Pattaya: It's not exactly where most people vacation when they come to Thailand..unless of course you're a white (creepy) male, typically sporting a rat tail, tatted limbs, and graphic tee (usually sleeveless). These men are come here for one thing and one thing only: cheap sex. It's dirty, it's wild, it's bourbon street times a million. Pattaya is overwhelming. My friend Monica started a nonprofit called New Love Outreach that helps get girls out of prostitution and I have had the chance to see firsthand what she does. Basically, she goes to the bars and befriends the girls and then invites them to English classes and to a training center where they can learn other skills and pursue other jobs. Many of these girls come from poor villages surrounding pattaya and end up in the sex industry out of financial desperation. Many of the girls are also trafficked that work here. I've met a few girls whose lives have been changed by what Monica and the Tamar Center are doing. It's really incredible and so wonderfully inspiring. I realize this problem exist not just in Southeast Asia but all over the world, especially in cities like beloved New Orleans. I am challenged to reach out to these women and, if nothing else, offer them grace and a kind word or smile.
Other than seeing what amazing things my friend Monica is doing here, I've had the opportunity to do some exploring on the cheap! Today I got a thai massage and it cost me $10. Lunch was 75 cents and dinner was $2. Ahhh the food: so fresh, so full of flavor, exotic veggies, and lots of spice. I'm in love with the street food- it's much better than food served in restaurants and so much cheaper. The markets here are bursting with smells and sounds and are always worth a walk-through. People here work hard and they work a lot. The streets are always buzzing. I did a yoga class tonight to try and find some Serenity. It was taught by an Indian master who spoke so quietly I was blown away that anyone could actually hear him...and that's all I could think about the entire class.
After yoga, Monica picked me up and we met some girls for ice cream and then we zipped around town on the motorbike. It has been a tiring but fulfilling two days in the city and so I ready to seek out some island calm. Tomorrow we will go to Koh Samet and stay the night here. This is a popular weekend getaway for Thais who live in Bangkok. It should be a nice break from the city. Monday will be my last day in pattaya before heading north!
On a sidenote: I read this great blog today and wanted to share it here on my blog.
It spoke to me as I have been trying to discern between fear and well, disernment.
http://www.allisonvesterfelt.com/fear-or-discernment/
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