Brevet ski militaire...Brrrr!!!

Happy early April Fool's Day!

Hard to believe it's almost been exactly a year since I left my cushy (hah!) job at Desert Thunder and started on a path that's led me to where I am right now. I start my BSM (Brévet Ski Militaire) qualification soon, and right after that I start my CP04 (Combat Engineering) qualifications, and right after that I undergo another week of MINEX (things that go BOOM!) certification. In all, about 2 months of probably pretty intensive training both physically and mentally. I don't know how often or how much I'll be able to get online, or even have QL (Quartiér Libére – permission to leave the base), so I apologize in advance if you email and I don't answer right away.

The last couple of weeks have been really good for the morale. I have improved my fitness quite a bit here, as we run quite a bit, along with plenty of other physical exercises. I'm not the fastest, fittest, or strongest, but I am pretty well balanced. I am aiming to finish in the top 10 in my training section, maybe even the top 5 depending on the skiing goes, and thus enhancing my chances later on being selected for "stagés", or specialist courses. There are some pretty amazing athletes here; we have a sargent who can climb the 6 meter rope upside down, in addition to descending upside down. There's a caporal-chef with 16 years of service...I always listen carefully and try to remember everything he says; as they say, he's been "around the block" quite a few times.

I will definitely have pictures after. In the mean time, I hope everyone back in Arizona and Texas is enjoying the great spring (read: WARM) weather.

Training has begun...plus some photos

The training has started...this week we were introduced to some of the other "tools" we will be utilizing. The ANF1 7.62mm machine gun, the M2 12.7mm machine gun, PA MAC 50 9mm pistol, and the LRAC 89mm anti-tank rocket launcher. Plus, since we're in the business of blowing things up, an introductory course on explosives; plastique (it's like Play-Doh!), TNT, detonators, detonation cord, etc.. AND also an introductory course on vehicles that the regiment uses, from the VAB (4-wheeled lightly armored transport) to P4 (French Jeep...pronounced Pee-Kart. It took a little while for the internal laughter to die down). Plenty more to follow, PLUS the CCL company song "Contre Les Viets" AND the 2eme REG song "Rien N'Empeche". Rien = nothing, empeche = impedes; I'll le y'all figure out the meaning. I do have to admit that marching while singing is pretty cool, when done well. The Legion marches and sings at a very slow cadence compared with other armies (88 steps/min vs. 120 or more) traditionally, to show respect and solemnity for our departed comrades. Not quite like the singing you see in "Full Metal Jacket".

Update on the address, apparently this is the correct FRENCH way of writing it:

Legionnaire Chin Yi
CCL, Section Instruction
2eme Regiment Etranger de Genie
Quartier Marechal Koenig
84390 Saint-Christol
France

Never mind the silly accents on some of the letters. Since I'm on a French keyboard, it's actually pretty easy. But I still don't bother. Legion Française...it's definitely NOT normal Française. A lot of people have replied expressing their surprise that I've picked up French so quickly. Let me explain a bit better...I can communicate well enough in the Foreign Legion. The French spoken here is an evolution (or de-evolution) of civilian French, and spoken by foreigners, therefore when I go outside (like last weekend in Marseille), I frequently could not understand as much as I do with legionnaires. Plus there's a specific accent and speech pattern unique to Marseille. The additional motivation of doing less push-up's or squats or marché canard is quite strong; call it a survival instinct if you will.

I forgot to mention last time...I got my military driving permit, along with a civilian endorsement; which means I can drive in all of France! I took a driving test in Castelnaudary my 2^nd to last week there, and although I had some problem with roundabouts/traffic circles the 1^st time on the test circuit, I passed. Not quite sure on why exactly I have a licence, since I'm not allowed to own a car until after 5 years of service, and I don't want to be the chauffeur for an officer. Now if only the Legion lets me take the motorcycle test or course...

