Morgan Hoehn Letters from Thailand

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November 7th, 2012

Sahwatdeeka! This week has been a super THAI week! I started school again and am taking some different classes for the new semester. They are fruit carving, Thai tea making, Thai dessert making, and Muay Thai (Thai boxing). So far all my classes are very fun and very interesting! I start Muay Thai soon!

I have a daily school routine that I find myself falling into. One of the events that I do in my day is go to a little coffee shop and get a fruit smoothie. Today when I went, I walked in to the nice air conditioned room to happily receive my delicious fruity smoothie, only to see a HUGE bowl of insects! As surprised as I was, the gasp and sound "Oooiii!" escaped my mouth. The lady that runs the shop just LAUGHED as she plucked off the legs and pinchers of the insects one by one. "Arroy arroy!" she said, convincing me that they are delicious, especially with a nice salad.

Now, I have had fried insects before, but never did I really think about how they got to the point that they are ready for customers to pop some back into their mouths. Needless to say, watching the preparation of the bug cuisine was certainly an experience I won't soon forget. Eeeeuuuucccchhhhh.

This week as well I discovered why I find Thai students either VERY studious or not at all. You may find this interesting! So, when Thai students are very very young, their parents generally choose a carreer path for them. It is usually something along the lines of being doctors or engineers. In some of my classes I notice the studnets don't study at all, and in some they study the entire time and then some. This is because for the classes that they don't think is useful "study material" for their university entrance exams, they don't care about. They only care about the classes that will help them out with the exam they need to take to get in to the university they want. Most kids go to school early at about 6 or 7 am. School begins at 8am and ends at 4pm. Most students then take extra classes (the ones they want) until around 8pm. SO! Although they study all day, they are only prepping for their university entrance exams, not because they need to graduate. Just some interesting information!

This week was mostly all about going to school and being a Thai student. This coming week I may be travelling to some other cities and hopefully I will begin my first Muay Thai class! I will surely have a story to share about that next week too. All for nowsdaslhsald  djd

Okay. So. I decided to keep those mixed up letters there. Reason being, a BUG the size of my entire THUMB just jumped onto my HEAD and I have no idea from where it could have POSSIBLY come from! So THAT is why those jumbled letters are there. That was my reaction to the creature that will later be my dinner. Just kidding. I won't eat it. My host sister got to it before I did. Next time! ;) hahaha

Enjoy your week and have a great day!!

-Tubtim

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Hey Naomi! Glad to hear about all the little potential outbounds! Have we picked one yet? :) I'm so excited for them! I remember being there. Wow time flies!

Sorry I haven't sent you one of the official monthly reports yet! I will work on that right away, but as of now everything is going great, no problems or issues, not homesick yet, and I change families on November 15th. My Canadian parents sent me a package of beef jerky, pine scented air fresheners, Kraft Dinner, maple candies, and some Jolly Ranchers. I am saving most of it for Christmas, when I think I will be wanting it all the most.. temptation is hard though! haha.

Hope all is awesome with you! Happy Halloween! Are you dressing up? :) Enjoy all the trick or treaters!

Now that I am back in a wifi filled area my weekly updates should be back to normal now. I'll let you know ahead of time when I know I won't be able to send them!

Here's this weeks!

Sahwatdeeka all!

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October 31st, 2012

I’ll make this update especially special seeing as I have missed the last couple ones. Reason being, I had my first trip! For about 2 weeks I was on the Northern Trip with all the other exchange students in my district. All in all, I only had Wi-Fi a couple of times throughout the trip, and it usually only lasted for about 10 minutes at a time. The trip was a BLAST, to say the least.

I got to experience the Thai “white water rafting”, which was floating down a slow river enjoying scenery. Occasionally we all jumped off the boat and just literally floated down the river, which certainly was a wow moment being surrounded by jungle and mountains and bright blue skies.

We planted trees, painted school playgrounds, and cleaned temples. We played with tigers, visited immaculate temples, got facial mud-masks, went to the Princess Opium Museum, shopped at all the night markets, and so much more. If I could narrow the trip down to 2 of the most interesting things, it would have been the days we went to the Golden Triangle and the long-necked women hill tribes in Mae Hong Son.

