TraveLLs

Today I am typing this blog entry on a broken Macbook.  After two years of owning and using my Macbook with no problems, it has finally let me down.  I'm sure the problem, a broken back light, can be easily fixed... in the states So far, during my time in Thailand, I have been lucky.  Khon Kaen is a pretty developed city.  Two years ago they even put in a giant shopping center called Central Plaza.  I have, several times, forgotten that I am living in a third-world country.   I took my computer into the Apple store at Central.  They told me the only Apple repair center in Thailand is located in Bangkok.  After looking further into it, it turns out the mall that the store is located in is underwater at the moment.  Even if it was convenient to take the six hour ride into Bangkok, I would not be able to get to the store itself at this time.  Another option I was given was to ship it into Bangkok. After thirty dollars to ship ...

Yesterday was a big day!   One of the foreign teachers at my school, David, married Eve, the head assistant teacher in the English Program.  This was a long awaited marriage with an engagement of five years.  The wedding took place at Eve’s parents house.  It was a traditional Thai wedding.  Here are a few odd facts: -When we arrived at 8:00 in the morning they started serving beer, whiskey, and seafood dishes. -The ceremony itself started shortly after everyone arrived and started eating.  We were ushered into the street where they did a “parade” to bring the groom to the house.  David had to “fight” to get into the house to see Eve.  The entire time there was a strange call and response going on between the "morning announcements lady" from our school with her microphone and the rest of the guests at the wedding. **NOTE** the "morning announcements lady" is of no relation blood or otherwise to the bride or groom.  At...

Even in Thailand Christmas comes early!   November 19, 2011 What's even more interesting are the decorations under the Christmas tree:

Last night I went to Khon Kaen University with some fellow teachers to celebrate Loi Kratong.   Loi Kratong is a traditional festival that takes place on the evening of the full moon of the 12 th lunar month on the traditional Thai calendar.   Traditionally, the festival took place to pay respects to the spirit of the waters.   One places a lotus shaped “kratong” on the water and watches it float away.   Today, the personal ceremony still takes place, but it is also a time to celebrate with loved ones.   There were several celebrations around Khon Kaen at various lakes.   I chose to go to Khon Kaen University where there was a market, a carnival, and a lake to pay respect.   The market was one of the larger markets I have seen in Khon Kaen.   While wondering around the many stalls, I ran into several of my students.    I even scored a free shaved ice from one of my student’s Aunts.   After wondering the market ...

On Saturday night the girls and I decided to go see a movie.  While looking into movie times for Central Plaza we stumbled upon a Thai chick flick called 30+ Singles on Sale .  Obviously, we decided we needed to go see it.  Here is the trailer.   Needless to say, the movie itself was just as amazing.

The first week of second semester has already come and gone.  I am now on the downhill side of my time here in Thailand.  I know that if I had opted to do five months I would not be ready to go home.  It was a challenging but extremely rewarding five months of teaching and I cannot wait to have five more! On Wednesday, T. Duey invited me to have dinner at her house with her family and the Thai teachers from Anuban Khon Kaen School. T. Duey’s house is in the middle of the city not far from the school.  It is the most beautiful house I have seen in Thailand so far.  The dinner was delicious and the company was great.  I met T. Duey’s husband, her 20-year old daughter and her 23-year old son.  Her husband is a wonderful cook.  He made homemade pad Thai and for desert T. Duey made homemade mango sticky rice with mangoes from her mango tree.  I felt so happy to have been invited into her home for a delicious, authentic Thai dinner par...

I recently returned from a two-week vacation in Vietnam.  I met up with two of my girl friends, Kerianne and Jessica, and we traveled from Ha Noi to Saigon.  It was a busy but amazing two weeks full of soaking in the culture, learning about the history, and relaxing on the beaches of Vietnam.       The holiday started on Monday, October 11 when I took a bus into Bangkok.   While there, we got a hostel on Kao San Road and had a delicious dinner at a vegetarian restaurant.   It was by far the best foreign food I have had in Thailand to date.     The following day we flew into Ha Noi, the capital of Vietnam.  We arrived just in time for lunch where I enjoyed my first Pho Bo ever at a small restaurant called Pho 10.  It was delicious, but after the spicy Thai food I have been ingesting the past five months it tasted a bit bland.  However, throughout my trip to Vietnam it grew on me and now I now find myself cra...