Day 2

Sawadee everyone! Thats hello in Thai :) I am back in the coffee shop...Wiangfe's drinking a blueberry soda (sooo much better than the strawberry!) I know I was supposed to be working today but if there is one thing Ive learned in the past three days its that plans change and I have just got to learn how to roll with it.

>>>SIDE NOTE: I posted some pics on Facebook. Be sure to check them out!


I woke up this morning like I was supposed to and was ready to go by 8 am but Awswin (not sure how to spell it Thai style but thats how you say it) was late arriving to take me to work. I sat outside on the patio just relaxing. I dont know if Ive mentioned him before but there is this little old man that kind of hangs around our hostel. We call him either the gatekeeper or the shirtless man. He is really old and ridiculously wrinkling and we always emerges from the alley. He has a tendency of 'borrowing' shoes from the people living here. The only english word he knows is 'morning' and that is how he greets us no matter the time of day. Hes pretty cool. The reason I mention him is because as I was sitting there he approached me holding a shaft of bamboo. He said morning and began to motion for something to write with. I handed him a pen and said 'pen.' He repeated me. Then he took and used it to cut open the bamboo. Inside it kind of looked like sushi...it was like purple rice wrapped in like...thin thin paper. He ripped off a piece and ate it. Then he shoved it at me to eat. Its impossible to say no to an elder here so I accepted, took a piece and ate it. It tasted like...sweet rice...and felt like over cooked, sticky oatmeal. I said 'mmmm good' he looked and me, overjoyed and said 'mmmm good.' Pretty sure I made his day haha.

Finally Awswin arrived to take me school. We left the hostel and set on our way to his car. He realized he forgot something so he sat me down on a bench to wait for him to get back. Seated next to me was an older man who was holding a baby (SO CUTE!) He was selling roosters. Awswin later explained that they are sacred or something. The man kept telling me...'50 baht! 50 baht!' He wanted me to buy a rooster...what the heck was I going to do with a rooster??? I kept trying to refuse until finally Awswin rescued me and we were on our way. He showed me the route that I will have to bike tomorrow morning to get to work...I dont know how he expect me to remember it. Wish me luck!

>>>SIDE NOTE: all the people staying at the hostel are with different organizations and we all work at different school. on thursday another girl with be arriving and she will be at the same school as me.

So we arrived at the school and we had to take our shoes off before entering. Then we went into an office so that I could be interviewed. In Thailand when you meet someone you must 'wai.' This means that you put your hands together like you are praying, raise your hands to the bridge of your nose, bow and say Sawadee. I greeted the headmaster like this and we proceeded with the interview. It was weird to sit there and listen to them talk about me but have no idea what they were saying. Every now and then they would look at me and smile and I would smile too but I have no idea why. I guess she liked me because I start tomorrow. The school is for 5-12 year olds and I will be working with 10-12 year olds. I died when I saw a long line of tiny little girls in uniform waving at me and smiling when I went to leave. Maybe I will get to play with them though! I work from 8-2 everyday and I am in charge of three different classrooms at different times. I have no idea what they expect me to do...Ive never taught english before. I was supposed to be feeding and playing with little children, not teaching 12 year olds english! Oh well, everything happens for a reason.

Awswin took me back to the hostel and Sukanya…that’s the woman that lead me around yesterday told me I am basically on my own for the day. So I packed my bag and walked here to update this thing. When I am done I will walk back and then take my bike to the market and see what that’s like. Maybe Ill try some fruit or something, who knows? I may even be back here later.

So I start work tomorrow and then Cartoon is going to pick me up at the hostel around 3 and I will go and spend the evening with her and her friends. I think she wants to go dancing so Ill be going clubbing Thai style! She is going to bring me a phone too so I will be able to call and receive calls from home and Iraq!

I hope everyone is welllllll! I miss you all but I am having the time of my life and Ive only been here for two days!