Yet Still Even More Expat Merit Badges! Do You Have Any? [S7.E45]

Greg and Ed revisit a favorite show theme: Thailand merit badges,
achievements by expats which solidify your status as someone
truly making a life in Thailand rather than just passing through
as a tourist. For earlier merit badges, check out Season 5,
Episodes 29 and 60.


Ed begins by bringing up a true sign that you are no longer a
noob: learning some of the Northeastern dialect, or 'pasaa
Isaan.' Both guys confess they have yet to cross this barrier
(central Thai is hard enough!). Greg then mentions a true rite of
passage, surviving a Buddhist blessing ceremony on your knees.
Thai people possibly have genetically superior knees and shins,
because sitting on hardwood floors for extended periods of time
is not for the faint of heart. Ed then returns to the world of
Isaan by referring to the large number of regional cultural
festivals that are off the beaten path of most tourists. The
merit badge accrues though only if you manage to participate,
rather than merely snapping a few pics.


The guys continue, hitting on such key breakthroughs as
establishing some 'intestinal fortitude' when it comes to spicy
food and cracking some niches of the Thai language, such as
idioms and animal noises. Listen in and let us know how many of
these badges you have earned. Also don't forget to check out
Waipod Phetsuphan's fantastic Ding Dong here! 


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