The Golden Triangle is the land between Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. We took a boat into Laos and saw the markets there. It was an eye-opening experience for sure. If we would have continued further down the river, we would have ended up in China. That, or our boat would have been captured. In previous years, the Golden Triangle had the highest exporting rate for opium and other drugs, and people trafficking/slavery/sex trade. The history behind it is incredible, and to be there was even more amazing.

As for the hill tribes- wow! We went in to Mae Hong Son province, which is where the most amount of poverty in all of Thailand is. The organizers of our trip took us into one of the more “happy tourist friendly” locations rather showing us the more real places that these people live. The hill tribes were absolutely amazing. They are SUCH friendly people and they are very, very lovely. I got to try on a smaller version of the neck rings. Since the rings actually go all around the neck, the one I got to try was an old one cut in half. I tell you, they are NOT light. My little half-neck ring was about 3 or 4 pounds. Imagine a full one that you can’t take off! Just wow. While there, I met some beautiful little girls. They were so cute! They were trying to sell their bracelets, and their cuteness DEFINITELY helped out their sales.  Mae Hong Son province has been struggling with poverty for a very, very long time as it was the place to grow the opium seeds. In the mountains is where the hill tribes live and the “mountain people”, as Thais say. Most of them are illiterate and don’t have clean water. HIV/AIDS has affected these areas very badly. The children won’t go to school (if there is even a school in their area) if they don’t have a lunch, which most rarely do. Even at the hill tribe we went to there were donation boxes for children’s milk and clean water. Despite being a sight cleaned up and made for tourism, it still took a piece of your heart when you walked away.

Myself and one other girl Sarah, from the United States, are planning a project in Mae Hong Son to help, even just a little. I will be sure to let you all know of this when it is better planned. Next weekend Sarah will be coming to my city in Phitsanulok to meet with the district chairman and plan it all. Details to come!

SO! The month of October has certainly been one to remember. I have learned so much, seen and experienced so much, and have grown even more in love with my life here.

Once I got back from the Northern Trip, I was woken up to a “Hey, Morgan, wake up. Want to go to Bangkok? Pack for 3 days or something. We are leaving in 1 hour.”  What a nice little surprise to wake up to! So off to Bangkok my family and I went. I finally got to meet my other host brother Anon, and I got to tour around Bangkok. My gosh, the traffic in Bangkok is known worldwide for a reason! It is SO busy! We stayed in my host sister’s 1 room condo for 3 days. Thai rooms are generally smaller, but this room was SUPER teeny tiny. I slept on the couch with my host mom, and my 2 host brothers and my host dad slept together on the double size bed. We all got a little bit closer on that trip.

I start school up again tomorrow! Back to those early mornings! The fashion across Thailand lately has been very shocking. Even though apparently winter is coming, it’s still +40 every day. People are starting to wear winter coats because they say they are cold. I don’t mean cute little fall jackets that protect you from a chill, I mean actual winter coats that might even seem too hot for Canada. It’s crazy! I don’t know how they do it. I have also officially decided in buying a pair of shoes specially for the bathroom. Those cockroaches really like taking showers with me.

Enjoy the lovely snowfall you have been getting and Happy Halloween! Eat lots of candy and enjoy!

Until next week!

Tubtim

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October 10th, 2012

Sahwadeeka! Khun sah-by-dee-mai-ka? Mee-sanook gup sabai Canada now!

Hello! How are you? Have fun with all of the snow and cold weather!

I have OFFICIALLY been in Thailand for 2 months now, time change and all. I think I say this in the majority of my letters, but I really can´t believe how fast the time is going! Another girl just arrived in my host district and she is placed in my city. I met her and was talking to her, when all of a sudden a whole bunch of Thai people come up and start speaking to her. She only knew how to say ¨Sahwatdeeka!¨ so she didn´t understand anything they were saying. I was able to tell her what to say and be a translator for the majority of the questions they asked her. It was so cool because I totally remember being at that point, and it was even cooler to measure how far I´ve come with Thai. Honestly, I felt like Superwoman. Oooh yeah.

So this week I went to a bowling tournament competition grand opening thingy.. It all started with being invited to go bowling with some Rotarians. Then I was told to ¨look my best¨. We arrived and it was a big grand opening of some sort with red carpets and balloons everywhere. Many pictures were taken and it was a big big event! I still didn´t know what was going on, but it was still fun. Halfway through my host mom runs up to me and grabs my arm saying ¨let´s go let´s go!¨. So I went! As I found out about 1 hour of car driving later, we were going to a BEAUTIFUL temple on top of a mountain in the South of my province to sleep there for an evening. Cool!

