Orientation and more...

Our weeklong orientation in Bangkok through OEG was well worth the program fee. We had teacher training classes, Thai language classes, and then some panels on topics such as traveling, visas, etc.

Thom is our Thai language teacher (that’s her nickname), and the funniest Thai I have met so far. She is always laughing at us for our bad pronunciation, but at the same time praises us and tells us that we sound good. One of the funniest parts of the last lesson was when she talked about Thai translation of English. She showed us a picture of a translated menu that said something, something, something with “whore dust”. Well apparently “curry” can mean, “prostitute”, so “whore dust” quite literally would mean “curry powder”. Haha good to know!

10/19           

Yesterday after planning and presenting lesson plans in groups for our last project, we took a 3-hour bus ride west to Kanchanaburi. We stopped to see the bridge over the river Kwae that was built during WW2 (look it up it’s a good story) and then ate a wonderful meal at a restaurant jetting right over the river. It consisted of a variety of seafood dishes, my fave!

The hotel that we stayed at—let me rephrase that—our resort, was amazing (I think this word will be repeated constantly on this bog, sorry). It is in the middle of sprawling green lawns, palm trees, flowers, and multiple pools. The rooms has balconies and the restaurant was an open-air buffet style with a bar and karaoke room below. Since there was no other place to go (and why would anyone want to?), all 80 of us rushed to buy all the booze and beer we could get our hands on. We were told that the infamous pools were closed L, but everyone had a blast drinking, playing games, and visiting. After we got a buzz going, a few of us just couldn’t resist the calm, dark water of the pool and decided to break the rules. Well worth the risk! We enjoyed ourselves for at least a half an hour before I guard decided to finally ask us very kindly to put back on our clothes. This was probably good because wake up call was at 6:30 am.

On a side note, I’m not really sure if I’m still experiencing jet lag, but almost ever morning I wake up at 3 am ready to take on the day. It’s so annoying! Usually I pull out my kindle and read under the covers for a while until I force myself to sleep just a few more hours. In the stated it’s a challenge to get up at 9! I’ll keep you posted if my sleep schedule ever goes back to normal.

10/20

Today was the best day ever!!!!! We got to ride elephants and go bamboo rafting. The elephants were the most amazing (there it is again) experience that I had pictured, but when you’re actually on…. Wow, just mind-blowing. These animals are SO BIG and SO GENTLE! I got to ride right up on the neck with no help and our guide just walked along side and commanded her by talking to her. Just feeling that massive body beneath me and having her slap my legs with her enormous ears; I’ll never forget.

Our guide went into the trees and picked leaves, which he sewed into hats for us and I bought a bag of small bananas for like 50 cents to feed to the elephants. After we dismounted, there was a show where 2 small elephants did tricks for us such as dace and play harmonicas, play basketball, pop balloons with darts, and hula-hoop with their trunks while crossing their legs. Then I got to take a picture with one and it gave me an elephant kiss!

The bamboo rafts were these large platforms that floated down the river. I spent most of the time swimming alongside the raft though because it was a beautiful sunny day (first one since we’ve been here) and I just couldn’t resist the water. Our guide was very young and sang almost the whole way that was guess what? AMAZING! Haha. When we got back to the hotel we had just one hour before lunch and check out so I went back to the pool. As many of you know, if there’s water, I’m there!

I am now on the bus back to Bangkok where my coordinator will pick me up, and I will finally be able to move into my apartment that will be my home for the next year. I can truly say that I was blown away by today and I know I’m in the right place here. I cannot wait to do and see more amazing things that Thailand has to offer.