Rolling With the Changes

Here are my pictures

THAILAND

I'm finally settling in to my new life over here in Bangkok. I've moved into an apartment, started teaching summer school, learned enough of the language to get by, opened a bank account, etc . . . . .

To those of you who kept pestering me (you know who you are) sorry this took so long.

Observations:

Thailand vs. Korea

Weather - Thailand
It is hot and tropical and sunny here. I need to buy more shorts and flip flops.

Internet - Korea
Korea's internet is pretty amazing. Here it is like 3rd world internet. It works half of the time at my place and in the afternoons all of the school kids playing games really mess with my download speeds.

Attitude - Thailand
People are so smiley and nice here. This may seem weird to say but they seem a lot more real than Koreans(????). I felt like Korean people were working and traveling and learning because they were supposed to, it is their duty. Here the Thai people are a lot more laid back and seem to do things that they will enjoy. When I see Koreans working they seem a little robotic. When I see Thais working they seem antsy like they really don't want to be there, which to me is a lot more real. Does anyone really like working?

Food - THAILAND!!
A: The food here is great.
B: The food here is dirt cheap.
C: Korean food is really not great. Everything tastes the same or bland.

Girls - Thailand
They seem to have more curves. Nothing wrong with that. Also they aren't as shy and giggly as Korean girls are.

Guys - Thailand
This feels a bit homosexual of me to rate the guys, but down here they have beards and mustaches and long hair. Also they don't wear as many shiny suits/ties/shirts in pastel colors . . . . . . . . AND they like Metal! They do walk around holding hands though. Must be an Asia thing. Speaking of homosexuals, it's strange to see gay couples in public again. It was weird in Korea because it's a very underground thing but the society here is a lot more open.

Crime - Korea
Thailand has a lot of scam artists. Less than I imagined but they are still here.

Scenery - Thailand
Korea did have some beautiful mountains, but I'll take beaches over mountains 80% of the time.

I could probably keep doing the comparison game for a while longer but I think my point has been made. Thailand > Korea.

My place is really nice. I decided to spend the extra 3000 baht to get a one bedroom place. I got tired of living in a one room studio. The pictures are in the album I linked to earlier. The building is a little bit off of the main road which makes it quiet but a little off the beaten path. The courtyard downstairs is really nice and there a beautiful cheap restaurant too. Rent is 11,000 baht a month which is roughly $300.

Cabs here are really cheap. I can get across town for $6. The scooter cabs are a little bit crazy but cheaper. You sit on the back of a scooter and zip between cars sucking in exhaust fumes and holding on for your life. It's pretty fun.

I'm teaching grade 10 Physics, Biology and English along with grade 8 Science for summer school. I will have different classes when the actual school year starts. Summer school is kind of like a warm up for teaching at the school, Thewphaingarm or TSEP. There are fewer classes and grades for the classes I'm teaching don't matter. It's fun teaching when kids understand most of what you say. There are a few kids that still struggle with English but for the most part they all know what's going on. That makes it a little difficult for me to know whether kids are goofing off or helping the slower students understand what's going on in class. Overall it's great.

I already know more Thai than I do Korean. I made it a point to learn the numbers ASAP. Thai is a tonal language so there are fewer words with more ways to say them. For example mai can mean five different things depending on how loud you say it or what parts you emphasize. I don't know if I'll ever get comfortable with the writing though. Their alphabet is huge and confusing.

Sawat D Krap!!

Settling in

I've been staying at Dan's house for the last week just soaking it all in. Round 2 of life abroad is a little easier to adjust to. I know what I have to learn to get by and I've almost mastered Thai numbers. School starts tomorrow so that should be a trip. I'm waiting to hear back from an apartment I made an offer to. The place is real nice, but I totally low-balled them Asia style. I know of other teachers living there for the same price I offered so I'm feeling optimistic. Dan's son Jonathan is 6 months old and pretty good. I've taken a few photos of stuff but I'm waiting to get a few more before I upload all of them. I'll be teaching Physics, Bio, English, and a few other classes this summer. More info to come!!

The End of an Era

I have officially transitioned from Korea to Thailand. After a frustrating and long plane ride I finally touched down in Thailand irritated and paranoid. Irritated by all of the Koreans that accompanied me on the plane, and paranoid from all of the shady scam jobs that I had read happened in Thailand. Also, I didn't have a VISA and wasn't sure whether or not it was required for entrance in to Thailand. After I touched down and waltzed through Immigration and customs in half the time it takes in the states I began to understand the Samai Samai (probably totally spelled wrong) attitude that is popular here in Thailand. Dan picked me up at the airport and has been giving me the lowdown ever since I got in 6 hours ago. Samai Samai is basically the same as chill or take it easy. It is the mindset here and I love it. I have another short vacation before I begin teaching again! In the next 10 days I will attempt to get situated here. I already exchanged my Korean Won to Bhat (so depressing) and got a cell phone. Life is about to get phenomenal. I ate an awesome plate of basil chicken on rice for one dollar. I have a feeling I will be doing that a lot.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I

AM

SO

CHUFFED!!!!

Haha take your pick from those meanings. Mine is a little different. Might be a little racy for the young ones.

Life is about to get 5 times way mega super very more awesomereerererererererer.

Pictures to come, if I ever remember to bring my camera places.