It’s hard to even know where to start with this entry. I have to admit I’ve been a little intimidated with starting to write again as there is just too much to say. I know it will be impossible to cover everything but I will try and paint a picture for you as best I can.
My first month in Thailand was spent in a smaller coastal town, Hua Hin. I lived in an apartment at Suchaya House with all of the other people in the ‘Thotsaken’ group. At the start, we didn’t know a thing about each other and started conversations with, ‘so..where are you from?’ ‘what made you come to Thailand?’ Etc. It was exciting to meet people from all over the world and notice the little cultural differences when we spoke. These people soon became so much more than just strangers though. They became family. We spent everyday together and honestly, I couldn’t have fathomed meeting such amazing people before I left for Thailand. Some of those relationships will stay with me for life, there is no doubt. It was so hard to say good bye to everyone at the end of the course. I do trust though that if we are meant to meet again in the future, we will.
An average day in Hua Hin consisted of waking up, picking up some water bottles from Family Mart and then catching the bright green Song Tao for 10 baht(30c) into the market for a quick brekkie on the run. One of my favourite little snacks was banana sticky rice or coconut sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves. Another treat was an iced coffee served in a bag of ice. These were so refreshing on a hot day because I would put the ice on my head once I’d finished the coffee. Genius, I know! There were street vendors who sold bags of fresh tropical fruits too, which was always a great afternoon ‘pick me up’.
For the main part of the day, we would all sit in a traditional Thai classroom with just fans and little wooden chairs and desks and learn about either Thai language, Thai culture or different teaching techniques. There were always the class clowns that liked to pretend to be Thai students to challenge the teachers practicing. It was a supportive environment and I’m thankful for the feedback that I received each time. One thing I am going to have to practice is my drawing skills as we have to present new vocabulary words complete with illustrations to the Thai students each day. As well as that, writing on a black board is going to be a new experience too. I’ll have to watch my silly little spelling errors that I can make sometimes.
Outside class, we would have lunch at various little family owned vendors and restaurants. We found a little vendor one day in an alley way and the family was so welcoming. They set up a table and chair in their sewing room and offered for us to eat there. After taking our shoes off and waiing politely we enjoyed a yummy meal. It was easily the best pad thai I have had here so far. Needless to say many other friends tried the place too. The food here is so delicious and tasty. I could probably write a whole
blog post on here just about the food!
I also enjoyed running or walking along the local beach most afternoons, looking for cowrie shells, exploring the night markets, going for massages and relaxing in the pool at the hotel after a hot day. In our first orientation week we had an opportunity to go and participate in a Muay Thai class too which was fun!
Songkhran ( Thai New year) was another incredible highlight too. It’s hard to capture the spirit of the day in writing but just picture being soaked with water the moment you walk out the front door and that is how you will be for the rest of the day! Everyone had their water balloons, Hawaiian coloured shirts, water floatation devices, water pistols and buckets ready for the day. People didn’t hesitate to push anyone that was ‘too dry’ in the pool too. I soon realised that my swimsuit was going to be the only smart outfit for the day! It was like everyone had a free pass to just be kids again as we snuck up on people and poured a bucket of water over their head. We gasped when icy water was poured from passing utes whilst walking to the party venue. Local people also stopped us to put chalk on our cheeks and wish us luck for the new year. That was followed with being shot by water pistols. It was one of the best celebrations I have ever been a part of. Imagine a whole city just stopping work for a few days and drenching each other with water! Australia needs to get on board.
Hua Hin soon became a home away from home, and admittedly I am already missing it now.
After our month in Hua Hin, I reluctantly said goodbye to a special few and headed to Bangkok for an orientation course with my agency. We had a couple of days off before it started, so we decided to explore Siam, some night markets and even give a local beer garden a shot. That beer garden was soon dubbed a little shifty as there were rats running around and a cat had even made a home for itself in the Buddha shrine. I felt a little on edge as my friends liked to tickle my ankles to make me jump. It worked. But I have vowed I will get them back, one day.
We stayed in a place called Suda Palace. The orientation was held there too. The hotel itself was really nice, almost a bit royal looking. The lobby was adorned with golden framed mirrors on the ceilings and nice maroon chairs. There was even a piano that I loved just playing around on. It’s amazing how great that felt actually, I’ve missed being surrounded by instruments and music over here. I would love to get back into singing again once I’m up in my placement and a little more settled. There might even be an opportunity to start a little music program at my school which would be fun!
