Hannah’s Weblog

This Hindu Temple ws built between 10th and 12th century AD. It has been wonderfully restored, and to this day is well maintained and cared for by the royal family. It is the best example of Khmer architecture in Thailand. It is a (Much) smaller version of the temples of Angor Wot that I will visit when I get to Cambodia. Infact there is still ongoing dispute about who these belong to as they are very near the Cambodia border, and are unlike most Buddhist temples in Thailand. This is positioned on top of a extinct volcano, and with Surin being so so flat, it was lovely to be up high and have views over the lower land, and Cambodia in the distance. The great golden Buddah is also on a volcano, and has a great staircase built into it, 297 steps up, and in the extream heat….. (have to go, times running out, will finish soon!! )

So from my previous post, you kind of got the impression I wasn’t look forward to the TEFL conference. And that was true, Ruth and I begrudged loosing our weekend, but how wrong we were. lesson learned this weekend…’Give everything a try, you may be peasantly surprised!’ So we had to meet at 8.30 Saturday morning at the office. O met us, and we walked together 5 minutes to a nearby hotel. It turned out O hadn’t given us any info about this seminar and the ladies running it had prepared stuff for us, which we hadn’t recieved. This Conference was an annual TEFL training seminar which guided Thai secondary teachers in ways to teach and improve their English lessons. About 60 teachers attended, and when I saw the microphones, power point presentation and boardroom-like set up I was a little nervous. But it turned out they just wanted our assistance in reading out certain parts of the seminar in English. It was a methodology seminar on day one, so we were not needed that much as the lady realised she had to teach it in Thai. We had coffee breaks, with sweet hot coffee and mini delicious thai cakes.  For lunch we sat with the important people and were spoilt with an amazing feast of delicious Thai food We were introduced to lots of important, but extremely amiable education directors. The levels of respect shown were so humbling. Like in Japan the women literally bent to a forty-five degree angle as they passed these men, bowing timidly. Speaking and spending times with the teachers ws also amazing. They are doing such a great job teaching English and apparently struggling to keep up with the the neighbouring countries in regards to their childrens level of English. With few native English speakers working in Thailand, they have an enormous task ahead of them. Especially as many of them were struggling with learning the English language themselves. It made us realise how important it is for Surin that Starfish ventures brings out English teachers, and to volunteer is even better! For me. even though the teaching is challenging, its almost a bonus for me to have the opportunity to be able to teach in a Thai school (a glorified travelling experience as it were). But for them its an experinece of a lifetime, and will really give these young students a chance at a place at university and a decent career.

Saturday night we all went out together, Stuart, Ruth, Fatima and I with our Thai collegues (and friends)…It was a great night, and I know I have made friends for life here in Surin.

The second day, Sunday we had a more important role to play. This was a practical seminar in teaching techniques and Wasana ( a lady who studied in Melborne) was going to deliver it in English. Ruth and I helped her with pronunciations and ran whole exercises.  Luckily I have teaching experience and only did my CELTA last year so I was fortunate to use my knowledge to help the teachers, giving them advise and suggestions on ways to keep their students engaged and having fun. It was another great day, which finished with a certificate ceremony. The teachers (98% women) graciously bowed as they recieved their certificates from the director of education. It was lush!Then when I though it couldn’t get any better, they called our names!!! Ruth and I were speechless that they had even thought to include us in this. A million photos were taken of us and thanks was given. We have also been invited to lunch with Wasana next week

To think we didn’t want to go, and to think how much we got out of participating! We were on a high when we left, an adrenalin buzz only achievable form the fact we were volunteering but also the kind and wonderful people we were fortunate enough to spend the weekend with….. I have e new outlook on teaching out here now, and this week I think that has showed! My solo lessons are going fabulously, I have a wondeful relationship with all the teachers, and am seriously thinking this is the career for me……

