Right at this very moment, I'm watching over my students as they meditate quietly before beginning math class. It's a ritual here to sit quietly with eyes closed for about five minutes after entering the classroom in order to calm the students down and get them in a state of mind conducive to learning.
Buddhism is at the heart of the Thai psyche. This gentle religion (or "spiritual practice" if you wish to be politically correct) is behind almost every decision in Thai society. Although I don't practice Buddhism, I have learned a little about it just by living here and I must say, I agree with much of how they believe we should live as human beings.
Buddhists are very open when it comes to other religions and Thai's just love to celebrate things. With these two factors combined, Christmas in Thailand doesn't feel as lifeless as I thought it would. Almost all of the Thais that I talked to know at least a little bit about Christmas. They know about Santa Clause, presents, lights, and the like of surface traditions.
Bangkok is decked out in lights, centered around a giant Times Square-esque Christmas tree in the heart of the shopping district. Christmas music plays over loud speakers and all of the sales are, you guessed it, holiday sales. Out in the countryside it's not as prominent but I never expected it to be. I'll be at another volunteer's site during the week of Christmas doing a Christmas themed English camp so I'll be celebrating the season by teaching it. English camps are my forte here. I'm gone almost every other weekend working with other volunteers and helping their Thai counterparts run productive camps. I hope this Christmas themed one has Christmas food too. Although Thai food is awesome, I miss the cold wintery day comfort foods:
Beef Dumpling Stew
Chili with cheese and onions
Chicken Pot Pie
Shepherds Pie
Steak and Cheese Sandwich
Hot Turkey Sandwich
Fifteen Bean Soup
(my mouth is watering)
Tacos
Cudighi Sandwich
Pasties
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Pizza with the works
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Apart from all that
I got through my first term. I got through my first term break. Now, school is starting up again. Looking back on what I did, I realize that it could not have been done any other way. I needed to make the mistakes I did in order to become a better teacher. I had to fail in order to succeed (is that a cliche, because if not I'm trademarking that one (I must have heard it somewhere)).
The one thing I'm proud I accomplished is that I did it. I went to every hour of every day and didn't once skip a class. My students saw that. Whether they know it themselves or not, they have become a little more comfortable with me. So their English has barely improved and they're still scared to speak it, but is that maybe because our relationship wasn't as strong as it is now? The challenges I face here are not physical and are only mildly mental, but are more often than not, personal.
I've set goals for myself that have not yet come close to being reached. That first semester was used to feel things out. Term break was a time to reflect. Now it's time to start pushing again, this time a little harder.
I love to play sports, I love geography, and I do what I can to help the environment. I see these three things being the most important influences in my future here next to the Mekong River.
The one thing I'm proud I accomplished is that I did it. I went to every hour of every day and didn't once skip a class. My students saw that. Whether they know it themselves or not, they have become a little more comfortable with me. So their English has barely improved and they're still scared to speak it, but is that maybe because our relationship wasn't as strong as it is now? The challenges I face here are not physical and are only mildly mental, but are more often than not, personal.
I've set goals for myself that have not yet come close to being reached. That first semester was used to feel things out. Term break was a time to reflect. Now it's time to start pushing again, this time a little harder.
I love to play sports, I love geography, and I do what I can to help the environment. I see these three things being the most important influences in my future here next to the Mekong River.
Monday, September 15, 2008
I will never be able to explain what it's like to live here
If there’s one thing that’s on my mind more often than anything while living in Thailand it’s the world outside of Thailand; being in such a place forces one to analyze the world outside of it. I find myself constantly thinking about how different one location is from the next. Landscape, climate, culture, traditions, food, atmosphere, and attitudes are just a few aspects that change depending on your location. I grew up a full days plane ride from where I am living now and its the reality of that distance which helps me understand life an culture. No one is right and no one is wrong, it just…is.
It’s impossible for me to explain everything about Thailand in this blog. For one, there’s way too much to cover and I don’t have the time, for two I’m not a good enough writer to do it justice, and for three I’m too lazy to type it all up. What I’ve got instead is a story that will hopefully condense it all.
For over a year my village has been building a holy shrine in the local temple (wat). Thailand is 97% Buddhist and the wat is an extremely holy place, often the center of activity in a village. The Monks who live at the wat will often be called upon for anything from choosing a name for a newborn to presiding over a funeral. Well finally, two weeks ago it was announced that the time had come for the official inauguration of this beautiful pearl white cement, brown tile roof, yellow ornamental structure which houses an enormous Buddha figure.
I gotta ask questions. I must know. It’s in my nature to know, thanks to my father. So of course I ask the obvious ones: why are we going to the wat?; what’s going to happen next?; when is the celebration finished? But it’s like I just arrived yesterday! I know not to ask these questions because first of all they’ll never get answered and even if they do get answered, they’re answered differently depending on who is being asked and second of all I'm probably not going to understand the answer anyways. Inevitably I relaxed and left it up to the Thais in charge, helping out where I could. If I was to try and describe the tradition that took place, it wouldn’t make sense from a Western perspective but I will say that it involved great lengths of string, more food than needed, flowers and incents, and plenty of hard work from the villagers.
This story proves that 50% of my day is filled with wonder – half of the time I don’t know what’s going on. Survival in Thailand can only be possible if I allow myself to accept the fact that I can’t control hardly anything here. English words cannot describe just how difficult that is but Thai has a pretty good one (ngong meaning, “confused”). My parents are coming to visit me in November and I am extremely excited. I want them to have the best trip they’ve ever taken. Almost every time I talk to them on the phone, I find myself trying to teach them about the culture so that they’re more prepared when they arrive. But every time I give them some advice, I get stuck midsentence not knowing how to finish my thought. If I still have trouble understanding the culture after seven months in country, how can I possibly make any valid points to them?
