Thailand Trip (Day 13)

Day 13:

Today (Thursday) class was canceled since the teachers had something to do in Krabi (not entirely sure what they were doing). Mike and I decided to go kayaking at a National Park called Bor Thur. Our guide Mann picked us up in his truck at 10 and drove us to his village located on a nearby river. The village is the launch spot for several Kayaking adventures on the river and in the nearby caves. Several large operations charge over 1,000 Baht for kayaking, but since we used Mann we paid just 300 and the group was just the three of us. We first ventured downstream through the mangrove forest and chatted with Mann. His English was great and I asked him if he had enrolled in GVI. He told me that he had learned through watching movies! Soon we took a turn to the side of the river and down a small water way though the mangroves. We soon entered a cave at the edge of a mountain. It was an incredible cave covered with stalagmites and stalactites. In the distance through the darkness we could see the other side. After a short 3 minute paddle through the cave we emerged into a small bay surrounded entirely by cliffs and mountains. The vegetation was such that it looked like a scene from Jurassic Park. After we left that cave we headed upstream battling the relatively strong current to arrive at a bigger cave with more impressive rock structures. The final cave that we trekked to was accessible by way of kayak and land. We tethered the kayaks together and headed up a short hill. Inside the cave were paintings from over 3,000 years ago. They were basic, but quite the sight. One odd painting showed a pair of hands one with fingers and one with 6. One of the explanations was of course aliens. After returning to the town we ate a a local sea food restaurant and I had wonderful shrimp cakes with two varieties of dipping sauce. In the afternoon we relaxed and in the evening I once again enjoyed conversations with the other volunteers.

Thailand Trip (Day 12)

Day 12:
Today was another teaching day with three classes. They all went very well (much better than yesterday). Even the first grade class (different section) was great. We had them practice writing letters and graded the papers on the spot. The 30 or 40 student formed a mass around us (definitely not a line) and waited patiently while we graded papers on the floor. One of the kids decided that we needed a back massage and started that. Several of the others joined in and it was a bit odd. The Thai teachers invited us to lunch mid-day. The children eat rice and one dish, but the teachers have a variety of dishes and a separate table (I counted 11 dishes). They were all excellent, but some of the spiciest food I have ever had. Also, there were whole fish sauteed in garlic that you could eat. In the evening Mike and I ran to the junction (over a mile) to get mango sticky rice. Afterwards, I chatted with several of the English volunteers about environmentalism.

Thailand Trip (Day 11)

Day 11:
Today (Tuesday) was another great day spent teaching. We started off early and Steve, Mike, and I headed to the preschool. As the kids were so young we did not plan lessons, but instead songs and a game of duck duck goose. We were quite lucky that we all came to the class since Steve counted that there were at least 64 students in the class. The kids really loved the games and the teachers encouraged the students to dance while we sang. The principal even showed up to take some pictures.

After preschool we headed to first grade where we found a quite rowdy class. The first grade English teacher is actually the nurse so the class is held outside the infirmary in the open air auditorium. Many of the children were running about auditorium, but some were sitting. There seemed to be no teacher in sight, but suddenly a motorbike roared across the concrete auditorium floor, its driver a women wearing a helmet and reflective visor. It was the teacher! She parked the bike, got settled and let us know that we would be covering letters. The class did a good job writing B's and drawing a boat after we motivated them with stickers. The second half of class was disastrous as there was one wild child. He ran about the classroom attempting to punch Mike and I in the groin and whack us with rulers. The other children soon decided to chase him down. It was quite the class. Having take the ruler from the child we finished class tired and ready for the mid-day break. In the afternoon we taught a excited and much better behaved third grade class where the teacher brought us delicious fruit smoothie drinks. Afterwards we headed to the post office and dinner on base.

In the evening Mike and I walked to the junction of Ao Luk to buy three mango sticky rices, but after a 30 minute walk found only one. We brought it back and several of us shared it as we shared life stories.

