Drinking & Driving

After traveling the world you start to realize that there are laws in which the United States seems to be the only country to enforce. Namely laws involving booze and cars.

Law #1: You must be 21 years of age to drink alcohol
This is probably the first law that comes to everyone's mind.  In the U.S. you have to be 21 before you can legally drink.  You're an adult at 18, you can adopt at 18, you can enter the army at 18, you can be sent to prison at 18, you can get married at 18.... but drink? Nope.  All other countries I have traveled to either do not have an age restriction on drinking or don't enforce it.  One big plus of that... you don't have to carry your ID with you everywhere, cause bars don't check.

Law #2:  Establishments can't serve alcohol after 2am
This isn't really that big of a deal, UNTIL you start traveling and realize how much it sucks to get kicked out of the bar at 1:30-2:00am when you still want to party.

Law #3:  Traffic Lights
Run a red light in the states and you'll find yourself with a couple hundred dollar ticket... but in other countries the traffic lights are merely suggestions.  If it is yellow you "should" slow down, if it is red you "should" stop... or rather if you go through it there is a possibility you will get hit by oncoming traffic, and if that happens it will be your fault.

Law #4: Speed Limits
Most countries at least have the signs along the roads with a speed limit, but I have never been to another country where the speed limits are enforced. Guess they aren't in as much debt as we are and their governments aren't starved for the violation fines.

Law #5: Driving licenses
All I gotta say is in Thailand I saw what had to be 11 and 12 year old driving motorbikes. Pretty sure that means there aren't age restrictions that are enforced for driving.

Law #6: Seat belts
Yeah its pretty much useless for foreign car companies to even make cars with seat belts cause no one ever wears them.

Law #7: Drinking in public
Anywhere else in the world you can walk along the street with a beer in hand, you can sit in a park while enjoying a cocktail, you can drink wherever your heart desires.  Not so in the states.

Law #8: Having a open container of alcohol in the car
Passengers cheers! Cause you can drink all you want on the way to the bar, party or concert.  No one will stop you! Unless your in the states of course.

Law#9: Talking on the phone while driving
You can do whatever you want while driving... if you crash it is your own damn fault.

Law #10: Drinking and Driving
No DUI's abroad... except occasionally in Europe, but you have to be pretty smashed.  This is one law that I actually support in the states.  Cause its not only your life you put in danger but everyone else on the road as well.

10 quotes from 10 Things I Hate About You

I don't know what it was like in other high schools, but at mine there wasn't any other movie that was quoted as much as 10 Things I Hate About You.  Funny, cause this movie wasn't anything truly spectacular.  It's definitely a good movie, and pretty funny at times.  But when was the last time you saw it? or when was the last time it was played on tv? This movie has virtually been forgotten in the sea of romantic comedy's that have been released since.  But one thing it did have was a good script.  Several "one-liners" that teens found hilarious and repeated with ease.  Hence here is a list of my top ten favorite quotes from 10 Things I Hate About You (in no particular order):

1. "Virgin alert... your favorite"
2. "I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed... but can you ever just be whelmed?"
   "I think you can in Europe"
3. "You suck"
   "You s-UCK"
4. "I'm down, I got the 411 and you are not going to some dance and getting jiggy with some guy, I don't care how dope his ride is....... my momma didn't raise no foo"
5. "Where did you come from, planet loser?"
   "As oppose to planet look-at-me-look-at-me"
6. "Am I that transparent? I want you. I need you. Ohh baby ohh baby."
7. "Kat... Cat... grrrooowwllll"
8. "There is a difference between like and love.  Because I like my sketchers but I love my Prada backpack."
   "But I love my sketchers"
   "That's because you don't have a Prada backpack"
   "Ooooohhhh"
9. "Remove head from sphincter then drive!"
10. "I happen to like being adored, thank you!"

Damsel in Distress Syndrome

In our beloved movies and books there seems to be a reoccurring theme of the damsel in distress that has outlived any era or culture.  This has been around for ages, but its funny that it is still as popular in our current culture where women are fighting for independence and to be treated equally.  Yet again and again, we see this theme in the most popular of books and movies.