There’s an analogy that has stuck with me since pre-service training and it goes a little something like this: if you are an iceberg, 10% of you is sticking out of the water and 90% is hidden beneath the surface. The 10% is what people can see and interact with. It’s what people make their snap judgments based upon. It's you, on the outside. The other 90% is you on the inside. It’s all of your emotions, hidden talents, personal values, morals, etc. It’s up to you if you wish to share that 90% with the world. Thailand is the same iceberg. The 10% is what you see on the news or hear about from someone who has vacationed here. It’s a small portion of the big picture. The other 90% is what you experience when you learn the language, begin to understand the culture, accept the people for who they are, and truly throw yourself into the lifestyle. I will never be able to give my parents advice on how to properly behave in this country, nor do I have to. I don’t know why I’m so worried in the first place. Finding out how to act in a culture unlike anything the West has to offer is an adventure into self discovery itself. That’s something anyone traveling here needs to experience on their own.
This is often what I feel like.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
I'm bad with photos
I bought a camera here, but I never take pictures. I'm constantly forgetting to take it with me and never thinking about it. It eats batteries like Isaan people eat fish and to me, it was a waste of money. The reason I didn't buy one in the States and bring it with me in the first place is because I'm not a photo snapper kind of guy. It's not my style and never has been.
To me, writing a blog without photos is like playing in the snow without a sled or some skis. It's still fun, but not as interactive. Photos make a blog much more interesting. I do realize however, people don't always need photos to look at and would rather just read what I've got to say. So, I've compromised. Whenever someone else is taking photos, I usually see if I can't mooch off of them and add their cache to my collection.
I know this blog has been spotty at best, but bare with. I'm new to the whole "public journal." Isn't that a contradiction anyways?
So what's up in Thailand hu? Well, over the past four months I've found that it's much better to stay at site in your village than off hiding in the nearest big city every weekend. The way things work here is what I would describe as the opposite of the American suburbs. In the burbs, you wake up in your house, get in your car through your garage, drive to work, work all day, drive home, enter your house through your garage, and go to sleep to wake up and do it all over again. Some people don't communicate with their neighbors at all let alone see the light of day. But here in Thailand, your business is everyone else's business. If you're not an open person coming to Thailand, you're an open person before you leave. Everyone wants to know everything. What did you eat, have you showered yet, what time will you be home, why were you in your backyard for so long yesterday, who was that I saw you with down by the river, are you going to look for mushrooms like so and so told me you were, have you eaten yet, can you do my English homework for me, do you need water, where were you just now, what did you eat with your rice? That's no exaggeration and probably more of a downplay. This is my life.
When I'm in Bangkok, no one knows me. Sure I've got some friends who live there, but they constitute less than 1% of the 7 million people who call "Krungthep" home. More than once I've been in Bangkok feeling lonely. People shoulder to shoulder with me on the SkyTrain and I'm so lonely I feel depressed. "Why haven't any random people asked me if I've eaten yet today or not?" I ask myself. Then I realize, I'm not in the countryside. Put my in my village with the smiling faces I encounter regularly and life is warm. I'm part of this now. It's finally becoming comfortable.
That's not to say Bangkok isn't fun. If you've got a wingman, someone to roll with, and you can speak Thai...you hit the streets. Figure Bangkok out. Enough said.
Let's now change speeds and see what Tony's got going on at site.
Tony's current projects:
Co-teaching four days a week at two different schools.
Multiple teacher trainings
Hosting an English camp
Constantly landscaping around my house
World Map - Going to paint a world map on a wall at my school
Building a chair - It's harder than it sounds
It feels like I've always got something on my mind. Even when I'm relaxing with the family I spend a good portion of my day with across the street, I can feel the gears turning. Living in an Eastern culture is something that I knew would provoke a lot of new synapses but I never expected them to be firing so regularly. And what a fun little thing I got goin' on here too. I think about how the people here who know me as "Aa-tet" would react if they saw me in the Upper Peninsula. They have this view of me as a tall white Thai-Isaan boy because that's what I've been portraying but if you know me you know I'll never forget where I came from (god what I wouldn't do for a PBR).
Mekong Update:
The Mekong is starting to lower a bit after reaching it's maximum capacity and flooding a few people out of their homes. I like the Mekong. I'm glad I live in a village on its shores.
To me, writing a blog without photos is like playing in the snow without a sled or some skis. It's still fun, but not as interactive. Photos make a blog much more interesting. I do realize however, people don't always need photos to look at and would rather just read what I've got to say. So, I've compromised. Whenever someone else is taking photos, I usually see if I can't mooch off of them and add their cache to my collection.
I know this blog has been spotty at best, but bare with. I'm new to the whole "public journal." Isn't that a contradiction anyways?
So what's up in Thailand hu? Well, over the past four months I've found that it's much better to stay at site in your village than off hiding in the nearest big city every weekend. The way things work here is what I would describe as the opposite of the American suburbs. In the burbs, you wake up in your house, get in your car through your garage, drive to work, work all day, drive home, enter your house through your garage, and go to sleep to wake up and do it all over again. Some people don't communicate with their neighbors at all let alone see the light of day. But here in Thailand, your business is everyone else's business. If you're not an open person coming to Thailand, you're an open person before you leave. Everyone wants to know everything. What did you eat, have you showered yet, what time will you be home, why were you in your backyard for so long yesterday, who was that I saw you with down by the river, are you going to look for mushrooms like so and so told me you were, have you eaten yet, can you do my English homework for me, do you need water, where were you just now, what did you eat with your rice? That's no exaggeration and probably more of a downplay. This is my life.
