by Mandeep Gaygoat
From hating Bangkok to actually loving it for what it has given me. It has made me open my eyes to what a rat race we live in, people are just so busy within themselves and not bothered about anybody else. People here are very quick to judge, I have been called Osama, or they think I am an Arab or just a stinking ignorant Indian. When I tell them I am from the UK, they look at me with disbelief.
Apart from one, the Sikhs have been very unfriendly. This has actually stopped me from visiting the Gurdwara. My friend was doing an Akhand Paath, I asked what help can I give, he looked at me confused, help?! We just give the money to the Gurdwara and they take care of everything. We then only attend on Sunday. Here money talks…..!!
In the ‘ghetto’ you see people living in one bedroom houses, sorry that is incorrect and I should say one room houses. Everything is done in the one room, it is a living room, bedroom, kitchen and dining room in one, if lucky the toilet is outside. Yet, when you walk past they are happy to say hello and talk to you. Some people are actually offering me food! No matter how little food they have, they are always eating, smiling and joking as a family. We have so much yet we always want more…..!! The media, a fantastic marketing tool always brain washes us into thinking ‘we need that…..!’ Or ‘we should look like this…..!’
There is a huge drinking and drug culture here. From doing a quick search there is no support network here for people to talk or resolve their issues. There is a Kundalini Yoga class downtown but they charge 400 baht per class (about £8 GBP). This is a huge amount of money so the clientele will be well off.
The people in the ghetto have got used to me, well I do stand out! Probably the only guy there with a beard and moustache! They always have time to talk to me. The motorbike taxis are always discussing football, now I do not know a thing about the sport so I just mention a few club names and they cheer me! The stall holders are always asking how am I or where am I going. It is a genuine interest. Of course this relationship did not happen overnight but built over the last three months.
I have got so much out of Bangkok but given back nothing. Now this really upsets me, the Thais are amazing and once you build a bond are very friendly.
If you have any ideas how we can help, please do comment or email me…..
by Mandeep Gaygoat
Starting weight: 88.8kg
Target weight: 63kg
Weight recorded on October 17th 2013: 86.9kg
I am very disappointed by the fact that my weight has not dropped. I have received many emails saying “don’t let the weighing scales fool you, muscle weighs more then fat”. I just hope it is muscle!!
The training is getting very tough. I am now having one to one sessions with Master Pimu, which is a great honour as I am learning the technicals to Muay Thai. I do the warm ups, which should include running but I walk…..really need to start running but it is so hard as it impacts my knees.
In Muay Thai you block kicks with your shins, so basically shin to shin! I have realised my shins are very weak, when I block a kick they hurt so much, regardless if it is a soft or a strong kick.
I have been told that constant kicking of the bags and pads will toughen my shins!
As I am training twice a day with Sunday as a holiday, by the end of the week I am totally shattered. I think to heal and replace lost energy I need to sleep during the day, which will be very hard as the only thing I can sleep through is boring lectures!
Most days I am constantly hungry in between training sessions, this is very hard to overcome. As yet I have not given in to more food. I am drinking plenty of water, perhaps sometimes too much!!
Sparring is now a regular part of training. When other students are here I will spar with them.
Otherwise I will spar with Master Pimu.
I am still very homesick and missing everybody so much. As I am nearly at the half way point I am hoping the rest of the time goes quickly, but then once I get back home I will probably miss the training. The trick is to enjoy the current moment and not always think about the future…..
by Mandeep Gaygoat
The majority of the ATM’s in Thailand charge 150 baht to withdraw money. I have noticed that Aeon do not charge at the ATM’s
Aeon ATM locator
by Mandeep Gaygoat
The flight to Chicago (Albuquerque – Chicago – New York) was delayed by 30 minutes so we really did not need for the mad dash!!
The airport has free wifi so that is always good to know, I managed to upload some YouTube videos, Sangeet emailed some thank you’s
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