Sri Lanka has stabilized, to the extent that the country is now charging for tourist visas, instead of for years practically begging people to come. Here at WoWasis, we’re going there next month to investigate. So what were the Civil War years, from 1983-2009 really all about. As journalist William McGowan so cogently describes in […]
Read the rest of this entry »Archive for the 'Buddhism' Category
Apartment Asian Massage Parlors (AAMP) in North America: how masseuses create a home in a motel
In earlier posts, WoWasis described the nuances of the AAMP (Apartment Asian Massage Parlor) scene in North America, and defined a list of commonly used AAMP acronyms. Although a number of these women live and work out of their own apartments, many do not. So how do they instantly create a homey environment in a […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis travel clothing field test review: The tough and versatile Timberland 30003 Men’s 3-Eye Classic Lug shoe
Here at WoWasis, we think no one’s harder on shoes than we are. We tear them up while climbing over volcanic pumice. We beat the hell out of them on the terrible so-called sidewalks of Bangkok and Phnom Penh. We totally stress the upper part of the shoe above the heel because we constantly slip […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis book review: ‘Common Core: Thais and Americans’ by John Paul Fieg
Westerners in Thailand who employ Thais know what a challenge that can be. And conversely, Thais working for Western expats often find relating to their direct reports is sometimes more difficult than the job itself. The beauty of John Paul Fieg’s A Common Core: Thais and Americans (1978, ISBN 0-933-662-80-7) is that it examines core […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis book review: ‘History of the Mongol Conquests’ by J.J. Saunders
In this relatively short (191 pages) but powerful narrative, J.J. Saunders makes an effective argument that the series of Mongolian invasions of Europe and Asia, beginning in the early 1200s, was a major factor in shaping both European culture and Asian religions for centuries to come. The History of the Mongol Conquests (1971, ISBN 0-8122-1766-7) […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis book review: Kaowai & Robinson’s ‘In Grandmother’s House’
Visitors spending any time looking into the culture of Thailand will run into thousands of folk traditions and beliefs, and Thais are always impressed when a foreigner wishes to know more about them. Understanding these concepts is empirical, as one thing inevitably leads to another. We at WoWasis are still learning. And that’s why we […]
Read the rest of this entry »Making merit: Tham boon at a Thai temple
Many — and here we’ll take the risk of saying Most — Thais make merit at a wat (temple) periodically. Making merit is the act of taking a small gift to the wat, presenting it to a monk, reflecting on good wishes in the name of others, and receiving a blessing from the monk. Everyone […]
Read the rest of this entry »Why is my limousine hot pink? Of Thai birthdays, Buddha hand positions, and colors
Even casual visitors to Thailand have told us here at WoWasis that they’ve noticed a seeming color clash at practically every step. Here’s a house painted hot pink and yellow. A Bangkok taxi cab is green and yellow. A shop has red and green walls, but it’s not Christmas. Somewhat subtler are the sculptures of […]
Read the rest of this entry »The Isaan Way of Death: Buddhism in upcounty Thailand
Nit from Udon Thani’s grandmother died this week, and the family is planning for the elaborate death ceremony that accompanies most Isaan deaths in upcountry Thailand. She tells us a little about the ritual, a fascinating one for anyone interested in Buddhism and death in Thailand. “They always cremate the body,” she says. They can […]
Read the rest of this entry »The Good Manner: How does a Westerner relate to a Thai death?
The Good Manner: Advice on Thailand from WoWasis’ Pa Farang This week’s dilemma: How does a Westerner relate to a Thai death? Dear Pa Farang, Last month, a buddy’s girlfriend’s aunt passed away, and his girlfriend asked him for money, allegedly for the funeral. He paid, and went to the temple, where yes, there was […]
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