Personal Journal

June

Tuesday 6th June

Location: Bangkok

PP Plus Mansion, Khlong Tan Nuea Karaoke Bar, 4/9 Anoop Workplace

Early 6:30 am air snuck through the window. In England, its cold and uninviting, whilst here it greets you like a warm tickle.

A nervous feeling was defiantly lingering as my sim card package was not working, I had to take a ‘grab’ to my first day at work. Anoop’s house was cool, stable, and rich with work ethic. He greeted me by accidently putting salt into my coffee, we had a good laugh about it. Being introduced to Anoop’s children was a delight and they ran around me like beautiful leaves in a hurricane. They played with my hair and stroked my pale skin, taking my jewellery and giggling. They called my name when I was leaving and squeezed me tight reminding me that innocence is everywhere.

After receiving some more information about Phuket, interviewing the bride, and taking behind the scenes photos, which eases me a little, I got the sky train back to PP Plus. As Anoop and Job managed to get my sim card working, after the Sky Train I grabbed a motor bike. The experience riding the motorbike was almost unexplainable. I had never ridden one before, and of course I sat the wrong way with my legs over one side instead of two. If you know me, you know that anything that makes my heartbeat fast I will follow and run towards with two feet forward.

This experience is my new favourite thing. The first concern when riding these is that you must trust the driver. The way the machine tilts and glides you think you will meet a gruesome death, but you don’t. You are meant to grip onto the back of the bike, but I held the driver so tightly I am surprised he could breathe. By the end of the ride I found myself hardly holding on at all. The way the colours and chatter of people whip and run past you is remarkable, then the sudden slow of the engine comes and you can understand the world again. The smell of gas pumping, the yellow heat of the sun and the crimson of my hair all combines into one experience.

This evening was the meeting meal with the interns and Tarn and Jinnie would join us. Tarn and Jinnie showed us the neon lit bars and we travelled along to a cheap Irish one that some of the other interns had already been. We met Lack the server and had some very strong drinks. At this location I had my first taste of supposed real danger. A white bald creepy English man who sat across the room would not take his eyes off me. I had never met a person so insistent on eye contact. The sense of unease and putrid thoughts immediately entered my mind and my subconscious screamed at me warning me to stay away.

His companion was a woman and from a far she seemed normal, she revealed that she instructed children over here. When it was time to pay, I went over to Lack to make sure we had paid the correct amount. Ryan, one of the interns, came over to me and told me that the man had insisted to take me home. A shiver travelled down my spine, and I promptly told Ryan to speak to the others in case he tried to approach them. A second after, the companion approached me and up close she looked completely different. She was twisted and scarred in the face and wore glasses that did not fit. Her teeth were stained and her hair messy and brown. I could sense her heart and it was not pure but sour. She asked, “What is your name. What are you doing? Come with us?” But not in the way you want to be asked. Leaving with them shouting after me was the best thing to do as I didn’t want any trouble, especially so far away from home.

We left. Next, we went to a karaoke bar, and I met some amazing girls. Ma and Pang were servers there and took a liking to me. All the interns sang, danced, and drank. I talked to Ma and Pang, and it proves that no matter what language you speak you can make friends anywhere, as they both did not speak a word of English. The translation app on my phone was an immense help. It was coming to closing time and the girls spoke between themselves, then came over to me and said that they wanted me and Ryan to stay.

We played a Thai board game and drank whisky. They took me to a club on the other side of town. Chatter and laughter followed us as we entered through a back entrance of a tall dark building. When the door opened, we were greeted with dancing and a loud booming sensation. The club was shadowy and stuffy, but we were summoned to a private seating area which you could spread out in. We were served whisky and snacks with huge smiles. I danced with Pang. While drinking a cold beer I realised that the time was 6AM, after more conversation Ryan and I got bikes back home. Finally, I collapsed into bed and dreamed of my incredible day.

Wednesday 8th June

Location: Bangkok, Phuket

BKK Airport, Phuket Domestic Airport, Thalang Thep Krasattri Hospital, Marriot Hotel (Takua Pa, Khuekkhak)

Today I am traveling to Phuket. I woke up waiting for the grab to come at 4:30 am. The journey is uncomfortable, and I see that some mosquito bites on my leg are huge and swollen.

