What to Pack on Your Trip

Lately, I have been getting a lot of questions about packing for a trip. What do I bring? What should they bring? How much stuff should you take? One backpack or two? Where do you put all your electronics? Lots of questions.  Well, here is my answer: I take as little as possible. If I really need something, I buy it. I try to stick to the same climate wherever I go to avoid carrying lots of different clothes. If I do change climates and need something, I buy it there. Forgot sunscreen? Pick it up cheap or borrow from a friend. In fact I pack so light, my current backpack is too big and, for my next trip around the world, I am going to downsize.  So what do I pack? What do I suggest you pack besides “as little as possible?” Here’s what is in my backpack:

Toiletries/Misc.

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Razor
• Shaving cream
• Soap
• Shampoo
• A few medicines
• Earplugs
• Tylonol/IB Profin
• Small pair of scissors

Clothes

• 1 pair of Jeans
• 2 pairs of shorts
• Boxers
• 1 long sleeve t-shirt
• 5-6 t-shirts
• Flip-flops
• Sneakers
• 1 bathing suit
• 1 light jacket
• Socks
• 1 quick dry towel

Gear

• Camera
• Extra Battery
• Ipod and charger
• Plug converter
• Moleskin journal
• Global cellphone and charger
• Clock
• A guidebook for reference
• Laptop (Not needed for everyone!)

That’s what I carry around the around when I go away. Not much at all. If you are a woman, you could (and probablu do) add some feminine products into the mix. However, I don’t really see what else you would need on the road and a non-flashpacker wouldn’t even need all that gear.  Pack light, shop on the way if you need too. Your back will thank you and you’ll learn to live with just the essentials. You’d be surprised just how little stuff you really need.

The Low Down on the Trouble in Thailand

I’ve been getting a lot of e-mails on about the situation over in Bangkok (I live here). Many people I know are stuck here or have had their travel plans disrupted because of the recent airport seizures. I’ve been in Thailand since the 2006 coup and I’ve never seen the political situation this bad. Usually, Thais go out of the way to avoid hurting the economically important tourist industry or to inconvenience foreigners. Moreover, they always try to keep a good face forward for the international community.  The recent seizure of both Bangkok airports by the opposition group, the PAD, has shattered that and now Thailand is sitting on the brink of political, economic, and international collapse. It’s really sad to see such a awful situation in such a beautiful and normally friendly country.

Background
This whole mess started back in 2006 when former PM Thaksin Shinawatra was disposed in a military backed coup. Thaksin was corrupt and he got a little too public with his corruption.  Everyone in Thailand is corrupt, right on down to the corner police officer, but Thaksin showed it off.  They ousted him on those grounds but that was just a front. What really got the Army and its backers was that Thaksin moved power away from them to the rural areas of the country. Originally buying their votes, he cemented his popularity among rural voters by doing things for them- building schools, hospitals, and extending credit to them.  He treated them like people and not second class citizens, something the elites in Bangkok never did.  Between the loss of power, a voter fraud filled election, and Thaksin’s corruption, powerful people had had enough and in September 2006, the military ousted him in a coup.

A Bit More Background
After a new constitution and the banning of Thaksin’s political party (Thai Rak Thai), a new election was held and, unsurprisingly, the new pro-Thaksin party, PPP, won because of rural voters. The opposition charged fraud. After a few months, they started protesting using the name the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), then in August, they overtook the government house and have been there ever since.  Police efforts to break up the protesters ended in bloodshed with the government being blamed.  However, the public has grown weary of the PAD and support has been dwindling. Their name is misleading as they want to end democracy and have officials appointed by profession and social group. This would return power back to them and away from rural populace, who they deem to ignorant to understand the issues.  However, the rural power have been given a say and aren’t going to give that power back.

The Current Situation
In a brazen move, the PAD seized the airports last Tuesday and have been there ever since. They have moved in guards, weapons, and set up barricades, refusing to move unless the current Prime Minister resigns. The government has refused to do so and both sides have refused calls by the army for a new election. The government has yet to use force on the protesters and shows no signs of doing so further paralyzing the country. Yesterday the police made arrangements to provide security for the protesters.  It was a shady deal and only confirms that the PAD (yellow shirts), a mixture of the urban elite, ex military, and royalists, have powerful backers.