I shared a room with my good friend, Kalia, and it was nice just being able to relax together in the evenings and talk/laugh about the days happenings. Our maid, without fail, always placed my belongings on her bed in perfect order when she cleaned our room. I don’t know why we found this so funny, but we sure did giggle. Each day Kalia had a new little pile of things on her bed that they had left her.
On the first day of the Media Kids Orientation course, we headed downstairs for our complimentary breakfast and then put on our uniforms. Our uniforms are black skirts, white blouses and a bright blue neck scarf that I still haven’t worked out how to wear properly. It slips to the side and just looks like a sloppy bow tie most days.
The course, to be honest felt a little regimented after our fun Xplore Asia month in Hua Hin. The agency is so professional and I am thankful that they are orgainising everything from accommodation, wages and school placements however it just seemed a little strict. I felt very watched at times and there was a sense that they were cookie cutting us to be the perfect teachers who could say and do no wrong. In reality we’re human and will make mistakes and probably do the wrong sort of wai to our head directors. Yes, there are 4 different ways to wai and 12 different smiles so I better pick the right ones on my first day!
Our consultants seem friendly and helpful though. I’m looking forward to moving into my apartment in Nan soon. It will be nice to have my own space again and just be able to start teaching the Thai youngsters. My students will be grade 2,4 and 6. There will be challenging days but also rewarding ones I’m sure. I feel as though I will learn a lot about what I’m capable of up in that little town amongst the mountains.
Once again, I had to farewell more special people in Bangkok which was harder than I expected. It has been a strange feeling since finishing the TESOL course. I’m just taking each day as it comes but as we keep moving on to different places, it can be easy at times to lose that sense of comfortability and familiarity that being with people and small routines do help to create.
Two days ago, I boarded a double decker bus with some good friends to the beautiful islands down south. We’re staying in Koh Tao and it really is everything you could imagine a tropical paradise to be. The bus trip was 8 hours long and then we hopped on a ferry for about 2 hours. Suprisingly
The trip was quite enjoyable, it was nice to just sit, relax, listen to music and sleep on the bus. The ferry trip was picturesque as we passed rain showers on the horizon and small little rock islands jutting out of the ocean. Arriving in Koh Tao, our jaws instantly dropped. The island is spotted with little bungalows, palm trees and the water is a clear aqua blue. We found a little pink and white dorm with AC on the beach for about $10 a night and that has been our little abode ever since.
The first day was really enjoyable, exploring the island. I feel as though the sun may have gotten to me though as I’ve spent most of the day sick in bed with a very red rudolf nose. Not sure if it was Thai tummy or dehydration but I do know that it was only a matter of when it would happen instead of if it would happen.
I will be moving to Nan province on Friday to start teaching. I can’t believe just a small thought I had 6 months ago has become such a reality. It’s exciting and at the same time, a tad scary. One thing I have learned in Thailand is to always expect the unexpected. Nothing is what it seems and sometimes you can be the last to know anything. One of the leaders on my course told us that his school organised a going away party for him without him even knowing that he was finishing that term at his school! That was the only way the Thai people could say goodbye. No one really confronts anyone face to face over here, which is nice but at the same time they can say yes and actually mean no. It’s taken a while to get used to that way of thinking as honesty is so valued back in western culture.
Each day is filled with adventure over here. The Thai way of life is so different from what I am familiar with back home but I love the change! Yes, I do crave those little western comforts sometimes such as clean drinking water out of the tap, a kitchen, toilet paper readily being available, soft beds, not having to rely on wifi hotspots, cooler temperatures but they are really small things in the scheme of things. Really, this country has so much more to offer than not, such as the friendly people that will go out of their way for you, the food, the relaxed Mai bpen rai (hakuna matata) attitudes, the nature, the temples and history, the opportunity to help people, massages and the feeling of learning more everyday about myself and Thai culture.
I know I’m in the right place for now and that’s a great feeling.
Keep in touch loved ones. I will try to keep you updated as much as possible. Thanks for reading.
Love Erin.
Say Yes to New Adventures 