Mai pen rai

Mai pen rai means 'it's nothing' or 'no worries' and is an integral part of Thai culture. If I am ever unsure of what to do in a social situation, 'Mai pen rai' works every time. The Thais actually LOVE to hear white people say MPR. Naturally they are a caring group of people, and it mentally and physically distresses them to know that either you cant understand them, or they cant understand you, or you are not satisfied. But a simply MPR can cure a communication mishap like no other. Ive learned to adopt this principle, just as I have learned to adopt 'Thai time' which is MPR about being casually late to anything really. I hope this doesnt come back to bite me at ExxonMobil this summer.

Let's nap in a hammock in the middle of the sidewalk. Mai pen rai!

Have you ever heard that Asians value white skin? In the Thai culture, pale skin means that you are rich and dont have to work in the sun all day. Completely opposite of the cancer bed phenomenon in the states -- no tan necessary in Thailand. When I got here, I didnt realize how big of a deal white skin is to the culture. People walk around with umbrellas EVERYWHERE. Students take the long way to class so they can stay under the covering and out of the sunlight. I like to think of the umbrellas as parasols which leads to South Carolina which leads to southern belles which ultimately leads to a more southern accent from me. Yes, it is possible. but hey! MPR

ever tried sleeping on top of a pepsi truck? Mai pen rai!

I opened a bank account today at Thai Military Bank. Took me over a half hour because the teller was having a (hilarious) conversation with another Thai man while we were supposed to be setting up my account. I say hilarious because they were laughing, but I was not. The man, just another bank client, was able to translate for her, and I was very grateful to him. I thought (since they wanted to laugh) that I would pull out my handy dandy notebook and try to speak to them in Thai. They loved it. The man actually gave me his card (which was actually just a picture of him with a phone number at the bottom) in case I wanted to practice my Thai with him. Then he suggested a small restaurant that served great duck. I carefully told him, in english, that I did not care for duck.

Hey, neither of you are wearing a helmet! And, how old is he... like three? Mai pen rai!

I was a bit pressed for time after the bank account opening, so I ran down the nearest alley to grab something to eat. I still had my handy-dandy out, so I decided to order in Thai. The old woman was doing great with my Thai until she asked me if I wanted another side. uhhh, panic stricken, I responded (in english), 'Well, what do you like to eat.' She looked quite confused. She pointed at food and stared at me, then she pointed at other people and stared at me, and then she pointed at me and stared at me. oh crap. A woman was sitting close by and asked me kindly (in English) if I wanted another side, when I responded 'no, not really. Mai pen rai' I swiveled around to face the woman behind the food again, and she was flashing her toothless smile my way and handed me my plate. See, mai pen rai really does work!

I took an hour long nap on a bridge just like this one today at the university. Mai pen rai!

You may have noticed by my list of courses on a previous post that I am not taking a single technical course this semester. This is my first semester when I have not been in a science or math course (or both) since I can remember. The shift of studies is quite difficult for me, and I find that I am still trying to find the 'correct answer' even in Thai Rural Development class (where there is clearly no right answer). We are doing a group activity right now, and I am getting quickly frustrated at both the other American in my group who talks about 'how we do it in America' ALL the time and my desperate search for the silver bullet to Thai rural development problems.

Resting on ancient ruins in Ayutthaya. Mai pen rai!

"When God in involved, anything can happen. Be open. Stay that way. God has a beautiful way of bringing good vibrations out of broken chords"

- Charles Swindoll