Education Corner II: The Wildlife

Alas it is the time for a new tale. No, not one of adventure and travels - but one of terror and fright. It's as though this 14-eyed little creeper knew I was aching for a story to tell - and now I do.

It was early in the morning, freshly risen out of bed, when I began the usual routine. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and poured a cup of Joe. I walked the 12 stairs back to my room, placed the coffee on the table, and opened the closet doors to find something teach appropriate to wear. As I reached my hand through the open doors - that's when I saw it. All 14 eyes eying me down to anticipate my next move. It was smart in doing so - for my next move was to grab something with the power to SMASH!!! An extra large water bottle seemed to be a good option. But it was quick for a spider the size of my palm! That's right, I said "little" earlier but that was PURE sarcasm. I took a picture for proof! However now that Plan A of smashing the beast failed, I needed a Plan B. But not before I checked every inch of myself and even stirred my coffee to see if it had landed somewhere unfortunate. He was no where in sight but I could feel him everywhere!

A new brilliant idea struck me. "He's surely still in the pants!" He's quick but he's not that quick! So I ran out to grab a bucket, filled it with detergent and water. I hooked the pants hanger with my extra ling water bottle of doom and subordinate them in the soapy water! And then I had to leave for class.

Later on I came home still not 100% certain I had killed the spider. I was overcome with the heebbie jeebies. Therefore I had a second task: to was all of my clothes, clean my room, and spray an entire can of insect repellent around every crevice to ensure no future surprise attacks. After all my clothes were successfully taken care of, I did find that spider. It had drowned in bucket of death number 1. I had conquered the beast!

And now for a few facts about Thailand wildlife:

1. In the practice of Buddhism you are bot supposes to kill a living thing. This includes, ants, spiders, and snakes. I am a bad Buddhist.

2. You will live with Geckos that make loud bird like noises when you try to sleep. Get used to it - they eat mosquitos so they are friends.

3. There are wild dogs everywhere. They are not 'pets' but they still enjoy some scraps once in a while.

4. There are thousands of ants of varying sizes. Just don't leave food out and it should be okay.

5. I'm going to take a guess here, but I'm almost certain you share your bed with at least 10 bugs a night. Try not to think about it.

6. The monkeys are tourist attractions that steal your stuff even if you ARE paying attention. I'm not fond of them.

7. Tigers are also tourist attractions. They may be drugged, I'll let PETA decide - but I still like having my picture with them.

8. Elephants are yet another attraction, but they are enormously amazing.

9. There are snakes. Big ones. Dangerous ones. Some even around school. Just give them some space.

10. Lastly, there are spiders. Big ones, small ones, some the size of my head. (Maybe, I've got a rather large skull). But the point is, if they stay away from me I'm happy. If they surprise me by moving into my closet - they're going to die.

Well I hope you've enjoyed this education corner on Thailand wildlife. Until next time - be careful out there!

My Chiang Mai

When I heard that my friend Hayley was going back to Chiang Mai just two short weeks after our adventure there for New Years, my first reaction was to say "I can't make it".  However, it wasn't long before my brain kept thinking about everything I missed so shortly after departing the magical city. I found myself thinking "maybe" and then "I wonder if they'd let me off work early..." and finally "I don't care - I'm GOING!!!!".  This city has some odd mystical pull on my soul that I can't turn down. So here's part two of my Chiang Mai experience.

Thom and I at Wat Phra Singh

I set off from Wang Chan Thursday afternoon.  I hopped on the bus to Bangkok and was ready to be in Chiang Mai.  If I was able to choose one super power, it would undoubtedly be the ability to Teleport, no question. Filled with excitement, I rushed through the Mochit bus station to purchase my ticket to my favorite city.  I stepped up to the window and said "One for Chiang Mai please!" The attendant replied "Sold out for the next two days". My heart sank. What was I to do?! The attendant pointed out the doors.  Although I didn't know if she was trying to help or just get me away from her booth, I walked out the doors in hopes of a positive answer. I saw a second booth labeled "Chiang Mai".  Booth 2 - Sold out. Booth 3 - Sold out. Exasperated and about to go into panic sad mode I stumbled up to booth 4 labeled Chiang Mai with no spirits left in me.  "Chiang Mai?" I asked tentatively.  "8:30 bus - 518 baht" the attendant said.  My reaction may have been a little over the top but the attendant then received a very loud "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!" Feeling my luck perk up a bit - I waited happily for my bus to come and take me away.

