Number 23

Written Sunday night but sent Monday as Internet is not available at the hotel and is only available during the day at the Law School where the conference is.

Today was a long day. Got up at 4:30 in order to catch a 7am flight to Bangkok. The flight was fine. We got to Bangkok where we had a 6 hour layover until our flight to the Philippines. Professor Pan took some of the students shopping in town and the rest of us tried to stay awake. The airport was clean and orderly with no signs of damage from the “occupation”. It was also surprisingly uncrowded considering how many people had been stranded and that the airport had only been fully operational for one day. The flight to Manila was uneventful. When we landed and got out of the plane I had that same flash of “wow, I’m in the (expletive deleted) Philippines”. The ride to the hotel was relatively hair raising with big time traffic and a seemingly complete disregard for things like safety, common sense and personal space. We passed several new, two story McDonalds that stay open 24 hours, two brand new large Shakey’s Pizza and the beautiful financial district lit up for Xmas like Santa is actually coming.

When we got to the hotel Don informed me that he had been to the midget throwing bar last night and that we needed to go one night. Of course I agreed. I checked in, came up to my room and turned on the TV. Imagine my surprise when cockfighting was on complete with statistics, instant replay and color commentary. We were told that there was a dinner at a restaurant a few blocks away for all conference attendees so we walked over. I immediately realized that I was in the middle of a bunch of liberal do-gooders from all over the world and felt a bit out of place. Saw Mr. Cosimini’s wife and met the Vietnamese delegation who I took to immediately. Very fun bunch. The people at our table were OK except for a guy from Vancouver who felt it was necessary to let everyone know how smart and worldly he was. After I pointed out to him that he had put his foot in his mouth showing his ignorance of Thai and Lao law and government he backed off a bit. I left early with a Thai law professor and a Lao law professor and felt more comfortable with them then I had in my brief encounter with “Westerners”. It’s only been 3 weeks and already I seem to have become less falang and more Thai. Of course, I AM falang and not Thai, but the brief dinner encounter gave me something to think about.

Came back to the room and got a call that they were short one room tonight and was asked if I would share my room with one of the Vietnamese. I said yes, as is the Thai/Lao/Vietnamese way. They brought up a rollaway and my Vietnamese roommate showed up. His name is Phuong and he’s a third year law student at the Vietnam national University where I’ll be going. He was very respectful and told me how happy they are that I’m coming to help them. We had an interesting talk. He was reading a book about how the world would have been different if Htler hadn't failed his art exams. Not sure what that was all about. We talked a little about the Vietnam War as he and his family were all born and raised in what was North Vietnam. Once I was able to determine that we didn’t kill any of his relatives I was able to close both eyes and go to sleep.

I’m still not sure what I’m doing here. It appears there will be lots of ways I can help out and the Vietnamese are excited about our meetings and about me coming to help out so it’s not a total loss. Apparently I’ll also have some editing duties and possibly fill in on a few panel discussions if people who aren’t here yet don’t make it. I’ve also been chosen to make sure the students are in their rooms at night and not drinking. Some one sure doesn’t know me very well...

Anyway, I don’t have internet in the hotel but will send this tomorrow from the law school.