Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Meeow
So since I've been to U-Thong, several teachers have come up to myself and have asked me to come "talk" to them in English during my free time. What does that even mean? Am I "talking" to them in English like I would teach my students…I seriously hope not. Am I just speaking with them more one on one, and possibly learning some Thai on the side? Maybe...
After our dinner yesterday, Jenny and I were invited to another dinner. Pee Meow (such a fun name) and Peeta/Tita took us to eat at this fun restaurant I've never seen before, but lately we've been visiting all these new restaurants…too bad we're about to leave.
Well, I've been "talking" to Pee Meow and teaching her some English words every time she stops me in the hallway after I sign in or as I leave the school. How to say numbers? To read time? Greetings, weather, you know the basics… However, just recently, we had our first conversation. Yah! We talked about home, traveling, and teaching in Thalingish. Seriously…we talked, gestured, and sometimes even broke out the dictionary. But what's interesting - without me asking, Pee Meow told me she needs to study more English because the director wants her to be able to teach Physics in English - eeeeekkk. Teaching Physics in one's own native language is hard enough, add a foreign language to that…damn. The reason why the new director wants her to teach in English is because our school is considered World-Class (World Class is a definition the Thai education system gives to schools that are able to teach specific school subjects in English). However, I haven't seen our school teach any other subject in English than English….slightly suspicious.
I'm not sure how much our talks help her to be able to teach Physics in the future since our conversations definitely do not steer that direction. I hope in some way she at least feels more comfortable speaking English because she isn't bad, she just needs to speak more….and oh how I can hear my previous language teachers say "HA!" It really is true….sigh.
Anyway, dinner with Pee Meow, Peeta, and Jenny was fun. The food was put into this contraption that was a cross between a hotpot and a bbq grill. Imagine…hotpot on the side and bbq right on top…I was definitely "Im lao" (very full- same as "im mak"). We spent a good portion of dinner explaining what was what (beef, pork, squid, liver [yuck], fish cake, fried fish, Spy), variations of cooked/ready/raw, full/stuffed, and other conversational food basics, and trying to speak Thai-nglish to one another.
So, so far two great meals with great new friends. Even if time runs out, I'm doing it with a full belly.
After our dinner yesterday, Jenny and I were invited to another dinner. Pee Meow (such a fun name) and Peeta/Tita took us to eat at this fun restaurant I've never seen before, but lately we've been visiting all these new restaurants…too bad we're about to leave.
Well, I've been "talking" to Pee Meow and teaching her some English words every time she stops me in the hallway after I sign in or as I leave the school. How to say numbers? To read time? Greetings, weather, you know the basics… However, just recently, we had our first conversation. Yah! We talked about home, traveling, and teaching in Thalingish. Seriously…we talked, gestured, and sometimes even broke out the dictionary. But what's interesting - without me asking, Pee Meow told me she needs to study more English because the director wants her to be able to teach Physics in English - eeeeekkk. Teaching Physics in one's own native language is hard enough, add a foreign language to that…damn. The reason why the new director wants her to teach in English is because our school is considered World-Class (World Class is a definition the Thai education system gives to schools that are able to teach specific school subjects in English). However, I haven't seen our school teach any other subject in English than English….slightly suspicious.
I'm not sure how much our talks help her to be able to teach Physics in the future since our conversations definitely do not steer that direction. I hope in some way she at least feels more comfortable speaking English because she isn't bad, she just needs to speak more….and oh how I can hear my previous language teachers say "HA!" It really is true….sigh.
Anyway, dinner with Pee Meow, Peeta, and Jenny was fun. The food was put into this contraption that was a cross between a hotpot and a bbq grill. Imagine…hotpot on the side and bbq right on top…I was definitely "Im lao" (very full- same as "im mak"). We spent a good portion of dinner explaining what was what (beef, pork, squid, liver [yuck], fish cake, fried fish, Spy), variations of cooked/ready/raw, full/stuffed, and other conversational food basics, and trying to speak Thai-nglish to one another.
So, so far two great meals with great new friends. Even if time runs out, I'm doing it with a full belly.
Closing Time.
In the beginning it was hard to see the end. Now that the end of my time in U-Thong is literally days away, it seems surreal.
To begin this slow goodbye - Jenny, Elana, and I decided to take our teacher friends out to dinner as a thank you for all that they have done for us since we've been here. They have been super helpful whether it's just stopping to say hi, asking if we needed anything, taking us out to Tesco, or bringing us along on random little adventures. These teachers are people I look forward to seeing maybe not on a daily basis, but at least twice a week. They have made my time in U-Thong that much more enjoyable and wonderful. The girls and I decided to take Nu and Jeab, our coordinators, our lovely friend Tu, Wanchai, and Boa to dinner at Tu's family restaurant (the one I've been to twice before--yum!!!).