Some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

My kepi blanc, with my epaulettes de tradition, ceinturon bleu, cravate vert, and the 2 good luck charms my cousin Elaine sent me. Legion colors are green and red...the colors of Christmas. The epaulettes de tradition and ceinturon bleu are used on our guard dress uniforms. The kepi blanc is sacred to the legionnaire...NEVER touch the white part, and NEVER touch a legionnaire's kepi without asking for permission first.

Me in front of my home for the next 3 months. Yup, the words are in French. This partly explains why I picked up French quickly.

Some photos of photos from my kepi blanc "ceremony", when I officially became a legionnaire.

Finally an update!

Finally got the time to update the blog a bit. Here's the email I sent out recently to friends and family, will try to add pics soon.
***

Bonjour from 925m above sea-level, at the base for the 2e Regiment Etranger de Genie (the 2nd Foreign Engineering Regiment). Slight change in my snail mail address from my previous email, it's actually:

Legionnaire Chin Yi

2e REG - CCL, Section D'Instruction

Caserne Marechal Koenig

St. Christol, France

84390

Some info on what's happening in my life...I'm scheduled to be in the instruction section until early/mid June, a bit longer than normal because some of the training staff and legionnaires will be doing vigipirate/anti-terrorism patrols at a major city in France for 3 weeks, and also because the combat company I will be assigned to is currently overseas on a mission, and won't be back until then. I'm scheduled for military skiing and alpinism qualifications and CP04 (combat engineering) qualification. It's going to be a full schedule of classes, in addition to all the physical activity the 2REG likes to do. I have been told because of my swimming ability, I may have the chance to be trained additionally as a combat swimmer/diver, although that probably won't happen for at least 1-2 years, after I get some operational experience. Don't know about that in any certainty, as the specialty path I've asked for from the beginning is training as a medic. Medics trained for combat are always needed, and as Legion engineers are practically always on a mission somewhere, it may give me more opportunity for missions overseas.

I'm doing well...and my French has improved quite a bit. I'm currently at French level 3, where level 5 is the max (native French speaker). I think I started at level -1. At least I haven't gotten in too much trouble in the last month due to my misunderstanding my orders in French...which is always good. I'm hoping to be at level 4 by the end of my first year in October. Punishment in the Legion ranges from physical activity (push-up's, pull-up's, etc.), extra corvée (chores), to jail for serious offences. And while technically getting punched/kicked is no longer allowed, let's just say that when someone shows up with a black eye or bruises, the reason is usually that they fell down the stairs or ran into the door.

As the 2REG trains pretty hard during the week, at 6pm the workday ends, and even a lower-level legionnaire such as myself can usually do whatever we want, even go to bed early. The work week ends at 3pm on Friday, and as long as we're back on base for roll-call at 5:50am on Monday, we have the weekend free. I spent most of this weekend in Marseille, in a part next to the Mediterranean Sea called Malmosque just 2-3km from Vieux Port, in a hotel operated by the Foreign Legion for legionnaires, with a comrade from basic training. The crazy thing is that when we got up on Saturday, there was an additionally legionnaire in the room (there are 3 beds) who came in the middle of the night, and his French had an American accent. And sure enough, he's American, been in the Legion for about 2.5 years...and he graduated from Arizona State University! It's truly a small world. Currently I'm sitting at a net cafe in Avignon, killing time until the regiment bus comes here to take us back to St. Christol. It's been a good weekend, I had to opportunity to buy a laptop computer, digital camera, cell phone (although international phone calls are quite expensive, so I will continue to call using public phones and phone cards), and some necessities. But the main thing was the semblance of normality...interacting with civilians, eating at restaurants, etc..Don't know where I'll go next weekend yet, maybe Lyon or Paris...really no idea right now. Pictures and more stories coming soon I hope...the next 3 months promises to be quite busy, but I'll try to get online as much as I can.

Hope everyone had as good of a weekend as I did.