When I'm in Bangkok, no one knows me. Sure I've got some friends who live there, but they constitute less than 1% of the 7 million people who call "Krungthep" home. More than once I've been in Bangkok feeling lonely. People shoulder to shoulder with me on the SkyTrain and I'm so lonely I feel depressed. "Why haven't any random people asked me if I've eaten yet today or not?" I ask myself. Then I realize, I'm not in the countryside. Put my in my village with the smiling faces I encounter regularly and life is warm. I'm part of this now. It's finally becoming comfortable.
That's not to say Bangkok isn't fun. If you've got a wingman, someone to roll with, and you can speak Thai...you hit the streets. Figure Bangkok out. Enough said.
Let's now change speeds and see what Tony's got going on at site.
Tony's current projects:
Co-teaching four days a week at two different schools.
Multiple teacher trainings
Hosting an English camp
Constantly landscaping around my house
World Map - Going to paint a world map on a wall at my school
Building a chair - It's harder than it sounds
It feels like I've always got something on my mind. Even when I'm relaxing with the family I spend a good portion of my day with across the street, I can feel the gears turning. Living in an Eastern culture is something that I knew would provoke a lot of new synapses but I never expected them to be firing so regularly. And what a fun little thing I got goin' on here too. I think about how the people here who know me as "Aa-tet" would react if they saw me in the Upper Peninsula. They have this view of me as a tall white Thai-Isaan boy because that's what I've been portraying but if you know me you know I'll never forget where I came from (god what I wouldn't do for a PBR).
Mekong Update:
The Mekong is starting to lower a bit after reaching it's maximum capacity and flooding a few people out of their homes. I like the Mekong. I'm glad I live in a village on its shores.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Pi Dtong
Today, a wise man said to me in Thai, "Life is delicate. I never sigh because I am always fighting to keep my body strong. If you sigh, you are breaking your life apart."
Friday, May 9, 2008
Puan
Now that school is almost here in Thailand, our free time as TCCO volunteers is coming to a close. Before letting us loose, Peace Corps made sure we knew our first month at site may be boring. We even had a session on, "What to do with all your free time." Needless to say, you figure it out. It's necessary to let whoever's reading this in on what amounted to my first taste of freedom in Thailand.
I've spent the last month of my life in, around, on top, under, in front, and behind my house. I bought all the implements any typical farmer here in Thailand owns: a hoe, a rake, a pick, a pa-kao-ma (Thai for, colorful cloth), a watering can, some flowers, some trees, and some vegetable seeds. Can you tell where I'm going with this? For four straight weeks, I spent a couple hours each day working on my yard; all the while, cleaning the inside of my house after tracking dirt in along with me. But before I get too far ahead of myself, let me flash back.
My house is brand new. The front yard is fill and the back yard was apparently used as the dump by the builders. What I'm getting at is, the house itself is beautiful and I couldn't ask for a better place to rest my bones for the next two years but the yard, which everyone in the community sees, hadn't been worked on at all. That's where I come in and that's where I bring my Midwest attitude with me. So, for four weeks, I hoed, raked, picked, planted, and even composted. I vowed to get it ready before school started and by gosh, that's what I've been doing. Below are a few before and after photos from the progress I've made so far.
My back yard before...
...and my back yard after.
Compost pile and garden. Notice the walkway
and steps. I used pieces of broken concrete the
builders had thrown out to make a path to my garden.
...and my front yard after. It's a bummer the
the pictures really don't do it justice. I'm
proud either way.
I'm excited for school to start so that I can finally do some teaching, but now I'm also excited for my flowers to bloom and my vegetable to grow. In my front yard alone, almost all of my plants will have flowers.
The last thing I want to add to this post has to do with something else I've been doing for the past month of my life: playing with bugs. I feel like a toddler saying I've been playing in the dirt first and now saying I've been playing with bugs, but it's the truth. Even though I knew it before, it took me a few encounters with strange creatures to realize, I'm in a tropical climate. There are a lot of plants, animals, and insects here that I don't normally see in the US. For example, while cleaning out my backyard, I came across a dead log that needed to be moved. I picked it up and underneath was a family of seven black scorpions who were very unhappy I had just wisked their home away like a tornado. Two of whom, mom and pop I assume, were the size of my head(that's an eggageration...only one was). Needless to say, they don't live in my backyard anymore. The thing is, insects don't know boundaries. Ants outnumber humans in Isaan 1,000,000/1 and that's the truth. I know because I've got 1,000,000 ants in and around my house. They're a constant player in my everyday life.
The last notable encounter I had happened just last night and thus motivating me write this entry. The principal of my school took me to a house warming party last night. Before leaving my house however, there's a checklist I need to take into consideration, otherwise my universe collapses: 1. is the gas off; 2. are the doors locked; 3. are the lights off; 4. is the water switch off; 5. is all the food put away. I ran through my checklist and I was good as gold. My principal picks me up and we hurry to the party. Once night falls and the party winds down, he takes me back home. I keep my front porch light on at night so my neighbors can watch my house, but there's a downside. We all know all kinds of bugs are attracted to light, but in a climate like this where bugs are so plentiful, it can be downright ludicrous. I rush to open my door and after my door is open, I rush just as quickly to close it behind me so I can keep the bugs out. "Excellent," I think. "Barely any came in with me." I yawn and stretch before going into my bedroom to change because I'm exausted from speaking Thai at the party. All I want to do is shower and go to sleep. I get ready for my shower and head towards the bathroom. Funny thing...
