Local Food in Bangkok

The day we went out in Bangkok to see all the temples and palaces, a
family friend of Naiem's was nice enough to take us around and show us
the sights. He also took us to an 'authentic' food place for lunch.
This place was pretty hidden and we would have never found it
otherwise. I was a bit nervous but was willing to try anything.

This is what the place looked like from the outside.

Cheap

Just an example. We bought all these things at 7-11 today.

- 2 22oz beers
- 2 1L waters
- 3 Red Bull (red bull was invented here so they are extra strong)

The total was 150THB which translates to about $5 USD. Haha. It's ridiculous.

Sights in Bangkok

So yesterday we went out and saw a bunch of the "things to see" in
Bangkok. We are only here for 2 days so we had to cram a lot of things
into one day, especially since we were pretty jet lagged (especially
the guys from the US). We went to Wat Po and the Royal Palace. These
places were pretty amazing and unlike anything I have ever seen
before...

Here are a few pictures to give you an idea

Welcome to Thailand

Sunday we arrived in Thailand. The pin on the map is the place we are
staying in Bangkok. I am 12 hours time difference from New Jersey so I
am basically on the otherside of the world. I met up with the guys and
we are gonna see some sights.

I will try and post things as much as possible but Internet and free
time are hard to come by at the same time.

More to come

Books?

So my parents think I need to read more.... they have thought so since I was born

I can't remember the last book I read..... possibly in High School where I was forced to read... The point is I do not recall the last time I went out, bought a book, and read it. I probably don't recall because its NEVER happened

As much as I would like to read, I never seemed to have the time or attention for it. Luckily for Mom and Dad, I am living by myself in a foreign country for 2 months, and as much as I am trying to keep myself busy, I still stumble on a bunch of ME time.

So I have been reading for the last two days. I didn't want to post this because its only been a few days and if I tell all of you about it and fail, you will all know, but I think I am gonna finish this one.

I have been reading 'Moneyball'. I always thought the book would be interesting and I really liked the movie. So here I am.

10 Items or Less

I caught the last hour and a half of this movie the other day unexpectidely but I totally loved it. Morgan Freeman already was the man and of course he was great in this movie. I would definitely watch it if you have nothing to do one night. Watch the trailer here

The Dead Sea

This weekend was a little bit of a drag because of the weather. The threat of cold, wind, rain, and even some snow kind of put an X through most of my plans that would usually involve walking around outside.

But I didn't want to just sit around and do nothing for two days so I figured I would take a drive out to the Dead Sea. It was 9 degrees in Jerusalem but driving out the dead sea the temperature rose to 22 degrees (71F). It wasn't completely sunny, still windy, but better than cold and rainy.

Anyway I drove out to a beach and found out when I got there that I actually couldn't get into the Dead Sea. I am not sure if it was just the place I was at or what but the beach was not open for swimming.  I could put my feet in but that's about it. As you can see in the pics, the place was pretty dead (its not really the time of year for this thing) but I was able to still have a good time. I was able to go in a Hot Sulfur Pool which is supposed to be all natural un-filtered and have healing powers! It was very buoyant like the Dead Sea would be so you don't sink like in water. If you pick your feet up you just float... its wild.

Anyway after being there for about an hour i picked up and drove back to Jerusalem (about an hour ride). Sorry the pictures aren't that great but I brought the GoPro and apparently it wasn't charged so I only got 7 pics or so. I'll go back another time so I can experience it for real.

A New Food

So this isn't anything too crazy or too special but one day this week for lunch I had one of the specialties of Israel. Falafel. There essentially nothing to not like about it. Fried balls of hummus in a pita with some toppings. It was very good.

ps. Last week I did try Goose Liver - i guess thats a little more out of the ordinary. Melts in your mouth, not really for me.

Oops!

So the point of this story is that.... I  AM REALLY SMART

I am really smart because I only had a few power adapters that I was bringing with me so I figured..... why not bring some power strips with me.... this way I could use one power adapter and get 5-6 normal US outlets. I KNOW GENIUS right.

So I brought two with me, the first one i plugged right in when I got here and my genius was realized. Anyway, yesterday I went to plug the second one in and ZAP! I saw a large spark and all the sudden all the lights were out. APPARENTLY some of these power strips do not like 230V. who knew?

Sorry Kramer... I don't think you are getting this one back

Note the Burns

Random

Here are a few things I found different or funny and figured I would share

Yea, the kid in the Nike shirt has carrying around an Automatic Rifle. He doesn't seem to be affiliated with any organization, but he has a huge gun...... niice

This keypad is in my car. I have to enter a 5-digit code before I can start my car..... wierd

My new BFF.... haha jk

Small Paw prints (size of a quarter) on the outside of the window.... I wonder what is out there?

HAHA, enough said

Trip to the Desert

On Saturday, Ram, took me to the Desert near the Dead Sea with his Brother and all their children. I had never seen this part of Israel before so I was very excited to go.

