knew at the project took me to one of the bakery shops where we had to order and pick it up in the evening.  This shop was on our way between my working place and the hotel.  And I had to tell you, it was the best of the best.  I had egg tarts about 3-4 days a week.  I ordered them in the afternoon for my evening dessert that I could enjoy after long working days

When I finished my project and moved back to Bangkok, these two dishes were gradually coming into the Bangkok area.  I tried them but none was satified.  They were not as dicilious and original as ones in Hong Kong.  My Yummy Yellow Things!  :-)

There are still more food stories in Hong Kong but I rather keep them for the next times.  Hope you all are stay healthy and eat well.  Later then.