...I left the light on in the bathroom. What I found on the floor ended up nearly clogging my drainpipe. I had to take some pictures.
My friend the praying mantis. Probably my
favorite bug ever.
I've spent the last month of my life in, around, on top, under, in front, and behind my house. I bought all the implements any typical farmer here in Thailand owns: a hoe, a rake, a pick, a pa-kao-ma (Thai for, colorful cloth), a watering can, some flowers, some trees, and some vegetable seeds. Can you tell where I'm going with this? For four straight weeks, I spent a couple hours each day working on my yard; all the while, cleaning the inside of my house after tracking dirt in along with me. But before I get too far ahead of myself, let me flash back.
My house is brand new. The front yard is fill and the back yard was apparently used as the dump by the builders. What I'm getting at is, the house itself is beautiful and I couldn't ask for a better place to rest my bones for the next two years but the yard, which everyone in the community sees, hadn't been worked on at all. That's where I come in and that's where I bring my Midwest attitude with me. So, for four weeks, I hoed, raked, picked, planted, and even composted. I vowed to get it ready before school started and by gosh, that's what I've been doing. Below are a few before and after photos from the progress I've made so far.
My back yard before...
...and my back yard after. Compost pile and garden. Notice the walkwayand steps. I used pieces of broken concrete the
builders had thrown out to make a path to my garden.
My front yard before...
...and my front yard after. It's a bummer thethe pictures really don't do it justice. I'm
proud either way.
I'm excited for school to start so that I can finally do some teaching, but now I'm also excited for my flowers to bloom and my vegetable to grow. In my front yard alone, almost all of my plants will have flowers.
The last thing I want to add to this post has to do with something else I've been doing for the past month of my life: playing with bugs. I feel like a toddler saying I've been playing in the dirt first and now saying I've been playing with bugs, but it's the truth. Even though I knew it before, it took me a few encounters with strange creatures to realize, I'm in a tropical climate. There are a lot of plants, animals, and insects here that I don't normally see in the US. For example, while cleaning out my backyard, I came across a dead log that needed to be moved. I picked it up and underneath was a family of seven black scorpions who were very unhappy I had just wisked their home away like a tornado. Two of whom, mom and pop I assume, were the size of my head(that's an eggageration...only one was). Needless to say, they don't live in my backyard anymore. The thing is, insects don't know boundaries. Ants outnumber humans in Isaan 1,000,000/1 and that's the truth. I know because I've got 1,000,000 ants in and around my house. They're a constant player in my everyday life.
The last notable encounter I had happened just last night and thus motivating me write this entry. The principal of my school took me to a house warming party last night. Before leaving my house however, there's a checklist I need to take into consideration, otherwise my universe collapses: 1. is the gas off; 2. are the doors locked; 3. are the lights off; 4. is the water switch off; 5. is all the food put away. I ran through my checklist and I was good as gold. My principal picks me up and we hurry to the party. Once night falls and the party winds down, he takes me back home. I keep my front porch light on at night so my neighbors can watch my house, but there's a downside. We all know all kinds of bugs are attracted to light, but in a climate like this where bugs are so plentiful, it can be downright ludicrous. I rush to open my door and after my door is open, I rush just as quickly to close it behind me so I can keep the bugs out. "Excellent," I think. "Barely any came in with me." I yawn and stretch before going into my bedroom to change because I'm exausted from speaking Thai at the party. All I want to do is shower and go to sleep. I get ready for my shower and head towards the bathroom. Funny thing...
...I left the light on in the bathroom. What I found on the floor ended up nearly clogging my drainpipe. I had to take some pictures.
My friend the praying mantis. Probably myfavorite bug ever.
My friend Mr. Sticky Hands, sitting on my soap
container, eyeing up his dinner on the wall.
My friends the Dumbest Bugs Ever. Despite their
insecure name, they really are quite delicious.
I never know when I'll be inspired to write a post, but as long as I keep having encounters like the kind I had last night, I can't see myself stopping any time soon.
Monday, April 21, 2008
To answer your questions
I just got an email from a family member living out on the west coast and it contained a plethora of questions across the board. While my blog is still public, I'll take my chances and answer these very questions one by one.
How big is your village, in population or physical size?
- I actually live right between two villages and so there are two parts to this answer. One village is 4 blocks and the other is about 7. As far as numbers of people, I really have no idea but I would guess no more than a couple hundred total.
Besides the market (which sounds great—can’t wait to hear more!), are there other things to do there? Places of interest—temples, historical sites.
- The best way to answer this question is by simply saying, of course there are things to do, I'm in Thailand! There hasn't been one day at site so far where I've felt bored. It's difficult to explain but there's always something going on, whether it be in my village, in a neighboring village, or in Ampur Kemmarat. Thai's must always have "sanook" (fun). I have three temples within a couple of kilometers, which I can mosey around if I want too.
And what things do you find at the market? Everything under the sun?
- The market in my village is actually fairly small. You can pick up fresh produce and meat, shirts and pants, or household supplies. Other than that, it doesn't really compare to other large markets around Thailand.
