Asean Camp (In Brief)

Late friday night, there were an unusual amount of foreigners on walking street. After a while they approached us, told us what their business was in our town. As soon as they distinguished that we were indeed teachers they asked us to take part in the Asean camp that was happening the next morning. 

Schools across Asean send their top one, two or three students to take part in the camp – which aims to unify the nations. I really enjoyed taking part in the running of activities in the morning, interacting with the students. I was also given sole responsibility for a group of 12 students in the afternoon – ensuring they made it safely on to the bus, survived Phu Ruea and made it back to Loei Palace Hotel where they were staying the night. I succeeded, setting off with 12 and arriving back at the hotel with 12. Whether they were the same 12 I have no idea, but a dozen’s a dozen in my book. 

 

 

 

Sidenote: (I did take a register, it was the same 12 students – don’t worry)

 

 

 

 

Phu Ruea National Park

 

Monday 12^th August sees the Queen’s birthday and Mother’s day in Thailand. This gives all schools a 3 day weekend! We decided to abuse this fact and drove to Phu Ruea national park, about 50km from Muang Loei. Phu Ruea boasts Phu Ruea peak with 360 degree views of Thailand and Laos, beautiful waterfalls and stunning scenery. We set off with new found confidence, and despite the original climb of around 4000 feet at a gradient of about 25% we made it to the gate of Phu Ruea national park after about 2 hours. Our celebrations were premature – the drive up Phu Ruea peak was the most difficult and strenuous of my life. The peak of my frustration and Lucy’s distress came when the car (1.3 litres and stuck in 4wd) decided to stop entirely on what can only be described as the most ridiculous and dangerous road ever in existence. It would have been foolish to stop and take pictures as this happened, so here is a photo of my nice white shoes instead.

After much effort and sweat we made it to the top, with only 900m to go to the peak. The walk was the easiest part of the journey, despite the fact everyone else was overtaking us in their ‘taxis’. The views from the peak were worth every near-death experience and every litre of sweat used to get us there. The pictures I have taken do not do it justice. Check them out on  Facebook! 

 

 

Chiang Khan

For the long weekend the plan was to head to Chiang Khan on Friday evening, this did not work out as I was still in bed recovering –we went for a massage instead. Facial massage was interesting but not for me, the smell of yogurt would have been enough to put me off, but it was mainly the fact I cannot sit with my face still for more than about 2 minutes.

We head to Chiang Khan the next morning, Khim, Lucy and I. The car makes it about 18km before the engine decides to stop, leaving me no choice but to come to a standstill at the side of the road. Ever the optimist, I left it a while to cool down and continued the journey! This did not work out. In the end we were rescued by P’Kai and P’Tum.

 

The journey continued. We arrived in Chiang Khan pretty quickly at P’Kai’s homestay. Traditional CK style made from dark wood and decorated as such, too – it’s beautiful.  We had a great time here.     Upon arrival we headed for walking street, which runs parallel to the Mekong River. During the day it’s just a normal road, central in CK. We manage to catch a boat tour, or at the very least an old man willing to give us a lift in his boat for about an hour for 80baht (each, or in total we don’t know – we decided to give him 200 to cover the two of us and this made him the happiest man on earth) We ate food at the homestay, with P’Kai’s wonderful family, including her beautiful 3 month old girl!

Walking Street really comes alive late evening so we took the opportunity to walk up and down – stopping in a few bars along the way for hot drinks (It was quite cold, about 25 degrees).

Sunday – the weather is better today, we eat breakfast on the veranda and head off to the famous out of town market – famous for its sweet treats and views of Laos. We pass by an official border/ crossing where westerners are not allowed to cross, it was quite frustrating. After purchasing a few sugary goods we headed for a coffee in the most authentic shop I’ve ever been in. It was once a cinema and there are still remnants of this on the walls. There are badminton courts out the back and these are popular with locals. I was allowed upstairs to the old projector room. Along with the odd stray shuttlecock lay cinema chairs and reels laden with years of dust.

 

 

 

Not having a car to drive back in meant we took the bus back to Muang Loei, it was nice to be able to appreciate the scenery. 

Irony

So less than 12 hours after completing my ‘Hospital’ blog, where I gave the advice ‘I would recommend not getting ill in Thailand, there’s just no hope for you if you do’ I find myself ill and in Muang Loei RAM hospital – the private hospital I mentioned. Different doctor this time – he could actually speak english and gave the correct diagnosis. I was not entirely satisfied, however. Siriwan alerted me of a sign (in Thai) that stated ‘If you’re waiting more than 10 minutes, ring the director of the hospital on this number.’ Ringing this number did speed up service. I was sold, among other medicine, a pack of 20 paracetamol, how ridiculous. Oh yeah, I’m recovering now!

Rainforest Resort

https://www.facebook.com/rainforestthailand?fref=ts

Having made the decision to leave LuLu to recover in bed, I made the trek to Phitsanulok to meet other teaching assistants. Spent some time in a Thai club, sober. Walked back to our hotel, slept. Morning came, we had breakfast and headed off to the bus station – took a bus to Wangthong – Rain Forest Resort. We were greeted with open arms and treated as VIPs. Rooms were great, food was good, service was excellent. 

After breakfast we went rafting! Split into two groups, was a great experience- with Ken, the owner of Rain Forest Resort (among other ventures) and a genuine inspiration, as interpretor. 

Get back to the Resort, dry off- shower, dry off. Eat, drink, sleep.