I have noticed that many times I have no idea what´s going on. Although that sounds kind of funny, it´s totally normal! Planning and arranging just doesn´t exist in Thailand! At least not with anyone I know! They all just say ¨Thai style! Don´t worry.¨  It´s really funny, and also pretty fun. Sometimes a Rotarian in my host club will come to my house, tell me to get ready for a party, and we´ll go out to HUGE fancy functions. We only ever stay to say ¨hello!¨, eat some food, and then leave. It´s kind of like dining and dashing, but, ah well, Thai style! :)

Tomorrow morning (October 11th) at 5am I will be on my way to RYLA in the far North of Thailand. I will be there until the 14th, and then on the 16th I will leave again for my first Rotary trip! The Northern Trip will consist of visiting the long-necked women and other hill tribes, along with climbing through the jungle. Busy month! I am not too sure how well the wifi will be while I am away, but I will try my best to send a hello from wherever I am! :)

For this weekend in RYLA, they told me I will need a sweater because we will probably be cold. They said it may actually get down to 25 degrees celsius. Hmm...

So I have heard that Marcos is now in Grande Prairie! I hope he likes snow. I´m so excited for him to experience everything Canada and our Rotary club has to offer him! From an inbound to an inbound, please let him know ¨diviertete y disfruta muchísimo¨ (dee-vee-err-te-tay  ee   dees-fruit-ah  moo-chee-see-moe), which should be ¨Have fun and enjoy!¨ in Spanish, if my friend from Mexico told me correctly. :)

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Have a great week!

-Tubtim

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Sept. 19, 2012

Sahwatdeeka!

I have a pet in my room. He is a screaming lizard. I don't always see him, but he is always there. I didn't really care until he started screaming. I can't tell you what kind he is, because I'm not sure, but he's the kind that nobody likes because he screams all the time. I accepted the fact that while on exchange I will not sleep as much as I usually would due to some fun new experience (like feeding monks breakfast in the mornings or something along those lines). I never thought I would be losing sleep due to the fact I have a screaming lizard in my bedroom that screams at all odd hours throughout the night! I haven't named him yet, but I'm thinking maybe something like "Screech" would suite my new friend very well.

On Sunday, I got to be a part of a very life-changing event. I got to attend a ceremony where a boy became a monk. It was very neat! A really beautiful celebration with family and friends in a very beautiful temple. It was not at all what I had expected it to be, which was a lot of praying and listening. We actually walked around all of the houses where the monks live and all of the temples close to the area. We sang this one song over and over, and at the end everyone shouted "oooo-eeee!" in very funny voices. There was lots of laughing, and after a little while, the new monk stood with his back towards the crowd and threw coins beuatifully warpped in ribbons into the crowd. It really was like a parade where they throw things to the crowd! The coins mean good luck, and I collected lots. If I share with family and friends, everyone will have a good and happy life. It's very cool!

I am still being amazed every day, and I don't think it'll stop.

Another exercising story for you all: I have found a nice little outdoor gym that I go to, and there is always one man there who NEVER exercises, he just talks. He is a very social person! So anyways, after running in the sticky hot Thailand air for a fairly long time, I go to this gym. Obviously, I'm pretty sweaty and super hot, so I really just want to do my thing. But there he was! With a big grin on his face and waving he went! Waiting for me to reach the gym. He is a very nice man! So I get to the area and he starts talking to me, pointing out how red my cheeks are and asking me all these questions. I think everytime I see him he asks me if I have a boyfriend. We always arrive at about the same time, and he always leaves without ever actually exercising. Mind you, he does talk A LOT, so I guess that can work up a sweat. It's really funny.

I also go to a yoga class with my host mom twice a week now! I am the youngest in the class by at least 40 years, and I am the ONLY one in the class who can't do the splits or put one leg behind their head as if it were perfectly normal.

I had a very nice surprise this week! Sine, a girl who came to our district last year for exchange who stayed with my family for a few days, came to visit me. It was so cool seeing her during my exchange, because I saw her during hers. I got to meet her parents, where she got to meet mine. It was so cool to compare, and now, instead of speaking mainly English, we spoke mainly Thai. It was really neat! It's so great when you realize that you have friends all over the world.