Are there other Americans or Brits there who speak English or are you pretty isolated?
- I'm here getting stared at by myself.
Are there cars in your village or is it mostly transport by animal and on foot?
- It's hard for me not to smile when I read this question, but I know it's one of curiosity. Thailand is a "developing" country and has pretty much all the ammenaties us Westerners have. Even in rural areas, you'll get grandmas with cheeky hip ringtones on their cell phones, or grandpas driving brand new Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks.
Is it an agricultural area and what is grown—rice? Other things?
- This area is known for "naa rai" which roughly translates to "ground agriculture." It's very dry and so not much rice is grown like there is in the central plain of Thailand. You get green beans, chillies, peanuts, onions, and the like that doesn't need much water and grows in silty riverbed soil.
If the Mekong is near, have you been to it? Is it a big, wide river? Clean? Does it have beachy shores or jungle-y ones? Do people use it for bathing and washing like in some parts of the world?
- I can safely say, I live on the Mekong. I swim in it when the neighborhood kids want to go down to cool off. It's not very wide where I live, but I've seen it in other areas and it can get extremely wide. Let's just say, the water is brown, but that doesn't bother me because if Thai's do something (like swim in a brown river) I do the same thing. I figure if they're not getting sick, either am I. The shore is a beach and just this last week was Songkran festival, the biggest waterfight in the world, and the beach near my village was completely turned into a sports field. I was on my village's soccer team and we kicked balls, footballs.
You’re able to get and transmit email—do you have electricity or generators? Wifi or hardwire internet connections?
- My school has interenet access on one computer through hardwire. The whole of Thailand, from what I've observed, has a very good electricity infrastructure. I haven't been to a house that hasn't had electricity.
How many other “comforts” do you have? Flush toilet? Running water?
- I have a squat toilet and a bucket shower, but I also have running water. I have a TV to use it as a study tool for learning Thai. The only channels I get in English are National Geographic Wild and Russia News Today. Finally, the kicker, I used some of my moving in allowance to buy a washing machine. It's the one thing I wanted to splurge on.
Have you had a chance to explore the countryside around your village, and what is it like—big and empty and flat, hilly or jungle-y, lush and/or lots of fields…?
- The land is very dry with rolling hills and thick forests. You don't really do much in the woods beacuse 1. It's so hot 2. There's nowhere to go 3. It's filled with dangers.
In your village, do you have a place of your own or do you share it with others?
- I rent a house to myself. It's some pretty sweet digs I'd say. I'd be happy to have it in the states!
What ages are your students learning English?
- My kids are elementry school students.
Do they know some English or are they starting from scratch? Are they eager to learn?
- I haven't started teaching yet, but from what I've observed in my community so far, English is limited to, "Hello!"
Do you have other teachers where you teach and what do they teach?
- My school has teachers that teach the same subjects as American school teachers teach. Arts, sciences, histories, language, etc.
Are they all Thais?
- Either Thai or Lao I suppose.
How are Thai schools different from our schools?
- Thai schools are much more laid back because...relax, don't be so serious, you're in Thailand!
Are there local officials or village leaders that you see or deal with on a regular basis?
- You got it. In each villages there's an appointed village headman called the "Pu-yai-bahn." He's the man with the plan. I know the pu-yai-bahn's in each of the villages I live between very well and they are both great guys.
Well, that's all. I enjoyed that, so if you've got more or want me to build on what was said, keep 'em comin. Here's a few pictures from my last days as a trainee. Now that I'm a volunteer, I'll have plenty of photo opportunities.
This group of people made me feel more at home in Thailand than I could have ever guessed. I will never forget any of them. They are my family.
How big is your village, in population or physical size?
- I actually live right between two villages and so there are two parts to this answer. One village is 4 blocks and the other is about 7. As far as numbers of people, I really have no idea but I would guess no more than a couple hundred total.
Besides the market (which sounds great—can’t wait to hear more!), are there other things to do there? Places of interest—temples, historical sites.
- The best way to answer this question is by simply saying, of course there are things to do, I'm in Thailand! There hasn't been one day at site so far where I've felt bored. It's difficult to explain but there's always something going on, whether it be in my village, in a neighboring village, or in Ampur Kemmarat. Thai's must always have "sanook" (fun). I have three temples within a couple of kilometers, which I can mosey around if I want too.
And what things do you find at the market? Everything under the sun?
- The market in my village is actually fairly small. You can pick up fresh produce and meat, shirts and pants, or household supplies. Other than that, it doesn't really compare to other large markets around Thailand.
Are there other Americans or Brits there who speak English or are you pretty isolated?
- I'm here getting stared at by myself.
Are there cars in your village or is it mostly transport by animal and on foot?
- It's hard for me not to smile when I read this question, but I know it's one of curiosity. Thailand is a "developing" country and has pretty much all the ammenaties us Westerners have. Even in rural areas, you'll get grandmas with cheeky hip ringtones on their cell phones, or grandpas driving brand new Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks.
Is it an agricultural area and what is grown—rice? Other things?
- This area is known for "naa rai" which roughly translates to "ground agriculture." It's very dry and so not much rice is grown like there is in the central plain of Thailand. You get green beans, chillies, peanuts, onions, and the like that doesn't need much water and grows in silty riverbed soil.
If the Mekong is near, have you been to it? Is it a big, wide river? Clean? Does it have beachy shores or jungle-y ones? Do people use it for bathing and washing like in some parts of the world?