Dinner per usual was aroi mak (very delicious)… and per usual, I stuffed myself. It's becoming such a norm it's quite scary. We ate this fried fish with fresh papaya salad on top of it (each time I have it it's even more amazing than the first time), tom yum soup, gang leang soup, fried chicken (staple), and a salty fruit salad. :) And at every dinner, the conversation was a mix of us attempting Thai and the teachers trying to practice their English. It's a messy jumble to an outsider, but it works for us and was filled with smiles and laughter. I've gotten quite comfortable with constantly smiling and being im mak (full). Life get any better?
To begin this slow goodbye - Jenny, Elana, and I decided to take our teacher friends out to dinner as a thank you for all that they have done for us since we've been here. They have been super helpful whether it's just stopping to say hi, asking if we needed anything, taking us out to Tesco, or bringing us along on random little adventures. These teachers are people I look forward to seeing maybe not on a daily basis, but at least twice a week. They have made my time in U-Thong that much more enjoyable and wonderful. The girls and I decided to take Nu and Jeab, our coordinators, our lovely friend Tu, Wanchai, and Boa to dinner at Tu's family restaurant (the one I've been to twice before--yum!!!).
Dinner per usual was aroi mak (very delicious)… and per usual, I stuffed myself. It's becoming such a norm it's quite scary. We ate this fried fish with fresh papaya salad on top of it (each time I have it it's even more amazing than the first time), tom yum soup, gang leang soup, fried chicken (staple), and a salty fruit salad. :) And at every dinner, the conversation was a mix of us attempting Thai and the teachers trying to practice their English. It's a messy jumble to an outsider, but it works for us and was filled with smiles and laughter. I've gotten quite comfortable with constantly smiling and being im mak (full). Life get any better?
 |
| (L to R) Wanchai, Nu, Jenny, Elana, Tu, and JeaB |
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Funnelling some gas
One day, we were supposed to go to the hospital to get our medical check-up (You take deep breaths as the doctors use their stethoscope to 'check' your lungs, and then you get your blood pressure checked). But before we could go, we needed to make a stop. Nu needed to help her friend who was on the side of the road. Apparently her friend who bought her car didn't know which gas to get for it, and was gasless. We pulled up to a gas station to get her some. But low and behold, they didn't have any gas cans.
What do they do?
They decided to give us a plastic bag full of gas and the top of a water bottle to use as a funnel. Seriously. No joke. And who had to hold the bag and funnel? Me. Lucky me. I sat in the front seat. I held the damn bag as close to the window as I could so I didn't have to inhale as much of the fumes as Jenny and Elana are cackling in the back. Lovely. Only in Thailand.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Feel Gooood Journey
Forewarning: Long Post
So due to a Boy/Girl's Scout event our kids went away for, I had two days off of school. Sweeet. Jenny and I decided we would check out little sleepy scenic town (LP declared it so, is it true?) Sangkhlaburi. We left early Thursday morning, and by early, I mean like dusk. We left early to make sure we would have enough time to get to and in Sangkhla. Surprisingly, it was fast and easy enough to get there via rinky bus (U-Thong to Kanchan) and van (Kanchan to Sangkhla). And as we got on the van, we were warned by some friends that the ride was a little sketch. Ehhh… it's like most rides in BKK. But just incase, you can't never say never, Jenny took dramamine, and I had a plastic bag and some chinese nausea pills (courtesy my cousin CC). Phew…nothing happened. The roads were like HWY 17 back home with a couple more curves but even more beautiful views.
When we arrived in Sangkhla, we got to the wonderful P Guest House. Cute place that overlooked a huge lake. So was LP right? It was an unbelievable town, but sleep? maybe a little. Everything was so laid-back. It was a great place to just be. That day I learned that canoeing is nothing like kayaking, and I know now I prefer kayaking. So story? Jenny and I decided to rent a canoe to explore the lake. Wow that was exhausting, and more of a workout than I anticipated, but no pain no adventure. (We definitely were in pain that night, advil necessary). We got to pass tons of floating houses which many locals live on. They are supported on bamboo rafts. Super slick. We saw the "underwater temple" as well. However, when we got there, it hardly was what we thought, and we were confused (normal of course). It appeared like the ruins of an ancient temple, but the "underwater" aspect was missing. We weren't sure it was the place until we saw a brochure. Sigh..again…darn you low water levels. After such a workout, as a pat on the back to ourselves, we went for some deeeelicious shakes at the guest house. Coconut milk FTW. :) I wandered some more on my own as a way to unwind, and I met this real great lady. She volunteers at a little shop next door, helping to sell some handmade crafts and clothes for one of the many orphanages. We just chatted it up, and I bought some cute hand-made cards.
