How many Thai students does it take to get two Americans into the American Embassy?

Congratulations to America for its new president! Election Day in Thailand was quite amazing for me. The day started in total chaos and ended in awe. On Wednesday morning just like any other school day I woke up at 5:30 and was in school by 7. Wednesday day for me is Tuesday night for you. In Thailand, we do not observe the time change so now there is exactly a 12 hour difference. Jessica the other exchange student and I were invited to go on a trip to the American Embassy along with some of my classmates. I was so excited because I knew that the embassy would be like a little piece of America right in the middle of Thailand. Unfortunately, Jessica and I did not realize that we had to bring our passports to school. (Our teacher failed to mention this to us.) Luckily I had my Florida ID with me, but Jessica had NOTHING. Our teacher was mad and said that BOTH of us had to stay at school while all our THAI classmates got to go to the AMERICAN EMBASSY. Finally when my teacher calmed down we asked her if we could just try to get through and maybe since we were American’s they would let us through, and if not, we could come back to school by taxi. Luckily, once we got there, it was no problem for us to get in. We had our names on the list of guests and they didn’t even check out passports. Once we got in, we were surrounded by red, white and blue balloons, banners, signs and on each wall were HUGE projectors each showing MSNBC. They had amazing food too! Cheese burgers, pizza, bagels, and orange soda. At around 11 we got news of the new president and the cheers erupted, from Thai and Americans alike. I got the chance to meet so many important people! First, I met the General of the American army stationed here in Bangkok. We started talking about America and he has been to West Palm Beach before on vacation. After talking about me being an exchange student, we started talking about the foods we missed in America, so he invited me to out to lunch with him to a restaurant near where he worked that had real American food. Unfortunately, at that time, he received a phone call from the general of the Thai army, and apologized and had to leave. Next, I got to meet the Prime Minister of Thailand who is Mr. Somchai. It was only briefly but how many exchange students can say that?! He made a speech about how he thought Obama would affect Asia. As he was walking off the stage he noticed me and asked me if I was an exchange student. (I kind of stood out with my blonde hair and blue eyes while in my Thai school uniform.) I introduced myself and said I was an exchange student from America through the Rotary club and was staying in Thailand for the year. He said it was nice to meet me and left. MANY people took pictures of us together while talking and I am still hoping to find one from someone! At around 2 pm everyone started leaving because the party was over. A few of my friends from school and I stayed because we were invited to join a conference they were having so they could get a student’s perspective on this election. The conference was with 4 countries including India, Bangkok and two others that I am unsure of. During the conference they chose me and asked me what I thought about being in Thailand while this election was going on, and how I felt about the get together at the embassy. Apparently I responded well because I received an applaud when I finished. Did I mention that this conference was later being aired on “Thai True TV”!? The ambassador of America also was present at that conference and at the end I introduced myself as an exchange student from America and asked if I could get my picture with him. He said of course and then started having a conversation with ME! I felt VERY important and I was so nervous! Also, after talking to him I met a lady named Anna who I found out was the Secretary of Public Affairs at the embassy. She introduced herself to me after commenting that like her, I blended in with the height of the Thai people! We both were about the same height. She invited me to go shopping with her sometime, and gave me her card. While all this was happening, my friend Jessica decided to leave early with some other exchange students she met up with. I am so very thankful that I decided to stay behind with my Thai friends! After many pictures my friends from school and I left and went to a very large park and we decided to ride on the paddle boats on the lake. We had so much fun laughing, splashing, and taking pictures.

I change my host family in the middle of this month and next Wednesday I am looking forward to Loy Krathong. I will be taking many pictures and I will post my next blog as soon as possible! Thank you Rotary for helping me get here and thank all my readers for their support!

Goodbye for now!

Jordana จอย