Take care,

Dave

Je sui une legionnaire

OK, my French still sucks. But I just wanted to quickly update my blog. I am in my 2nd month of basic training in the French Foreign Legion, and all is well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, and please leave some comments or email me so I know there's another world outside of here.

Beaucoup love from Castelnaudary, France.

Path of most resistance

(Actually currently Dimanche 15 Octobre 2006, 1230)

As a child, I read these books called "Choose Your Own Adventure". While it was obvious most of the time as to which action to choose, sometimes it was not.

And even though my personal journey is far from complete, I am choosing an action that may seem illogical, and ill-advised. It may also seem impulsive, but it is not.

I am not running from anyone or anything. I am choosing to try something that people only daydream about. There are absolutely no guarantees I will succeed, and there will definitely be good times and bad times even if I do. But at the end, I can look at myself in the mirror and know that I didn't do the easy way.

Choose your own adventure, indeed.

Legio Patria Nostra.

Exquisitely sublime...

There were times at Kaewsamrit Muay Thai when I asked myself why I was placing myself in such pain and discomfort. Why as a "tourist" and not a professional fighter, hell...not even a gifted amateur, I was training like I was getting ready for a fight.

Because it was worth every stinking, sweating, aching moment. There's something that just transcends physical discomfort, and makes the whole experience sublime. I have experienced it in swimming and cycling, but never as a boxer. To try to put it into words seems to cheapen the experience...so I'll leave it at that.

My friends and family...do try to challenge yourself, and not just physically, in every way and at every opportunity.

Arete.

I am off to France on Emirates Airline this Friday at 0230. Next update will be whenever I can figure out the French keyboard.

Muay Thai "mini-camp" in Bangkok

So I decided to check myself into a Muay Thai camp. It's like a mental asylum, except with more sweat. 0600-0900 training in the morning, followed by breakfast/lunch, then another session in the afternoon from 1500-1800. I don't even know about this point if I'll be able to last the 6 days of training that I've committed to.

IF I can handle the stress load, I think I'll get myself to a pretty good fitness level. Not to mention just have the opportunity to just train and not worry about anything else, which I've always enjoyed. Probably have some new bruises. Definitely some new friends. And most definitely an appreciation for a new and higher level of PAIN.

Peace!

So this coup d'etat turned out to be rather boring. Not a whole lot of excitement. For the sake of the Thai people and country, I'm glad it was accomplished without bloodshed. But as an adventure-craving goofball, I do feel somewhat (albeit conflicted) disappointed.

Congrats to BC and JC on the new addition to their family.

Word.

COUP D'ETAT

Surreal. Even though I know that 5-6km away armored vehicles and troops festooned with weaponery surround government buildings, it doesn't seem any different where I am in Bangkok. Another new experience for me. Not quite what I

Seems to be an unofficial holiday today. Very few people on the road, whether on wheels or on foot, much less than usual. In general, the Thai's I've encountered seemed to be subdued.

It's very quiet.

Too quiet.

1 Month

Hard to believe it's already been a month, but also hard to believe it's only been a month.

Waiting on some paperwork to clear up so I can venture forth. In the mean time, I'm trying to keep myself entertained with a bout of tummy trouble. While it sucks, there's no way I'm going to let a bit of intestinal discomfort get in the way of tasting culinary treats and delights.

Currently awaiting developments for the next part(s) of my journey.

Waiting sucks, but what can you do?

Read this.

Then read this.

Now THIS is a wheelie.
Big weekend for MotoGP in Australia. American Nicky Hayden, currently the World Championship points leader, wins pole today. Watching all these Thai's ride around on their 125cc motor-scooters in Bangkok...they've gotta watch MotoGP. Rossi 3rd...it's going to be a good race tomorrow.

Pondering the rain in Bangkok

A big congratulations (and about freakin' time!) to my friends "ES" and "AS" on their engagement. They are very good friends, and great people...I wish them the best in their future together.

