Since the last time I wrote we got a new president. I had cable in my room at the school so I was able to watch the inauguration live. I don't know why I took a picture of the TV, but it felt like a momentous occasion.Every weekend a bunch of us would take a taxi into town to do some shopping and eat something besides rice. It was nice to get away from the 'compound' once in a while.
We all got along really well considering that such a variety of people come together, live in close quarters, eat every meal together, get stressed out about lesson planning together, observe each other teach those lessons, then constructively criticize each other afterwards. After all that we all became pretty good friends, which was amazing.
Finally the course is over. We don't find out our grades for a few more days, but for now I'm back in Chiang Mai for a few days before my flight to Australia. I've been spending most of the time with other teachers, slowly saying goodbye to each of them. This week Chiang Mai hosted the annual flower festival. It is really popular in Thailand and there are tons of beautiful floats made out of flowers. It was fun to walk around and see some.
This was my favorite - made completely out of flowers and rice.
I've also had to say goodbye to the friends I made at church. The American expats living here were always a great help to me, giving me rides to church and inviting me over occasionaly. These little boys were so cute in their white shirts I had to get a picture.
On Monday some of our former students invited a few of us to go rafting and have a picnic. It was the same place I went rafting when Clay and Trista were here and we did rafting after our trek. Only this time we didn't have a guide - I just had to trust that our students could steer the raft.
I fell out once and floated through some rapids but other than that we made it safe and sound. Afterwards we found a picnic spot next to the river and had a big Thai meal.
After I finished the course I vowed I wouldn't eat rice for at least a month or two but I was hungry and I thought it would be impolite not to eat at their picnic so I did and it wasn't too bad.
It was a fun day and nice to relax and be with the students outside of class. And now once again I've said goodbye to all my friends and I'm all alone. 
It's getting harder to say goodbye to people but I'm excited for the new adventure. Until next time in the land of Oz!
This was my favorite - made completely out of flowers and rice.
I've also had to say goodbye to the friends I made at church. The American expats living here were always a great help to me, giving me rides to church and inviting me over occasionaly. These little boys were so cute in their white shirts I had to get a picture.
On Monday some of our former students invited a few of us to go rafting and have a picnic. It was the same place I went rafting when Clay and Trista were here and we did rafting after our trek. Only this time we didn't have a guide - I just had to trust that our students could steer the raft.
I fell out once and floated through some rapids but other than that we made it safe and sound. Afterwards we found a picnic spot next to the river and had a big Thai meal.
After I finished the course I vowed I wouldn't eat rice for at least a month or two but I was hungry and I thought it would be impolite not to eat at their picnic so I did and it wasn't too bad.
It was a fun day and nice to relax and be with the students outside of class. And now once again I've said goodbye to all my friends and I'm all alone. 
It's getting harder to say goodbye to people but I'm excited for the new adventure. Until next time in the land of Oz! 
5 comments:
Which did you get sick of faster, South American rice or Thai rice?
I'm looking forward to your reports from Down Undah
Thai rice - we didn't eat rice for every single lunch AND dinner in South America.
What an amazing experience! Did you eat a lot of curry there? Matt and I like a Thai food place close to our house called A Taste of Thai. I love the curry dishes. (I wonder how authentic it is, though??)
I'll be anxious to hear how your grades are. It sounds like all you guys are doing is play play play!
I'll be excited to read the blogs from down under.
It's good to hear you finished the class. Have a great time in Aussie. I'm excited to see pictures fromt there.
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