I arrived in Chiang Mai at 6:00am.  It was dark, the monks were walking about the streets collecting food for the day. Determined to get a little more sleep before I started my day, I walked to the Lita Guesthouse once more.  I marched up the steps and found all beds were completely filled. I creaked about the house quietly not knowing just what to do - and then decided upon the hammock outside.  Never a terrible option.  It wasn't long before Mama Thom - the wonderful host of Lita Guesthouse - found me and told me to go take her room and sleep.  Her cozy bed was incredibly welcoming after a long bus ride.

When I awoke a second time for the day - Thom and I went to breakfast and enjoyed a cup of coffee.  Then she took me for an incredible bicycle ride around Chiang Mai old city and looked at five temples.  I had not yet been in the temple for purposes other than picture taking.  This time, however, Thom and I knelt in front of the Buddha, said the prayer, and received the blessed bracelet from a monk. Most people probably say words of prayer and think of many things while in the temples - but for some reason each time I enter a temple, its as if my mind clears.  It's calming and refreshing not to constantly be thinking of everything going on in life.  I'm not sure what it is about temples in Thailand that gives me this relief, but I enjoy it incredibly.

 Phra Dhatu Chedi Luang 

Prayer at Wat Phra Singh 

For the rest of the evening, Thom, Wim from Belgium and I went into the city and saw the movie Contraband with Mark Walberg at the big cinema.  It was my first movie since I came to Thailand 3 months ago.  This I also enjoyed. Later, I of course went to the Reggae bar with Thom and danced the night away to reggae music and Sangsom rum.  I was able to see OEG teacher friends that live far too far from my down in Rayong, as well as my good friends Hayley and Marci.  I also met more fascinating people this trip: Matt from England - the nice Hi-5er, Matt from Germany, Wim from Belgium, Gitte from Germany, and my bus seat buddy back to Bangkok was an interesting fellow from the Philippines.  One great thing about Chiang Mai is that you can be alone and be perfectly happy walking around - but you'll also never get lonely.

Lita Guesthouse

My last day in Chiang Mai is always a sad one.  I finally indulged in some Mexican food and ate a scrumptious chicken burrito and guacamole!  I swung most of the day away in the Lita house hammock.  When it was time to leave, Thom saw me off in a Tuk Tuk and she gave him specific instructions on getting me to the bus station on time.  Since the princess had visited Chiang Mai that day - traffic was a bit crazy.  As the Tuk Tuk buzzed off I gave one last "Choop Choop" to Thom.  It was then that I noticed that I was in a decked out, lit up Tuk Tuk with a sound system.  The driver was listening to The Eagles "Your lying eyes".  It reminded me of home.  Whenever I'm feeling homesick, I know I can just go to Chiang Mai - it's the closest thing I've found to my real home, and it's always welcoming.

The Education Corner

Today I have decided to write down a few fun facts I've learned while living in Thailand.  I'm sure you're all sick of hearing where I've been and where I'm going next - so now it's time for a little education.

First off - Thai Schools.  The reason I choose to cover schools first is because 1) that's where I work and 2) I've seen some interesting stuff in the past two days.

