Itinerary

Here's what my schedule looks like for the next month:
December 26-28: Fly from Minnesota to Tokyo (I lose a day somewhere over the Pacific...)
December 28-January 6: Sightseeing in Tokyo including Hakone, the Imperial Palace, Kamakura, the Ginza shopping district, Ueno Park, the National Museum, and more, thanks to my guide and host, Jack Hathway!
January 6-7: Fly to Thailand, arrive in Chiang Mai at 1235 AM local time.
Jan 7: Orientation in Chiang Mai
Jan 8: Chiang Mai University, speaker on education
Jan 9: More education
Jan 10: Day trip to the Golden Triangle, meeting point of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar
Jan 11: Free day
Jan 12: Tribal Museum, guest speaker on tribes in Thailand
Jan 13-14: Overnight visit to one or two tribes
Jan 15: Guest speaker, visit wats (Buddhist temples) in Chiang Mai
Jan 16-17: Overnight stay at a Buddhist meditation center
Jan 18: Visit markets and agriculture sites
Jan 19: Visit industry/tourism sites
Jan 20: Visit Wat Doi Suthep, take the night train to Bangkok
Jan 21: Arrive in Bangkok, orientation
Jan 22: Tour Bangkok
Jan 23: Guest speaker, visit boys' school
Jan 24: Free day
Jan 25: Day trip to visit Ayutthaya with tour guide
Jan 26: Visit wats in Bangkok
Jan 27: Day trip tour to Kanchanaburi and River Kwai
Jan 28: Visit markets in Bangkok
Jan 29: Last day, visit tourism sites, have group dinner, go to airport (late in the evening)
Jan 29-30: Fly from Thailand to Minnesota via Seoul, South Korea, Los Angeles, and Denver, arriving in the evening.

All throughout our study abroad in Thailand, we will be analyzing the education system, Thai economics, and Buddhism. Within those general categories, we'll observe Thai behavior both on an individual level and on a general, entire population level, drawing conclusions about the impact and interplay of cultural institutions and beliefs on group and individual behavior. In short, field ethnography, or people watching! It should be great!
I'll update when I can, internet access will be somewhat common, but I expect to be pretty busy out there experiencing Thai culture and doing class work. Feel free to post comments or send me emails at pladson@stolaf.edu. I'll miss you, and I hope you have a good New Year's, and great January. I'll see you when I return, eager to swap stories!