It's raining in Bangkok. Feels good, and doesn't make the city feel dreary at all. In fact, the rain seems to shine everything up a bit. Not a bad thing in my estimation.

I went to the Bangkok Fight Club last night. First rule is...I'm not allowed to talk about it. Second rule is...just follow the link already.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences at The Inn Crowd hostel in Singapore. Clean, good location (meaning easy access to mass transit and food), and a great staff. One of the best parts about traveling is meeting people from other places, and talking with them about their lives and experiences. Singaporeans (duh), Japanese, Chinese, Brits, Yanks, Aussies, Irish, Germans, Austrians, Australians, Norweigians, and other assorted fellow travelers sharing their tales, ice cream, snacks, and drinks. If any of y'all ever plan on traveling to Singapore, I'd suggest staying there. Much easier to meet people than the sterile environments you tend to find at hotels and other more, um..."upper-end" establishments.

Go #46 Il dottore! Go! ! ! ! ! ! !

Need to go find some books to read. Anybody have any recommendations?

Back from Singapore

My mistaken impression of Singapore was that of a modern and vibrant city, but perhaps a bit sterile...oh how wrong I was.

Singapore is indeed modern and vibrant, but it is such a melting pot of cultures and people, it's far from sterile. Highly recommended...for such a small place, it has a vast array of options in dining, cultural experiences, accomodations, and entertainment. And shoppping, it was astonishing how many malls and markets they managed to fit onto the island. But before I sound like a marketing brochure...

The "English" most Singaporeans' speak is horrendous. Total inconsistent pronunciations and annunciations. I simply could not understand it most of the time, especially when there were no context clues. Baffling...and I had thought due to its English-influenced (as in the UK) history, the Singaporeans' "Singlish" (as they call it) would be more inline with the "Queen's English." Oh how wrong I was...again. You'd think I'd know better by now.

For pure entertainment value...here's a conversation I had while dining at a hawker food court:

man: "You wanta finished not eating." (note the absence of a question mark)
me: "Huh?" (as I was standing up to get more chili sauce from a stall 10ft away)
me: "I'm not done eating yet. Please do not clear my dishes away." (walking away)
man: "You donna." (starting clearing away my not even 25% completed dinner)
me: "Whoa partner! I'm just getting some chili sauce" (my Texan friends would be proud)
man: (continues loading my plates onto his tray without pause)

Thankfully at this point someone nearby translated for the gentleman what I said (I think), and he left my food alone. So despite English being the lingua franca of Singapore, I was usually better off pointing and grunting, or speaking Chinese. Good times.

Tropical jungle in the middle of Singapore - MacRitchie Reservoir. You can see skyscrapers in the background. Pretty dense foliage...you can almost imagine not being in the middle of 4 millions people in 270 square miles. Almost...


Pulau (or Pilau) Ubin, a small (3.9 sq mi) island on the NE end of Singapore. Just across the narrow straits is Malaysia. This pic was taken from a tiny, deserted beach on the north end of the island.

And 2 action pics from fights at the Lumpini Muay Thai Stadium in Bangkok, prior to going to Singapore. I miss training Muay Thai.


I had these two seafood "items" in Pattaya, also prior to going to Singapore...can someone identify them? I think the top one is called "slipper lobster", but I have no idea on the second one. Whatever they were...they were delicious.

Dave in Singapore

Currently in Singapore, scheduled to be here until next Monday.  And of course my Finn Air flight was still in Helsinki when I arrived at the airport, as a matter of fact...that plane may not have even arrived in Bangkok yet due to some "technical difficulties".  Thought that only happens with television programming.  Thankfully I was rebooked on a Swiss Air flight right away.  And to add to that...the day I get to Singapore it's raining.

Could be worse I guess...at least I found my hostel pretty easily.  Off to do some exploring of Singapore tomorrow.

Dave in Bangkok

I find that I'm really not a good tourist.

