I'm Here!

I am currently in Thailand and it is so surreal. Josie and I made it safely after a 13 hour flight from chicago to tokyo and a 7 hour flight to bangkok after that. I flew on a Japanese airline and was basically treated like royalty--endless beverage service, a personal tv including 30 some movies, a remote that doubled as a game controller to play video games on my tv and 2 three-course meals. The food was pretty good--salmon and a rice hodgepodge (among other crazy salads with eel, octopus and other seafoods)...I was a litte grossed out, but I'm trying to live with the mentality that 'i'm here, so I may as well try it'

We got in about 1100p last nite and after customs got a taxi to our hotel. So far the people are very helpful and friendly and despite a little tiff with the cab driver about cost (he tried to overcharge us) we have had nothing but smooth sailing. The driver wanted us to pay more because we had big luggage and even pulled over to the side of the road (we thought at first to kick us out when we said we weren't going to pay as much as he said) but actually just adjusted the suitcases so he could see better. We are staying at the Louis Tavern Hotel which is pretty nice--it's simple, but has A/C and a very nice staff.

Today we woke up and I'm not feeling totally jet lagged yet, although I'm expecting to feel so tomorrow. We spent a long day today at the hotel in various class sessions: thai culture/language, thai society and teacher training. Our coordinators/staff are so enthusiastic and excited to have us here and so helpful in working with us to make sure we get the most out of our time here. I know that I am going to get hit with a little culture shock once I get settled, but have a great network of 91 program participants and numerous staff members to help me along the way. The Thai culture is very friendly and respectful and they do a lot of smiling (even if they are mad, so that is going to take getting used to.

Some things learned today:
Sanook--FUN (thais love fun and try to enjoy everything to the fullest)
Mai pen rai--basically means nevermind/don't worry about it (they use this in most situations to help express their really laid back attitudes)


The rest of the week we will be doing similar classroom activities with a daytrip to some famous Bangkok sites tomorrow (the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and a 2 day excursion to Kachanaburi where we will be relaxing, visiting the bridge over the river kwai, trekking through the jungle on elephant and rafting on bamboo rafts. I am still coming to grips with the fact that we will be gone for so long, but I can't wait for all that I am about to undertake--so many adventures to be had and new things to experience.

I met the 2 other kids who will be teaching at my school with Josie and me and they are awesome. Ryan is from Houston and Emily is from Madison, NJ. The other people in the program are just as cool--friendly, outgoing, excited, etc. I guess you have to be pretty outgoing in order to do something like this, but i should make for a fun time. We are heading in to Bangkok tonight to experience the night food markets and check out a few of the local activities/establishments (not really sure what to expect, but I'll keep you posted.) Apparently Thais love going out, so we should meet some great locals in the city.

I'm currently in an internet cafe where for 10 baht (about 30 cents) we can be online for 40 min. The hotel wanted to charge 200b for 60 min. I think we'll learn in Thailand that you have to go off the beaten path to really experience life the way the locals do and get the most bang for our baht.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I am alive, safe and being well taken care of. We get breakfast and lunch everyday (great food--very spicy) and a few of our dinners--so yes I am eating well! I will keep you posted on everything that is going on.

Still can't believe I'm here (and for so long) but when in Rome...(or Bangkok!)