The next day we decided to go check out the Three Pagoda Pass, which essentially is a monument and is the Thai/Burma border. So how does one get to such a place? Motorbike? Too far. Tour? Too pricey. Song-teaw? Yup. Although our driver definitely was pushing the limits. Jenny and I swear our driver was playing "how many people can you fit in a song-teaw”. I think we counted at least 21, including a kid riding on top of the car. hahaha. Thai style…although I might be ethnically wrong. I'm pretty sure since we were heading to and bordering Burma, most of the individuals were Burmese and Karen, although an elder couple, and a mom/daughter duo were def. Thai. When we got to the Three Pagoda Pass, we took some pictures; then walked over towards the Burma border. I personally was hoping to get a one day pass into Burma, but the office was closed. Pooop. However….. we saw tons of people nonchalantly walking back and forth over the border. There was no one real guard stopping to check passports or anything. There were no visible signs saying turn around. [Note: Don't try this kids.] Jenny and I strolled into Burma. Slowly of course. But just as we got three steps in, I felt a stare. I turned my head back and…..a finger is wagging at us. On the side, a young man wagged his finger at us and pointed us to head back the other way. I can just hear the whisper of "stupid silly farangs." Close but I guess Jenny and I were meant to stay in Thailand a little longer.
After having a relaxing time in Sangkhlaburi, entering Kanchanaburi was a whole other world. Buses, cars, yells of "Where you go?" permeated the air. Almost forgot we were in Thailand for a little. Anyway, that night we met up with other OEGers ie. Liz, Chelsea, Jenna, Bradley, and Allie. We relaxed and caught up from all our travels or lack of at our hostel, the Jolly Frog (highly recommend it). We stayed in not just to see how each other were doing, but because we had this idea of catching an early bus to start our mini trek at the Erawan falls. Of course, when you're thinking something, others are likely as well. We got onto a packed bus. fun….. All 7 of us ended up having to stand on an old school rinky bus for almost an hour and a half . When we arrived to the waterfalls, we decided we would power up all 7 tiers, and slowly make our time on the way down to swim, frolic, etc… Each tier was just beautiful. Where other places have been affected by the low water levels, Erawan not so much.
After three hours of hiking and swimming (surprisingly I wasn't sore from that but from the bus ride), two other girls and I decided to head out to enjoy a full Thai massage. This was way different from the massage on Ko Samet's beach. This was LOVE!!!! They hit the right muscles that needed work, got me to stretch (don't think dirty thoughts), and made me miss my chiropractor back home slightly less. Miracle. As we finished, sat down, and drank some water to rehydrate, while slowly beginning to pay, we commented on the adorable baby some of the ladders were playing with outside. Sad story in 3, 2, 1: "The man (obviously a farang) on a moped with cute baby strapped to his chest is good man. He take care of baby. His mom is Thai. But she died two months ago in a car (hand gestures to explain this) accident."
Besides that, the rest of the time in Kanchan was fun. Delicious food, great company, fun atmosphere (10 baht shot) and a local bar to hang out in along with some funny security guards who were friendly as my friend and I decided to hang out by the hammocks at the hostel in the middle of the night. The next day, no unwanted headache, although as usual I didn't sleep much, I woke up, walked around aimlessly, read a cheesy Danielle Steel novel to just not think, and eventually said good-bye to everyone.
Note: the Three Pagoda Pass - one day into Burma pass has been closed apparently since 2006. whoops.
So due to a Boy/Girl's Scout event our kids went away for, I had two days off of school. Sweeet. Jenny and I decided we would check out little sleepy scenic town (LP declared it so, is it true?) Sangkhlaburi. We left early Thursday morning, and by early, I mean like dusk. We left early to make sure we would have enough time to get to and in Sangkhla. Surprisingly, it was fast and easy enough to get there via rinky bus (U-Thong to Kanchan) and van (Kanchan to Sangkhla). And as we got on the van, we were warned by some friends that the ride was a little sketch. Ehhh… it's like most rides in BKK. But just incase, you can't never say never, Jenny took dramamine, and I had a plastic bag and some chinese nausea pills (courtesy my cousin CC). Phew…nothing happened. The roads were like HWY 17 back home with a couple more curves but even more beautiful views.
