another weekend, another beach...
Hey Everyone,
So, yes I know I was bragging about my new wonderful camera. And yes, it still is new and wonderful... however, this weekend - the battery was not my friend. I forgot to charge it, so the only moments I was able to eternalize was that of some very fabulous kareoke, as seen above. As well, I was able to film the dazzling rendition of "Build Me Up Buttercup." Amazing. But other than that - I have nothing to share with you. Others pics may be added to the blog at a later date.
Ok, so right after school we hopped, or crammed (there were 5 of us) into a cab and drove to the BTS. From there we rode the BTS to the place where we picked up our mini-bus that we had rented. It cost us about 3 Canadian dollars each, to take a 12 seat van to the beach. However, the ride was pretty long. But finally we arrived at the hotel. Or guest house as it was called. The accomodations were pretty rustic... but liveable. And for 15 dollars for two nights in a hotel on the beach, I was not going to complain.
Once we all got settled we headed to the bar for some dinner (as seen in the picture). We ate and sang, and comsumed some beverages. After that we headed to a bar on the beach, sat in beach chairs and enjoyed the sound of the waves crashing. It was wonderful. However, the washrooms were something to be desired. And by washrooms, I mean two inner tubes leaning against some metal sheeting.
The next morning we were up early to enjoy the beautiful day. And by beautiful day I mean overcast weather with non-stop spitting rain. However, we were at the beach and determined to make the best of it, so we layed out our towels, put on our sunglasses and sunscreen, and imagined that we were soaking in the waves. While we were hanging out on the beach we were approached by some teenage thai kids. They introduced themselves and said that they were doing an assignment for school and needed to interview us. This assignment was practice English with foreigners. They asked us where we were from, how we liked Thailand, if we ate thai food... etc. It was fun helping them out. Then they took our pictures.
After lying under the clouds for all that time we worked up quite a sweat. So we decided to jump in the ocean. Sidebar - the sand was so awesome, thick, soft, loved it! So as I approach my friends in the water they inform me that we are surrounded by jellyfish! I freak out a bit. My childhood man o war attack was enough ocean violence for me. I swam around a bit, got progressive more freaked out... saw a jellyfish about a foot away from me, and got out of that water as fast as I possibly could! Meanwhile - those silly boys are scooping up jellyfish with frisbees - I don't get it. Apparently rainy seasons makes the jellyfish come out.
Finally, we decided that we had our fill of beach in the rain... so we wandered through the town of Hua Hin. It was a lot more populous than Ko Samet. There were tons of shops and restaurants and stuff to do. It kinda had the Cancun feel. It was fun wandering around.
That evening most of the girls went shopping at the night market. While the boys and a few of the girls went to watch Muay Thai (Thai Boxing). I'm sure you can guess which one of those two groups I was in. I'll give you a hint. I got myself some really pretty skirts!
The next day was slightly sunnier - but no less jellyfishier - so this girl Emily and I decided to go over to the Hilton hotel to go for a dip in thier amazing pool. No sooner then we set our towels down on a chair did a security guard come over to us and kick us out. I guess we weren't being as stealthy as we thought. So we went to a restaurant and drank some fruit smoothies until we were ready to catch our ride home.
Somehow, there was a communication problem in trying to get the same guy to pick us up that dropped us off in the minibus - so we waited for a bit and then decided to take the train. It was an awesome travel day! First we took this tuk tuk type type thing to the train station. Then we took the train, most of us were in 3rd class, which wasn't half bad - and 5 people got the first class seats with comfort and AC. But - you know me, even in Thailand I'm cheap... I'm not about to pay an extra 100 baht for AC, that's an entire skirt I can buy instead! The train ride was long... but I preferred it to the bus because the view was spectacular. We saw lots of farm country and amazing hills and mountains. I wish I had my camera! After the train, we took the Metro (subway) to the BTS, then at the end of the BTS line we hopped in a cab. If only we could have taken a water taxi and a moter cy and I would have done it all this weekend.
Anyway - sorry my novel writing days are back apparently. My friend is here with his guitar and to watch Prison Break (my new addiction) so I better run. I will be a Thai speaking rock star when I come hope for Christmas - you just wait.
Love to all. Write soon.
Luv Crys
a night in the city...
Hello All!
I thought I should spend a couple minutes writing about last weekend.
We spent the evening on Khao San Road which is like this backpackers paradise downtown. Thousands of amazing restaurants and bars. We went to this little Israeli restaurant. It served the most delicious hummas and falalfal that I have ever had! Then we walked down this long road filled with street shops, and knockoff just about anything. The streets were filled with tourists with backpacks in tow, shopping and partying. Flannery, you would have been in dreadlock paradise.
