addendum

i forgot to mention one of my favorite details in the Pattaya Post. At the movie theatre, right between the previews/turn-off your cell phone messages and the actual movie, there was about a two minute tribute to the King of Thailand. Everyone in the theatre stood for the entirety as we saw a slideshow of his life and work with an emotional soundtrack.

just an interesting little nugget

Pattaya Post

I finished my 3rd day of practice teaching in Pattaya, Thailand today. I am at a kindergarten (glorified daycare) everyday teaching about 2 hours of English a day for these next two weeks. My teachers observe and give me feedback, and then in the afternoons I learn how to speak Thai. or attempt to speak thai. Teaching at the kindergarten became a lot more tolerable once I set my expectations more realistically. We do the alphabet, numbers, and colors...lots of songs and games and all before naptime.

Everyday brings something completely new and unexpected. Yesterday Susan and I took a Baht Bus (pick-up truck with a roof...kindof. 10 baht to go along the route) to the biggest and most extravagant mall I have ever set foot in. The shock was intensified because this was the first taste of civilization for a few weeks and it was this gargantuan display of wealth. It was mostly tourists walking around and shopping. And tons of older white dudes with a young Thai girl on their arm...an ALL too common sight, especially for Pattaya. We gawked around for awhile and saw a movie on the 5th floor--The Road. I guess neither of us really knew the plot ahead of time, and we left feeling pretty down. I'll use that to blame our consumption of pistachio gelato and Pizza Hut--mmm comfort food.

It's a little ridiculous how accustomed I have become to living out of a suitcase, showering whenever our water works, walking without shoes, bowing to thank, eating with a spoon-pushing with a fork, and beckoning or hailing a ride with a down-turned palm (up-turned palm with finger wagging is reserved for dogs..). I haven't even been here that long but sometimes throughout my day I will realized how I've slipped into adaptation to the South East Asian culture. Susan and I have been keeping each other sane and laughing at certain oddities or discomforts that could send some people packing. It's all part of the experience, and I'm trying to take it all in.

Paradise Found

Long time no see!

I meant to post earlier but I had wanted to upload some photos and video first. Turns ouy, electronics aren't my friend this week. So here's a post all by itself with a glimmer of hope that one day soon I will be able to show you in addition to tell you of my travels. We arrived yesterday to Koh Chang, the second biggest island in Thailand. But I get ahead of myself.

Last weekend LanguageCorps took us on a trip to Siem Reap, where there are a lot of temples including the famous Angkor Wat. It was an incredible visit. The bus ride gave me views of Cambodia's countryside, and I felt as though every scene we passed could have made it into the pages of National Geographic. Some of the houses we passed were just one large room made on stilts that looked as if it were surprised to still be standing. There were men asleep on hammocks, half-naked children running about and playing, and gaunt cows roaming the streets that made our bus stop more than once. Along with us we had our teacher Sophia, and her mother-who didn't speak a word of English although we had many conversations. She was very caring and had a young spirit about her and she held my hand as we crossed the (admittedly and potentially dangerous) streets. This trip brought the group a bit closer together.

But now, for the good stuff. We arrived to Koh Chang yesterday after 2 bus rides and a ferry. Just as the ferry pulled in, the sun was setting ovet what honestly looks liked where they filmed L O S T. We had a wonderful dinner on the beach-pad thai with seafood and a coconut shake. I spent all day on the beach today and the water was incredible. I've never seen an ocean so calm and so clear. As I drank my pineapple smoothie on th beach, I realized how hard my life is. Hah! This is an unbelievable place. Susan and I hopped ina glorious pool to a resort (not ours) before we came back to the hotel and our group has plans to meet up so we can see the sunset and have dinner. Tomorrow Rick (head of LanguageCorps) will take us to a waterfall and feed us what he claims is the best chicken in the world. I'm sending lots of warm thoughts back to you!!!

The King and I

When I woke up today, I didn't have expectations of having a remarkable day. Why would I? It seemed as though today would be business as usual; attending class at Pannasastra University, listening to lectures from my LanguageCorps teachers, and practicing their teaching methodology by performing and presenting in front of my peers. After classes, a few of the girls Susan and I have befriended went out with us for a drink. As we were sitting on the second story patio with our 4,000 riel ($1) beers, suddenly all of the staff rushed to the ledge to look out onto the street. We tried to understand what they were looking at, but the usually crowded street was empty. "The King,"said a waiter. "Here come the King." We all stood up and peered over into the street. The King of Cambodia? The most revered and respected man in the country, whose image is held in the highest regard and even ripping or stepping on a money bill with his face on it could get you time in jail? A caravan of police cars with their lights on filed past and then an SUV passed by with a bald man hanging out of the back seat window, smiling and waving. We took a clue from everyone around and on the street to clap and wave and smile back at the King of Cambodia as he drove through the city of Phnom Penh.

Pretty cool, eh?