So I have been in Thailand two weeks now. I am now settling into Thai life and loving it more everyday. This week has flown by, and I am still loving teaching at the school. We have had to make some alterations which I hope will work out for the best. Basically the way this volunteering teaching is set up, is that 3 of us teach each class, plus one translator. The first week this was fine, as we were just finding our feet and discovering how much the different classes know. But now its too many teachers spoiling the english broth….Ruth and I are pretty strong minded people and we week really well together but have decided that we will get more out of the lessons if we teach alone. The children too, will receive more classes. So a few conversations with the school and some rescheduling and we are set to start on Monday. This way we will teach classes simultaneously, teaching from 8.30 until 11. I only hope that this will work, as finishing everyday at 11am is pretty early. Hopefully we can and will find some other projects to work on…The children though are simply delightful! Most mornings I am given drawings and notes from them, they love the attention that we give them , and definitely love learning English! This weekend, we have been invited to a teachers conference. Kind of sucks as its our weekend, and meant I couldn’t go to Chang Mai with the others, but I will have to see how that goes……

This week I have been exploring Surin by bicycle. It reminds me of Japan, and is such a wonderful way of getting around! I have my basket and my bell, and am very happy The roads are a little hairy though, especially around schools where the students on mopeds seem to flow is every direction regardless of the main flow of traffic! But seriously I know everyone says it, it is even written at the airport, that Thailand is the land of smile. But it seriously is!! I can only speak for Surin, but everywhere we cycle people smile, and great us in the adorable Thai style ( hands in a prayer position and a  bow) smiles smiles smiles…..I love this kind spirit!

So this week Ruth and I came across a huge festival. 100’s of monks wearing bright orange robes, with yellow sashes ( as they are youngsters) crowded around the temples near the starfish office. It was such an amazing sight! We stood and watched for ages, taking in the special occassion. All of the young boys clasped huge bouquets of plastic red and pink flowers, teddies and certificates. I am not sure what the event was celebrating, but a few broken conversations with soem of the older monks, we gathered it was some sort of graduation. It was magical! The temples are also truly beautiful. The colours, gold, pink bright blue. I have found them so peaceful and love sitting and thinking near them. Bhudism is such a peaceful and forgiven religion, while Ruth and I were in the company of all these monks the air literally felt calm and peaceful.

So as I have this teachers conference this weekend I couldn’t go to Chang Mai with the others, they set off yesterday for a 15 hour bus ride. Stuart, Ruth and I were left to ourselves and decided we needed a night out! We were sat on the verander about to go out and the rains came….We couldn’t let it stop us so grabbed hooded jackets and headed up to Big C to grab a tuc-tuc. Now this is something I have noticed in Surin and it’s kind of annoying…anytime you want to walk or are not in need of a ride tuc-tuc riders pester you. Whenever you NEED a ride, they all hide away!!! We stood in the rain about 15 minutes and not one single one passed by….finally we saw one at the traffic lights, so frantically started jumping up and down true ferang style….! He stopped We headed to a place we had eaten before, but this time sat outside, there was a band playing and lots of Thai men getting drunk. I had phad thai…its sooooo good! A few beers later we decided to continue on somewhere else. The next street looked lively so we strolled down. Mmmmm…a kind of dodgy street….blacked out windows, girls hanging around. One of them was definitely a strip club as they hadn’t even bothered tinting it out. You could see the girls dancing on the stages inside. We didn’t fancy going in any of these so thought we would check out Speed3, a club we had heard about. By now it was 10.30 and early in Surin, as the place was practically empty! The ratio of staff to customers was kind of uncomfortable. They either sat slumped in a corner, or sat drinking whisky at one of the little tables. We were ushered to one of the tables, and ordered 3 singha beers.  There was a huge stage and a young girl was singing. I remember thinking, why is she so genky? There’s no one here…I was in for a surprise. About 20 minutes and 6 acts later the lighting dimmed and the smoke machines began clouding the stage. I am surprised the drummer at the back could breath as everyone disappeared from sight. Out came 3 dancers. White shirts sleezly undone to their belly buttons, skinny black jeans and sparkly waistcoats. They busted some awesome rountines, one step left and kick. Two steps right and kick. Turn around and look sexy! The female singer was adorning a white skimpy leotard witha black corset. She had long white feathers coming out of her hair!! We all looked at eachother and were like what the f***!hahahahha… The next hour proceeded pretty much the same. the costumes and dancing just got better and better. Bikinis with tassles, lycra,sequins, leather, pvc…..yup. you name it they were sporting it! It was fabulous! Then they took a well deserved break. And this was when the party started. The club exploded into a dance fest, we boogied to eminem, pussy cat dolls and some wicked clubbing classics!! The club filled up. everyone orders bottle of whisky and soda water….so you can imagine it was messy. The Thais sure do know how to party though! It was a great night!

