Nights in Khon Kaen

I always forget how steep the learning curve is when acclimating to a new country. Last week was really hard and I'm not going to lie--I thought seriously about going to Bangkok for the weekend, just to stay in a hotel where I knew what the food was and where I could speak English.

Last week's biggest challenge, though, was what to do with myself in the evenings. I had some imperative tasks to accomplish, like getting a Thai cell phone, but for the most part, I didn't yet know what time my work day would end, what I would do afterward, or where and how to obtain dinner.

One night when I was out exploring, I tweeted this photo with the caption, "I found the lake at the end of my street where everyone exercises!"

My sweet followers on Twitter were all, "Do not go at night! This is how Dateline stories start!" And, don't worry, I didn't.  But I need my evening workout routine! If I don't work out at least a few times a week, I get a little nutty. Like, tense, anxious, and achey. I've actually started to have physical pain from muscle tension if I can't get a workout in. (It is such a joy to be me...)

The lake in the daylight!

I prefer to exercise at the gym, but I make do when I'm traveling. In the Dominican Republic, I used to run at a park near my aunt and uncle's house. Much to my aunt's chagrin, I would usually leave my cell phone behind (because I didn't want extra weight to carry) and I would frequently stay until after dark. There were literally ARMED GUARDS in the park, though, and I could speak the language, so I didn't really fear getting lost, hurt, or abducted. The worst thing that ever happened was staying too late on a Friday evening and "encroaching on the Sabbath," which annoyed my aunt and uncle (a pastor in the DR). What can I say? I am the rebellious daughter they never had.

Aerobics class going on at the lake!

Here in Thailand, I had heard that people went to the lake to "exercise," which I assumed meant running around the perimeter. I didn't realize, until I started running there this week, that people exercise. 

There is tae bo and aerobics and built-in exercise machines kind of exercise going on.  There are also kids on bikes, families with kids playing on playground equipment, and really happy dogs (that belong to the people?) running around. 

Unfortunately, April is the hottest month in Thailand, so even when I go close to sunset, the temperature is still pretty hot:

By far the most dangerous thing about the lake is actually walking there. It's only a six or seven minute walk, but it's a six or seven minute walk through moving cars, parked cars, scooters and food vendors. Even for someone who has traveled a little bit and had to walk on busy streets, it's definitely chaotic. I always pull my earbuds out and take my time walking back home.

A non-chaotic moment, hence me being able to stop and take this picture.

Other than the lake, I have now obtained real meals for dinner! Either the international medicine coordinators or the Thai residents have taken us out a number of times.

Chicken pad thai, GET IN MY BELLY!

Having hosts and a large group to eat with is important for a number of reasons. Namely, most food in Thailand is served family style. There's no ordering your "own" dish, like in the US, so eating isn't fun unless you're in a group. 

Thai ladies look beautiful at all times. American tourists take out their contacts and put on t-shirts when they're tired and sweaty after work. By the way, I have absolutely no idea what's going on at the back of the table.

Plus, everything is "made to order," so there aren't necessarily menus in all places. If you go somewhere and don't know what the options are or how to order in Thai, you will go hungry (unless your Google translate is working, which mine has frustratingly been not...).

The Thai residents took us to an amazing restaurant two nights ago and even though I didn't feel super hungry when I left home, I was definitely thrilled to be eating course after course that kept coming out of the kitchen.

This was actually dessert at another place: toast and cereal with ice cream and Thai tea sauce. Delicious.

It is Thai custom for Thais to pay for their guests, so the five residents that were with us insisted on picking up the tab. We had a pretty sizeable meal at a trendy restaurant and it looked like they each put in about 1000 bhat (I hope I saw wrong). That's only $30 US, but to put that in perspective, my lunch usually costs about 30-35 bhat everyday!

When we have not been taken out, I have either bought food from the street vendors near my apartment or at the university. The street vendors near home can answer, "Chicken or pork?," but I always feel safer within the confines of the university.

I realized this week that at about 3 or 4 p.m., vendors start setting up food stands in the cafeteria area near the hospital (which is on the university property).

Safe university food vendors, hold me. And feed me.

There is fried, yummy deliciousness and because it's at the university, it's usually a good 10 or 20 bhat cheaper than on the street. (Which is still RIDICULOUSLY cheap to begin with. )

So, there you have it. I'm exercising, not going hungry, and taking my cell phone to the lake during daylight hours. You can all sleep at night now.