Now these do not look normal as I have had many bites before, the skin was inflamed more then 10 cm around the bite. I knew something was wrong. I started to feel a little sick, but I did not think much of it. I get to the airport and the Niramit team greeted me. I woke up from the over voice saying that we were landing. A sore pain in my leg slapped me and I felt sick, cramped, and unwell. The bites had gotten more swollen and bigger. I started to spiral but then I looked out the window and I instantly calmed.

The beauty of the view spread into my eyes, and I felt awe-struck. A dozen jade separated islands floated on the blanket of blue, the edges lapping against each other. Clusters of bird’s sored past these colossal structures and their sandy underbellies featured a contrast of grey tones of rocks and colourful coral arrangements. The discomfort was balanced with what was beyond the little airplane window. The little window showed me tiny boats, alone on the stretched waters and overextended beaches with no manmade impurities spoiling them. It was perfect. My eyes were blessed by the beauty of the landscape.

I almost fainted and the Niramit team drove me to the hospital. By the time we got there the bites where even bigger, and my eyes had started to swell a little and everything was blurry. They sat me in a wheelchair, and I had lots of people talking to me. Everything pretty much sailed past me as I was in my own little dream world. I was wheeled into a corridor and left there with Ann, one of the work people. I was prescribed a tablet for sickness and an antibiotic for the pain as well as some cream.

They do not know what bit me, but they suspected that I had an allergic reaction. It is funny how I am not even in Thailand four days and I’m already in the hospital. I slept on the way to the hotel where the wedding would happen, but I knew that I just wanted to go back to the intern house. Someone carried my bags to my room, and I just hid under the covers. When I woke, I was alone. The air con had been on, and it was freezing. A few minutes later Job came into the room and explained my options to me, he was very worried about me and did not want me to travel till the next day.

Monday 13th June

Location: Bangkok, Phra Khanong Nuea

PP Plus Mansion, Vadhana Market Bangkok, Pink Chili Cooking Class, Chatuchak Weekend Market (Thanon Kamphaeng)

Today I headed to work, and Anoop showed me his AI software! We spent most of the day going through the editing process and selecting albums for the clients.

Later in the day was the cooking class organised by the internship and I couldn’t wait to try some Thai food that I had made myself. Myself and the other interns arrived at the class, and it was hard to find as it was hidden down secret alleys. The lady teaching the class introduced us to the ingredients and let us know what we were making. She explained that we had to go to the market opposite to gather the materials necessary. First, we were greeted by a sea of green vegetables, a lot I had never heard of. Some were long and thin, and some were hanging from the market celling with minty refreshing smells high fiving my face as I walked by. The woman explained what each of them were used for, but I was too away with the fairies, soaking up this new atmosphere struggling to pay attention, although I did hear that many are used for medicine.

We had some time to wonder by ourselves and I found myself in front of a batch of fish, only they were not dead. I remember my mum mentioning this, they sell live fish as it proves that the product is as fresh as it can be. The butcher held up the catfish for us while it squirmed in his hand, then it flopped onto the side of the bowl. I did feel a bit sorry for them because they must be in pain.

We passed pig heads and fish that were flapping their fins. Back at the class we spent the time cutting herbs and spices, smashing, and grinding nuts and vegetables in a stone bowl. I made Panang Curry Paste, Panang Curry Chicken, Tom Yum Goong, Fried Shrimp with Tamarind Sauce and mango sticky rice. Mine looked a lot different to the other interns finished dishes but it still tasted great.

After hanging out for a bit at PP Plus we headed to Chatuchak Weekend Market, also called the Jatujak Market. It is known as the biggest market in Thailand, covering around thirty-five acres of land, split into twenty-seven to thirty sections: with around fifteen thousand different booths!

The atmosphere was incredible, full off life and chaos. My brain was bursting into enjoyment as I looked at too many clothes, smelt gorgeous foods, chatted to lovely older women, getting lost – a lot, and eating a bug! I dared Ryan to eat it too and it was hilarious, he was physically shaking. I felt like I had seen so much that day, I would love to go back and probably will.

Thursday 16th June

Location: Bangkok

PP Plus Mansion, 4/9 Anoop Workplace, Khlong Tan Nuea, Lumphini – Gaming Event, Silom – Food Place

Waking up to the morning glow and then having the rush of the wind, racing through and around me is soothing and alarming at the same time. When I entered the office a monsoon started, literally as I walked through the door. The thunder was almost shaking the house, that is how loud it was. When they say it rains in Thailand it really rains. The houses have these huge drainpipes on the roofs, and it catches all the water, directing it to certain parts of the ground. It all crashes to the floor in a continuous extra loud motion, quite satisfying.