I don't especially like taking pictures, and I really don't like sight-seeing. Go figure. I just like being there and chilling.

Walking around Bangkok has been fun though. Confusing traffic patterns, unfamiliar streets = LOST. I think I've walked more in the past 5 days than I have in the past year.

Did get to have some fruit I've never had before (see pic above)...dragon fruit. It's kinda like a kiwi in texture, but with bright red or white flesh. Or maybe I like it just because I was born in the year of the Dragon. But it is really good...ok, I'm drooling now.

Need more feathers

I'm in Bangkok.

 

Thailand.

 

A completely different continent.

 

The sight, smell, and sounds are overwhelming due to their unfamiliarity.

 

What the hell was I thinking!?!?!

 

Oh yeah...this is fun.  I don't think I've been this out of my element since doing the BOSS field course last year.  I have a goofy grin a mile...err...excuse me, a kilometer (since I'm no longer in the US) wide.

 

Give me MORE!

 

*For all y'all Muay Thai fans...I ran by Lumpini Stadium today.  I'll have to catch a fight there one of these nights.

My butt is flat...

From sitting on an airplane seat for 16 hours or so in the previous 18 hours.

Aside from sleeping and reading...the flight from LAX to Taipei was uneventful. One more flight to go, from Taipei to Bangkok...this time on a 777. First time for me on one of Boeing's newer products...and I'm oddly excited about flying over deep ocean floors on a plane with only two engines. Maybe I shouldn't have watched "Castaway" before leaving. One more flight to go...only about 4 hours this time.

On y va.

Life altering events

Every time I tell someone that I voluntarily put my current existence "on hold" to go do some exploring of the world, I get the "I wish I could do that" line.  Well...you can.  You just have to suck it up and give up some (if not all) of the comforts of your present life and environment.  It's been a crazy four months since I jumped off the cliff, metaphorically-speaking...and I'm still trying to learn how to fly before I run into terra firma.  Do chickens actually know how to fly?

"Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken." - Tyler Durden/Chuck Palahniuk

About 48 hours to go before I hop a flight to Thailand.

Remember, it's not the fall that kills ya...it's the sudden deceleration.

Live it up.

Email access will be sporadic.  Please feel free to contact me via the comment section of the blog...hope everyone is well...take care!

Doh! Landis B Sample also "non-negative" - does anybody care?

Sigh...

Even though the UCI acted a little unprofessionally in releasing the result of A Sample before confirmation via B Sample, and that there's an appeal process...I think it's safe to say that professional cycling lost some of its luster.

But in the grand scheme of things...it's just a sport. Entertainment.

Far more important things happening in the world.

T-Day

August 16th 9:10pm...I start on my loooonnnng flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Scheduled to arrive at about noon on the 18th...TWO days later.

Can't believe it's already been 4 months since I left behind my job, an income, and any semblance of a "normal" life.

Good times.

Non, je ne regrette rien.

Books and thoughts

Long time since my last update. Not too much happening right now. I'm in Texas right now. I'll be leaving for Thailand mid-August.

I just sold a couple of books. Got an amount of US currency which could be referred to by those in my generation as "chump change". By which you could infer that I would be the physical manifestation of said "chump". I enjoyed reading those books, and I hope someone will enjoy them as well in the future...as long as they didn't pay very much for them.

Amazing how dreams and ideals can cost so much to one, and yet be worth so little to another.

And another note: way to go Floyd.*

Definition: "The Floyd" - To be completely and utterly humiliated/humbled and yet rise from the ashes like a Phoenix, much to the amazement of fellow human beings.
Example: Stage 16 and 17, 2006 Tour de France

*Edit 8/1/06 - maybe not "way to go Floyd", pending the B sample result of his blood test post-Stage 17...the A sample tested "non negative" for an irregular testosterone to epitestosterone ratio, which could indicate doping.

Sigh...