Thailand Trip (Day 10)

Day 10:
I woke up to the delicious smell of fresh banana pancakes today (Monday). Shaun, Morag, and Kirsti were on breakfast today and did a fabulous job. Banana pancakes with honey and cinnamon = stellar. We headed off the the school at 8:45 and found that it was a short (10 minute walk). Since Thai teachers are extremely respected we wore slacks even in the 90+ F heat. By the time we arrived at the school we were sweating quite heavily, but were greeted with loud courses of hellos. Mike, Steve, and I will be teaching at this particular school for the next 2 weeks. Jill (the country director also accompanied us since it was our first day). The school was a complex of buildings on the side of a river. The main building comprised of outdoor hallways and was three stories high. It was encircled by a variety of outdoor cafeterias, playgrounds, and smaller buildings. One particular building was a clean water drinking station donated by Rotary Club after the infamous Tsunami. As we entered the grounds we met one of the English teachers and also the Assistant Director (Principal). Mike and I had to laugh when the Principal told us we were celebrities and pretended to sing! I was also amazed at how well behaved Thai children were. Kids moved about the yard collecting trash, helping with morning chores, and moving items about.

Jill taught the first class while the three of us observed. The Thai children were quick to ask us our name though and were ecstatic to have us in their class. This particular class was interesting since one Thai English teacher is out sick (back injuries). This means that GVI volunteers actually run class. I have been told that if we were not their students simply would go to class and sit (some chatting while others do homework in their workbooks). Accordingly, Jill ran class today and the student loved it! Normally, they do a lot of note taking and drilling, but GVI teaches through games, so foreigners mean "fun, fun!!") We had a bit of time off mid day, so we headed off to the base to grab lunch. After lunch we headed to the school to assist Steve in teaching. The kids were quite a handful, but Steve ran the show well and even sang several songs for them. Then the insisted that Mike and I sing and dance, luckily we had a song prepared.

After this class we headed to the third grade class that we were supposed to assist with, but 'found the students testing or something. It wasn't long before another teacher approached us (fourth grade) and asked if we would help with her class in an hour, we were thrilled. In the time waiting another teacher insisted that we take a refreshment and brought me a Thai coffee and, Mike a water. We arrived to the class at 3 as schedule to find 30+ Thai student sitting in desks, but no teacher in sight (we think she may have gone home early?). As we entered they all chimed in "HELLO, HOW ARE YOU?" and stood up. We hardly knew what to do. It turned out great in the end and we reviewed age, greetings, and taught numbers. The students loved the games and became quite competitive. At the end of class several students came up to say thanks and shake hands. Other students put chairs on desks, shut the windows, and swept the floor. Soon we were walking home after being mobbed by students waving, shouting, shaking hands, and some even taking pictures of us!

We arrived at the base and began our chores which are mostly yard work. We raked leaves, and even dug a trough across the lawn for water. It's quite fun to be part of the base team where everyone is responsible for a small part of a larger community. It's amazing how well it all fits together. Dinner was spicy Thai food prepared by a local women and really hit the spot! Afterwards we went for a run, I picked up my laundry, and headed to the net cafe (**I'm a the cafe next door right now**).

Thailand Trip (Day 8 and 9)

Day 8:

Today we left Ao Nang for Krabi town. We traveled via songtaew (pickup truck with seats) and got off near where we thought the Thai Hotel was (where GVI would pick us up). Luckily, we were very close to the hotel and got directions from some locals. We arrived a half hour early and decided to get a sit down breakfast in a nearby restaurant (Thai service is remarkably fast!). We hurried to the hotel after breakfast and were a bit late, but the folks from GVI were too :). Global Vision International (GVI) is a international volunteering organization that we joined for an expedition. The expedition that we joined was Teachers Assistants in Thailand. Jill, the program direction picked us up in a Honda Jazz and we headed off to Ao Luk. The tourists and shops soon disappeared as we headed into the country side and forest. We arrived in Ao Luk, a sleepy and beautiful southern Thai town that has escaped the hectic modern world we live in. There are two town centers here (road intersections) and around 5,000 residents. The GVI base was just past the local Palm Oil plant which periodically belches out some dark smoke into the otherwise crystal clear air. The surrounding area is amazing with limestone cliffs covered in dense jungle in almost all directions.

We were introduced to Emily at the base who would be training us this weekend. She was a hilarious gal from the US who gave us a colorful tour of the base, warning us of dangers ranging from falling coconuts, to snakes in the grass. The base is pretty basic and consists of two large dorm rooms, three Thai bathrooms (bucket flush toilets and showers or Thai baths which are bucket showers), a kitchen, common room, and a large yard. The base has electricity and water, but no hot water or air conditioning. Everyone at the base is quite friendly and very helpful. After the safety briefing and tour we walked to the local National Park with Emily and Kirsti (a college aged volunteer from Canada). We had a great local lunch (wide variety of spicy food which was hard to identify). My favorite was the spicy soup. After lunch we ventured into the national park where Thais enter for free and foreigners pay 200 Bhat (34 Bhat=1 USD). Interestingly enough, the local like the free English service that GVI provides so much that we are considered locals too.