I was still going through the photos, and I feel like I know the bride and groom well. Anoop and his crew are incredible photographers, I really feel like I was there from looking at the wedding party. It is crazy to think that I am the one that is choosing what photos will go in the married couples Wedding albums – what they will show their grandchildren. I raced along with my mission and the storm raced on outside.

Today I was to work at a gaming event. We arrived in Anoop’s car at the Gayson building. It had cream marble walls that stretched to the sky. Thousands of gold windows placed in symmetry along the sides and wide glass panels were at every entrance. We walked through the clean space and made our way to an escalator. We got given cards to access the 22nd floor, and we zoomed up in the super-fast lift that climbed the floors in mere seconds. The lift pinged as it opened, we were met with soft chatter and glass double doors.

Anoop told me to put my bag behind the DJ booth and Job gave me an assignment, to direct the guests of the event up onto the 22nd floor. I must have been up and down in that lift at least over 30 times that evening. The day progressed and it started to turn into night. Throughout the day I had organised what felt like hundreds of packages including wrist bands and QR codes. The food that Niramit had organised was late to serve to the guests, so when it arrived, I helped to distribute it. Hundreds of carboard boxes stuffed with fancy tasty food, presented so elegantly were opened and served onto trays for the waitress to take out into the event.

The waitresses and I had a few innocent giggles, sharing my English humour. I had a peek inside the event for a swift moment. Purple and blue colours were spotted around the room from lights located in each corner and the room boomed with the voice of an enthusiastic man selling the gaming product. Customers and servers gathered around each small happening, the talented cocktail maker, the upright round tables, the twelve intense gamers showing off how they were at controlling the little figures on the screen. What seemed like hundreds more people were gathered on chairs at the far corner of the room, listening to a wide-angle screen.

While meeting people a girl named Best, who was collaborating with us, introduced me to her colleges. Ping was a lovely guy, sharing the stories of his boyfriend and asking me questions about the difference between the UK and Thailand. The group of us got on so well that they wanted to take me to a secret Chinese inspired Thai restaurant. The food was incredible definitely the best meal I have had here.

Monday 20th June

Location: Bangkok, Samre

PP Plus Mansion, Thon Buri Avani Hotel, Samre

Yellow woven lays were placed round most of the dark mahogany huts, as this was the theme for the wedding. We passed the pool area where the residents enjoyed a fresh cocktail in a lounger and came up to a solid flat decking. The arch way above us was also covered in white and yellow lays. I walked into one of the mahogany huts, where I was met with Sabae, she was surprised to see me, so was everyone, they all thought I had gone home to England. I was shocked at this, but they expressed how ill I looked when I was bitten. I was told to help unpack and organise the flower arrangement with another man.

It was the start of the wedding, and I was excited about the work I was going to do.

I arrived at Anoop’s office, and we set off to the site. I spent most of the time gazing out of the window. I followed Anoop outside and the grounds were so beautiful, full of bright greens and a sunny blue sky. Trickling stone fountains were dotted around the lush minty grass, with tall, crooked trees towering over the pale pathways. The heat rose from the surface of the glistening aqua pool, I really wanted to jump in it, it looked so refreshing.

A couple of hours later we had organised a beautiful arrangement. Guests had started to arrive and most of them were in the prayer room. Over a speaker a man was speaking in Hindu chants filling the air with prayers. I got a coconut with Sabae, and we waited for things to get started. Anoop told me to stand in the lobby and direct people to the event. After a few hours we heard the drums.

First it was the groom’s entrance and there was a big song and dance towards the prayer room. Next was the brides turn and she joined him. They both sat in the room where I arranged the flowers and were painted with yellow curry paste to make their skin glow. After a while it was time to eat, and it was a magnificent spread of food. There was even a vegetarian section which I immediately went towards. The Niramit group wanted me to stay and have a drink with them, but I decided to go home as I was exhausted.

Monday 21th June

Location: Bangkok, Samre

PP Plus Mansion, Thon Buri Avani Hotel, Samre

Tired was an understatement. I made my way in a Grab taxi and entered this breath-taking hotel. It was called the Avani + Riverside hotel and it is definitely how the other half live. It seemed over the top in my opinion, but that’s not to say it wasn’t beautiful. You entered with greetings from mask covered Thai workers, dressed in gold and velvet, who opened the doors for you.