Thai schools are nothing like schools in America.  And don't fool yourself - the students aren't necessarily better and respect their teachers.  They're still like adolescents who find the need to be seen and heard...especially heard. Every time I start to go around the room checking process, there's a constant "Teacher Teacher" at my back.  Unfortunately, they do not understand the words "Just wait a minute!".  '

What is really different, is the way misbehavior is dealt with at a Thai school.  In America, if a child were to back talk a teacher, he/she would be forced to go to the principal's office and receive a warning that will undoubtedly do no good.  At my Thai school, there is a stick.  Yesterday I witnessed a group of students sitting quietly outside with two teachers standing in front. Since the school normally has some sort of event going on, my first thought was "I wonder what this group is performing?!".  Then slowly, one by one, a student would walk to the front of the group, turn around, and get a swift switch to the behind.  I then slowly walked away.  It wasn't until today that I saw this punishment first hand in my own classroom.  No, I wasn't the one hitting children (although I can't say I haven't thought about it), but this class was loud, disrespectful, and most certainly not learning a thing.  That's when the Thai teacher in the back found a broken off stick, told each student to hold out their hand, and she swatted it with quite a force.  I was taken aback for a moment until the Thai teacher saw that I had paused and said "Keep teaching".  So I kept teaching.  I don't think the students in that class will love me very much by the end of the term.

For the remainder of this education corner, I will leave you with a few quick facts (or random information I've learned/witnessed/think is true but could be false so think of this page as wikipedia and don't cite it for your research papers).

1. Cigarette packages are disgusting.  They show you true images of people who have suffered from smoking in order to deter you.  I don't smoke - but I most certainly don't want to start after seeing that image!

2. Most Thai marriages aren't real. They don't often sign the papers that legally bind them, but rather just throw a wedding.  Also, many men have mistresses. Many.

3. Thai people order a bunch of food and then pass it around the table.  You get to try everything.  Being a food connoisseur, this is one of my favorite customs.

4. It may be smaller than Texas, but it still takes forever to travel anywhere.  There's lots of transportation, but everyone is so slow!

It's bigger, trust me. 

5. Yes, you drive on the left hand side of the road.

6. You take your shoes off to enter most businesses and houses.  Feet are found to be very disgusting and it is incredibly rude to point them at someone.

Well folks, I've hope you've learned a thing or two today.  That's all for now.  I'll save any newly learned tidbits for a future date. Wishing you all well in the New Year!

Chiang Rai and Mai

English, French, German, Swiss, Australian, Thai, American, Mountains, Waterfalls, Hostels, Shopping, Partying, Trains, Ostriches, etc. This trip had it all. This was the trip of all trips.  This was the trip that will lead to major future life decisions.  This was the trip that will ultimately transform my life in ways I never thought possible.  In other words, this was the trip of a lifetime.

View from my train window

Things really all started to come together when I was quietly sitting at the train station in Chachoengsoa. Suddenly a man about the age of 60 and his friend start “pssst”ing at me.  This begins a usual Farang-Thai conversation of why I’m here, where I’m living, and where I’m going.  The best part? These men bring Beer Chang along with them for the ride and are more than willing to share.  Leg one of trip was already going my way. 

Next was the long ride up to Chiang Mai.  In the lovely Lonely Planet Books, it is stated that when traveling in Thailand, one must experience the overnight sleeper train at least once.  They were correct.  From 10:00PM Tuesday night to 1:00PM Wednesday afternoon, I slept and occasionally looked out my window to admire the countryside.  The next thing I knew (15 hours later), I was in Chiang Mai – where I immediately boarded a bus to Chiang Rai.

In Chiang Rai we stayed at the City Home Guesthouse.  It was a pleasant hostel type room and they had a bunny as a pet – you can’t go wrong with that.  Next door was Tom’s Tours.  It was there that we booked the following tour: Wake up at 3am to see Puh Chi Fa, visit a hot springs waterfall, and ride an OSTRICH! I was excited, to say the least.  Puh Chi Fa was incredible.  I went to freezing my ears off to being in awe of the sun coming up over the clouds and falling over the mountains.  It was truly a beautiful sight that everyone should experience at least once.  The ostrich ride – that was a little more intimidating and horrifying than magical.  I didn’t exactly do well, but I’m proud of myself for at least getting on the giant pre-historic birds back. 

Large Buddah inside Chiang Rai Temple

Wat Roon Khun

Puh Chi Fa Sunrise

I'm on an Ostrich! 

Now for my favorite part – Chiang Mai.

