Week Two in Thailand

Hard to believe I have been in Thailand for two weeks, and the first two weeks it rained everyday.

We started with 12 student teachers from around the world, and now we have 14 in the class to do their practice teaching for TEFL Certification to teach in Thailand. Members of our group are from; Macaw, Uganda, UK, Marshall Islands, and from the USA.... Miami, New York, Ohio, Utah, and Colorado.

After teaching at a young monks school on Friday we took a ferry boat to the Island of Ko Samet and I found another Temple ="Wat"

 

Why Thailand?

Thanks to those of you who have looked at my blog, written comments, and also sent emails. It is so nice to hear from you all, and as many have asked, Why Thailand? I will attempt an answer.
First, I have never been to Thailand so it was at the top of the "where to go next" list. Second, having just turned 70, I was reflecting on things and jobs that I have really enjoyed. Teaching and working with kids was always very rewarding for me and a place where I feel I can make a contribution. Also there is a demand overseas for teachers that have English as their native language and age does not seem to be a problem. Specifically in Thailand teachers are valued and respected.

In the Thai culture, the status hierarchy is as follows;  The King, the Royal Family, Monks, Teachers, and then Elders, Parents, Adults and Children, so you see it is an honor to be a teacher in Thailand.
Below is a photo of the school where I am doing my practice teaching to non-English speaking children and completing my TEFL certification, and as required by the Thai Ministry of Education.

 For now I am staying at the school, as it has a few rooms on the third floor. I bought a fan because we can only run the air conditioning for a few hours. I am beginning to get used to the COLD water shower and lumpy mattress on the floor. The weather is HOT and HUMID...from living in Las Vegas for 7 years, I was used to hot and dry, but the humidity is another thing. It has been raining for the last three days. Last night all the power went off and we gratefully ate by candlelight. The small town of Ban Phe sits right on the Gulf coastline and the school is less than a block from the beach.

Early morning walks and yoga on the beach have given me great pleasure as well as just sitting in one of the many shoreline restaurants, enjoying wonderful Thai food, and listening to the rolling surf.
And below, next to the school, is where we take our laundry. The cost? 20 baht per piece = less than 10 cents for a shirt or pants or skirt. As a female teacher, I have to wear skirts and blouses with sleeves or what they call a King Shirt, like a polo shirt with a collar and the Thailand Royal Emblem embroidered

Happily, I am adjusting to new food, new culture, new language and new learning and re-learning...

Temple Photos in Ban Phe Thailand

First Week in Thailand

I left Las Vegas on September 30th and flew the first leg of my new journey to Detroit where I spent the night with my bother. It was great to see his wife Cyndi and my Nephew Joel. The next day I was on my way...to Bangkok. After the third airport security scan, in Japan, I had to empty and repack all my carry-on stuff...of course it was all my techie gear, photo cameras, computer, printer, projector, digital recorder and video camera, plus all the connecting gear! goods news, all OK. However the flight from Japan was delayed, so my arrival into Thailand was Sunday about 2am.

Thank goodness my car and driver waited... we then had a three hour drive to Ban Phe where I got to the school at 5am on Sunday and orientation was at 4pm on Sunday... short day and not much sleep. Somehow I did manage to squeeze in my first Thai massage. One incredible hour for 300 Baht, about $10.00 American.

I finished the first full day at 6pm Monday...We had a welcome dinner at 6:30 and then a ton of homework.

We do have Wi-Fi here at school... I just need a little time to figure out the Skype thing. my skype name is Thairoselee.
Now I have discovered  learning a new language can be challenging, so I now know how the Thai students will feel learning English..when I will be teaching Jr High Students on Thursday and Friday.

So here is my limited Thai vocabulary...

Sawadee kah = hello for a female   Sawadee krop = hello for a male

Chan chu koo lab = my name is Rose and even better is; chan chu Koo lab kow= white rose( blonde)

kun chai ali kah = what is your name?

Kap koon ka = thank you

Eating Thai food... however we went to the market last night, and some of the class ate fried grasshoppers with soy sauce. I skipped the delicacy.

Saturday I had time to have my first day as a tourist and visited my first Temple, a Wah,  in Thailand
Hope you enjoy the photos.... I am such a beginner at this blog thing... learning overwhelm continues.

Today, Sunday 10/10/2010 I am going to the island of diamond sand...Ko Samet, more later