This weekend I will go to Sukothai, a walking street market, and MAYBE a waterfall... Should be fun! Next week will be my last week of classes before holidays, so all of my friends are starting to plan to take me places during the time off. Yay!

I am still enjoying the beautiful, one and only Thailand!

Kop-khun-ka, Sahwatdeeka!

Have a great week!

-Tubtim

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Sept. 12/12

Sahwatdeeka from the Land of Smiles!

This past weekend I went to Chiang Mai for a country promotion event with Rotary. I met all the outbounds and inspired a lot of students to go to Canada!

During the country promotion, we had to promote our countries. Being 1 of the 2 Canadians at the event, the other Canadian, Cole, and I decided to shake things up a bit from the normal slide show presentations, and we decided to sing a song and dance. If you have never heard the song "Canadian Please" on YouTube, you definitely should look it up, because that is what Cole and I sang. We also taught a line dance to Cadillac Ranch to all the outbounds. It was a VERY fun weekend! Though it was fun, it was a very stressful weekend for outbounds and their parents. In Thailand, the students take a test once accepted into the exchange program. Depending on how well you do on this test depends on what countries you can go to for your exchange. The best mark gets the first choice, and so on so on. At the end of the weekend the Rotary club posts the marks of the students on a big projector screen for all to see. The moment of truth! All the students want to go to the United States because they want to learn English, rather culture. Out of 43 students only about 15 get to go to English speaking countries. So you can imagine the variety of emotions hovering around the room when the marks were posted!

While in Chiang Mai, I went to a mountain. On top of the mountain is a beautiful temple with waterfalls, incredible trees, and amazing views of Chiang Mai. Stunning!

I can't wait to go back to Chiang Mai. There was so much to do and see! Unfortunately, I got food poisoning while in Chiang Mai from a beef burger at a restaurant. Three exchange students ate the same thing and we all got sick. I have never had food poisoning before, so it's just another experience to add to the list! I am fine now and feeling great. :)

Now that I feel like I am actually in Thailand (yes, it did take this long to RRREEEEAAALLLYYYY sink in...), I am noticing a lot of things that I noticed before, but didn't pay much attention to. For example, a normal tourist may take a picture of the bathrooms here. Not only because they are all squat toilets, but because you have Women's, Men's, and Monk's bathrooms. All the little differences like that just make me smile whenever I actually stop and notice them. It's a nice thing! Or, when I look out my window while driving through town and i'm like "Oh hey, there's a jungle there. And a rice field... And a fresh pineapple stand... And some Thai mountains... And a waterfall!" It's really neat to have that be a normal thing in your everyday life. Really neat!

I don't know if it has hit Canada yet, but I can assure you that it will. It is a new song called Gangdam Style. It came from Korea and made it's way all throughout Thailand and is just the BIGGEST thing. There is a specific dance to do the "Gangdam Style" and I must say, it is extremely catchy. Anyways, you should YouTube that as well. But ALSO, I have learned the best way to "put yourself out there and get people to know you".

At lunch time the other day, my friends were talking about the new song Gangdam Style and how great it is. They asked me, "Hey Tubtim, do you know Gangdam Style?" and of course I replied yes because I've been hearing it every day all day. Some other students from other tables heard our conversation topic and started dancing the popular dance. Soon enough everyone was all dancing. And not too long after that, there were iPhone speakers blaring the song. Everyone was dancing, however they were all really shy about it and sitting down. Thai students are very shy. It was SUPER obvious that everyone in the cafeteria was dancing to the same song (much like a flash mob), but nobody was dancing enough to really just put themselves out there. In all honesty, it looked really silly and akward. So I jumped up and just started dancing to Gangdam Style, and if it wasn't enough that everytime I stand up people turn and look at me, I was dancing the ridiculous dance as well.

I have learned many things so far, and already I can notice a change in myself. Like recently becoming totally fearless. The opportunities I am getting from singing "Canadian Please" in front of many stressed and serious parents and students, and dancing to a ridiculous dance for all to see at school are truly just fantastic. This coming weekend I have been invited to go to waterfalls, see celebrations where boys become monks, help with a teaching English to Adults course, go to Thai boat races, spend the weekend cooking different Thai foods and learning different Buddhist traditions with my second host family, or go dancing at night markets with the old women and my friends again. So many options! Lately these are how my days have been. Busy busy! And I'm loving every minute of it.

Talk next week!