The new vampire craze is exhibit one.  No matter what vampire book, show or movie... there is always the damsel in distress as our heroine.  The human girl who falls in love with a vampire.  Twilight, Trueblood, The Vampire Diaries... all the same.  Yet I was intrigued by all series.

My new favorite series is the Hunger Games trilogy.  Katniss is the heroine of this book, and by no way is she weak or helpless.  Yet for me, the most engaging part of the series is the relationship between her and Peeta.  Peeta is the guy who is so in love and devoted to her, his role in the series is her protector.  The guy who's only thought is to protect Katniss... who is always in danger.

Even me, who I believe to be pretty independent and a fairly strong woman, finds myself longing to have this guy in my life.  A guy who without thinking would do anything to protect you.  Who puts you and your safety as their number one priority.  (swoooooonnn) ahhhhh. If only.

Always wanting your cake and eating it too.  Can you please treat us the same as men, but also think of us as needing protection?  Can you give us our independence but also always take care of us?  My God, how needy and hypocritical are we? hahaha.

Backpacking in Northern Thailand

CHIANG MAI
Northern Thailand is just beautiful, in a different way than southern Thailand.  Its all jungle. Lush, beautiful, eerie jungle.  Chiang Mai is like the central hub of the north.  There are tons of stuff to see and outdoor adventures to experience.

One of the main things to do is visit Doi Suthep, a famous temple on top of a mountain.  You can take a taxi to the bottom of the steps and hike to the top.  It was a little misty and foggy the day I went which made for a very mystical setting.

There are also a ton of temples around Chiang Mai, especially in Old Town that you can walk to.  The one below is the most visited temple in the area and was awesome to see.  The architectural design of these temples are simple beautiful! 

Another popular activity to do is see the Elephants.  There are several companies with day trips to the elephant training facilities and after some research I found a great one with Chiang Dao tours.  It started off with a visit to the Long Neck Karen tribe in the area where the women wear these copper wire necklaces that elongate your neck.  And elongate there necks they did! Crazy to see and a little creepy.

Next we went to visit the elephant training center.  Definitely my favorite part of the day.  It is so amazing how smart these animals are! First you get to see the elephants up close and feed them.  Then you watch them bathe with their trainers in the river (very cool!) and then on to the show.  The trainers demonstrate how the elephants pull logs in the forest and stack them.  They also performed a variety of tricks from bowing to putting hats on their trainers heads to finally, and my favorite, PAINTING!  The elephant actually painted a picture.. it was crazy!! The trainers handed the elephants the paint brushes and they painted a picture of a tree.  It was utterly shocking! And might I say, the elephant was a pretty fine artist :)

And now for the 90 minute elephant ride! Something I have always wanted to do, and it didn't disappoint.  We rode through the jungle, over streams, under the green canopy and climbing over rocks.  It was an incredible experience.

Lastly after a wonderful lunch at the foot of a beautiful mountain, we went bamboo rafting down a river. It was pretty peaceful most of the ride... we just got to enjoy the ride and take in the scenery.  There were the occasional rapids and it ended with a section that definitely got my heart rate up and.. not gonna lie... was a little frightened the raft was going to fall apart. 

All in all it was a great day! We got to do and see several highlights that Chiang Mai has to offer.  I would definitely recommend this day trip to anyone who visits the area.  

Chiang Mai also has the best place to buy souvenirs in the country... the Night Bazaar.  I spent two night strolling through the Night Bazaar and still didn't see all of it.  Hundreds.... even thousands of merchants come here to sell their goods.  For a backpacker it is a shopping haven.  Filled with hand crafts, parachute pants, and little gadgets, it is the perfect place to pick up your token from Thailand!

Backpacking in Southern Thailand

PHUKET
Swarming with people from around the world, Phuket is tourist central.  A typical beach town with a roaring nightlife, Phuket does have many perks to offer.  The beach is ok, good by any US standards, but not exactly Thailand paradise.

