For my more “literal” friends,

let me clear something up first. The title of this blog “Thai tanic” is a play on words and is not a metaphor for the Big Ship that went down off the coast of Nova Scotia at the turn of the century.

The title is simply a play on words encompassing the country that I will be traveling to; coupled with the true meaning of “Titanic”.

Titanic adj. a very great size or power.

Mention of Icebergs will be limited to the little ones found in my glass. There will be no frigid waters, over capacity lifeboats, violins or Leonardo Di Caprio.

The problem is that the play on words was best suited for the journey to Thailand…but that chapter closed last year and it’s time for another.

The fact is that creating another blog site just doesn’t make sense to me and I rather like the title of this one.

So once again I address my more “literal” friends and say that I realize that all my entries do not relate to adventures in Thailand and yes the play on words may now be moot.


I’m going to ask you to take a deep breath and deal with it. I know you can.

Now that we have the disclaimer out of the way….Starting February 10th I will be traveling to and experiencing the wonder and mystery of India.

Like last year, I embark to lend a hand and sample the culture. Over the next few weeks I will chronicle my journey for my friends.

Hope you enjoy the pics and words. Let the adventure begin!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Mike Sheffer and His “Buddha Belly”


(8:40 p.m. January 19th)

Can’t make this entry too long tonight kids. The group is meeting in a half an hour to go to the “Angel Cabaret”.

Oh! Before I forget…thank you for the concern Aline for the concern about the “Ants in my pants” (re: yesterday’s blog) it is funny that my Sister had the same concern and based on her advice (which I won’t get into) I am safe.

Had another early start today. Before heading to the site I had a chance to take the pic above. Each morning about 7:30 these three monks walk the main street. Merchant come out with a food offering were they receive a blessing in exchange for a contribution to their meal.

We were at the site by 8:30 and our task today was to mix mortar and build the walls of our hosts home. Septic pipes were also laid.

The group was in great spirits (as usual) although you could tell that the heat was getting to us all.

During one of our breaks I noticed that Tom (one of the HFH employees) was swinging a stick as if he was on the links smacking one down the fairway. I grabbed a broken shovel and tried to show him my technique for hitting the “long ball” which he accepted with great enthusiasm.

I felt guilty afterwards reflecting that I have now attributed to a generation of bad Thai golfers. Oh well.

One interest fact I have learned from the workers on site is that they are truly fascinated with my belly. They take every opportunity to approach me and give my stomach a rub. This is a behavior that I would never accept in Canada but the Thai people have this infectious smile and I can’t help letting them rub away. Who knows, maybe I will become an icon here and have my breakfast donated to ME every morning.

We finished work early today and were given the honour of traveling to our hosts current home. I can’t say much about it; only that it validated the work we are all doing. It truly made me appreciate what I have at home.

Back at the hotel most of us went for a refreshing swim and then took a short walk to the Tsunami Museum. The focal point is a Police boat that they have left in an open field. The boat had drifted 2 klms from the beach and there it still rests. I had realized the true scope of the devastation. Approximately 20,000 people died in this region and the one photo they had was quite disturbing.

Again, validation.

So, another day almost ended. Just have to post and then it is off to the Cabaret for the Girl/Boy show. Hope to have a few good stories for you tomorrow.

Thanks very much for reading.

Talk to you tomorrow.

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