Tubtim

-P.S: At school I have to come up with a number of Canadian foods. For term 2, my international foods class will become a "Canadian foods class" and I will be the teacher. Any suggestions on some Canadian dishes you would like to see in Thailand?

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Tuesday, August 21st

It's hard to believe I have already been gone Grande Prairie for two weeks! Time flies when you're having fun- it's so true!

For the last few days in Thailand I have been learning Thai non stop. So much Thai! I know colors, actions,  numbers, foods... Just so much. But going back to food, I am really liking it. Everything is spicy!! However, I wouldn't even be able to tell you what I have been eating, because I'm not really sure. But it is good!! Really really good!! I have learned not to ask what I am about to eat until I have already eaten it. That way I won't chicken out from eating bugs that look like french fries and pig blood at the school cafeteria.

My host family is so friendly! They must think I am starving though because everyone keeps offering me everything they see. My family and I will go grocery shopping and they ask if I want this, that, those, everything! I think they will make me gain a lot of weight by spoiling me so much!

I am slowly getting into a daily routine. I get up at 6:30 am, get ready to go to school at 7:45 in my adorable school uniform, go to school, finish school at 4:00, walk home and on the way get some fresh coconut juice from the market, learn some Thai, eat some dinner (or a lot....), and then go out with my host mom for some exercise.

The first day we went exercising we went walking around Phitsanulok (about the size of Mission Heights). On our walk we saw a group of older women (like, older older..) Thai dancing. I'll admit, those ladies kick my butt at dancing. It's amazing! Mom joined in, so I did too. I must say, Thai dancing is something else. It is very elegant and beautiful- if you know what you're doing.

That dances are memorized, so my host mom knew just what to do. I, on the other hand, was still figuring out what Thai dancing was.

There was a group of school boys just down the path watching, especially once I, the foreigner, joined in. They were laughing as I attemped to Thai dance. Just as I would figure it out enough to KIND OF blend in to the other dancers, the song would change and I would be back at square one learning completely different steps trying to look like I knew what I was doing.

It was a busy side walk by a busy road, so there was a lot of people watching, not to mention the little blonde Canadian girl stands out a little bit. It was actually a lot of fun and super funny!

Needless to say, I stuck it out with a smile, tried my best, made some people laugh, and then taught my host mother Cadillac Ranch.

Continuing the walk after that lovely Thai dancing episode, we stopped to get a 4 dollar foot massage. It was a real Thai foot massage where they slap and punch your feet and bend your legs in ways you didn't know they could bend. It was neat! I did enjoy it! I have been getting a massage about every second day since being here after walking around Phitsanulok by the river. I don't mind it. :)

I began school last Thursday, and I love it!! It was true when they told me I would be a celebrity. I walked into the gymnasium after many many pictures with teachers and staff, only to be greeted by over 4000 Thai students cheering and smiling and waving at me. It was so overwhelming! Everyone was screaming "Barbie Barbie! Beautiful! I love you!".

So many people were taking pictures of me and Thai students are so shy, but they love to whisper things just loud enough for me to hear as I walk by and then run away giggling and covering their face when I smile at them. It's really cute! Some of the more brave students actually come up behind me and pet my hair. Everyone tried to speak English with me, and if that fails they speak French. I know just enough French to get me by. (I thank my mother and elementary school for that!) Although even if they don't speak English or French, they still try to communicate with me, and I know just enough Thai to understand them.

I made some really good friends at school. They invite me to do everything with them! They are so kind. One of the friends that I am closer to is actually the president of my school, Chalermkwansatree. This means he is the most honored and respected student. I am very happy I am friends with him!

One thing that I really don't like about Thailand is the mosquitoes. I never see any but I have so many mosquito bites!

I am now settled in to my school, home, and city. I had to introduce myself in front of my entire school in Thai, which is 4000+ people, and I never fail to surprise myself. The day before I was so nervous! But once I got on the stage, I was so calm and normal. It was great! I just tell myself that I am an exchange student so nothing can go wrong.

I must thank YOU, my Rotary Club! By allowing me this opportunity to go on exchange I have gained so much already and I can honestly say I am proud to be a Rotary Exchange student from Canada. I love it! I have been to Chinese operas, am experiencing the celebrity life, saw a monkey, fell in love with a country, made friends who I already consider my "BFFs", and so so so so so much more all in a matter of 2 weeks. On the 22nd I am going to Lampang to ride elephants and meet other exchange students.

