Culture shock: Racial profiling

Racial profiling is a highly controversial topic in USA.

...but NOT here in SE Asia. While traveling by bus to Mae Sai (Border town with Myanmar), the police pulled the bus over several times. Each time, they asked specific people (NOT everyone)to show ID, and once pulled someone off the bus for further inspection. They didn't check mine (at ANY check point).

Upon arrival at the guesthouse in Mae Sai, I asked the owner why/what it is that the police are doing.

He said that they question anyone that appears Burmese, on suspicion of narcotics trafficking. "...But you don't have to worry about it, you don't look Burmese". He told me.

Apparently, racial profiling is not considered controversial here in SE Asia.

Sicko

Anyone watch Sicko? I went to a Thai hospital today for a JE vaccination. Only waited about 30 minutes for care w/out an appointment, got a vaccine and some travel meds...and the total cost was 940B (~31b/USD). Care was exceptional, and they even offered herbal tea while waiting. After I was done, the service coordinator made sure I knew how to get back to my hostel.

The care I recieved here surpasses the speed and quality of care recieved at a US hospital....strange how the Thais treat a foreigner seeking medical care better than the US Army treats its own soldiers.

Strange...huh?

Stop 3: Return to Boston

The line for the bus to Boston bad, and so was post-holiday traffic. Next stop is Bangkok.

Thanksgiving in NYC: Stop 2

Stop 2: New York City.

To do:

1. Get yelled at by a rude guy
2. Buy a hot dog (may be combined with #1)
3. Soup Nazi's place-eat soup or just get kicked out!
4. Ride the subway
5. Eat turkey for thanksgiving

We made it out of Boston 1.5 hours later due to holiday traffic (approximately 15 miles), and on to NYC by Bus (lucky star lines). We both figured it's best to skip #1 on my to do list...but we did enjoy some street food (kabobs!), stopped by the MET, Times square, and joined Olga's friends for a b-day party.

Returning to Boston and on to Bangkok in a few days!

Stop 1, Boston

Stop 1: Boston

To do: sleep, catch bus to NYC!

Leaving Boston during the holiday season was a disaster...crowded subways, and heavy highway traffic.

So...grab Olga and head on out to NYC for Thanksgiving dinner and light sightseeing.

http://public.fotki.com/ilyap/nyc-and-boston-trip/