A glimpse into Thai cultures and customs: Monday, August 4 2003
(See archive ...)The Train to Bangkok: May 24, 2003
(See archive ...)Okay yesterday one of my best friend, Brett Tebo just left to go teach english abroad again,last time he was in Thailand: this time will be China. I didn't get the chance to see him off, just talked with him as he left for the airport. I was very proud of him for taking the plundge into life; leaving his comfort zone and getting out there again. I can'tv tell you how inspiring it was for me to get these constant email updates of his adventures in a foreign land. So as I was begging him to write something for Defiant (being an aspiring writer too), then it hit me- he already had... all I had to do was ask the right question.
And that question was ".. can I post your emails about Thailand?" He gave me the greenlite to bring you guys up to speed on his last year abroad in Thailand. So I will be posting these quick letters he sent in instalments during the month of September; and when Brett start's sending me new emails of his adventures in China I won't heasitate posting them too.
Here we go...
T-bone in Thailand: May 15 2003
Sawat-dii khrap!
I'm here in Bangkok a week already and I've seen quite a bit. After the initial culture shock, I'm slowly figuring things out here. The school I'll be working at is well known, and the facilities are much nicer than the surrounding area. The semester doesn't start 'til next week, so I spent the first week in downtown Bangkok for orientation seminars and Thai language classes. This is one crazy town, with cycle taxis and tuk-tuks swarming around the intersections like bees to the hive. My lungs are screaming for air from all the polution that hangs everywhere. The teacher list reads like a caucasion-world roll call with people from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Scotland/Ireland/England, Canada, and the US. The Thai's are definately living up to their warm reputation, and I feel a bit like a celebrity walking in the village that I'm teaching, children smiling and pointing their fingers at the new "Farang" (foreigner).
The first few days I was nervous about the food, as everything I've read warns of intestinal problems and hepetitis. But I've slowly braved some of the local dishes and have been fine thus far. Food is such a vital part of Thai culture, and I've had some really good meals. (They're not afraid to use the spices here either, and a few times I've been reaching for something to cool it down!) I'm close enough to the city so western things are readily available, and there's even a gigantic shopping mall within a short bus ride with movie theaters and a water park. I'm ashamed to admit that a Starbucks _Mocha Frappacino tastes really f*#@king good in the hot Thai weather.
My living conditions are not the best - I've nicknamed it "the Morgue": it's a dark, dorm-type room that has no windows and was blasting the AC to a chilling temp when I first walked in; the bathroom is one of those early French style "squatters" with a bucket on the side to "flush" with. I'm working on changing that, so hopefully I'll have a different place with a guest room for my friends to visit??? I'll write my schedule of free-time when I get it so I can work out some holiday visitors.
This week will be spent settling in and preparing lessons. From what I've heard, most of the classes will be spent playing language games, so my camp counseling experience is probably more important than my credentials. The school is short by a couple of teachers - anyone interested in spending a year in Thailand?
I would like to thank everyone who came to my Bon Voyage party, and a special thanks to Mike and Debbie (and Zack) for the location. I'm a bit cut off from the rest of the world here, so any and all correspondance is tremendously appreciated.
Chohk dii! - Brett
Check back later for the next installment. Please leave a little something in the comment section for T-Bone 'cause he'll be checking in on occassion from China; and when your so far away from home a simple hello can really make your day.
Till next time TDO
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