later...

This might just be the latest I've been awake since being in Thailand. 1am...crazy. It's like it's the weekend or something.

So, Muay Thai tonight was something. I met up with Gina and her ex Tom and we walked over to Tha Pae Gate to meet with Sara, Erica, her boyfriend Stefan and Daniella, the ladies are from school and Stefan is along for the ride. I've sorta started to just invite myself to things, or tag along and then see if it's ok. I asked Erica at lunch today about boxing and she invited me to dinner, so that was nice. Anyway, we ate at El Diablo again. It's pretty funny that I've had Mexican three times since I got here. I made everyone go to Mexican before I left because I figured that I couldn't get it here. It's almost like I should have made everyone go to Thai food. Anyway, we taxied it over to Kawila Boxing Stadium, which was kind of in the middle of nowhere. It was near the train station, I think.

The stadium itself was pretty basic. The ring was kind of off to the back in the center. The "ringside" seats were white plastic chairs on the north side of it while the cheap seats, where we sat, we bleachers behind a shorter chain link fence. We ended up walking up to the ring anyway, and probably had a better view than the ringside seats. We met up with a girl named Claire, who was in the first five weeks of the program with the teach training program people. Her boyfriend, Simon, was on of the fighters this evening.

When we got there, there was two little boys in the ring. They were maybe 14 and it was kind of difficult to watch them kick and punch each other in the face, knees, stomach, whatever. I've never been into boxing, or fighting of any kind, but I wanted to check this out since it's something that's not readily available to me in Chicago (and even if it was I probably wouldn't go see it). The little boy's match went five rounds, which is the maximum, and one of them was declared winner.

Next up was Simon, who was fighting some chubby guy. He was totally outmatched in weight, but the chubster was getting tired and Simon got a good one in and won by knockout. The next four matches were won by knockout, including another little kid match.  Muay Thai seems pretty clean, I mean the fighting. It still made me a little anxious. I'm getting soft.

There was a three piece band playing Thai music during the fights and old men betting on the matches standing near the ring. One of them was one eyed. At some point one of the better turned around and waved money at us. None of us could understand what he was doing.

I didn't feel like going home and ended up a bar with Clair, two people from the teach training program whom I never speak to and some girl named Shawn who lives in Portland who doesn't really know the other people we were there with either. I can't remember exactly how she knows anyone we were with, but I think it has something to do with her friend that she was at the match with.

We went to a bar near Tha Pae Gate called rooftop bar. It's located on the roof of this building (obviously) and was really beautiful. The drinks were cheap and the roof was nice but they played a lot of clubby dance music. I stayed for a drink and then walked home.

 

Simon and the chubby guy

 

Sara, Erica and Stefan watching the match

 

Rooftop Bar

 

anyone know what a veggaquarium is?

I walked on purpose so I could maybe stop by that damn jazz club. There were more people there, but there was no jazz. Damnit, someday.
 

I bought a sim card for the nexus one on my walk home, so I'll have a Thailand number as soon as I pop that thing in.

I like that I walked two miles home and felt completely safe. The only little incident was some guy riding up to me on his motorbike as I was entering my guest house and asking if he could touch me. Odd question. I said no.

I should go to bed. Have to get up early to go to the lake.