Thammasaaaaaaaaat

For those of you who are unaware (which is, honestly, probably most of you) there's a rivalry in Bangkok similar to one I've experienced back home.  Two schools set on opposite sides of town battle to be the best.  On Sukhumvit we have Chulalongkorn.  Near the Grand palace, we have Thammasat.

This past Saturday I went to the soccer game between Chula and Thammasat.  It was definitely an all day affair.  No one knew what time the game actually started, so we made it down to the National Stadium (I'd put it at the size of the Honda Center) around noon.  We got food and beer (obviously....it's a sporting event) and enjoyed one of the most interesting soccer matches I've ever seen.  The game itself, was actually pretty boring, and we lost, which was a bummer.  But the show the two schools put on was spectacular.

First off, we were greeted near the stadium by a swarm of Thammasat people all wearing the same red shirt with yellow designs (the schools colors).  All of them cheer for Thammasat the same way, "Thamma-saaaaaaaaaahhhhhht," thus the name of this blog post.

Inside the stadium, the Chula and Thammasat student sections were on opposing sides and they held up postcards to make these huge signs.  It got nasty at one point when the two schools started name calling, but it also got really pretty when they made these huge landscapes with the king's image always present.

Thammasaaaaaaat!

Chula.  Gross.

The cheerleaders were by far the most interesting part.  They had their own fashion catalogue with pictures of all of them modeling handed out to students.  At the actual game they had these elaborate costumes and hair pieces.  And let me just say, the girls were wearing high heels.  What?!  I get that you know things are different and you need to be respectful, but they SERIOUSLY need to see Bring It On.

Cheerleaders with their own personal attendant.  Dream life.

Their cheering, however, proved to be the most entertaining.  I can't describe the motions I could only ever possibly show them to you; but trust me, it was amazing.  The best description I can come up with is their spirit fingers were their hands shaped like crab claws and they shook their wrists quickly.  I'm sorry I have no video of this totally special experience. 

Friday night we went to Chinatown to experience the Chinese New Year and it was not what I was expecting.  The streets were packed with merch and food vendors and people just wandered slowly.  We left as soon as the dragon came out because it got so packed that you absolutely could not move.  I did get some dim sum though, so obviously the night was saved.

Now for the food updates, because that's what I love most and I'm sure you all care so much.  I've slowly but surely begun to fall in love with Thai food.  I love wide rice noodles, tom yum soup, and they put seafood in everything here so I'm happy.  I also tried Israeli food on Thursday.  We had baba ganoush (eggplant salad dip) and humus and shwarma.  It was pretty tasty.

Next weekend we're all going on a trip.  I don't know where but we definitely are.  I love Bangkok, but I feel like I waste a four day weekend staying in the city too frequently.  I'll keep you all updated, but for now, just imagine me on a tropical beach soaking in the sun.