When we arrived in Sangkhla, we got to the wonderful P Guest House. Cute place that overlooked a huge lake. So was LP right? It was an unbelievable town, but sleep? maybe a little. Everything was so laid-back. It was a great place to just be. That day I learned that canoeing is nothing like kayaking, and I know now I prefer kayaking. So story? Jenny and I decided to rent a canoe to explore the lake. Wow that was exhausting, and more of a workout than I anticipated, but no pain no adventure. (We definitely were in pain that night, advil necessary). We got to pass tons of floating houses which many locals live on. They are supported on bamboo rafts. Super slick. We saw the "underwater temple" as well. However, when we got there, it hardly was what we thought, and we were confused (normal of course). It appeared like the ruins of an ancient temple, but the "underwater" aspect was missing. We weren't sure it was the place until we saw a brochure. Sigh..again…darn you low water levels. After such a workout, as a pat on the back to ourselves, we went for some deeeelicious shakes at the guest house. Coconut milk FTW. :) I wandered some more on my own as a way to unwind, and I met this real great lady. She volunteers at a little shop next door, helping to sell some handmade crafts and clothes for one of the many orphanages. We just chatted it up, and I bought some cute hand-made cards.
The next day we decided to go check out the Three Pagoda Pass, which essentially is a monument and is the Thai/Burma border. So how does one get to such a place? Motorbike? Too far. Tour? Too pricey. Song-teaw? Yup. Although our driver definitely was pushing the limits. Jenny and I swear our driver was playing "how many people can you fit in a song-teaw”. I think we counted at least 21, including a kid riding on top of the car. hahaha. Thai style…although I might be ethnically wrong. I'm pretty sure since we were heading to and bordering Burma, most of the individuals were Burmese and Karen, although an elder couple, and a mom/daughter duo were def. Thai. When we got to the Three Pagoda Pass, we took some pictures; then walked over towards the Burma border. I personally was hoping to get a one day pass into Burma, but the office was closed. Pooop. However….. we saw tons of people nonchalantly walking back and forth over the border. There was no one real guard stopping to check passports or anything. There were no visible signs saying turn around. [Note: Don't try this kids.] Jenny and I strolled into Burma. Slowly of course. But just as we got three steps in, I felt a stare. I turned my head back and…..a finger is wagging at us. On the side, a young man wagged his finger at us and pointed us to head back the other way. I can just hear the whisper of "stupid silly farangs." Close but I guess Jenny and I were meant to stay in Thailand a little longer.
 |
| View from our hostel |
 |
| "Underwater" Temple |
 |
| "longest" wooden bridge, the Saphan Mon bridge - we weren't that adventurous to cross it. |
 |
| 3 Pagoda Pass |
After having a relaxing time in Sangkhlaburi, entering Kanchanaburi was a whole other world. Buses, cars, yells of "Where you go?" permeated the air. Almost forgot we were in Thailand for a little. Anyway, that night we met up with other OEGers ie. Liz, Chelsea, Jenna, Bradley, and Allie. We relaxed and caught up from all our travels or lack of at our hostel, the Jolly Frog (highly recommend it). We stayed in not just to see how each other were doing, but because we had this idea of catching an early bus to start our mini trek at the Erawan falls. Of course, when you're thinking something, others are likely as well. We got onto a packed bus. fun….. All 7 of us ended up having to stand on an old school rinky bus for almost an hour and a half . When we arrived to the waterfalls, we decided we would power up all 7 tiers, and slowly make our time on the way down to swim, frolic, etc… Each tier was just beautiful. Where other places have been affected by the low water levels, Erawan not so much.
After three hours of hiking and swimming (surprisingly I wasn't sore from that but from the bus ride), two other girls and I decided to head out to enjoy a full Thai massage. This was way different from the massage on Ko Samet's beach. This was LOVE!!!! They hit the right muscles that needed work, got me to stretch (don't think dirty thoughts), and made me miss my chiropractor back home slightly less. Miracle. As we finished, sat down, and drank some water to rehydrate, while slowly beginning to pay, we commented on the adorable baby some of the ladders were playing with outside. Sad story in 3, 2, 1: "The man (obviously a farang) on a moped with cute baby strapped to his chest is good man. He take care of baby. His mom is Thai. But she died two months ago in a car (hand gestures to explain this) accident."
Besides that, the rest of the time in Kanchan was fun. Delicious food, great company, fun atmosphere (10 baht shot) and a local bar to hang out in along with some funny security guards who were friendly as my friend and I decided to hang out by the hammocks at the hostel in the middle of the night. The next day, no unwanted headache, although as usual I didn't sleep much, I woke up, walked around aimlessly, read a cheesy Danielle Steel novel to just not think, and eventually said good-bye to everyone.
Note: the Three Pagoda Pass - one day into Burma pass has been closed apparently since 2006. whoops.
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