The park was filled with lush forests and a array of small waterfalls. Normally, they are crystal clear, but the rains have made them a bit clay colored. A short trek into the park led us to a local swimming spot were 20-30 Thai children were swimming. We entered and enjoyed the water. I decided to brave the currents and much to the amusement of the local children went sliding down the slippery rocks through a series of small rapids. You had to be there to enjoy the laughter! After leaving the park we visited a local "country club" type area owned by the palm oil plant owner. The club features a golf course, picturesque swimming pool, club house, and tennis courts all surrounded by the stunning jungle covered cliffs. Its quite out of place in Ao Luk and apparently is rarely used except to entertain business people who come to town. Similarly to the park, it is open to the GVI staff and volunteers because the owner appreciates the GVI village projects and English training.

Back at the base we freshened up and headed off to dinner. Jack (English name though he is Thai) picked us up in Jill's Jazz. Jack and Jill are married (neat name match up). The restaurant that we headed to was great. Jack plays the guitar and sings in Thai with his friend at the restaurant every Saturday. All the seating is in outdoor palapas (Bamboo and leaf huts) and the restaurant is run by a local family (two of which are in GVI night lessons). The children served us different Thai food that we had ordered and Supacha, the owner and their father came out with a complementary salad. It was incredibly spicy and a bit chewy. We all (a GVI staff member included) wondered what the chewy part was and asked Supachai. Though he speaks good English he could not translate it and made a phone call. We soon found that we had tried jellyfish! The meal was great and most dishes were a bit tamer than jellyfish. Throughout the night Supachai offered us different Thai beers and at the end of the evening even drove us home in his minivan.


Day 9:
During the first night at the GVI base, I found it a bit difficult to sleep given the lack of AC, geckos chirping in our room and the squeaky bed, but most off all I was excited! In the morning we woke up to Emily cooking breakfast and enjoyed a delicious spread of food. We trained throughout the morning (today is now Sunday) learning everything from classroom management to teaching methods. At noon we broke for lunch and found that Jack had arrived at the base to make a delicious Thai pork dish and Thai fried eggs. After lunch we continued training learning about vocabulary and the Thai school system (they just got back from summer break). By 3:30 we were done and Mike, Kirsti and I decide to go for a jog to the local meditation center. We were surprised to hear an uproar of cheering and hollering since a local football (soccer) match was going on. After another 5 minute jog we arrived at the pool and went for a much needed swim. When we arrived back, some of the other volunteers had begun to arrive back from the weekend (many travel on weekends). We met Stephen, a volunteer from the UK in his fifties who had just recently quite his job as a partner at a major British accounting firm for a change of pace.

The group of us headed to town to visit the night market and pick up some dinner. On the way into town we met Tim also from the UK. He was extremely tanned from a weekend at the beach and had just recently got a Thai bamboo tattoo. We asked his what it said and he told us, "Tim!" He also had one on his back which was some Buddhist saying that he did not "quite know yet," but would find out as to not be a "bloke with tattoos, who doesn't know what they even mean." Tim headed off to the base trundling his bag along with a giant strawberry Slurpee. At the market I bought several chicken legs, some rice, and the most delicious Thai dessert I have tried- mango sticky rice. It was amazing. We followed Tim's lead and headed to 7-11 to look for those Slurpees as well :). We arrived back at the base for the weekly meeting and played a rowdy game to get to know each other. In the late evening everyone was busy making lesson plans and talking. I talked to Tim to get his life story in the restaurant industry. He had recently been made redundant (laid off) and was ecstatic about it. He said when he found out he , had to fake being concerned, but really found it a giant relief. Apparently his former company had been acquired by a behemoth of a company and the culture had changed. After the layoff he book a several month expedition with GVI "without knowing much at all." After a long day I headed to bed excited for the first day of teaching!

**I'm writing this post Monday morning (Day 10), but will post day 10 later). I slept quite well last night!**