There are several day trips you can take from Phuket.  Elephant treks are possible, but nothing compared to the day treks in the north.  I suggest trying out John Grey's Sea Tours.  They are pricy by Thailand standards, but well worth the money.  You start off with an hour or so boat ride to a series of Islands that look like they are from Lost or Jurassic Park.  Then the day is spent canoeing with a guide through out sea caves and hidden lagoons. And they are spectacular! Really amazing rock formations and luscious greenery surrounding crystal clear water.

Then after several hours of canoeing through out caves, one of which is filled with bats!... you then get to make a floating offering for the sea gods with the help of your guide.  After enjoying a delicious dinner while watching a magnificent sunset, you canoe into one of the lagoons to light your offering and set it in the water.  

Then my favorite part, you get to see the glowing plankton in the water.  That seems to sparkle as you run your hand through the water.  Simply Magical!!

The nightlife in Phuket is definitely poppin.  But definitely on the sleezy side.  The main street is mostly all bars, however only one seemed to have more then just old white men picking up Thai women, and that bar was called Kangaroo.  Weird to be in Thailand, drinking at an Australian bar. Haha.  But the bar tenders there were the best part.  Awesome girls who will play games with you for shots and are truly entertaining.  There is also a club called Seduction that seemed to be where most of the travelers went that weren't interested in picking up Thai women. 

KOH PHI PHI

There are also days trips to Koh Phi Phi which I strongly suggest if you can't take the time to stay on the island.  During these day trips you visit a bay in Koh Phi Phi Leh which was the set for "The Beach".  It is truly a beautiful beach... a paradise.  However its beauty is somewhat anti-climatic due to all the people visiting the beach.  The small length of sand is filled with people like San Diego on the 4th of July.  But still something to see.

Then you get to see some lagoon that was in a James Bond movie... also beautiful.  The water, like the picture above... is like nothing you have ever seen.  It seems to almost glow vibrant shades of blue and green.  You also get to snorkel for an hour and see various types of tropical fish in some of the clearest water in the world.  

Next, lunch at Koh Phi Phi Don and time to explore the enchanting little town.  Tons of shopping available and little cafes to stop in.  

Finally you are taken to an island that is so remote and small it could be referred to as a sand bar.  You get to just hang out there for the rest of the after noon and enjoy the sun.  It is definitely a great day, and great way to see the major spots of and near Koh Phi Phi.

Riots in London

And the British think we Americans are the ones that love violence.  At least when we protest, riot or result to violence, we have a reason.  Usually one that people feel so strongly about that they have to have a voice and express their opinion.

These riots in London are almost funny.  Reports say that the cause is unknown...

"The rioters appeared to have little unifying cause — though some claimed to oppose sharp government spending cuts, which will slash welfare payments and cut tens of thousands of public sector jobs through 2015.

But many were attracted simply by the opportunity for violence. "Come join the fun!" shouted one youth in the east London suburb of Hackney, where shops were attacked and cars torched."

I mean really? Just burning up buildings and creating havoc just for the fun of it? I think some people have issues across the pond.  If you're going to do something like that you need to have a reason, have some sort of goal you are trying to achieve... otherwise it is almost like laughing in the face of places where riots are necessary to reach a peace.  Its undermining their causes... that are real and life threatening.  This is just a case of rebellious teens who see the riots as "cool" and want a piece of the action.

Something that started as outrage over a death in a small poor community has spread to the entire capitol to people who no longer know exactly why they are rioting.  Ridiculous if you ask me.

However I do have to give props to the youth of Britian... using modern technology and social networks to organize and out smart the cops.

"Youths used text messages, instant messaging on BlackBerry phones and social media platforms such as Twitter to coordinate attacks and stay ahead of the police."

This aspect, and this alone from these events, gives me a sort of pride in my generation.  We may be a little ignorant of what matters in life, a little self indulgent to believe our petty feelings of the cops justifies burning down the shops of innocent, hard working civilians... but my God are we savvy!