- I can safely say, I live on the Mekong. I swim in it when the neighborhood kids want to go down to cool off. It's not very wide where I live, but I've seen it in other areas and it can get extremely wide. Let's just say, the water is brown, but that doesn't bother me because if Thai's do something (like swim in a brown river) I do the same thing. I figure if they're not getting sick, either am I. The shore is a beach and just this last week was Songkran festival, the biggest waterfight in the world, and the beach near my village was completely turned into a sports field. I was on my village's soccer team and we kicked balls, footballs.
You’re able to get and transmit email—do you have electricity or generators? Wifi or hardwire internet connections?
- My school has interenet access on one computer through hardwire. The whole of Thailand, from what I've observed, has a very good electricity infrastructure. I haven't been to a house that hasn't had electricity.
How many other “comforts” do you have? Flush toilet? Running water?
- I have a squat toilet and a bucket shower, but I also have running water. I have a TV to use it as a study tool for learning Thai. The only channels I get in English are National Geographic Wild and Russia News Today. Finally, the kicker, I used some of my moving in allowance to buy a washing machine. It's the one thing I wanted to splurge on.
Have you had a chance to explore the countryside around your village, and what is it like—big and empty and flat, hilly or jungle-y, lush and/or lots of fields…?
- The land is very dry with rolling hills and thick forests. You don't really do much in the woods beacuse 1. It's so hot 2. There's nowhere to go 3. It's filled with dangers.
In your village, do you have a place of your own or do you share it with others?
- I rent a house to myself. It's some pretty sweet digs I'd say. I'd be happy to have it in the states!
What ages are your students learning English?
- My kids are elementry school students.
Do they know some English or are they starting from scratch? Are they eager to learn?
- I haven't started teaching yet, but from what I've observed in my community so far, English is limited to, "Hello!"
Do you have other teachers where you teach and what do they teach?
- My school has teachers that teach the same subjects as American school teachers teach. Arts, sciences, histories, language, etc.
Are they all Thais?
- Either Thai or Lao I suppose.
How are Thai schools different from our schools?
- Thai schools are much more laid back because...relax, don't be so serious, you're in Thailand!
Are there local officials or village leaders that you see or deal with on a regular basis?
- You got it. In each villages there's an appointed village headman called the "Pu-yai-bahn." He's the man with the plan. I know the pu-yai-bahn's in each of the villages I live between very well and they are both great guys.
Well, that's all. I enjoyed that, so if you've got more or want me to build on what was said, keep 'em comin. Here's a few pictures from my last days as a trainee. Now that I'm a volunteer, I'll have plenty of photo opportunities.
This one is pretty self explanitory I think.
My younger sister is what Thai's would call "naa-rak."
Our group standing proud at swearing in.
My last supper with my host family.
This group of people made me feel more at home in Thailand than I could have ever guessed. I will never forget any of them. They are my family.Monday, April 7, 2008
It's a strange thing, this life we live
Hello to everyone who is still tagging along with me. This blog has turned out to be kind of a hassle and I appreciate your patience. First, let me get the red tape out of the way. I've finally figured out how to password protect this beast, but I found out that if I do password protect it, only "Blogspot.com" users can access it. So, this is what you have to do if you're serious about reading my blog for the next two years:
1. Create a user name and password for blogspot.com.
2. Email me your user name.
3. Check your email for an invite I will send once I receive your username
That's is. It's basically like setting up a gmail password is all and everyone's got one anyways, so what the heck eh?
Now, for the good stuff. I'm offically a Peace Corps Volunteer. For the last two months, I had been living with a Thai host family in Singburi Province, learning Thai, practicing cultural sensitivity, and simply adapting myself to Thai society. I could not have asked for a better family to stay with and because of that, saying goodbye was difficult. Thai's have incredibly strong family values, being that the culture is more "to be" than "to do" like in America. They took me to more parties and bought me more stuff than my parents back home ever have (sorry mom and dad, but it's true). When I wasn't with my host family, I was either A, learning Thai for almost five hours a day, or B, sitting in a Peace Corps presentation on teaching participatory learninig ESL or cross cultural training. Which brings me to my next rant.
I wake up seemingly every morning and absorb the fact that I live in the East. I say the East in a political geography sense, but to say we are from the West and Thai's are from the East is not far from the truth. I could have studied the culture all I wanted before departing but until I experienced it for myself, I would never have known the truth to any of it. And then, when I say this to people, they want me to explain what I mean. How can I explain Thai culture when I just said that you have to be here and experience for yourself? Human's are human and that remains static. But thoughts, beliefs, attitudes...the mind, that is what's dynamic. The first humans to begin roaming the earth departed from north central Africa, the center of most world maps. In the most basic sense, some traveled west and others traveled east from that focal point. During their travels, each group encoutered different factors that would undoubtedly shape their life upon reaching their final destination, consequently causing cultural differences. Thailand is exactly 12 hours from Eastern Standard Time. If Africa is in the "middle" of the world, Europe and American are to the west and Asia is to the east. At the end of the day, you just have to experience the culture for yourself.
Enough philosophy. Onto my site. I live in Aumpur Kemmarat, Jangwat Ubon Ratchathani (give er a look see on a map of Thailand). I'll be teaching English for four days a week and spending one day doing community outreach in my village. For safety and security purposes, I can't tell you exactly where my house is, but let's just say I'm a short water buffalo ride to the Mekong River. The village is happy to have me not only because I'm volunteering to teach English, but because now they have something interesting and new to look at. And let me tell you, everyone and their domesticated animals know I'm in town.
