Step #1 - Motorcycle taxi to ferry dock
I walk out of my apartment door at approximately 6:04 AM. I know, you probably won't even believe that statement because I'm the same person that absolutely refused to take 8:00 AM classes in college. It's about a 20 minute walk from my apartment to the ferry dock, but only a 3 minute motorbike ride. Since every minute in the morning is precisely (and I already leave at 6:04 AM as it is...) I always opt for the motorcycle taxi (or "motor-si" as the Thais say).
On my very first day of work back in November, I found a motorcycle taxi across the street to drive me to the ferry dock. Now, he picks me up everyday and drives me exactly where I need to go without any words exchanged. We never talked about this or organized this arrangement, he is just waiting outside the gates of my apartment at preciously 6:05 AM. I'm sure not complaining. I don't know his name, but I refer to him as "Number 1" (I'll explain why soon).
As a female (particularly a female wearing a skirt to work everyday) I ride on the motorcycle "side saddle" as the Thai women do. It's basically what it sounds like, both of my feet hanging off the left hand side of the back of the motorcycle (definitely not the right side because that's where the hot exhaust pipe is).
I obviously couldn't get a picture of myself on the motorcycle taxi, but this picture should give you an idea. Before I rode on one, I always wondered how Thai women looked so graceful and relaxed on the back of these things. However, you've got to believe me; it's surprisingly comfortable.
 |
| Photo credit: http://thomasriddle.net/ |
Many people have asked me, "how do you know a motorcycle taxi from just an ordinary guy on a motorbike?" The answer is that official motorcycle taxis wear a colored vest with a number on it. That's why I call my guy "Number 1."
Motorcycle taxis usually congregate in groups in front of prime locations like 7-Elevens or subway exits, but you can also flag down a moving one if you wish. You just head to the queue and one of the drivers will point you to the appointed motorbike. Although it may not be outwardly apparent, there is a fine science to their rotation schedule so everyone can make money. However, I think motorcycle taxis look like they're hanging out with their friends much more than they appear to be working.
 |
| Photo credit: Costanza Ferme |
 |
| Photo credit: Costanza Ferme |
After Number 1 drops me off, I walk down these steps to the ferry dock. If you remember from my previous post, since Ayutthaya is technically an island, I need to cross the river in order to leave the island. The boat ride is only about 2 minutes long, but there's only 1 boat that shuttles back and forth, so sometimes I have to wait up to 10 minutes if the boat is loading people on the other side.
This is a pretty standard mix at the ferry dock in the morning - (from left to right) normal guy, monk, shirtless guy, Royal Military Officer. I'm actually not quite sure what the deal with the shirtless guy is because he's there every single morning. He's pretty awesome though because he's saved my butt a few times by signaling the boat driver to wait for me as I ran down the steps.
This is the boat that shuttles back and forth all day, every day.
Check out the skills of this woman.
The monks always stand on the front of the boat. I'm pretty sure this is because they cannot sit on the same bench as women.
Step # 3 - Walk to the train station
After getting off the boat, I have a 2 minute walk down this busy street to the train station. Amongst the the motorbikes and people, there are many food stands open and cooking up a storm (yes, even at 6:00 AM). This is also a popular spot where monks stand with their bowls to collect daily alms. This is the act of a lay Buddhist person giving food or money to the monks as a sign of respect and to show humbleness. Thai people call this "making merit." This always happens very early in the morning and I learned that all of the food they receive must be consumed by noon the same day. Usually, as I walk past, I can see people giving an offering and the monk, in turn, saying a prayer for them.
Step # 4 - 3rd class train from Ayutthaya to Bang Pa-In
My first month of work, taking the train was the most stressful part of my entire day. This was because A) The train is usually delayed B) There are about 3-5 trains that come to the station within the 15 minutes I expect my train to come C) The signs on the train are written in Thai script and D) the announcements are only made in Thai. So I was basically stressed out because I just never knew what train to get on. I knew which direction was right, but not which train. They also all look the same which doesn't help the cause.
Well, funny story...
One day, I accidentally got on the wrong train. It was bound to happen. As soon as I got on, I immediately knew it wasn't the right train by the type of seats. However, the train was already moving and pulling out of the station. I had to make a quick decision. I knew I would NEVER make it to work if I stayed on; so instead, I decided to jump off the train. Granted, it wasn't moving full speed, but it was definitely moving. Yes, I jumped off a moving train like James Bond. I still can't believe I did that either.
The next day I was determined to figure out a way to understand which train was the correct one. As I stared at my train ticket, I realized that even if I can't understand the entire announcement, I know and understand numbers in Thai. Now, I just listen for my train number. I've never had a problem since. I take train 318 (3 = sam, 1 = neung, 8 = pad in Thai) so the announcement sounds something like this to me: klasjkfjasjdfkasjk;jfsjajsf;djSAMNEUNGPADaksjfkajdskfjaklsdjfakdsjfkadsjfSAMNEUGNPADkasjfkjsf.
Let me give you a little tour of the train station.
The ticket office.
The train delay board. I despise this board...
That's my train. Looks brand new, right?
I've noticed that Thai people have this uncanny ability to fall asleep on trains and wake up literally seconds before their stop. Unbelievable.
Bang Pa-In train station - my stop!
Step # 5 - Small songthaew to school
After getting off the train, this songthaew is waiting outside for us. Songthaew is a Thai word that literally translates to "two rows", which makes sense. This particural songthaew is essentially a pickup truck with two benches in the back for passengers to sit. It's about a 10 minute drive from the train station to my school.
Finally, after making a few stops at the market, the songthaew drops us off right at the front gate of our school (or at 7-Eleven at my request).
You think that sounds rough? I would confidently say that the morning commute is much better than the afternoon commute home. On the way back...the process is pretty similar in reverse but much less reliable and also MUCH hotter. I usually walk down to 7-Eleven and catch a motorcycle taxi to the train station. Sometimes, well actually about 8 out of 10 times, the 4:37 PM train going to Ayutthaya is delayed. Very delayed. Therefore, I more often walk across the street and take the big songthaew home. Because it takes the (very dusty) country roads, it takes much longer than the train but still gets me home before the 1 hour delayed train would.
The big songthaew is basically equivalent to a public transportation bus and used for longer routes between towns. However, you can basically get on and off the songthaew anywhere along the route. There's no stops, signs, or stations. It's actually quite annoying when the students ring the buzzer to get off 5 seconds after the last kid just did. Also, it has no particular times that it departs or arrives anywhere. The rule is that it leaves when it's full. So sometimes it will come 1 minute after I get there, and sometimes I'll be standing on the side of the road (no seat or shade) for 30 minutes anxiously waiting for it to come. Because many of my students take the songthaew home as well, it's usually JAM packed by the time I get on. This picture doesn't even do it justice. When I say jam packed, I mean there are literally students hanging off those bars on the back. Luckily, they're usually nice enough to give up a seat for Teacher Kim.
 |
| Photo credit: Costanza Ferme |
How did you get to work today?
No comments:
Post a Comment