Violence hasn’t been that bad but the government supporters, the UDD (red shirts), started holding rallies yesterday and have moved to the constitution court to block a probably ruling on the dissolution of the government parties for election fraud. However, there have been isolated incidents between the rival factions.  What happens this week with the court and the King’s speech on Thursday will dictate how things go.

Throughout the week, the situation has only gotten worse as the government has failed to act.  With the court set to rule on the dissolution of the PPP, supporters are only going to scream silent coup.  The airport looks to remain closed for a few more weeks as it will take at least.

This is more than about corruption. It’s about the nature of government and power and who has it. Though the yellow shirts say this is about corruption, the PAD is equally corrupt.  The Bangkok governor just resigned for corruption. They also buy votes and, at 500 baht a day, bodies at the airport. Thaksin, despite all his flaws and there are many, took power from the urban elite and finally gave the rural poor some power in their life.  As the urban elite have watched their power dwindle, they have gotten bolder and bolder.  For despite Thailand being the land of smiles, there is a still a very, very large gap between the urban rich and the rural poor and the urban rich also look down on the poor as uneducated and backwards. As Reuters said, “The supporters of the alliance are largely middle-class citizens who say Thailand’s electoral system is susceptible to vote-buying and argue that the rural majority — the Thaksin camp’s political base — is not sophisticated enough to cast ballots responsibly. ”

The Future?
The future doesn’t look bright. The King’s birthday is Friday and I suspect neither side will do anything out of respect for him, especially since both sides claim to be working for him.  But you need to ask- where is he in all of this? He garners feverishly support in Thailand and is probably the only man who could force a compromise.  However, with each passing day, people are beginning to wonder if he has any power left. The window for him to force a compromise is dwindling, especially among the poor. Politics is about what you have done for me lately and Thaksin has done something for them lately. The King hasn’t- he loses a lot of credibility by just keeping quiet.

The damage is done though. There will be no high season this year and an expected 1 million people will be out of work because of the drop in tourism numbers (including me as I work at the airport!!!!).  No one is going to want to come visit now. Most tourists are canceling their vacations and many that are interviewed just want to leave and never come back. This will only deal a knockout blow to an industry already suffering.  Exports (and even the mail) haven’t been able to leave and, in an export based economy, this will hurt bad as investor confidence shrinks and people are wary about putting money into this country. I suspect many airlines will also be wary about using this has a major hub from now on.  The PAD have acted selfishly in closing the airport and have dealt a blow to an already crippled economy.

I don’t believe there will be African style civil war but there will be a lot of blood spilt before this thing is over.  Thailand will be relegated to the sidelines of the world for a long time. Each passing day only makes it worse.

The Saturday City: Singapore

Singapore wasn’t exactly like I thought it was be. Given its image as a hyper-clean, hyper-lawful place, I expected a very regimented, orderly, clean, and police heavy city. I found none of that. In fact, in three days wandering the city, I never once saw anything that looked like a police officer or even a security guard. Maybe it is the fear of reprisal that keeps people in line. Laws in Singapore are harsh- very harsh, which is probably why there is no need to keep a large police presence on the street.

Despite not living up to my police state expectations, the city was a lot of fun. Singapore is often described as a three day city as most people hit the few main sites and think there isn’t anything else. While the city didn’t scream exciting, crazy, or action packed, one could easily spend a week in Singapore in still find much to do, you just have to keep your eye out.

Singapore can be walked in a solid day or a leisurely two. There’s as good mix of colonial style buildings, low rise houses, and high rise modern office towers. The wide streets, clean air, and large buildings make for a very nice walk. You can walk from Little Arabia to Chinatown in about 45 minutes and that stretch pretty much encompasses most of the central area of the city. If you want to get adventurous, you could walk out into the suburbs but there’s no real reason too.  Singapore gets very hot and, luckily, there is a whole underground network of malls and “streets” that connects the downtown area. You can stay cool, do a bit of shopping, do some eating, and just meander until your ready to hit the mean streets again.

