This chapter takes place in Thailand, where I had created a sense of stability for awhile. It makes cross-cultural comparisons with how different cultures respond to poverty. However, the primary focus is placed on the politics of being an American living abroad shortly after the 9-11 crisis. As a seasonal flood begins to destroy my home, I pull out my father’s flag and ask what it still means to me. (more…)
This article was written as I experienced a major flood. At the time, I had to paddle my boat just to get to school, and a number of local ruins were threatening to collapse from the strain. Ayutthaya was heavily flooded in order to protect Bangkok, which was a touchy issue among locals who had their homes destroyed.
Unfortunately, the draft that actually appeared in the Bangkok Post was heavily censored. No negative mention of Bangkok was allowed. The idea of expatriates helping out other expatriates was also curiously downplayed. False information was mysteriously added. For example, my editor wrote that students were teaching me to paddle a boat — when few of them actually had this skill in the first place. (more…)