Dude Nomad
Thailand
Diving Into Space
After a month and a half of coming and going, Bangkok became my base for visiting Southeast Asia and later to fly to Japan. Enough time to catch up with friends in this country and moreover, relive the electronic evenings and the things associated with them on the beaches of the South, without giving up the culture in the North.
After scuba-diving, I discovered free-diving. Staying under water without a tank, I lasted barely 15 seconds during my fishing trips in Tahiti. I was assured that after a few days I would be able to hold my breath for over 3 minutes and descend to 20 meters! I rose to the challenge.
On the second day, at our third warm up and after some standard stopwatch sessions for beginners, I discovered another world. First we closed our eyes, the instructor taught us to relax with yoga and breathing techniques. Once he observed that we are well relaxed, he asked us to stop breathing and keep on relaxing. I created a vacuum in my head; hunt the fear in my belly and sailed through space. What I remembered of my journey in space was meeting someone on another planet. This person seemed to be very important; a little like a prophet. She was smiling, appearing peaceful and managed to communicate directly into my mind. I had the impression of learning things from her, without knowing what it was exactly. Then I switched planets for another person just as important and as wise, and it went on. A jolt and my stomach shrank. Apparently that was the signal my oxygen levels were low. My survival reflex brought me back into reality after about 7 minutes elsewhere.
Jan/Fab/Apr/July 2013
Moments
Did you know
- Thailand is the world’s 20th most populous country, with close to 67 million people.
- The full spelling of its capital, Bangkok, was clearly finalised before the days of Twitter. It is known to Thais as Krung Thep Maha Nakho, but its full ceremonial name is Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit (a Tweet-busting 169 characters).
- Kitti's hog-nosed bat – thought to be the world’s smallest mammal – is found in Thailand. It weights just two grams.
- According to the World Economic Forum, Thailand is the 13th friendliest country in the world. Iceland is the friendliest.
- One of the country’s most unusual festivals is the annual Monkey Buffet, held in front of the Pra Prang Sam Yot temple in Lopburi province. More than 600 monkeys are invited to feast on over two tonnes of grilled sausage, fresh fruit, ice cream and other treats. The locals see it as a thank you to the monkeys which inhabit the village and bring thousands of tourists there each year.
- Another is the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival. The event, a version of the Taoist Nine Emperor Gods Festival, involves much gruesome self-mutilation.
- Thailand has won just seven gold medals at the Olympic Games - three in weightlifting and four in boxing. Muay Thai boxing is the national sport. It is known as “the art of eight limbs” as it uses punches, kicks, elbows and knees.
- Thailand is the only country in south-east Asia that hasn’t been colonised by Europeans.
- It is strictly against the law to criticise the monarchy.
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Artist
One of my first artworks which i did after i arrived in Singapore. This painting shows the colors of Asia & the light which some people carry in them self ...strength, beliefs in there philosophy/religion & culture.
Painted in Bangkok, after living there for 4 years & seeing the different shades, colors & difficulties of "Love & Sex" in this beautiful country.
This painting i did while living in Pakistan, a different time in my life where Buddha was watching over me & my life. If you see the painting in real you can walk from left to the right or the other way around it always feels his eyes are following you ...meaning he's watching & protecting us where ever you go!
Former Bangkok-based surrealist abstract artist, originally from Germany, now home in Oakland, California is delighted to present her work to you.
Inspired greatly by the life of Frida Kahlo, her strength & her will. Jacqueline has drawn/painted from a very young age but only started to paint in 2001 again and realized a life-long dream of hers with this choice.
In 2011 she went for a semester of sculpturing to Barcelona/Spain & plans to add in the near future sculptures to her art works as well.
Her work is a testament to beauty. The work is full of meaningful expression, depth and timeless concepts,…… worthy of thought and deserving of a smile.
“I paint my own reality that flows from within.” - Jacqueline Ritter -
Are you losing your intuition?
Allow some beauty back into your life.