Besides being known for strict rules, Singapore is known for its food and it is foodie paradise. Little India and Chinatown are two of the most famous foodie parts of the city. You’ll find great dim sum, noodles, beef, and other Chinese delicacies in Chinatown. The dim sum is excellent.  Over in Little India, you’ll find a little slice of India in Asia. From what I’ve been told, it’s the closest you can get to India without actually being there. We had some amazing food. Try the places on the main street where everyone eats with their hand. It’s an enjoyable experience. Just make sure you know whether it is OK to eat with your hands. Otherwise, the proprietors will start to give you dirty looks if you dig in with your hand and not the silverware they provide. Not that I speak from experience or anything. For your final meal, head to what I dub “Little Arabia.”  A section of town near the Mosque that is filled with great Malay and Arab food.   If you are looking for more high end food, there are tons of restaurants all over the city. I was stopping every few minutes going “mmmm that menu looks good.”  The city is a gastronomical dream.

The big attraction in Singapore is the Zoo. Singapore’s Zoo is famous for its breadth as well as its natural habitats and good animal treatment. The Zoo is a bit outside the city center and takes about an hour by public transport but is worth it. There are lions, and tigers, and bears for around the world, as well as elephants, zebras, monkeys, and much more. The animals aren’t kept behind bars but are separated by large gulleys, making it better environment for everyone. This, however, doesn’t keep the monkey’s in one place and you can see the swinging all over the zoo.This makes for a much more natural experience and allows you to really get up close to see the animals. There’s also an excellent night safari where you can see some of the creatures of the night, like annoying tourists who don’t listen and use their flash. Both adventures will hit the wallet hard (Expect a day, with food, to cost about 60 Singapore dollars) but, if you only do one thing in Singapore, this would the thing to do.

For those wanting some “excitement”, Sentosa Island just south of the mainland (connected via the train) is a good place to see an underwater aquarium, party on the beach, live in luxury, and hang out with dolphins. I didn’t make it there for lack of time but all the big clubs are located there, a few big hotels, a beach, and some parks. Every December they also host one of the biggest parties in Southeast Asia- ZoukOut. It’s all night beach rave.  Clearly, you can have some fun in Singapore.

The Weekly Photo: Funny Sign

Funny Sign in Little Arabia, Singapore

The True History of Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States and American families everywhere will be coming together to celebrate the harvest, family, country, and all the good that happened over the past year. Tomorrow we eat, drink and be merry.  We watch parades and some football. We commemorate brotherhood and the coming together of the Pilgrims and Native Americans and remember the first thanksgiving with its turkey, corn, gravy, pumpkin pie, and all those other goodies.

Or so the myth goes.

However, the real thanksgiving has little to do with any of that. Thanksgiving was established by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 during the Civil War. While many other states already had a “Thanksgiving,” it was more to celebrate the harvest than celebrate country. This holiday was meant to do both and so is a truly American holiday. Thanksgiving was a way to unite the divided country, remember our pioneering spirit, and heal the wounds of war. It had been a bad year for the Union and Lincoln needed to boost morale. Under the pressure of famed magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale, Lincoln decided to issue a proclamation declaring the last Thursday of November Thanksgiving. It wasn’t until 1941 that Congress declared it to be the 4th Thursday.

The real Thanksgiving was very different than what we imagine. The Pilgrims relied heavily on the natives to survive the first winter in 1620 in the New World and plant the first crops. They barely made it through the winter and the remaining settlers, having survived one year celebrated the new harvest with a celebration. The feast was more of a traditional English harvest festival than a true “thanksgiving.” It lasted three days occurred sometime between September 21 and November 11.

The food we associate with the holiday was mostly unknown to the colonists.  They probably didn’t have turkey but more likely water fowl from nearby (mostly likely geese). And deer as the Indian chief brought 5 deer with him. No potatoes as they were not introduced yet, no pumpkin pie since they no flour, and no cranberries, though they might have been used for their tartness. It wasn’t until 50 years later that they were cooked in sugar.  There was lots of salt and probably a lot of seafood, corn, and greens there. The meal consisted mainly of meat. Vegetarians were out of luck- few greens and no tofurkey.

There were about 90 natives and 52 Pilgrims at the event and there were games and activities besides eating. They used Squanto as an interpreter since he spoke a little English but what they talked about is anyone’s guess. There are only two surviving records of that day and they are both light the details.  Everything we think about the holiday has been sensationalized over the last few centuries.

Despite the holiday not living up to its reality, it is still an important day in American culture. Today begins the holiday season and the subsequent holiday shopping season. More importantly, its a day where we remember that we are one nation- through the good and the bad.  Around the country and world, Americans are celebrating with their friends and family nothing more than just each other’s company and the food that comes with it.

And, of course, football.

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