The melt of colours consumed me as the rushing of the waterfall at the right side of the room invaded my ears. Huge almost life size grey elephant statues towered over me. Plants and flowers freshly placed in every corner; the hotel seemed to never end. The ceilings were gigantic, traditional, and full of light and your feet were held by splattered red, black, and white patches. Each section of the lobby had sofas, chairs, computers and elegant décor, beautiful artwork on the walls that I would have in my own dream home. I asked where the wedding was and a lovely man directed me down a shiny marble staircase, that twisted around the waterfall. As I walked down, I glanced at the beautiful tapestries with tiny lives told in a story on the walls.

I found the room 456 where Anoop had told me to go. He asked me to go through the photos from yesterday, selecting which ones were for the final cut. After a while I went to grab lunch and then met Prim in the ballroom. Startling red roses pierced my eyes with delight as I arrived at the lobby’s ballroom. Hundreds of clean chairs covered the room, all facing towards a stage covered with white, yellow, and red lays.

The parade started and I scampered off with my camera to the start. The groom’s side would dance, sing, and shout around the hotel with the summoning of drums leading the way. I followed the parade and it ended at an embellished large lobby section, also with the red lays, hot lights, and more white chairs. There was a beautiful cherry archway with a silver reflective path leading upwards. I felt a rumble of thunder and a heavy monsoon started. It was quite beautiful really, with the transparent droplets falling from the black abyss, splashing with grace onto the path.

Due to the rain the rest of the events were moved inside. Time went past. A few hours later the buffet spread was opened, and we all grabbed some delicious food. While eating Nav mentioned to me that I had to stay later today and pack hampers. It reached around 1AM and I had created around 60 of them. Sabae and Pim offered to drive me halfway home. I like the sisters; they both seem to actually care about the wellbeing of people, me included. I jumped out and hurled down a taxi and hopped in the back seat.

Wednesday 23rd June

Location: Bangkok, Samre

PP Plus Mansion, Thon Buri Avani Hotel, Samre

Nav wanted me in at around 10AM to do some errands. Sabae then needed me for the task of giving out the hampers to the specific rooms where the guests were staying.

Each room would get one hamper and one gift. We went from door to door giving out the allocated gifts and treats. We had a man from the hotel to help open the doors if there was no answer, then we would place them onto the room’s bed. Some of the rooms where so high up, on the 7th floor and the views where incredible. I was sort of in an awe most of the day almost studying every beautiful crack in the hotel’s interior, to the vast green views out of the windows of each grand room.

The lime vines climbed up to the very top of each white wall. The corridors of each landing of the hotel wrapped around an empty centre, of where you could see right across. If I had jumped over the edge, I would definitely have died, splatted onto the white rich marble at the bottom.

There was a cruise in the evening, and I didn’t know what to expect. Sabae had told me to bring an outfit for the evening event and us women got ready in her allocated room. I ironed my long red dress that my mum had bought me and plastered on some more makeup. I had finished getting ready before everyone else and I could feel a couple of them looking at me. I had drawn my normal black small heart on the left side of my cheek. For fun the women asked if they could have one too, this led to all of the females working this evening wanting one. We named it our representation slogan and I felt happy.

Now being on the upper deck I could see everything up close. The flames roared and the cooked snails curled on lettuce leaves, along side sticks of chicken and pork. The juice of the fat swelled into my nose making me hungry. Steaming cold ice flaked into the night sky and the beverages were neatly placed, buried within the snowy platter. Wobbly jelly shook ever so slightly as she started to sail gently up stream, causing the guests to gasp at the moving surroundings.

The food incredible, especially the finely cut raw sashimi along side the steaming pasta and rice dishes. I had walked up to the DJ booth and got blinded by the hot lights. Tharin caught my eye and claimed that I looked better than the bride, I blushed as I didn’t really feel like it at that moment. We watched the exquisite dancers and performances, and the wedding guests danced into the night, and I even joined in. I did my rounds looking after guests and directing them to the correct areas. I enjoyed the excitement, making me forget about the world for a minute. It was a very fun, but long day.

We walked down to the dock, it was wooden and wide. After everyone had disappeared on jobs, I was left to guard the expensive alcohol and suddenly there was a booming honk from down the riverside. A colossal, exquisite cruise ship glided effortlessly towards the dock, crippling the waters beneath her. I was completely in awe of her magnificent structure. She had three or four decks with glowing aqua and lilac neon strips of light, hugging the sides of each layer of her waist. Her lower layers were hidden with sharp black openings with glossy transparent middles, revealing the gold glow from deep inside her belly.

