Wednesday

Wednesday is apparently scouts day Thailand. Meaning all students wear their boy and girl scout uniform to school. Oh wait, not just the boys and girls, teachers too. Male teachers in all khaki shorts and shirt, knee high socks with tassels, and a rolled up neon yellow scarf around their neck. I wish I could have seen them on their morning commute. Chad was looking spiffy, he gave me a very enthusiastic "GOOD MORNING" today, I told him I like his outfit. He laughed, most likely not having a clue about what I said.


Can't wait till the principal gives me and Christina sweet scout suits. Oh the joy of being a teacher. Don't worry pictures will be taken, especially of little Pig, who looks quite cute in his uniform.

two quick awkward things in my everyday life

1-) There is a park near my apartment (aka room) that I go running at in the evenings. It's where the public aerobics are held, but they also have a trail. Any-who, for the last few times I've run there is a man who "chases" me. I know, call me paranoid, but I know what I am talking about. He is probably 5.6, 120 lb. and always wears wind-suit pants, a polo shirt and a baseball cap on backwards. For that very reason I have deemed him Jojo (sorry Gin, the backwards cap while running was a kicker, and no offence Jordan, its funny). So I run, and all is well until I see Jojo, who is usually walking with a rhythm. When I pass him he starts picking up his pace and will run a few feet behind me until he can catch up and successfully pass me. The funny part is, he giggles the whole time. A mix between creepy and friendly. Last time I went, I was pacing pretty well and after two times around he finally stopped and just laughed. I feel like people in the park know what's going on and think its pretty hilarious too, glad I can provide them some humor. Oh Jojo, I must say he does brighten my day and makes me want to run faster.

2-) I have been tutoring a 13 year old girl for two hours every Tuesday. Lets just say thirteen year old who speak fluent English are hard to talk to for two hours, its awkward. The first time we met I asked here every question I could think of, showed her pictures, etc, then looked at my clock and only fifteen minutes had elapsed. Good times. Last week we looked up to see if the Red Hot Chili Peppers were coming to Bangkok. Of course not, but it killed a good five minutes. I am open to any conversation topics you might have for me and a young Thai teen, send them please.

coke in a bag

During my eight hours at the "purple palace" (school), I like to take little drink breaks in order to feel a bit more free and possibly get to know some locals. Today was a big day for Christina and me, we didn't go to the token 7-11, instead we took the road less traveled through the school's back exit. Our friend Jaeb showed us the new area after lunch and pointed out where we could get "coke in a bag." Bagged liquid is quite a delicacy in Thailand and it saves loads on cups, tops and room in trash-cans. So Chris and I met up after out last classes and set forth on our voyage to get a drink. The first place rejected us, but we were persistent and went to the next, where I was to ask. The shopkeeper we a gentle old man who seemed delighted to help. I promptly asked him if he sold coke in a bag by touching a plastic bag and pointing at a coke bottle. He got excited, nodded and proceeded to get the bottle and put it directly in the bag. Thinking that I could help out the process by telling him that I meant direct liquid to bag contact by asking for ice was a bad idea, because he just pulled out a huge bad of ice and tried to hand it to me. Meanwhile, Christina thinks this is HILARIOUS and is laughing so hard I think it offended the shopkeeper, who threw up his arms at us as we quickly exited.

I was determined and ended up getting my cokeinabag from the first lady- success. Christina got a sprite, cause apparently that sounds like diet coke. On our walk back I literally stumbled upon a dried out frog corps. Yummy. Things like that don't even phase me anymore, until I get flashback of days long ago where air con and fresh air are readily available. When we got back to school, the younger children were having their Tae-kwan-do lesson outside and some teachers were sitting at a table; all watching the foreigners parade in delighted to have out cokeinabag. One teacher, who we have coined "Chad" was laughing hysterically at us. Scot (Dixon), we decided he was one of those people you would love and enjoy the mysteriousness of him along with Xtina and me. I am sure you will be hearing more about Chad, and while I am at it, I should also introduce "Gunther" the school "guard"/ doorman who has 3 teeth and helps call our taxi every afternoon. He also salutes us in the mornings.

In other news, I went to hear the Bangkok Symphony on Tuesday night. Delightful. Water to my soul. I hadn't felt so relaxed since being in the city. Which also made me realize how much I love cities, there is so much to do at any given time, even if its sitting at the park watching people pass by.

And then I think to myself, "what a wonderful world."

P.S.

I've learned the command "to color" in Thai, its been a gift from God. Plus some kids think I know Thai and I may had had something to do with that, to bad it's "English only class."

teeecha

I survived my first week and another Monday.

So, I have a student named Pig. 5th grade boy, a little on the chubby side- but there is another Pig who is trim, so I don't know if they quite get the association. I teach his class on Friday afternoon, so they are all a bit hot- did I mention how hot it is? So yes, third floor no air con and no fan (fear not, we've moved classrooms). I gave the class a simple exercise and things are going well until Pig decides he doesn't understand and calls me to his desk. I go over to help him out when I get struck by a strong strange odor, oh its him. Thankfully he sits by the door so I had some breeze help to breath. The funny part is that he didn't get the exercise after I explained it to him and for the rest of the class he followed me around calling "teeecha, teeecha." It was rough. Cute kid, bad odor.