Upon arrival, Chiang Mai was much like other cities in Thailand. It’s full of culture – but not just Thai culture.  It has food from every nation, dozens of different languages can be heard walking down the street, and the architecture is a mix of Thai-European style.  As we struggled to find ourselves to the Lita Guesthouse, I had no idea that life was about to change.  I entered the gate to the hostel and saw a gathering of folks around a large table enjoying some dinner and whiskey.  I said “Excuse me, I booked a room for tonight, my name is –“ and that’s when Thom stopped me.  She said “You drink whiskey? Drink shot first, then talk business”.  So I took the shot, and then we took a look around. 

Mama Thom! She's Amazing! 

During our stay at the Lita Guesthouse, Mama Thom never left things boring.  She’d talk about her boyfriend, she’d talk about some unmentionable things, and she’d talk about her incredibly hard life – all with a smile. 

I’ll be honest; I didn’t do much in Chiang Mai.  I rented a motorbike and drove up Doi Suthep, went shopping at multiple markets filled with clothes, food, and tourist gifts, got a pedicure and massage, and celebrated New Years.  But what I really took away from my three days in paradise was how at home and comfortable I felt doing absolutely nothing but walk around, meet new people, and relax at the crazy Lita Guesthouse with Thom and backpackers passing through.  I felt like I was where I needed to be and didn’t need to look much further. I even spoke to some who had come to Lita Guesthouse for only a night or two…and had stayed a week or two or three.  

View of Chiang Mai from Doi Suthep

New Years in Chiang Mai

I can’t summarize in words exactly how I felt about Chiang Mai.  All I know is that when I got to the train station to leave back to Wang Chan, I cried a little (on the inside of course). I had found where I wanted to be, and I had to leave.  But if things go my way – I’ll be there many more times in the near future.  Cheers! 

Merry Christmas from Thailand!

It's Christmas morning here in Thailand.  From my friends apartment I can here the cars rush by, the pigeons cooing, and some dogs fight down the street.  The weather outside is a cool 87 with a slight breeze and sunny.  I'm sure that later when I make a trip to the Big C (the big grocery store) I will not have to wait in any ridiculous lines of frantic people buying last minute cans of cranberry sauce, nor will I have to worry that any stores are closed down for the day.    There's a few areas that hold beautiful decorations and attempt to celebrate the Christian holiday, but here in Thailand, it's pretty much just another day. 

On Christmas Eve I made my way from the tiny town of Wang Chan to the big city of Chachoengsao.  My trip was more like an adventure.  First I board the bus to Chon Buri.  I think "I can relax, the bus won't stop until it gets to the bus station! I'll know when it's my stop!" Oh - I know better than to think transportation in Thailand is easy.  First we stop at a gas station.  I don't need food, a drink, or to go to the bathroom - so I decide to stay put and read my book. But then the bus man comes over and says "You - 20 minutes" and motions for me to leave the bus.  So I leave the bus.  Next, we're back on our way to Chon Buri.  I see a few signs saying its near.  We pull over on one of the main busy streets.  The bus man yells something in Thai that sounds like Chon Buri but only 1 person exited the bus - so I thought "this can't be the main stop".  I stay on the bus.  A minute later bus man comes up to me "You - Chon Buri" - "Me, Yes" - "You, get off" - "WHAT?" - Apparently that side of the street was the bus station and I was no longer welcome on this bus.  So I was shoved off a bit late on a strange street. So I began to walk back.  After a few minutes I ran into a man next to a bus.  He said "I help you." It was a statement, not a question.  I looked lost.  I say "Bai  Chachoengsao".  He points at bus - "You get on" - "Nee tao rai?" (how much) - He looks at another girl, looks back at me "You get on bus".  Don't have to tell me three times! So I got on the ghetto bus, no other farangs here.  There was however a comedian tv program playing.  With my limited Thai knowledge, I was able to decipher that the comedian liked to make fun of farangs - and the people on the bus found him hilarious.  This bus ride started out pleasant enough, until the elderly man started to sleep, his head started to bob dangerously close to my shoulder, and his knees kept bumping into me.  The bus would turn and he'd jerk awake, smile, and then return to sleeping, bobbing, and bumping into me.  It was a tense ride.

