With the hot season fast approaching, schools are now closed for summer vacation or "bitterm." This means I have 5 weeks to explore all of Thailand. Tomorrow I'll be flying to Phuket, our starting point for about 3 weeks of island hopping. Then we'll spend a week traveling north by train (making stops wherever our hearts desire), where I'll end my vacation celebrating the Thai New Year (Songkran) in Chiang Mai with all of the other volunteers.
Things I'm looking forward to:
- Being hot all the time in a place where I can actually swim. (can you believe i almost forgot to pack my bathing suit?)
- Relaxing on the beach.
-Getting scuba certified and exploring the underwater world.
-Exploring Jungles
-Wandering through ancient ruins
- Visiting hill tribes
- Floating down the river on a bamboo raft
- Getting into city (and country)- wide water gun fights as a way to celebrate Songkran
See ya in late April!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Kalasin, B-days, and Mid-Service!
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to the nearby province of Kalasin. Jes had a friend from home, Bernie, who moved to Thailand 7 years ago to live a more relaxed life, and we went to visit with him and his wife, Pi Luk. It was a wonderfully relaxing weekend, and interesting to see the dynamics of an falang-thai home. The highlight of the weekend, of course, was the lake we found, and swimming in ridiculous outfits!
The weekend after Kalasin was Rita's bday weekend, so we went to Chok Amnuay to celebrate. I know Rita was happy to host us, and we had a great girls' night of dinner, cake, and a movie. The following morning we made pancakes on a camp-like stove on Rita's porch, with her little buddy Gamon by our side!
The work-week that followed was quite the busy one, with mid-service prep! Thats right, over this past weekend we held our mid-service conference, meaning that our first semester in Thailand is now complete! It was a busy weekend full of teaching forums and planning for next year's volunteers. While it was exhausting, it was great to have everyone together again! PLUS, the Friday evening of mid-service was Pi Nok's birthday. Knowing that neither Kerry or I would celebrate our birthdays in Thailand (remember mine was on the plane over here?) she wanted to "move" our birthdays with her. So we had two REAL cakes (chocolate with coffee icing and vanilla with lemon icing and blueberry pie filling....so delish) to celebrate. It was a wonderful way to sort of have a birthday here!
That being said, you might be thinking to yourself, "gee, isn't there usually a vacation in between school semesters?" And, you're right! We are just about to start our summer break actually, as the school year in Thailand is now complete. Starting on Friday, I have 5 weeks off....stay tuned for the exciting details of my travel plans!!!
The weekend after Kalasin was Rita's bday weekend, so we went to Chok Amnuay to celebrate. I know Rita was happy to host us, and we had a great girls' night of dinner, cake, and a movie. The following morning we made pancakes on a camp-like stove on Rita's porch, with her little buddy Gamon by our side!
The work-week that followed was quite the busy one, with mid-service prep! Thats right, over this past weekend we held our mid-service conference, meaning that our first semester in Thailand is now complete! It was a busy weekend full of teaching forums and planning for next year's volunteers. While it was exhausting, it was great to have everyone together again! PLUS, the Friday evening of mid-service was Pi Nok's birthday. Knowing that neither Kerry or I would celebrate our birthdays in Thailand (remember mine was on the plane over here?) she wanted to "move" our birthdays with her. So we had two REAL cakes (chocolate with coffee icing and vanilla with lemon icing and blueberry pie filling....so delish) to celebrate. It was a wonderful way to sort of have a birthday here!
That being said, you might be thinking to yourself, "gee, isn't there usually a vacation in between school semesters?" And, you're right! We are just about to start our summer break actually, as the school year in Thailand is now complete. Starting on Friday, I have 5 weeks off....stay tuned for the exciting details of my travel plans!!!
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