A Constant Learning

e I joined Ajan Jim at her school today in Phetchaburi. An all day event in which i caught the public transportation system (for the second time, the first was yesterday and was quite and experience, a packed bus while Emily and I had groceries and a large case of bottled water: a different story). Pretty simple, the bus was blue and white, a low-scale greyhound, yet every bus in Thailand is decorated with colorful curtains looped from each window, adorned with lace tassels. This teaching experience was different from that on the mountain. We where in a small room, tables, chairs, and fans to keep us cool. The younger children where very enthusiastic as before, and so intelligent. A few shy, but ironically the boys where much more vocal than the girls. My opinion is that the girls are more concerned with actually learning and see it as such, take it very seriously; whereas the boys are in more of a play-time/hang-out mode. We'd have a break about every hour and just outside the door was a woman who appears to be there every Saturday for these kids to buy snacks from during the breaks. bags of chips, soda, even sushi! I had a delicious one of crab and another of seaweed. Apparently it was Thai sushi, i'm not really sure what the difference is other than the size and i don't recall seeing a sushi with seaweed strips on top before; but i have an inkling it's out there. I am amazed though that within this single day, Every single person that participated learned something new, and from a culture that isn't their own. Obviously the kids, but i also learned a few new words in Thai (phet=spicy and i could use a brush up on Thai fruits) , as well as a legend of the mountain that is the sleeping giant, that Thailand doesn't have a program for children with learning disabilities, and that slapstick is the way to go for foreign movies (we watched Home Alone). I ended up teaching Ajan a new slang phrase "Okey Dokey" and there is just so much more to go around, but truthfully these dates I have with Ajan have and will be some of the best and very cultural experiences i have while here. Ajan makes sure we get a little bit of authentic Thailand each visit in taking us to lunch (and dinner tonight also) and just being this wealth of information. Each time will bring something new and with it a whole wealth of memories! Ajan thinks i could be a very good teacher!

Elephant Village

Saturday was the moment i had been waiting for! The day to ride an elephant FINALLY arrived, and i couldn't have been more excited! It was a surreal experience, rolling back and forth on Hotong's (ivory) back as if i where on an enormous horse, leaning back for dear life as we went down steep slopes at an attempt to stay on, and realizing the reason why we felt we where falling was because the little seat buckle came undone. Their skin is like a use mass of leather-dried hide that is extremely thick and covered with course dark hairs, i took off my shoes during the ride and it was well worth it! I do feel the animals are well taken care of at Elephant Village, but i feel the need to get on my soap box and question why this poor baby boy elephant was unable to desist dancing around. He is the show elephant. But he didn't seem to do anything natural to an elephant's behavior. Seriously, he never stood still and was constantly doing his little dance move ot try and lure tourists over to his tip box which he tactfully tapped with his trunk. I watched his show of playing the harmonica, hoola hooping, painting, and sitting down; yet the whole time i had an immense feeling of guilt and pity for being the reason this animal was subjected to this kind of life. Looking into his eyes...it seemed as if he were on some kind of drug, they were not connected, yellowed and just void of expression. Now i realize this may just be "elephant eyes" but it just didn't sit right with me. It was painful to take the images that i did, and i immediately regretted doing so.

The Sublime

Here in Thailand i am in a constant reminder of the feeling of the sublime. The Sublime being this notion of pure insignificance of man in nature. I remember learning of this idea in art class last summer and cannot seem to get it out of my head, it just keeps reoccurring. From ancient Chinese ink tapestries to today while i was sitting on a large rock-looked like granite/rose quartz-that jutted out into the gulf. I was sitting int eh midst of a formation watching as the waves below me crashed into even larger boulders, enveloping them in her foam. Nothing but the strong yet rhythmic sounds of these waves filled my ears as the afternoon sun set behind tall trees to my right, coloring the sky with hues of orange, pink, purple and yellow. To my left, nothing but a horizon of water. It's a peaceful feeling that humbles the soul; allows you to remove yourself in contemplation and gaze in awe at the true splendor of that which is not made by man.