What else can I say? I live in Thailand, I eat rice for breakfast, it's hot all the time, I can speak Thai, I shower at least twice a day, I lay around, I visit the temple, I talk to my neighbors, I wai (pronounced 'why') monks even though I don't have to, I never point my feet at anyone or scratch my bug bites so that people can see, I drink ice coffee, I smile often, every day for half the day I am oblivious as to what is happening (you get used to not knowing what's going on), I study Thai, I think about good memories and people I love, I walk through the markets, I get stared at while walking through the markets, I strike up conversation with the people who are staring at me in the markets, I make friends with the people who were staring at me in the markets, I like the markets.
Maybe my next blog will be the most pure Thailand market experience I can conjure up. I'm hoping to post more often now that I'm starting a routine here at site. Before, I never knew when I would have internet access, but now, for two years, I'll be in the groove. So, if you've enjoyed reading my blog thus far, sign up for blogspot and shoot me an email.
One more thing too. If you want to know about anything specific, email me and just ask me to post about it because I am having a hard time coming up with material here. If I know what you are curious about, it will be much easier for me to post. Kawp kun khrap.
Aa-tit
1. Create a user name and password for blogspot.com.
2. Email me your user name.
3. Check your email for an invite I will send once I receive your username
That's is. It's basically like setting up a gmail password is all and everyone's got one anyways, so what the heck eh?
Now, for the good stuff. I'm offically a Peace Corps Volunteer. For the last two months, I had been living with a Thai host family in Singburi Province, learning Thai, practicing cultural sensitivity, and simply adapting myself to Thai society. I could not have asked for a better family to stay with and because of that, saying goodbye was difficult. Thai's have incredibly strong family values, being that the culture is more "to be" than "to do" like in America. They took me to more parties and bought me more stuff than my parents back home ever have (sorry mom and dad, but it's true). When I wasn't with my host family, I was either A, learning Thai for almost five hours a day, or B, sitting in a Peace Corps presentation on teaching participatory learninig ESL or cross cultural training. Which brings me to my next rant.
I wake up seemingly every morning and absorb the fact that I live in the East. I say the East in a political geography sense, but to say we are from the West and Thai's are from the East is not far from the truth. I could have studied the culture all I wanted before departing but until I experienced it for myself, I would never have known the truth to any of it. And then, when I say this to people, they want me to explain what I mean. How can I explain Thai culture when I just said that you have to be here and experience for yourself? Human's are human and that remains static. But thoughts, beliefs, attitudes...the mind, that is what's dynamic. The first humans to begin roaming the earth departed from north central Africa, the center of most world maps. In the most basic sense, some traveled west and others traveled east from that focal point. During their travels, each group encoutered different factors that would undoubtedly shape their life upon reaching their final destination, consequently causing cultural differences. Thailand is exactly 12 hours from Eastern Standard Time. If Africa is in the "middle" of the world, Europe and American are to the west and Asia is to the east. At the end of the day, you just have to experience the culture for yourself.
Enough philosophy. Onto my site. I live in Aumpur Kemmarat, Jangwat Ubon Ratchathani (give er a look see on a map of Thailand). I'll be teaching English for four days a week and spending one day doing community outreach in my village. For safety and security purposes, I can't tell you exactly where my house is, but let's just say I'm a short water buffalo ride to the Mekong River. The village is happy to have me not only because I'm volunteering to teach English, but because now they have something interesting and new to look at. And let me tell you, everyone and their domesticated animals know I'm in town.
What else can I say? I live in Thailand, I eat rice for breakfast, it's hot all the time, I can speak Thai, I shower at least twice a day, I lay around, I visit the temple, I talk to my neighbors, I wai (pronounced 'why') monks even though I don't have to, I never point my feet at anyone or scratch my bug bites so that people can see, I drink ice coffee, I smile often, every day for half the day I am oblivious as to what is happening (you get used to not knowing what's going on), I study Thai, I think about good memories and people I love, I walk through the markets, I get stared at while walking through the markets, I strike up conversation with the people who are staring at me in the markets, I make friends with the people who were staring at me in the markets, I like the markets.
Maybe my next blog will be the most pure Thailand market experience I can conjure up. I'm hoping to post more often now that I'm starting a routine here at site. Before, I never knew when I would have internet access, but now, for two years, I'll be in the groove. So, if you've enjoyed reading my blog thus far, sign up for blogspot and shoot me an email.
One more thing too. If you want to know about anything specific, email me and just ask me to post about it because I am having a hard time coming up with material here. If I know what you are curious about, it will be much easier for me to post. Kawp kun khrap.
Aa-tit
Friday, February 15, 2008
Note to readers
Hello to all who are still reading my blog. Internet is sparse in my host family's village so just bare with me. I've got some important news and here's the deal:
I've been notified by the Thailand Country Director Khun Dr. John that I am going to have to password protect my blog for security and cultural sensitivity purposes. Therefore, you won't be able to access the posts unless you know the password. To avoid locking people out, I have come up with a plan. I will leave my blog public for another week or two before I password protect it. If you want to know the password (as well as my phone number), just email me at mrtonybones@gmail.com and I will GLADLY give it to you. Please don't let this minor detail stop you from following my travels, as I'll be posting for two whole years. As a teaser, I've posted a few pictures so that you stick with me at www.mrtonybones@blogspot.com. I've got much to say, but will not add anything else until after I password protect. Rat dii sa wat gaap chok dii!
My bro's and I.
Sacred Ayutthaya.
My Niece, sister, and the classic Thai smile.
