The following week I started doing research on volunteer work in Bangkok, and Ocean was right, there were a lot of volunteer programs here. I didn't even know where to start. To be honest, as long as I get hired I guess I'm not too picky, I do prefer a place in Bangkok and not somewhere far from it. They had plenty of programs to choose from, except the only problem was that the ones close by were for teaching English. I never really considered myself much of a teacher, but the requirements are pretty easy and I have all of them. Just speak English, and I know English, so I guess I can reach out to them.
I had so much free time that instead of applying online for volunteer work, it would be easier to go there in person and talk to someone. This was going to be my first time taking public transportation since the place was a bit far from the hostel. Okay, so 45 minutes on the same bus line. I can do that!
The area the volunteer building was in was definitely more in the city of Bangkok. There were a lot more business buildings around and overpasses surrounding the area. I tried dressing decently, wearing my favorite jean jacket with a black tank top underneath, black capris, and these pair of black gladiator sandals that I hardly wore. I even applied some makeup so that way no one would notice I had been crying.
The building was very fancy, it didn't seem like a place that would host volunteer work. I walked inside, it was nice and cool. I saw a woman sitting at the front desk and I approached her, "Hi, excuse me." She looked up from her computer, "Can I help you?" Jesus, you don't need to sound so impolite.
"Uh, Hi. Yes I was interested in applying for a volunteer English teaching position and wanted to know if there was a way I could apply and start immediately."
"You didn't apply online?"
"Ummm, no. I'd rather just do it in person." I tried to smile more than I usually do because this lady seemed to be in a foul mood. She did an exaggerated sigh, "Okay so you have to apply online. Once you apply it'll be about two weeks until you hear back from us. If approved there'll be a fee you'll have to pay, depending on how long you want to be in the program. Once you pay the fee, we'll then let you know which program you'll be assigned to. Is that clear?"
"Crystal. So I still have to wait two weeks? Regardless if I did it in person?" I was trying my hardest not to reach across the counter and smack this girl.
"Yes. Regardless." She gave me a quick smirk and reached over to the other side of her desk and grabbed a few papers. She continued on, "You can find more information in these pamphlets and if you have any other questions please call this number." I peered over at the papers she had given to me. It honestly just looked like the shit doctors give to you after you have a check-up appointment.
"Okay! Well, thanks for all your help today. Much appreciated." I tried saying that in the most sarcastic tone I could, and before I could hear another word out of her, I turned around and walked out.
God! What a bitch! I'm trying to volunteer for something and I'm not even asking for a lot either and she can't even be a little nicer. I started talking to myself, "... I don't need this shit right now. I'll find some other God damn place..." I didn't want to take the bus back right away because I knew that this whole trip would've been just a waste of my time and money. I decided to just walk around and see what I could find.
Out of the blue, I felt my phone vibrating in my back pocket. I pulled it out and saw that Beth was calling me. She insisted that we had each other's numbers, though I didn't want to at first, I eventually caved in. I picked up the phone:
"Hello?"
"Hey Tabi! You sound better!"
"Oh, yeah... Sorry about the past few days..."
Stolen novel; please report.
"Nah! Don't worry bout' it! Uh where are you? There's a lot of noise!"
"Oh, yeah. I'm actually out job hunting... Not much luck though."
"Ya know what will cheer ya up? Let's hang out! I'm with a few mates right now and havin' a day out on the town!" I should never have said anything and I really didn't want to hang out, however I couldn't just say no. Maybe I should do this. I haven't actually hung out with anyone in a long time, so this might be good.
"You know what, that sounds like a good idea!"
"Really?" Beth sounded so thrilled over the phone, that it made me look forward to meeting up. Beth continued on, "Where are you at anyways?"
"I'm actually not sure... I can't pronounce the name of the are-"
"Datz fine Tabi! Just text me the nearest address and we'll come get you!"
"Okay, I will!" I hung up the call and started looking around at the places nearby, "You gotta be kidding me..." Out of all the times to look around there would be a Japanese restaurant right in front of me. I really wanted nothing to do with Japan, but this seemed like it would help considering it stuck out compared to the rest of the buildings. I started texting Beth the address:
"226 Phahonyothin Rd"
"Not too far! Like 14 minz away! Stay where you at and I'll call when we near :D"
Beth was so interesting. She even texted the way she talked. I still had no clue where she was from and at this point I would feel weird for asking her.
I waited for about 25 minutes until I got a call from Beth, "I think we're here!" I looked around, "What kind of car are you in?"
"Uh I dunno... It's red." I could hear another voice in the background, "... Oh it's a Mazda."
"I don't know what that looks like, but I'll just get closer to the stre-"
"I SEE YOU!" I did not see Beth, but all of a sudden I heard honking in the distance. I gazed down the street a bit more and I could see Beth sticking her head out the window, like a dog would, waving me down. I was trying to hold my laughter in, God, she's something else.
Finally the red Mazda pulled up to the curb. In a hurry, I scrambled into the backseat.
"Phew! We found you Tabi!" Beth hollered out.
"Yeah. Thanks for picking me up!"
"Of course! Let me introduce you to my mates here; datz Non and datz Fah!" Beth pointed to the driver, who's name was Non. He looked short and had a small body. His skin was tanned with a round chin, a bulbous nose, neat eyebrows and a narrow face. The passenger was the girl Fah. Fah seemed to look a bit taller than Non. Her skin is golden-browned with rosy cheeks, large ears and a long face.
"Nice to meet you both."
Non was focused on driving and did a quick nod. Fah was facing toward me and Beth, and clasped her hands together and slightly bowed her head, "Sawadee kah."
"Uh..." I looked over at Beth, trying to hint at her that I had no clue what Fah just said. Beth was oblivious to my confusion, so I decided to just ask Fah, "I'm sorry, but what does that mean?"
"Thai people greet each other with the word 'sawadee' followed by 'kah' for females and 'kraap' for males, and the bowing is a gesture known as a 'wai', which is the placing of two palms together, with fingertips touching the nose." She had a very sweet voice while she was explaining this all to me, however this made me feel like an idiot. I didn't even know the basic greeting etiquette... That's probably why I can't get a job. Fah started speaking again, "Don't be too hard on yourself. Lots of people that come to Thailand are not sure of the customs." She gave me a cheery smile, and strangely, that made me feel at ease.
"Sooo where are we goin' next? Tabi have you ate today?" Beth shouted this, ignoring the fact that I'm literally sitting right next to her.
"Uh, no I guess I haven't eaten yet."
"Excellent! We haven't ate lunch yet..." She tapped Non on the shoulder, "... so let's go to our usual spot."
"Usual spot?"
"Oh yeah they got UH-MAZING NOODLES! You'll love it then after that we can walk off the noodles and then get ready for the night. You both in?" She was referring to both Non and Fah, but what the hell did she mean, "... Ready for the night..."? Non and Fah both cheered in response to Beth, me on the other hand, I was still bewildered by what she meant.
"Beth... What do you mean ready for the night?"
"Oh Tabi!" She started cackling like a mad woman, "You're gonna get FUCKED UP TONIGHT!"
"HA! That's funny... Good one."
"Nah, dude... I'm kidnapping you. You have no say in any of this!" Beth looked at me with the most mischievous smile I've ever seen on anyone.
"But-but... I have nothing to wear for 'tonight'."
"You will!" She patted Fah on the shoulder, "Fah your skinny like Tabi... Maybe a bit too tall, but you got something, like a dress she can wear, right?" Fah spun around in her seat and examined me, up and down, "Oh yeah! I got something she can wear!" Damn, it really does feel like I'm being kidnapped right now. Fuck, I never should've picked up Beth's call.