Mountain Resort

My weekend began with drastic changes in plans. Instead of heading to Lao on Friday morning, I went to a mountain resort with all my school faculty and administration. As in, my school closed on Friday!

As I mentioned before, my school here is undergoing a huge change. The new principal has great visions for improving the school and I think the trip had two main goals: First, to communicate with school staff, neighboring schools' administration, and appropriate authorities about planning for the change (well, I couldn't really participate in this one). Second, make an opportunity for everyone gathered to relax, have fun, and recharge for the hard work ahead.


I think I am at Wiang Wong Kot at a very critical and exciting time. It's really amazing to be part of it. The mountains were breathtaking and I had such a good time. Everyone treats me like family and says, "Oh, Sewon is my beautiful daughter!" or "My little sister Nong Sewon!" This place is so special. I am going to be very sad about leaving Thailand! I promised everyone I'd return and I will! Also, let me add that I sang the Titanic theme song in front of everybody. No kidding! AND I got flowers from all the male teachers, including my school principal! By the way, the skirt I'm wearing was handmade by a minority group that lives in the mountains here. I got it as a present!


We came back Saturday night and all the English-speaking Thai teachers left town so I hungout with my Thai friends who don't really speak any English. We didn't realize how much of a language barrier we had because we've always had the P Wan or P Pui translating for us. Anyway, it turned out pretty fun and absurd. We were communicating in fragments of English, Thai, and Lao words mixed with grunts and gestures. I showed them photos of everyone at home so we could take a break from the rather exhausting conversation. The next day we woke up early to go to the bay to go swimming. Everyone thought I was crazy for only bringing a swimming suit... I had to borrow a t-shirt and long shorts (that's why I'm wearing over sized clothing in the photo)! We also ran into these two girls (well, one girl and one ladyboy) working on promoting some sort of a cell phone service who recognized me from Wiang Wong Kot. They took some photos with me and everyone thought I was a celebrity(?!). Oh Thailand!

I taught three classes today. I'm going to miss my students so much! And uh, I Sang Jingle Bells for my 3-2 class. I have no idea why everyone wants me to sing all the time (or why the requested song is always so strange...jingle bells in 85 degree weather?)! All I know is that Chris Robinson should come here so we can do a Pathetic Fallacy show. P.S. This photo is of my students after they took a bunch of photos of me with their cell phones. I started taking their photo and most of them ran away! They are so cute.

This weekend I'm going to Laos with P. Wan and some Thai teachers! I think they have plans to take me to some other places...I'm really excited. Plus, I'll get to avoid the foreigner price (sometimes I can pass as half Thai). I think everything turned out very well. As for what happened with Alice. I will only say that we had a much-needed long, honest, healthy conversation and I think we can drink some delicious tea together soon. In the meanwhile, we are both happy and comfortable in Thailand and headed home way way soon. Which reminds me, see you all so soon!

How's it going?

Thai English classes always begin with a ritual with one student commanding, "Stand up!" And the whole class stands up to say "Good morning/Good afternoon teacher. How are you?" and they wait for the teacher to reply, "I'm fine, thank you. And you?" They answer, "I'm fine, thank you." And they wait for the teacher to command them to sit (I always forget this part and my students just kind of stand there).

I taught my students that we don't always say, "How are you?" and that sometimes we say, "How are you doing?" or "How's it going?" And that we can answer in different ways.

So today all the students got up and said, "How's it going, teacher?" and it was really the best thing ever.

I really love teaching and my students are really great. I'm really happy that my students are more confident about speaking English and becoming more comfortable with me. More students are stopping by to practice a few phrases and saying hello when I walk past them (instead of running away). It gets a little bizarre sometimes like when students get in little groups to wave at me through the tinted window, come in shyly to take photos of me (or with me), or ask me for my signature! I don't really understand it all so I just laugh and go along with it. And then there is always the excited screams and giggles in class. It's so cute and precious. And then they tell ME that I'm super narak (cute). Like I said, teaching in Thailand is awesome and bizarre!

The administration and the other Thai teachers are also really great. Some of them even bought little phrase book so they can have conversations with me. I am picking up Thai and Lao phrases/words so I can understand what is going on sometimes. But it's hard to pick up two languages at once. I have no idea what language people are speaking most of the time.

I'm headed to Laos Friday morning at 5:30 AM. I hope we make it there and back safely. I have no guidebook (remember I lost my Lonely Planet?) and I'm just going by what the teachers are suggesting. The teachers are so concerned about me getting some horrible foreigner price so they're telling me how much everything should cost. I still can't believe the foreigner price can be as high as 10 times the local price. I hope I don't get jipped.

P.S. Taurin suggested that I just chill at the Qatar airport for the night. That sounds pretty cool to me and I'll probably be awake because of the time difference. Free wifi! Quiet rooms! And I'd save $300+$15 (visa). But my dad says money is not a concern (this is why I never realized the value of money until I convinced my parents that I should get a job) and safety is #1. We'll see what I decide to do. I'm not worried about it either way. I've been safe my whole entire trip and the Doha airport is pretty nice.

Also, remember the 4th of July celebration at 804! I'll cook Thai food! Bring fireworks!

I am so excited about going to Laos this weekend. I'm actually wearing P. Wan's silk skirt from Laos and I have my hair up high in like a Lao woman. So that's a photo of me from today with some of my students. They are so cute. They always peek into the door and wave shyly. Most of the time they run away but sometimes they come inside to say, "Hello teacher!" Or sometimes they take photos of me. I think it's pretty funny that I'm the same height as my students and I'm in Asia! I stopped growing in 6th grade...

So I FINALLY successfully changed my flight! Life in rural Thailand is great but I am looking forward to being at home. I kind of miss stuff like packaged meat at grocery stores with prices I don't have to bargain. And a big hamburger. The cool thing is that I get to stay the night in Doha, Qatar. But there are no bargain hostels in Doha near the airport! They are all basically $300-700 USD which is not so good for a budget traveler's pockets. With luck, I will find a hotel closer to $100-range and it'll have airport pick up so I don't have to worry about taxis.

P.S. I'm going to Laos this Friday with Alice! AND I'm staying at this hotel built in the 60s. Hunter S. Thompson stayed there. Sweet. It's also only $15. Why can't I have that for Qatar?