Next day- wake up, shower, eat. We were given the opportunity to be shown around Ken’s farm, which he created 2 years ago as a real community project- involving a plethora of local schools and numerous eco friendly methods! 

 

I seem to be having an awful time with public transport here- in fact I’ve been given the use of a car for the rest of my time here, perhaps it’s a sign. Anyway – Phitsanaluk is around a 3 hour bus journey from Loei, the journey there was uneventful. However, arriving at the ticket desk to buy my outward ticket I was told there was no bus for another 4 hours and to jump on the bus to Khon Kaen, to change and head to Muang Loei from there.  This seemed nonsensical at the time, and I still can’t get my head around it. I left Phitsanulok at 2pm and arrived at 9pm, around the time the 6pm bus arrived. Instead of spending a day wandering, eating and drinking, I’d spent it on a second class bus watching Thai games shows. 

This blog may seem like it has been rushed, I can assure you that is the case – I have no time on my hands. 

Hospital

Lucy and I eat Thai street food everyday, without consequence. It’s clean, tasty and above all- cheap. It seems local competition and the threat of harsh consequences in the event of food contamination keeps street stalls ‘on their toes’ with regard to food hygiene. That said, it still feels ironic that Lucy would catch food poisoning from MK- a well renowned chain that’s popular throughout Thailand and is very much not on the cheap side. The food poisoning was so bad that she was bedridden for days and eventually rushed to hospital (for the second time, reluctantly) (First time – Malaria scare).

 

Turning up at the private hospital she gets VIP treatment – straight in to a wheelchair, seen by the doctor moments later. The doctor hurts her, and does not hesitate in predicting the worst. We pay up and leave for the doctors surgery in town. 

Doctors surgery in town seems busier, apparently the doctor can speak good english and gives her the correct diagnosis. On to the public hospital.

The public hospital in Loei is grim. The service is grim, the decor is grim, the equipment is pretty grim. But above all, the hygiene standards were non existent. There was dried blood all over the rickety old beds, we had to prompt the nurses to use gloves when taking blood. I have pictures for evidence, but they’re a little too vile to be published. All in all, as someone who has seen a friend go through it – I would recommend not getting ill in Thailand, there’s just no hope for you if you do.

Thai Language Day

Something that’s really going to get on my nerves when I get back to England is those people that think it’s acceptable to comment on the way Thais, or any other Asians for that matter, pronounce English words. Yes, some Thai people find it difficult to pronounce any words with ‘R’ or ‘L’ in them correctly. As far as I can work out, the Thai language has two different sounds, phonetically both placed between the English ‘r’ and ‘l’. As an Englander fortunate enough to be spending time in Thailand learning language from natives, I feel it’s my duty to inform you of my experience so far. I’ve been welcomed with open arms into my new community, I feel that I’m really a part of something special. However, I know there’s more to discover and I’ve so far only scratched the surface. I have decided to attempt to learn the Thai language, it is bringing me ever closer  to those around me, particularly those who cannot speak a word of English. The smile that spans from me, the ‘farang’, attempting to speak   is indescribable. Whenever I pronounce a word incorrectly (Which is often) I’m praised for trying, it’s appreciated that I want to learn the language, how to communicate, regardless of how precise my language is. Thai language will bridge the gap between the other teachers and I, make myself seem less foreign, and make me feel even more integrated.

I’m taught words and my pronunciation is overlooked, it’s genuinely appreciated that I’m trying. My pronunciation is awful; I can hear the obvious difference between ‘My Thai’ and actual Thai people Thai:  Despite being immersed, I’m having difficulties. In Thailand, there are very few English native teachers, Thai people need to work hard to get a good level of spoken English. Although we live in the province capital, I am the first ‘farang’ some of my students have ever  spoken to. There are scarce resources here, rarely a computer in the classroom. Next time you find the pronunciation of a word amusing, think about what you would sound like if you had learnt English from a textbook, in a land English natives are too ignorant to visit. Perhaps one day you’ll try learning a language, maybe Thai. I can assure you that your efforts will be rewarded. You’ll certainly think twice about judging someone harshly because their spoken English is not perfect.

Vassa.

Every rainy season the monks retreat into the temples for a few months and don’t leave. It’s tradition and considered spiritual to bring them supplies – anything they might need for their day to day lives. On 29th of July, in Loei, there was a procession/ festival for Buddhist Lent. Each school/college/area creates a ‘candle’ to present to a temple. People lined the streets as students walked by in traditional dress, each float symbolising something. The candles are so lavish that they need to be transported on flat bed trucks. Each candle is transported along with the most beautiful girl from the institution, who may dance along to music. Here are some pictures from the festival 

It’s incredible to think that this is just one candle. 

Money trees to give to the monks.

Lavish Candle. 

The most attractive young lady, dancing. 

My personal favourite. 

Celebration!

On Thursday 18th of July I was lucky enough to attend a celebration evening for various teachers across the college. 

The restaurant was lovely, as was the company! There was  a great ambience and it was certainly a good choice of venue for the event. Many pictures were taken and many speeches given. It was great to chat to some of the teachers in a less formal setting and to share food and drink! 

 

Here I am receiving flowers and another present from one of the vice directors. (I don’t look that shiny anymore)

 

Posing for a photo with some of the staff!

 

The present in the red box was really touching. A blue shirt which I’d seen some of the other teachers wearing throughout the week. I decided to wear it the next day to show my appreciation, it’s a good job I did as it turns out it’s regulation that every teacher in Loei province wears this shirt every friday!