Oh, just a couple Buddha's.
The coolest language teacher and some pale Thai.
I've been notified by the Thailand Country Director Khun Dr. John that I am going to have to password protect my blog for security and cultural sensitivity purposes. Therefore, you won't be able to access the posts unless you know the password. To avoid locking people out, I have come up with a plan. I will leave my blog public for another week or two before I password protect it. If you want to know the password (as well as my phone number), just email me at mrtonybones@gmail.com and I will GLADLY give it to you. Please don't let this minor detail stop you from following my travels, as I'll be posting for two whole years. As a teaser, I've posted a few pictures so that you stick with me at www.mrtonybones@blogspot.com. I've got much to say, but will not add anything else until after I password protect. Rat dii sa wat gaap chok dii!
My bro's and I.
Sacred Ayutthaya.
My Niece, sister, and the classic Thai smile.
Oh, just a couple Buddha's.
The coolest language teacher and some pale Thai.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Sawatdii khrap!
Well, here I am, in Thailand. You know, the land of the Thai's. Things have been pretty busy for us volunteers, basically trying to assimilate into our new surroundings without looking like stupid farangs. I feel like anything I say has been said in other Peace Corps Thailand blogs and what I have to add is nothing original. So, until I've got a true Thai experience to share, I'm leaving anyone who's following this blog on pins and needles. Don't fret, I'm sure it wont be long.
As far as Peace Corps itself goes, we've been on the lamb for a week now and my group is beginning to bond considerably. I mean, we do all look different from everyone else. Not that its a bad thing, but it's only natural to gravitate towards familiarity.
One last thing, I've got a cell phone but I'd rather not post it on my blog, so if you want it, drop me an email at mrtonybones@gmail.com and I'll make sure I give it to you. It's incredible just how connected I am. Pictures will be up soon.
As far as Peace Corps itself goes, we've been on the lamb for a week now and my group is beginning to bond considerably. I mean, we do all look different from everyone else. Not that its a bad thing, but it's only natural to gravitate towards familiarity.
One last thing, I've got a cell phone but I'd rather not post it on my blog, so if you want it, drop me an email at mrtonybones@gmail.com and I'll make sure I give it to you. It's incredible just how connected I am. Pictures will be up soon.
Friday, January 18, 2008
I'm really gonna miss the snow
I just finished packing my bag, trying not to forget anything and making certain I am taking exactly what I'll need, but at the same time thinking about my life in Marquette. My flight leaves at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon and I will say goodbye to the town that molded me into who I am today. I couldn't be happier with how my life in such a "cool city" panned out over the last couple of years. Thanks to everyone who supported and befriended me, for it was the people I met and the companionship of such genuine hearts that helped make Marquette as influential as it was. I love you all and you've done more for me than you could ever imagine.
Now that all the mushy stuff is out of the way, lets lighten the mood with some goofy stuff I packed:
- an "I LOVE CILANTRO" t-shirt
- a rugby ball
- a bottle of maple syrup
- a half pound of venison jerky
Now that all the mushy stuff is out of the way, lets lighten the mood with some goofy stuff I packed:
- an "I LOVE CILANTRO" t-shirt
- a rugby ball
- a bottle of maple syrup
- a half pound of venison jerky
Monday, January 7, 2008
12 days
Just tryin' to get things organized now. Today marks the home stretch. Since I graduated, I've been taking care of what amounted to five and a half years of college paperwork and documentation. Now, I can finally breath easy and mark off my days 'til departure.
It's not until you're alone when it finally hits you. By alone, I mean, around people you don't know. That begins at the airport. The security barrier is an entrance into a world beyond that of your own, the one in which you are used to. You say goodbye to your friends and family, the faces you're comfortable with, and then suddenly it's nothing but strangers. The plane ride is too surreal. The airplane is what disconnects you completely. Any strings that were attached are broken once that big ole airliner's wheels are off the ground. Sit back, listen to your music, watch your movie, read your literature, eat extra dry pretzels, order seven orange juices and a tomato juice, determine how new the airsickness bag is so you know if someone has recently thrown up in your seat, take off your shoes, and sleep. The next thing those wheels are going to touch is your destination and there's nothing you can do about it.
Walking down the hall that attaches to the plane when deboarding is the best part of the whole process. I usually end up trying to fight off a smile that comes across my face when I walk into the terminal. People waiting in the gate for their plane to be ready shoot me glances because I'm struggling to hold back this stupid smirk that takes a minute to shake. Then, it's go time.
It's not until you're alone when it finally hits you. By alone, I mean, around people you don't know. That begins at the airport. The security barrier is an entrance into a world beyond that of your own, the one in which you are used to. You say goodbye to your friends and family, the faces you're comfortable with, and then suddenly it's nothing but strangers. The plane ride is too surreal. The airplane is what disconnects you completely. Any strings that were attached are broken once that big ole airliner's wheels are off the ground. Sit back, listen to your music, watch your movie, read your literature, eat extra dry pretzels, order seven orange juices and a tomato juice, determine how new the airsickness bag is so you know if someone has recently thrown up in your seat, take off your shoes, and sleep. The next thing those wheels are going to touch is your destination and there's nothing you can do about it. Walking down the hall that attaches to the plane when deboarding is the best part of the whole process. I usually end up trying to fight off a smile that comes across my face when I walk into the terminal. People waiting in the gate for their plane to be ready shoot me glances because I'm struggling to hold back this stupid smirk that takes a minute to shake. Then, it's go time.
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