This post will be mostly with pictures but after almost getting lost in the desert we drove all the way across the country (about an hour) to Ram's brothers house where his wife had prepared a ton of food. It was all delicious and I thank them for being so kind as to invite me back to their house.

If you can't tell I am so thankful to be around a group of people like I currently am. Everyone has been amazing so far to make me feel welcome in their country and I cannot say enough about it.

Our Group

Extra Vivid

In the River Bed

A little Climbing

SHALLLOM

From the Heavens

A tight fit

Where are we?

Middle of Nowhere

The Dead Sea with Jordan in the Background

Shabbat Shalom

Jewish people who practice religion honor Shabbat, or Sabbath, from Friday at sundown until Saturday at sundown. Sabbath means 'rest' and that is exactly what they do. I don't mean rest like they sleep for 24hrs straight but more of a rest from the distractions of society and technology and spend time as a family.

The meals during these times are extravagant, as Ari explained, "you celebrate holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, ect, once a year with a large feast..... we do it every Friday night"

So Ari and his wife No'a invited me to join him this Friday for their dinner, and while I am obviously not Jewish, I was honored they would ask me to join him and their family (4 children) for this occasion.

I don't wanna sound like I am sucking up at all but what a great family event. Its amazing how the lack of distractions such as cell phones, TV, ect. along with great family values makes for a special night. It was warming to see everyone (children included) participating as much as possible in every conversation. Everyone had a way of contributing to the evening and no one did it while 'rolling their eyes' :). So while this night is based on religious beliefs, you certainly didn't have to be religious to see why its so important.

So a special thanks again to Ari and No'a for inviting me. It was a great experience.

The Western Wall

On Friday, Raviv and his wife took me to the Old City in Jerusalem for a few hours. It was not really the best day to be outside... cold and rainy, but we made the most of it.

We decided that the first thing we should see is the Western Wall of the city. This wall was built to surround the Jewish Temple Mount in 20BC which makes it over 2000 years old (almost 10x older than the USA). Jews concider this one of if not the holiest place they have, whenever Jews pray, it is toward the direction of this wall.

We started by walking through the Market

The Market

The Western Wall

Its interesting that men and women cannot pray together at the wall. They have their own sections. 

That would be Me

Dome of the Rock

Walking through the streets on the way out

Despite not having religion be a huge part of my life (especially Judaism) you can't help but feel that this is a special place.

I thank Raviv and his wife for taking me and sharing with me their knowledge and opinions on the subject, it makes it so much more interesting and emotional.

My First Week

So its been a whole week. A lot has happened and I can't think of a better start to a trip. Despite missing certain things about home, I am certainly not regretting making the trip at all and I could only hope every week is this good.

Work
So I don't think I need to talk about work too much but just wanted to mention that it was a great first week. Everyone I already had regular contact with in the US was happy to see me and I am happy to be working 1:1 with them instead of solely through email. There is also a new group of people I have met simply because of where I am currently sitting. I am sitting in the sales area and everyone there is very nice. They have been including me in going out to lunch and just having nice conversations with. Hopefully I will continue to build relationships with more and more co-workers every week as I become more familiar.

Food
So far the food I have had has been GREAT! I have yet to be disappointed, and most times I am presently surprised. Even though I have a small kitchen I have tried to get out and go to a few restaruants this week just to be around people and see how things are. Every night is a little different. Some nights I have a nice conversation with the bartender and others I end up not talking to anyone. Hopefully as I become more and more comfortable, these quiet nights will end :)

Here are a few small examples of some food I've had

I made some pasta in my apt one night

Had some cottage cheese on a cracker at the office (not something I would usually try)

Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken. Probably the best thing I have had so far from a restaurant

Some Local Beer :)

I thought I had taken more pictures. I guess not. Ill get better at this

My Ride

So I started driving the other day. I guess its kinda like driving in NYC. Its every man for himself. I haven't had a GPS so have just been learning how to get back and forth to work with a Map. I think I have it down by now. I have made a wrong turn on my way home all 3 times so far. Nothing to bad tho. I thought today was gonna be the day I made no mistakes but sure enough I did. O well, maybe tomorrow.

Anyway, Here is my chick magnet! Its a Hyundai i20. If you've never heard of it, its because they don't sell it in America.

Super Bowl

You bet your sweet but I am awake for the game!

So I realize its 1:30am before my second day working in the office. But these Giants didn't do all this work to have me or ANYONE sleep through the game.

So yea I'm watching it by myself, in a place where when I asked a bar tender earlier in the night if he was watching the Super Bowl?, and he responded with "Madonna?". But who cares! Im watching.

OMAHA!

Food Adventure

Well, since Saturday is the Sabbath and most restaurants are closed. I had to be very adventurous.

So I went to McDonalds :)