But then I arrived in wonderful Chachoengsao where I met up with my friend Hayley.  She took my to her friends Christmas party where we ate pasta and mashed potatoes, drank Christmas punch, and listening to Christmas music whilst wearing Santa hats.  It wasn't too shabby of a day.  :)

But today is Christmas.  Today I will help tutor a Thai student, make an adventure run to the Big C, eat some peanut butter (it's been 2 months since I've had it!), and enjoy the wonderful company of friends this year.  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

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Video of my mad Santa moves at school for the Christmas program!

Birthday in Kanchanaburi - Tigers, Waterfalls, and Caves!

Today I am 23 years old.  Before I turned 23 this is what I accomplished with my life:

1. Moved to a different country.
2. Pet a Tiger.
3. Rode an Elephant.
4. Became a bartender at a bar in Thailand.
5. Learned how to drive a moped - and drove it around an island.
6. Became a teacher in a foreign country.
7. Graduated college Cum Laude.
8. Became the President of Sigma Iota Rho and International Studies Club.
9. Graduated High School.
10. Went to Europe with the Spirit of America National Honor Band.
11. Worked as a waitress, Personal Assistant, tanning front desk person, Textbook salesperson, Supplemental Instructor, Customer Sales Support Representative, Dog sitter, House sitter, Intern at the Department of State, Bartender/Winery worker, and ESL teacher in Thailand.
12. Started a Young Democrats Society at Granbury High School.
13. Volunteered at Freeman-Fritts Animal shelter petting kitties.

Those seem to sum up the major points.

This past weekend in Kanchanaburi I celebrated turning 23 by exploring Thailand like never before.  The adventure started with a visit to the controversial Tiger Temple.  Some say that the tigers are drugged in order to keep them so tame - yet one employee gave us the whole schpeal on why this was incorrect.  What matters most? I PET A TIGER! And I have proof!

After the Tiger Temple we visited a market and the Death Railway.  By the railway there's a small cave with a Buddha statue.  Next was the Bridge over the River Kwai (Pronounced River Kway unless you feel like saying something offensive). At sunset, the view of the river leaves quite the impression.

Saturday night Hayley, Angela, and Callie graciously helped my celebrate my birthday and even bought me a birthday cake! About 5 seconds after cutting the cake, we devoured the entire thing.  We didn't feel guilty.  Then we proceeded to do what everyone should do on a birthday - we went out on the town....to the only cool bar known as 'Sugar Member'.  It was the only bar playing legitimate dance music and its sign beheld a giant pot leaf.  A classy bar in Thailand if I ever saw one!

Sunday was a day of exploration, adventure, and exhaustion.  Waking at 8am, we were determined to reach Erawan Falls before the rush came in.  This amazing 7 tiered waterfall was quite the jungle trek.  Each level gave way to something truly spectacular and beautiful.  The incredibly long journey was well worth it when we finally arrive at tier 7 to see the first waterfall crashing down on the rocks below.

Even though we were well exhausted from the waterfall trek, we continued on to Pratat cave, where we were able to get a personal last minute tour of the cave.  When told that the climb was 600 meters - I thought nothing of it.  600 meters is nothing! - Until its all one staircase to the top of the mountain.  I used up every last inch of strength in me to reach the top in one piece.  Also, I instantly regretted having a "Cheeseburger" for lunch.  However, once inside, I forgot all about the climb.  After going through a miniscule entry hole that I didn't even realize was there at first, the cave opened up into several large rooms filled with stalactites and stalagmites.  It was truly awe inspiring.  There was even a swarm of bats resting at the top of the cave.  Near the end we found something that was less cool and more freaky - a bug.  Cave bugs are scary - and that's all I have to say about it.  Once back in our hotel (Sam's River Rafthouse on the River Kwai), I could have collapsed and slept for hours - but where's the fun in that.  We went out for our last night in Kanchanaburi.

