windupstories.com - fiction by paolo bacigalupi » travel

Thailand and novelists and jail sentences

Paolo — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:23:31 +0000

Interesting bit from the Land of Smiles. The Thais revere their royalty, and back it up with serious punishments. It highlights an interesting conflict between local values and identity vs. liberal democratic values such as free speech.

The realistic perspective is to observe that when you enter a country, you adhere to its values. Simple as that. But I also think that a country benefits from honest discussion–and particularly, honest political discussion–and have to think that aggressive laws like this ultimately hurt a society more than help it.

A little more on the topic, from The Economist.

Back from India

Paolo — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:29:06 +0000

I’m going through the photos of the trip, mostly wedding photos and family stuff, but this was a funny moment in Ranchi. We got shaken down by an elephant on the outskirts of the city.

Through the windshield:

Looking over the roof of the SUV:

He blocked the SUV, and wouldn’t let us pass until we handed rupees to his elephant.

Headed for India

Paolo — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:04:28 +0000

I’m going to be in India for the next three weeks, visiting relatives in Kolkata, Ranchi, and Mumbai. Probably checking email sporadically. And yes, I am feeling a little hesitant about this. We stopped watching CNN yesterday because it just fires up lizard-brain panic functions that aren’t really relevant to our situation. We won’t be in touristy or upscale areas for most of the time, so even though the visuals coming out of India are horrifying, they aren’t really indicative of where we’ll be in the country. Still, I can’t say it didn’t give us pause.

Every sperm is saaaaacred!

Paolo — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:27:50 +0000

I keep wanting to say something more, and then I have to stop myself. From AP:

Britain faces sperm shortage, calls for donors.

Britain is facing a sperm donor shortage after reversing confidentiality laws and limiting the number of women who can use sperm from one donor, fertility experts warned Wednesday…

China! Cadbury! Melamine! MMMMMMM!

Paolo — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:01:06 +0000

Cadbury is recalling chocolate made in their Beijing factory because it’s laced with melamine. I used to eat that chocolate all the time when I lived in Beijing. Mmmm. Yummy.

A friend in Baltimore

Paolo — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:58:29 +0000

I’ve got a friend who moved from our little podunk rural town of Paonia, to the big bad city of Baltimore.

For a taste of his current life, he pointed me to this gem, The Baltimore Crime Blog. If anything, it seems that The Wire is one of those cases where if they told you the whole truth, you’d think they were making it up.

And from the Baltimore Crime Blog, I got linked to Anger Hangover’s More helpful hints for the new drug dealers on my block.

Brilliant.

The Creation Museum!

Paolo — Sat, 26 May 2007 04:22:17 +0000

Where you can go and see lots of creationists!

I like how they use dinosaurs to sell themselves. Click on the lobby in the walkthrough and you get:

Imagine soaring cypress trees, the sounds of waterfalls and children playing with dinosaurs! What other surprises await?

Um. Yeah.

And don’t forget this little tidbit. The Creation Museum is:

I keep rubbing my eyes and trying to decide if its all a spoof. But I don’t think so. Thanks to Gordon for the link. You made my evening.

In New York City

Paolo — Thu, 10 May 2007 22:08:11 +0000

I’m in New York City for the Nebula Awards and James Gunn’s induction into SF Grand-Masterdom. Check it out, this is the view from my friend Doug’s apartment. It’s so high…

Pretty nifty, huh? I feel like I clicked my heels and teleported out of Kansas. Right now, I’m waiting for him to get back from work so we can eat dinner. I’m guessing we’re going to go out because…

He appears to be a bachelor.

SE Asia Images

Paolo — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:15:59 +0000

So, a couple more images from Thailand and Laos, from my recent trip.

A pretty one:

A tasty one:

A heavenly one:

Good Eatin’ in Thailand

Paolo — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 04:15:40 +0000

Everyone talks about how good Thai food is. And of course, they’re right. Here are some delicacies from a neighborhood market in Chiang Mai. Thanks to Daniel Spector and Kelly Buehler for taking me shopping with them.

An afternoon snack for the kids:

Why have a little bit of pork, when you can have a lot?