Lotte Giants

It was the Lotte Giants vs. the Samsung Lions. The game started at 5pm. Jayson and I didn’t have tickets, but we decided to buy some there. Actually, there were some nice young chaps selling on the street on the way there. How nice of them, not. We were suckers and bought tickets for $13. Wow, these tickets were in the front section. So, we found our seats, which is mighty difficulty because there are 10 B sections, you just have to find the correct number. So, we did and about 10 minutes later here comes a guy with the same ticket as mine, huh that’s weird. So, we move to another empty seat. I was scared to be kicked out. Jayson thinks it’s funny has no problem moving from seat to seat as people arrive late to the game. I am so embarrassed. I needed a beer, but I couldn’t because we just got Lasek and couldn’t drink for a month.

Finally we landed in some seats that were open and it was half way into the game and we figured nobody would come to the game this late. Once I could finally relax, I had a great time. We sat next to a guy who spoke English and he walked us through the game. He taught us that one of the Lotte Giants players holds the most homerun record. There was also an American and a Mexican on the team. The Mexican’s name was Garcia and the Korean fans loved him and they would chant songs to his name Korean style “Gar a see ya!”

Lotte Giants fans are compared to Red Sox fans because of their loyalty and team spirit. Boy did these fans have spirit. There was a song/cheer for everything. They even had a stage with 5 cheerleaders, a mascot and an announcer. It was a performance. We did the wave, there were people roaming the aisles selling hot dogs, ice cream and kimbab. No popcorn, peanuts or red vines though. We did find a “New York” hot dog stand and enjoyed 2 hot dogs for 5 bucks. You could also stop buy the market around the corner and bring in as much snacks and beer as you wanted.

Near the end of the game they pass out orange trash bags so everyone can help clean up. Well, the fans use these bags to show their spirit. Everybody blows air into the bag and ties the bag on top of their head. I heard about this and couldn’t wait to join the fun. It was fun, but I couldn’t see around the people. Oh well.

The game went into extra innings, but the Lotte Giants won. I am happy we found some seats. Even though Jayson still thinks to this day we read the ticket wrong, I will never buy a ticket off the street again.

Thailand

Well it took us 16 hours 2 taxis, one bus and 3 flights to get there, but it was all worth it. When we finally arrived to our luxurious hotel we were blown away. It was 7pm, the sun was down, but we could feel the warm breeze and see the moonlight glow on the water. Our hotel was set in a mountainside where every room, restaurant and pool had a view. We stayed at the Westin and it just open in July, so we got a big discount. In the morning we decided to explore the island of Phuket. The downside of our hotel, it is so far away from the popular Potang beach. So, we spent some money on taxi’s everyday.

Potang beach is full of umbrella chairs, shops and Thai food. We rented umbrella chairs for $6 for a whole day. The worker would move our umbrella when the sun moved and brought us beer when we were empty. Sellers roam the beach trying to sell you anything from dresses to fruit to “designer” watches. One day a dog named Bobo slept under my chair. He was so cute and it made me miss Max so much. We did get off our butts and go shopping. We bought dresses, shirts, souvenirs. Everything was priced under $12. So cheap!

My favorite part was the day we decided to go Elephant Trekking. The taxi picked us up on the beach and first took us to an overlook where we could take pictures over looking Potang Beach. Then we continued to the jungle. Jayson and I started on a bench and the guide sat on the elephant’s head. After 20 minutes the guide jumped off and let Jayson sit on the elephant’s head. The guide led the elephant by loud “Ya!” and “Ma Ma!”. He also carried a poker stick, just in case (he never used it). Every once in a while the guide didn’t turn around and the elephant would begin to go down the hill for food. We didn’t know what to do. It was so hard to hang on while you are leaning forward on a 6,000 pound cow. Eventually the guide would yell, “Ma Ma” and we continued moving.

We made it safely to Potang Beach and enjoyed some Mexican food. Yes, I know not Thai food. We did enjoy a lot of Thai food and I wish I could eat Thai food everyday, but Thailand has a lot of restaurants that Korea does not. I mean, we were able to eat Subway for breakfast. It was so amazing to set my teeth into a delicious deli sandwich. I never imagined I would miss sandwiches so much. Anyway, the food was great!

Thai people are so friendly. Granted, they are trying to sell you something every chance they get, but if you say no, they walk away. They speak English very well. I think even better than Koreans. It’s sad but true, especially since Korea spends so much money on the English Education System. I think Thai people and find pleasure in learning English and they are not forced, tested or compared to other English Learners. Anyways, my point. We were able to hold conversations with most taxi drivers and restaurant owners. Everyone came across so happy. Another great example that money doesn’t buy happiness.

We also went snorkeling and enjoyed some “Ladyboy” entertainment. Phuket is known for their ladyboy population. A ladyboy is a transgender from male to female. Our snorkeling tour guide was a ladyboy. She was so funny and entertaining. She sang Beyonce to us and said, “Ladies I know your room number and I can take your man off your hands anytime, ok?” I’m pretty sure she was joking. The nightlife was full of ladyboys. I wanted to see a show, but there were so many in the street, that we just ordered a drink at the bar and “people watched” the street. I don’t think prostitution in legal, but I don’t think it is well enforced. Jayson went to get a massage and I stayed on the beach, his masseuse offered him some extra services for a low price. He pretended like he didn’t understand her English.

All of these weird experiences made our Thailand trip eventful. After all we were in a foreign country and we expected to experience things that were not comfortable to us. But the beach and Subway was comfortable and I am ready to go back.