I am known for my smile at school and my Thai nickname is officially TubTim, which means pomegranate, because "everybody loves pomegranates."

I have mastered squat toilets and the night bazaar.

And when I feel sad (which really hasn't happened yet...) I remember that every day I spend sad is a day lost happy, which I currently live by.

AND I have learned INCREDIBLE acting skills for tackling the language barrier. I am having so much fun being bit by mosquitos, experiencing a new life, meeting new people, smiling for cameras 24/7, thanking Buddha gods at the temple for air conditioning, and buying $1.00 clothes.

So.... How's Grande Prairie?

 -Tubtim

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Okay! So! I had my first official day in Phitsanulok today and it was a lot of fun. I woke up early (time change) and went downstairs to the beauty shop where my host mom, sister, and 2 friends were working. I spoke some Thai with them and already my Thai is improving! I am learning more than I have ever known!

We ate breakfast (like mentioned above) and then I stayed in the shop with them and just talked.

As I mentioned, they were coming up with my Thai name. I am now, and proud to be (!!), Anteecha Utchin (Ah-tee-sha Oo-shin) which means born to be great.

I was named, and off to get my school uniform I went! Everything is so close to the house that we just walk everywhere.

My host mom and I went into the shop, I was fitted for a uniform, only to be told how big I am. I am an XL in Thailand!! In Canada I am a small and sometimes medium! It's so funny!

We then went to get some shoes for me to wear, and again, I was told I am big. "Big feet! Big feet!"

That was quite the adventure!

After that, we went to the supermarket where everyone smiled at me and was looking at me and waving at me. It was so nice! My host mom was asking me if I needed anything, however she doesn't speak any English so we played charades and guessed with the words I know. She hasn't let me pay for anything and really does treat me like her own child. It is so welcoming!

I didn't end up getting anything (mom packed me well..) except for some juice because in their house they only drink warm water and hot soy milk, and then milk that comes in little juice boxes. I can't say the milk is my favorite, and it's too hot for another hot drink, so i've been sticking to warm water.

We continued our journey, people continued to wave at me, and I continued to smile. We walked around the river which flows right through the heart of Phitsanulok, and I have to admit, I had to change clothes when I got home because I was so sweaty. I now understand why Thai people shower around 3 times a day!!!

After my change into dry clothes, I practiced how to write my new name in the Thai alphabet. It's fun to learn but hard to do! I practiced spelling my name for about an hour. I also practiced my numbers and my host mom had me count things like how many geckos were on the wall, how many cockroaches were on the floor... kidding, there was way too many to count!!! Hahaha, she did have me counting things, but I didn't count geckos and cockroaches. There ACTUALLY were too many. It wasn't a joke.

Mom and I went out after a little bit for some exercise and just walked around. We came across some school girls and they were giggling and smiling at me. One of them said, "hello!" and I replied in Thai, "Sahwatdeeka!"

Once I replied in Thai, all 3 of them screamed.

"Thai! Thai! Khun Thai!"

They were so amazed I could speak some Thai with them! It was so funny! We had a full conversation and their jaws just dropped. It was wonderful! One of my favorite moments yet. :)

Everyone on the streets were smiling at me, and half the people we walked past mentioned how I was "sawai mak mak!", which means very beautiful. I always replied in Thai and I loved all of the reactions to the Canadian girl who speaks Thai.

So we continued walking again, and came across a food stand. My host mom kept telling me something and pointing at the food but I couldn't understand what she was saying. Turns out, she was saying "You want to try some bugs?"

YES! I do! But it is my first full day in Thailand!!

So... I tried the bugs. Silk worms and crickets! They were good once I was able to get my mind wrapped around the fact of me eating bugs. The hardest part to deal with was when they squished and squirted onto my teeth. It was definitely a.. different experience! I ate about 10 silk worms and 10 crickets. I prefer the crickets! They're less juicy and more salty.

When we got home, Peewee, my friend who works in the family shop and hair salon washed and styled my hair before dinner. (Bugs were just an appetizer.)

We went out to a courtyard about 3 minutes away and had noodles. I put some peppers on mine to spice it up a little bit. I only put about half the amount that my host mom and brother put on theirs, but still my mouth was on fire!!! It was the hottest thing I have ever ate! It burned! I have now learned to start off with a little spice and taste test as I slowly add more.