School on a Mountain

I was fortunate enough to join eleven others in a journey to teach English about two hours outside of Webster at a school in the mountains. It was by far one of the neatest experiences here thus far; I am really ecstatic about it too because Ajan brings students and teaches every weekend somewhere...at least that's what it seems like and she is very willing to bring students along! It is different from any other teaching I have done, like swimming, or basic tutoring of children. The kids here are just like any in the states, hesitant to participate a first, but give them and inch and they flock like mad! We were introduced as the "foreigners" brought to them, we were actually the first native speakers they've ever heard! Different from the states though, is the enthusiasm for learning, every single kid seemed to have this unquenchable thirst to participate and really soak up everything they possibly could from this experience. I took a back seat this time because it was just getting my feet wet with the experience and we had two seasoned teachers with us. And even though i knew very very little of the language it didn't seem to be a barrier. If you speak slowly and with enough gestures, actions are cross-cultural so the idea gets across pretty well. When i had a group to myself i honestly feel like we did pretty well. I was trying to explain this game "blow wind blow" and i hadn't heard of it before, but somehow we ended up getting the hang of it! I was once again amazed at how respectful all of the kids where and how grateful everyone seemed to be with our being there! I definitely want to keep doing this, i feel like it could be what makes Thailand for me!

Thai new Year lasts all Year!

On our way back from dinner me, caitlin, sarah, hayley and tiffany decided to take a stroll down the road to check out the neon lighted party going on at the end of the street. Turns out it was a news years party for the employees of hte VIP (where we're living) and they invited us with OPEN arms to come and join them, food drink dance and song! And let me tell you i have never seen such gracious people. Here we had very very little in means of communication to thank and converse with our hosts. But everyone there was just so unbelievably nice, i cannot really describe it in any way; certainly would not see anything like that in the states. I mean think about it, if you were having an intimate company party, would you invite the client you met two weeks prior? Unfortunately not a single one of us had a camera, well sarah did, but it died before a single picture could be taken. However, this is one of those memories that we will all remember for quite some time! We were up on the stage dancing with little girls, one in-particular wearing a pink polka-dot shirt could really bust a move! The music was an eclectic mix of Thai and American pop/hip-hop. One woman who spoke english periodically came up to us and filled us in on what was being said in Thai. The security gaurd was very adamant on dancing with us and making sure we knew he was the one who raised the car bar for us in the mornings...not Sakchai, but i will make sure to ask his name next time! Needless to say these Thai people sure know how to party, and definately like their rum and cokes! THey were shooting fireworks literally directly over our heads, i have never been that close or in the main line of fire, if you pardon the pun. It was really exhilarating watching and waiting for the pop to come, knowing it would but still jumping at it when it explodes; a sort of child-like fear that instills itself in you and allows you to smile in the end. Thank you VIP employees for reminding me that hospitatlity and genuine good-heartedness should not be something we are shocked to find.

the spice of life

I realize this title could lend itself seemlessly to a more obvious blog; perhaps it will return. Last night was one that i'll probably remember for quite sometime, not for the reasons we went out, but for what we happened to stumble upon. A group of about 30 students (yes that is quite a lot) all hopped on the bus to go to a karaoke bar, it was fun. But what i will remember most of this night was what we found instead of a taxi. His name is Uri, from all over the world and was rather definant in not telling us the place he would call home. We happened to stumble across his path while he was solo playing his guitar outside of a McDonalds. I asked if he would mind if we sat and listened to him for awhile, and he was more than happy to oblige. The smaller group of us now, (some a little drunk, but nonetheless entertaining) began some successful attempts at singing along to his repitoire of jazz music. I even got to attempt blackbird again, but could use some more practice. He plays everynight as background music at a nicer restaruant and told us of some jam sessions that go on every monday night in Hua-hin. I'm pretty sure we'll be going there soon! It was beautiful to me how the simplest of things really just make life so much better. Here i was trying to get everyone home, and eager about it, but the music just makes you stop to listen. Realax and feel. Music compells the heart and does so in Thailand, just as it would back home, and anywhere else in the world for that matter. (hopefully a picture/video soon to come!)