We started our weekend in Thasawang silk village. Not too far from our house, but through beautiful green paddy fields…..Rice is what surrounds surin. The village exports their silk all over the world, and I was amazed what a slow labourious process it is. The women told us the achieve about 5 cm a day, so to finish one piece can take up to 6 months, if not more…. maybe give us a greater appreciation for all the silk we have on sale at home …. We wandered around the workshop and the little shops around the village. I bought a gorgeous silk bag, and a camera case…

Next stop was Surin’s elephant study center. An amazing place where they care for and breed 63 elephants. Most elephants work in thailand, so it was lovely to see them well looked after and really happy We spent an hour or so watching the elephants feed and play. They are sooo incredible, and it was amazing to be so up close to them. At 2 o’clock there was to be a show. I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy an elephant show, but they genuinely looked happy and like they were really enjoying themselves. All sorts of tricks were performed. One elephant painted a picture, another popped balloons with darts. They played football and basketball and even stood on two legs!

The best part of the day was when we went into the village. The head of the village had allowed all 8 of us to stay with him, and ride his elephants. I was soooo scared at first. O just shouted “choose your elephant, and get on!” “what??” “get on how?? exactly??” hahahha so we were eventually helped onto the elephant. I shared with Hayley but sat right by this head so that I was sure I was going to fall over and down her trunk! her huge ears flapped to cool her and also wipped at my bare feet. we were suddenly in the trees, bending to avoid branches, we meandered through the village and toward the river. Yes! The river!! Elephants are covered in long spiky, wiery hairs which itched my legs, but It was fun…it was the river I was worried about. I shouted to O, to take my camera and sunglasses…this was a big mistake, as when we got to the river he was kind of attacked and hit by one of the larger elephants trunk…he was thrown into a ditch and my sun glasses were crushed at least O was ok, if not a little sore…. We hot deeper and deeper into the river, and I was terrified I’d get thrown off and crushed myself as they role and play. But i managed to stay aboard, even when my elephant totally emerged into the muddy river!! Stuarts elephant though it would be funny to spray me with her trunk!! hahahah I got completely soaked!!! Wandering around the rice paddies was amazing……

Back at the village we began to make diiner. yellow and red curry and phad Thai. O gave us the instructions and we helped make it. It was wonderful creating dinner, then all sitting down to eat, Thai style up on the table…..We ate, then played cards, whilst an amazing electric storm brightened the sky. It was an incredible day !!

It has taken me a while to prepare for my first Thai entry…..I have been here now 7 days and so it is always more difficult starting a new page when so much has happened. I arrived in Bangkok last Friday afternoon. I was met by Dan and Steve two great guys who run Starfish ventures! 3 other girls arrrived at the same time and we piled into a leather lined mini van…complete with a/c and a karaoke machine!! Our stay in Bangkok was short, so unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to explore, but straight away I knew I was going to love Thailand. It was busy and exciting but not too crazy or overwhelming….(maybe Mumbai had prepared me for the worst!) The hostel we stayed in was lovely, clean and bright. The small amount I saw, it was clean, organized and has everything!! Seriously the lonely planet didn’t lie when it says ‘take as little as possible,  you can buy everything and at a fraction of the price’ well…I brought everything, so infact have no room to buy anything. My bag was filled to the brim, and in this insane heat felt nearly twice as heavy! Seriously! Hannah! Will I ever learn to travel light??? Will I? I wonder if I will. From 7/11’s to huge malls selling everthing you can buy in England…to oh yes, guess what!? Tescos!! Tescos has conquered Thailand…Apparently there is one here in Surin, but I refuse to go…hahahah…I am surprised actually as living in Japan, there was things I got used to living without. Fresh bread, cheese (well most dairy products) decent pizza…thats what i expected here. But my local supermarket in Surin has an amzing bakery selling sliced loaves of bread, fresh baguettes, cheese, blossom hill wine! You name it, they have it! We even ordered pizza the other night at Toon’s house and it was delicious!! Even though it did cost 400 bhat which I here is the price of a decent room. It’s strange  how these things make me uncomfortable, but at least they are there if I get that erge! Anyways where was I? Bangkok. So we all met up in the evening and Steve and Dan took us to Cabbages and Condoms (there are pictures on my flickr) its a restaurant that donates part of their profit to Aids awareness and educating rural areas about contraception. Great idea, hilarious restaurant!!! Lifesized models stand dressed in condom attire, I must say very creative condom attire…. I never realised they could make flowers look so pretty! Take a look and judge for yourself. There were 7 of us heading to surin and 2 down to Ko Tao. Lots of great conversations and even more thai beer……