Sunday we packed our bags and were ready to go home.  However, there was one museum that we had missed:  The History of the Death Railway.  I learned so much more about WWII and the atrocities that happened in the Thai borders.  English, Australian, Burmese, and even some Americans suffered to build the Death Railway that would aid Japan in getting supplies across their conquered Asian lands.  The stories and pictures were enough to make your skin crawl.  It makes me believe that our public school systems are letting our students down.  I've studies WWII many times - and yet I had never heard of the Death Railway or most of the happenings in Asia.  Had I not been an International Relations major in college, I would have never known that WWII was more than just a European event.  We need to educate our students with the stories from all around the world.  Outside the museum was a graveyard for all the POWs that slaved over the Death Railway.

And now, today it is my birthday and I'm back to teaching.  One year older, one year wiser.

Koh Chang in December!

Koh Chang - the island of elephants.  It's a beautiful, mostly quite place with steep crooked roads, beach bungalows, and of course elephants.  This past weekend I managed to write a number of things from my so called "Bucket List".

1. I rode an elephant.
2. I worked in a bar in Thailand.
3. I slept in a hammock.
4. I rode a motorbike around the island.

Let's start with number 1. As the group gathered at the elephant riding tour business, I took a glance at the monstrous beasts that would soon be towing us around the jungle.  To board your transportation, you must climb up a large tower thing and then crawl over the elephant into the passenger seat that sits atop its back.  My riding partner Hayley and I were the first aboard.  Then the giant began to move.  This is the single most awkward creature I have sat upon.  I've ridden a horse, I've perched upon a longhorn, but the elephant takes the cake.  The group all sat upon their elephant thrones and we marched into the jungle.  Our elephant, the wondrous Som-O, age 14, often took it upon herself to take an alternate route.  This is slightly terrifying yet highly enjoyable.  Next we made our way down to a river area where we took a swim with elephants.  Wait - that sounds way less exciting than it is - let me rephrase.  WE SWAM WITH GIANT AMAZING FANTASTICALLY AWESOME ELEPHANTS!!!!! Even that's not efficient, but it will have to do.  The pictures will say more than the words for this part of my story.

Som-O the delightful 14 year old elephant. 

Going Under!!! 

After an amazing swim with all the elephants. 

Part 2. Sunday night we went down to the Lonely Beach area.  We were dropped next to a nice looking bar that played some delightful tunes and had hammocks scattered about.  You can't go wrong with a bar that has hammocks readily available.  There was a Swedish owner who was either too crazy or too drunk to keep up with his own bar and the mass amounts of Farangs that just entered were a little much for the non-English speaking staff.  Therefore I took it upon myself to go behind the bar and take a job as a bartender for the night.  Apparently the best way to find a job is just to take it.  I would highly consider going back and bartending when my teaching gig is up.  After about 3 hours of this and having a sufficient amount of free drinks, I then decided to quit my new found job and make my way to the beach.

Part 3.  Arriving back at the bungalow Sunday night after an amazing day of elephant riding and night of bartending, I decided I has had enough to drink that I would sleep outside in a hammock with no hesitation.  After applying a large dose of 100% deet to myself and finding a nice wooden hammock to lie in, I quickly fell asleep.  I woke up with the sunrise on an island. However, the wooden hammock was rather uncomfortable so I went for a small walk to find a bathroom (and no I don't mean a tree).  On my way to the toilet I discovered another hammock - but this one had a SWEET pillow in it...so I rested there until a decent hour to waken.  And that's how I spent the night in a hammock.

The view by our bungalows. 

Part 4.  After waking up feeling awesome about being in a hammock, I decided I wanted to be even more awesome. So I hopped on my rented motorbike and took a drive around the island.  At 8am you can smell the fresh air that is often non-existent in Thailand.  The peace of driving along alone and having the wind in my face was one of the most amazing feelings I've had since arriving in Thailand.  Also, I now MUST get a moped when I move back home.  I can't live without one.

And that was my amazing weekend.  I accomplished more in 48 hours than many people do in a year.  May every weekend be as wonderful as this weekend.  I'll be 23 in merely 1 week.  Let's see what else I can mark off the list before then!