There was another little boy, 3rd grader, who kept acting as if he were spiderman the entire class. Finally I went up to him and did the whole "shoot a web from my wrist" action like he was doing and told him "see, you're not Spiderman, you have no power." People think women are hard to explain and live on their own planet, if that's the case, children are in a different universe. They are just strange little creatures. Or as Christina says about her preschool/ kindergardeners "they are just little blobs who's main purpose is to consume and excrete."

The weekend was fun, aside from my cellphone getting stolen. We went to dinner at a place called Cabbage & Condoms (www.cabbagesandcondoms.co.th) that benefits AIDS education. I remember reading about how well Thailand has dealt with the AIDS epidemic, and just observing small things realize that the US could learn a few lessons from the Thai approach. We then went to a Thai club that was nicer than any I have ever been to, there was a live band in the ladies room. Classy. I tutored kindergardeners on Saturday morning, my dream job really....or at least a way to get some extra spending money. Then I went to the weekend market and got some more stuff to make my room feel more homey.

On that note time to rest for another fun filled day of children and taxis.

teacher?

This past weekend we (teachers) went to Ko Samet, a small island about a three-hour bus ride from the city and then a short ferry ride over. Simply wonderful. Open white beaches, small cabanas, fruit smoothies and sunshine. It was so great to escape the city and see some of Thailand’s beauty. I decided that on of God’s greatest gifts to humans was their physical ability to float in water. It almost a great as leaping off into the abyss, but involves more constant faith and complete confidence in unknown. I floated a lot this weekend. Other highlights from the weekend include:
-sipping my fresh pineapple smoothie on the beach
-having a two hour candle lit dinner on the beach
-laying on the beach
-waking up and walking down the beach
-meeting a new friend on the bus ride home from the beach
-the nice tan I may acquire in a few days from the beach
….oh the beach. Absolutely divine.

Teaching.

I've successfully completed three days on the job as Teacher Rachel. It's pretty surreal actually writing that out on the blackboard, pacing around the room, and having control over young impressionable minds. My students are thus far wonderful and really polite. When I pass out paper some would put their hands together and bow their heads, saying “thank you teacher.” Cute. Among them I have a two Pigs' (male and female), Boss, Bonus, Toffee, Mint, Part, Ball, Peak, Pooh, Gun, Pooky, Earth, Mind and lastly a little boy named Oil. I’m not sure who came up with the nicknames, but they are fabulous and way easier than their real names. Once again I am reminded that Rachel is NOT easy to say in any language but English. I think they'll eventually catch on.

The school is located at the end of a small street, which has stalls/houses (like open porches) on both sides where men and women make shoes. They look like shoes that would be sold on the local marked, but nevertheless it still gives off the “sweatshop” vibe. I wish I spoke Thai so I could meet the neighbors and hear their stories. I’ve spotted tons of people I would love to sit down with and get to know; sadly the whole Babel thing screwed that dream up long ago. The random “farang” (foreigners) I meet will have to quench my thirst for meeting interesting people. Thus far successful, with a random Italian English teacher- Mr. F and some non-sketchy business folk.

By the way, did I mention Christina and I are pretty much the only two that speak English at our school. My Thai must develop.

donation bucket

Yellow.
10 days down and 10 months to go, I’ve seen so much but there is still so much more.
Today (Thursday) was a holiday, marking Buddha’s birth/death, so we explored the city a bit more. (when I use we I mean the other teachers or me and Christina depending on the context). We went to Lumphini Park and spent time just sitting in the open greenery. Being is such a congested city really makes me appreciate the beauty of parks. I loved sitting there not having to worry about motorbikes running me over or breathing in a puff of exhaust for a city bus, instead I just watched the intense runners go by, wishing that one day I could be as good as them. On the way to the park we walked by several embassies, including the American and Japanese, I felt right at home. Natalie, Chelsea and I were in desperate need of snack, since our bowl of beef brothy noodles and pork balls for lunch did not quite satisfy. We ventured through some back streets and had the most glorious fried bananas, fresh pineapple, and Thai coffee to top it off. I really like the food here, especially the fruit smoothies and Thai coffee. I love the fact that ice is so much a part of both of those. I’ve realized that pepsi is definitely more prevalent here than coke (which if you know me or my family at all you would know what a problem that can be). By the way Dad- they have Dairy Queen here- one more reason for you to come. Also a lot of the buses are painted like they were in Concepción. Several look like they could take me to Chiguayante, making me want to hop on them and see if I end up at Carolina’s house…oh micros.
On a last note; as we were getting on the metro to come back tonight, Christina was looking for a trashcan and asked me if the container close to me was one, I promptly responded; “No Chris, it looks like a donation bucket for elephants.” Yes, I am officially in Thailand.