The train to surin the next day was very pleasant. Compared to my terrible experiences in Indian train stations, this was luxury. We had plenty of time to board the train, find our seat and get comfy. The driver welcomed us and a little fellow offered us cold drinks and snacks It was a 7 hour journey north of Bangkok and into rural Thailand…….Lunch was served half way, 25 bhat for  a delicious helping of greesy chicked fried rice….mmmm…..just what i needed!

Surin has an impressive history. It is so close to cambodia that it is littered with ancient ruins and an interesting past. The first people to settle here were elephant farmers, and to this day Surin hosts Thailands biggest elephant festival in November. We saw one the other day meandering down the road, and this weekend infact we are taking a trip to a near by elephant village. It is one of the only places where the elephants are not used for work, they are pets. I cannot wait to see them, especially as I have heard a lot about sad elephant eyes, which sounds heart breaking. these elephants are apparently excellently looked after and very happy and healthy. I will write about how that goes next week.

So I am living in a nice house just outside of town. It has a nice social veranda and is plenty big enough for the 5 of us that are living there. It’s known as BIG C house, named after the local supermarket. I am beggining to settle into my room, and the routine of my volunteering adventure. Something I will still have to get used to though is the ants. They get everywhere and in everything!! I had to move my bed 3 times, and am currently sleeping alone, as I have moved my bed into the middle of the room slightly so they can’t find me…. The heat is another thing I will have to adjust to, and adjust to it I will. Yesterday the temperature soared in the 40’s which is the hottest humidity I have ever experieneced. In Japan the summers were hot, but at least I taught in air conditioning, at my school there are a handful of tierd looking fans. Sleeping equaits to tossing and turning, sweating and dozing……Luckily this internet cafe I am in right now is ice cold…pure bliss….. The problem I face is when I am in a/c I very quickly adjust and simply forget what is waiting for me outside…. everytime I step out of a cafe of mall the heat hit me like a smack in the face. Waves of heat roll through the air, as if an open oven door is constantly pouring its contents over me, left right and centre.

So the reason i am here is to volunteer. Ruth (who is from cheltenham) Hayley from the states and myself are all teaching together in a small school only 5 minutes by bike from where we live. It is an adorable little school with less than 100 students. They age from 3 up to 12. Everymorning 5 of the older boys play the drums, whilst the rest of the school march around the field. The pre-school darlings march in class. Assembly is held outside, and the handful of teachers stand near by with a slim cane (just in case)   They present the new English sentence for that week, and go over a few other things..( to be honest I am not sure wthat they are saying hahah) Then lessons begin at 8.30am. We teach P6 P5 ans P4 in the morning, three great classes of statically enthisiastic children. They are so keen to learn and enjoy all the games and fun that we create. One thing I have noticed and do not like is the way that t.vs play such a  role in these childrens schooling. Lessons are played to the class, and they stand, sit ,dance study and sing along with the tvs. Each class has them, and from what I have seen so far, the teachers sit at the back (if they are even in the class at all) The discipline the students show is incredible, as I do not know one class of children that would get on with their work without an adult present. All this said the children seem to love school. At lunch they bring their own rice and are served hot soup and meals. The little ones nap after lunch so when we leave for our lunch they are crowded around the water tap cleaning their teeth!! The smiles keep me going when the heat tries to drag me down. They are all a pleasure to teach, and I know that the 6 weeks that I will spend at this school the children are going to get sooo much out of it! So now it’s Thursday and my working week is over. I hav 3 days to explore Surin and vistit the elephant village…I can’t wait! Teaching here is proving a challenge, but with a cause so worthwhile I cannot help but enjoy every second….