I am so amazed with the prices here. For all of our meals at dinner was only 70 baht. That is few cents more than 2 dollars Canadian. None of us could finish our food either! There was so much, and it was SO good.

So now I am just flossing the cricket legs out of my teeth... Just kidding! I am watching Thai television with Anant, my host brother. He isn't really paying attention, but I keep laughing because it is so dramatic!! The actors are very enthusiastic and it is really funny to watch.

I start school Wednesday!

Sahwatdeeka!

Anteecha

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Saturday, August 11th

Sahwatdeeka! My email isn't working so I will message you now and add pictures when I get my laptop all set up. (I am using my mom's iPad.)

SO! The flight here was really interesting. Before, I was really scared of airports because I always thought they were confusing. I never had to actually find my own way around though. I would always be following someone else. So now that I was forced unto finding my own way, it was so much fun!! Airports are a piece of cake now. :)

All my flights went really well up until my 13 hour flight from Vancouver to Hong Kong. I originally had window seats the whole way to Bangkok, but when I got to my seat, there was a gentleman sitting in it. The plane was really big! It was 3 rows of 3 the whole way, so I looked around and thought maybe I got confused. Sure enough, he really was in my seat. As politely as I could I asked him about our seats and before I was done speaking he handed me HIS boarding pass and just simply said "trade."

So now I had both tickets in my hand, mine and his. A flight attendant then came up from behind me, grabbed his ticket, pulled me along to his seat (which was the middle seat in the middle row between 2 people who were sleeping) and just pointed at my spot. I just kind of stood there confused for a little bit because I couldn't climb over the lady due to the small seats and space, and I had my 2 carry ons with a jacket covered in dangly pins. Now the flight attendant was very annoyed and woke the woman up so I could get into my seat. I crawled over her, actually-I crawled. At one point, I was sitting on her lap. So i was now in my seat awaiting Hong Kong! I tried to sleep, but my seat wouldn't go back from the 90 degree angle it was at, and my tv screen wasn't working. So I just slept with my back straight and counted time. It was funny, because it seemed like the whole flight was dark, like we were flying away from the sun. I didn't know what day or time it was, and I didn't even know which continent I was on. For all I know, I could have been in China!! (haha...)

So that flight finally finished, i made my way to my gate with a tiny breakdown, sat down, and waited as people walked by me staring and smiling and taking pictures of this strange girl in the red jacket. At one point, a little girl walked by and said to her mother with extreme amazement, "MOMMY!! Her hair!!!"

It was really cute, haha.

A few hours later, I arrived in Bangkok, and it TRULY is the land of smiles!! Everyone was so kind asking me where I was from and where I am going. They all seemed so amazed when I spoke Thai to them and it was so nice and welcoming. However, no matter how hard I try to explain I am not from Vancouver or Calgary, I will always be the "farang" from Vancouver or Calgary.

A short while later, I was with my host brother Anant and his friend Tony. They were and are so nice to me! They made sure everything was good for me and they were so interested in Canada.

With them in Bangkok, I experienced my first real Thai dish and went to my first wat (temple). Thai food is AMAZING. Anant was telling me about Thai fashion and said white skin is "hot", so I am very "hot" myself. At the temple I was given a long skirt to wear, as women have a very strict dress code. (My first Thai souvenir!)

The temple was beautiful and so incredible.

At 10:30 at night, after a day in Bangkok, we went to Phitsanulok, which would be my new home.

I was welcomed in a traditional Thai way with a flower decoration and banner. My first and second host family was there and they are all SOOO kind! They welcomed me just as their own family and I feel so at home.

I have my own bedroom, saw my first scary Thai spider in the shower, experienced INSANE humidity that is apparently "nothing!", and just 2 hours ago I ate my first Thai breakfast with my host mom. She doesn't speak any english, and I have learned more Thai in 2 hours with her than any Thai my whole life.

Thai breakfast is like a feast at dinner time for me. I had sticky rice, pork, fish, deep fried bread, soy milk, warm water, mango, and 3 fruits that are the best things I have ever tasted. I am still so full!

I am currently working in the beauty shop with my host mom and she is deciding my Thai name.

Needless to say, I am safe, welcomed, happy, and falling in love with Thai culture already.

Oh yeah, my hair is an afro of curls in this humidity.

Pictures to come!!!