SNAKE on campus!

I get up to fill my water bottle...stop....i'm sure a prize winning facial expression flooded mine as the quick reacting cook noticed i had stopped dead in my tracks, realizing there was a snake slithering right in front of me. I didn't know what to do; so i just stood there dumb founded, stone still, except for a frantic gaze darting from the snake and the cook. HELP! So it wasn't "that" big, probably a foot and a half or so, grey, and quite a graceful glider. Still though, my moment of short panic was returned by several others as they got up from their pleasant lunches and conversations to steal a peak. A brave soul took a broom and pushed the to the grass, but still inside the campus grounds as oppose to outside; not sure why. So moral of the story, don't sit in the grass and definitely always keep your eyes open, these snakes are far from shy!

what will you find?

Non-verbal Communication

Already I have come to the realization that this experience will probably be a great out of the classroom lesson on reading people. While most of the people i am around speak English, students are extremely skilled; the faculty take a little patience, and then people on the streets are really just numbers and "taxi" However, it pleases me to know that i'll be undertaking a semester of reading people, a skill that i will need in great proficiency for life after school. Needless to say i will come back being an even more patient person. But it is so easy here because everyone is so pleasant and eager to help in any way they can. Certianly a life lesson that is valued here, and hopefully will cross seas.

People

The people of Thailand hold up their end of the bargain when in comes to being the "land of smiles" I took a stroll down the beach yesterday to find a fishing village, and while i got the vibe some weren't too keen on my presence, most always smile back, and actually enjoy their picture being taken. But this i have noticed across the board for the most part. Smiles are an international gesture, friendly and connects us all. If you think about it, it seems to be the one human interaction we can all read, across the board without cultural confusion. It was interesting yesterday, as i was walking toward the fishing boats i noticed the the boats where anchored at different levels of the beach. Significant too. The tide here has a mind of it's own; well, at least in my opinion. It amazes me still how nature can be so beautiful, so powerful, gentle, soothing, and unpredictable (and that's only the short list).

Irony across Borders

I found this toy package hanging in the historic Hua Hin Market. Ironic wouldn't you say, her it is toy soliders for children to play with, specifically on the current war. It's almost comical really. here kids, play with tanks and kill the blue man with the red. But what really caught my attention was the Israeli flag squeezed into the package, as well as the very deliberate placing of a sniper target over Pakistan.

view from the top of my condominium. sunrise at 6 30 the first morning (Jan. 6th) Walking the streets of Hua-Hin, a rikshaw driver waves to give me a ride.

We Have Arrived!

Sawatdee Ka! We arrived in Thailand at 11 30 jan 5th, and got to our housing at 5am on the sixth, how's that for one heck of a travel day, eh? Initial impressions:

it would be good if i knew thai.

While driving in the dark, it was interesting to note what it was that i did see, and am curious as to what it will be like in daylight. But what struck me the most was the very near proximity of poverty and wealth. Many lean-two styled houses of tin sheets lined the interstate, with open doorways as if inviting a stranger's gaze. Most shocking was one home using raised road as the roof, leaving a clear view of the bed inside. I think the interstate may have been this family's only shelter. But then about one block away was a very lavishly decorated bridge in honor of the king.

The two things you'll see most in Thailand; roadside adorations to the king and seven-elevens. Not Micky D's. Go figure!

Finally, a Visa!

After some intense anticipation, waiting on pins and needles, my visa was finally in my mailbox. Since hearing of Dana's tragic story, I couldn't keep the idea that should my envelope from the Thai Consulate arrive on time that it too would be empty and unsealed. Rendering me, like Dana, pretty much helpless to get a new passport only days before we are to leave. Unfortunately Dana was not as lucky as myself, but we're still trying to pull every string we can and figure out if the six degrees of separation is really true. Everyone cross your fingers! So for now the count is four days, Monday morning, I'll be leaving my house at 4am; thanks to the recent terror scare and heightened security, I need to arrive at the airport three hours early. It's all a mind-game.