After street shopping, a bunch of us headed to this little outdoor patio bar. It was really cute. And then after much deliberation with such a large group we decided to head to this dance club. It was really ritzy. It had many different themed floors. The first floor had a live thai band who sang a combination of thai music and western music. My personal favourite was the thai rendition of La Bamba. Then there was the hip hop floor. And the top floor was this kinda techno, rave music type place, with these big red beds as seats. Very strange and glamourous.
The next morning, a few of us heading to Pantip Plaza, which is a giant electronics mall. We bought some cough totally legit dvd's cough, and then were on a mission for a few digital cameras. And guess what? Success!!! I got a very beautiful camera... goodbye Kodak... we had a good run, but it's time for us to part ways. Anyway, this mall was insane, but luckily I was able to find my way to a pretty sweet deal!
The past week I have spent trying to keep my students from hitting and kicking one another. For a group of six they sure do keep me busy. But things have been going well, and I'm starting to sort out all the routines and get a handle of thier skill level and all that fun stuff.
But tomorrow, as soon as the bell tolls, I'm on route to beach number two!! This place called Hua Hin. I'm super pumped about it. There are 13 of us going down so it should be a pretty good time. Pictures are coming in the next post I promise, and you will all be steaming with jealousy.
Love to all. Write emails... they are fun!
Luv Crys!
Caught in the rain...
So last night I went over to a co-workers place for a few drinks. The party was getting late (about 10pm - I'm a true teacher n0w) so a few of us decided to take off. We were walking through these dark and narrow roads filled with soi dogs (those are wild street dogs - they are EVERYWHERE!) on route to the main road.
We were just chatting about how it was a particularily dry rainy season, and how it's next to impossible to get a taxi in the rain so it's a good thing that it was a dry night. When out of nowhere it starts pouring rain. Hard rain, eye stingy rain. All of a sudden I went from sticky humidity wet to just got out of a pool in my clothes wet!
We figured we couldn't get any wetter so we kept walking, stepping in pot holes filled with water, reeking of murky Bangkok rain water. We are passing Thai people who are all dry under their nice roofs and porches looking at us and laughing. They are probably thinking to themselves, "Those crazy farangs... don't they notice the rain?" Farangs are what Thai people call foreigners, well actually they call us Falangs.
So we finally get to the main road and get invited under the roof of the motorbike stand. People are so nice here. The motorbike drivers also help us to flag down a cab. We climb in a cab, feeling quite guilty of the fact we are filling this poor mans car with wetness. Thankfully he had vinyl seats. Then we get on our way to our condo. So one might think inclement weather would urge drivers to drive a little less crazy than normal... but no dice, we were flying down the Bangna Trad, literally hydroplaning. I was pretty sure we were gonna be submerged in water some of the puddles were so deep.
The funny thing about the roads on the Bangna Trad (Highway) is that it's all about the U-turns. Sometimes you have to drive the wrong direction for a good ten minutes before you reach the point where you can U-turn, then you U-turn, drive for another ten, pass the place you just came from, drive for another 10 minutes, pass the place you are going, U-turn again, drive for another 5 minutes, and then finally you can turn into the entrance of your destination. Seems a little inefficient, but as my friend would say TIT (this is thailand)
Now, slightly drier, I will sign off. Talk to you all again soon.
Luv Crys
I can't believe I live here...
So I've been in Thailand for a couple weeks now. Everyday I am still in awe that this is my life! The world is a freaking cool place! I've sent an email out so I don't wan't to bore you all with the details that you have already read, so this post is going to be mostly pics. FYI the official kid count is now 7 students. If these kids can't write thier own novels by the end of this year I'm really not doing my job, ha ha!
This is my classroom. Please note the very few number of desks. I have a crazy amount of space... now if only I could get enough teaching supplies...
This is a picture of my living room. My apartment is nicely decorated which is a nice change from the stark white walls of the other condo's in these buildings. Lisa (the roomie) and I have more than enough space for the both of us to cohabit.
Here is the outside view of my condo! The pool is pretty huh? I was swimming in it only moments ago. Nothing says refreshing like a rooftop pool on a muggy bangkok afternoon.
And here is my bedroom! Not even messy yet, impressed? Well don't be... it's only clean because I had to leave all my stuff in Canada.... damn weight restrictions.
Last but not least... a pic of the beach.
So yes, I realize that this pic show pretty crap weather, but I thought the shot was really neat looking. Plus, I didn't want to make you all too jealous. Anyway, it's monsoon season in Thailand right now. However, this was the morning we were leaving the beach - and the only overcast day that we had... it was awesome. This is at an island called Ko Samet. It is about 3 hours outside of Bangkok. It was absolutly wonderful, and a nice break from the congestion of city life.
Anyhoo, I'm signing off for now. I will back with more pics and more posts as the adventures continue. Please keep the emails coming. I miss you all so much.
Thanks for the shout out Jamie... and I assure you - I'm sticking with the teaching! Love you!