The lower half of her reminded me of a Ferrero Rocher. Her forward was long and dark, creating a mysterious ambiance, which was also connected to tinted windows. Her stern was short and reminded me of a corgi’s bottom, as it was strangely stumpy compared to the rest of her body. Large startling electric blue letters were plastered on the front of her chest, ‘White Orchid River Cruise,’ along with a glowing blue orchid in the middle of the lettering. Her deck was the most wonderful of all, as she approached, I could make out more of what showcased upon her upper body. A silver barrier was placed around her circumference with stations of food carts and chefs in tall white hats playing with fire. She let out a sigh as she rested against the dock. Job was once a little toy soldier waving from a distance.

See the youtube video for the viusals on the wedding!

Friday 24th June

Locations: Bangkok, Samre

PP Plus Mansion, Thon Buri Avani Hotel, Samre

I arrived at the hotel at around mid-day and was greeted by the lovely ladies. The experience of an Indian wedding is amazing. Nav asked me to wait at the front for a delivery of alcohol, so I sat in the lobby for a bit. While waiting, a beautiful red vintage car pulled up with the bride and groom inside, coming back from their second wedding. It was great, watching the bride drive around the roundabout laughing. I went up to the hotel room to edit photos with Anoop. Time went past and Anoop stated when I finished the images I could come down and join the party.

Putting my makeup on, after I had finished the photographs, I headed downstairs and Sabae took me to the opposite building, where the reception was taking place. The décor and food was amazing. From fresh tuna to spicy cooked Thai dishes spread out in front of me. Huge banners stretched across the walls and a vast white hallway, blanketed with white cloth and reflective lights was how you entered the large rooms covered with colourful lights and what seemed like thousands of people. There was a huge lit up bar at one end, along with a gigantic dancefloor in the middle of the room.

There were enormous TV screens on both walls and many tables and chairs across the room. I could talk forever about the amazing festivities, but the images can describe it for me. We ate, drank, danced a little but looking out for the guests and clearing up any mess was also something I focused on. I quickly ran over to the bride, who was looking gorgeous and thanked her for the opportunity. To my surprise she pulled me in for a big hug, it was nice. She gave me a wink and carried on greeting people. I said my goodbyes to everyone, Nav, Sabae and the others. I did enjoy the event. Gratefully exiting, I sighed as I travelled down in the lift felt my ears pop.

Friday 24th June

Locations: PP Plus Mansion, 4/9 Anoop’s Office, Charoen Krung Samphanthawong (Talat Noi), Market mall

Another day, another day at the office.

The morning was going through photos, then I went to an early lunch. On my way back I saw Anoop’s black cat and played with her for a bit. When entering the office he stated that I was to go with Job to an event site. May and Job drove us around the river, and I fell asleep for a good hour. The place was to see potential art and it was full of sculptures and paintings. Job needed to pick up his camera, so he left me in the gallery.

After exploring the gallery we travelled to a potential venue I slept in the car again. I woke with my mouth full of engine smoke and a harsh grit in my neck. I had a dream about one of the paintings in the gallery, it was blue and red with huge white eyes staring at me. It was behind glass, but it smashed its way out. But the painting was also beautiful in a way. I’m sure it’s a combination of the heat and number of things I am doing that makes me so tired, that and I have the tendency to fall asleep in cars.

We arrived at the hotel, and it radiated rich vibes. It stretched into the sky and was a dark complexion with spots of grey. Inside I was met with a huge receding ceiling, with a beautiful colourful chandelier falling from the centre. It was bright and spilling invisible glitter from the tips of its bulbs. The lobby was stretched into multiple different corners, endless lifts, beige seating, and a dining area, were we met the clients. It was a mother and daughter; the daughter was having the engagement party here.

The mother was so lovely, and we had a nice chat. I had to take notes on the cocktails that the daughter liked, and I made a decent list of different flavoured shots and non-pineapple flavoured pina coladas. The hotel’s outside was exquisitely beautiful, and I took my time wondering around the grounds. To end the evening Job, May and two other workers took me too a mall, but this mall was very different. As we entered, I was hit with smells and flavours, it was set out like a outside market. I had never seen anything like it, it was incredible.