The rest of my week has paled importance in comparison, but it has mainly included venturing out into the city and along the river. Eating out and going for drinks opened the door for exploring the city, but last night Susan and another girl Eileen and I went around on foot. Walking through the city gave a better perspective of the area geographically and a closer look at how people live and spend their time. There is a big sort of park area that attracts a lot of people that during the day, boys can be found kicking around a shuttlecock (think badminton..but with your feet), monks walking with their orange robes and yellow umbrellas, and a motley crew doing organized aerobics. At night, we found out that it attracts a big crowd of young people who blast techno and hit music and do this massive synchronized dancing.

Tomorrow we have an exam in the morning and then we are off to Angkor Wat for a weekend trip to Siem Riep. I will post pictures and video soon, as promised!

v.

No money, no honey

Has it just been one day? It feels as though this morning were last week.

After a decent night's sleep, I awoke with my stomach aching for food. Luckily it was more than satisfied after I went out for breakfast with a few other teachers at an outdoor restaurant that looked busy--a good sign. We attempted to ask for a menu but we all got served the same breakfast: rice, egg, grilled pork, and cucumber. We then went to the market that is closest and I was a bit overwhelmed with the variety and the vastness of all of the vendors. Scarves, jewelry, odd looking fruits, fish still wriggling about, and clothing of all sorts could be found depending on which crowded aisle you turned. I haggled for a purse and an elephant hanging for 24,000 riel, or $6.

We had a tour of the city on what is quickly becoming my favorite mode of transportation: tuk-tuks. We walked along Wat Phnom, which had a beautiful building and many sculptures in the center of a big park. There was an elephant that you could pay to ride, and Dara told us that it was unwise to ride one in the afternoon because the elephant would be overheated and therefore cranky. We also went to the Royal Palace and as we were waiting outside one of the women selling water approached us and was showing off her English. "See ya later alligator, after awhile crocodile" and her son, who was selling travel books on Cambodia was pretty impressive as well, "No money, no honey." The locals here are very quick to smile and seem to find us foreigners something of a curiosity. Once we got inside the Royal Palace, it was breathtaking to see the architecture and the craftsmanship of what was built and made about 600 years ago. There were beautiful colors and pointed rooftops and a few women making tapestries from looms and men playing xylophone-esque instruments. I have been to other places where churches or bigger tourist attractions also attracted a lot of people begging for money, and this was no different.

LanguageCorps provided a welcome dinner at a very fancy restaurant in the city. We got to meet some of the teachers that will be instructing us over the next two weeks, and a few of them seem like real characters. I'm sure I will have more to update on that after this next week. For dinner, I ate water buffalo which was pretty tasty mixed with veggies and rice. A couple of Khmer girls were dancing on a stage next to our table in traditional dance, bending and writhing their fingers in a way that seemed impossible, or at the very least, painful.

Tomorrow is the first day of class, so I am going to get some shut-eye. I don't know if its the heat, or the jet lag, or the newness of everything, but this day has been one of the longest I have had for awhile. Goodnight for me, Good morning to you!

Strange times are here

Hello!

I write to you from a warm evening in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. After 23 hours of flight, 4 airports, and 2 days, I have arrived.

I was picked up from the airport by a LanguageCorps staff named Dara, whose mode of transportation was a tuk-tuk (a motorcycle with a big carriage on the back). There were two other Americans that he was arranging to meet as well--recent Gonzaga grads. The drive to our accommodation was, well, overwhelming. There was too much to look at: children playing, vendors selling unusual fare, motorcycles and cars weaving in and around as if there were no traffic laws. I was also on the receiving end of some looks as well, which comprised of intense and unabashed staring. Our lodging is a house off the main road and when we pulled down the side street Susan came out to greet us. It was so comforting to see her friendly and familiar face. More and more soon-to-be teachers have been arriving all day and there will be 17 of us total. This training is for teachers in Cambodia, Vietnam, and South Korea as well, so not all of the 17 will necessarily be in Thailand for the majority of their stay.

After a nap, 5 of us decided to go outside for a stroll and a bite to eat. I felt very aware of myself as I walked through the town. In all my other travels, I've never stuck out so much. Along our walk a little boy took the wrist of my hand that held my small bag. It wasn't a big deal, the people I was with didn't even notice but somehow I feel this won't be the best or last attempt at stealing that I will encounter. Dinner was a success as we managed to order rice, chicken, and beer. Granted, the rice had baby squids in it and the chicken came served cooked with the head, but it was pretty tasty with some side sauces of unknown ingredients. The waiters were pleasant and congenial despite--or maybe because of--our hand motions and stumbling. For the five of us the bill came to $14, and I think a few bucks still were tacked on for the language barrier.

Tomorrow we have a scheduled tour of the city, followed by a Welcome Dinner thanks to LanguageCorps. I don't think the reality has fully set in where I am or what I am doing, but there is plenty of time for that.

Signing out.

Val

p.s. a great thanks to my friends and family who have sent their love and support across the globe!