This weekend I experienced the real-deal Thailand complete with a homestay, two markets, traditional Thai meals eaten on the cement floor, and the best hospitality I have ever encountered.
Myself, four American teachers, Dr. Absorn (our director), Beam and Meow (two 2o year old girls), and teacher Oil (our coordinator) took the school van (or as the Thai's say the wan) to Ratchaburi where Dr. Absorn's sister lives with her family. We were scheduled to make a quick stop at the house before heading on to our hotel. When we arrived we walked up to the house, picture a small airplane hanger, and were happily greeted by the family. Once we looked inside we saw a rug laying on the cement floor with tons of fruit, bread, snacks, and beverages waiting for us. We sat down to eat right away (eating became a theme of the weekend).
We found out the 17 year old boy, Boom, had spent a year in Milwaukee as an exchange student and the dad was beyond excited to have Americans in his home to speak English with Boom. After our snack it was quickly decided that we would be staying at the house for the weekend instead of the hotel because the dad wanted us to speak English to his two sons- keep in mind the dad knows no English.
It was then time to head to the floating market in Amphawa which is popular amoung the Thais. This was the highlight of my weekend- Nathan and I decided it was like the state fair pumped up with Asian steriods. The streets were packed, there were colorful boats selling food from the canal, the food was awesome, the merchandise unique, and there were very few foreigners to be found. We wondered the market in awe for about two hours before boarding a small motorized boat to go on a firefly tour. The canal in Ratchaburi is well-known for the amount of fireflies at night, but with increased tourism there have been less. We went on the tour anyway and I think it was more fun to see the housing and city along the canal. Some houses were literally shacks while some seemed a lot more lavish. After we got picked-up by Dr. Absorn's brother-in-law where I started trip 1 of about 7 in the back of a truck.
We got back to the house and found out we would be sleeping the bedrooms and the family was setting up mosquito nets with thin mattresses on the floor throughout the rest of the house. We told them we did not need to have bedrooms, but they insisted! It was an extremely nice gesture. They then invited us to make Krathong's with them.
Loi Krathong is a Thai holiday that took place on Monday. People make Krathongs to be floated down a river and asking for forgiveness from the water goddess. Krathongs are made from a slice of the trunk of a banana tree, palms and flowers. Once the trunk is decorated you put in a flower and incense and bring it to the river. We all sat on the steps leading to the house and were taught how to make a Krathong from the natives. They laughed at our efforts, but I think they were happy to have shared this holiday with us. It was about 11 p.m. before we finished and we were all headed to bed, but then found out they had made us dinner- I thought I already ate dinner but I guess not. I did my best to be polite and have a few bites on an already very full stomach! And... we got to sleep in airconditioning! Yahoo!!
Myself, four American teachers, Dr. Absorn (our director), Beam and Meow (two 2o year old girls), and teacher Oil (our coordinator) took the school van (or as the Thai's say the wan) to Ratchaburi where Dr. Absorn's sister lives with her family. We were scheduled to make a quick stop at the house before heading on to our hotel. When we arrived we walked up to the house, picture a small airplane hanger, and were happily greeted by the family. Once we looked inside we saw a rug laying on the cement floor with tons of fruit, bread, snacks, and beverages waiting for us. We sat down to eat right away (eating became a theme of the weekend).
We found out the 17 year old boy, Boom, had spent a year in Milwaukee as an exchange student and the dad was beyond excited to have Americans in his home to speak English with Boom. After our snack it was quickly decided that we would be staying at the house for the weekend instead of the hotel because the dad wanted us to speak English to his two sons- keep in mind the dad knows no English.
It was then time to head to the floating market in Amphawa which is popular amoung the Thais. This was the highlight of my weekend- Nathan and I decided it was like the state fair pumped up with Asian steriods. The streets were packed, there were colorful boats selling food from the canal, the food was awesome, the merchandise unique, and there were very few foreigners to be found. We wondered the market in awe for about two hours before boarding a small motorized boat to go on a firefly tour. The canal in Ratchaburi is well-known for the amount of fireflies at night, but with increased tourism there have been less. We went on the tour anyway and I think it was more fun to see the housing and city along the canal. Some houses were literally shacks while some seemed a lot more lavish. After we got picked-up by Dr. Absorn's brother-in-law where I started trip 1 of about 7 in the back of a truck.We got back to the house and found out we would be sleeping the bedrooms and the family was setting up mosquito nets with thin mattresses on the floor throughout the rest of the house. We told them we did not need to have bedrooms, but they insisted! It was an extremely nice gesture. They then invited us to make Krathong's with them.
Loi Krathong is a Thai holiday that took place on Monday. People make Krathongs to be floated down a river and asking for forgiveness from the water goddess. Krathongs are made from a slice of the trunk of a banana tree, palms and flowers. Once the trunk is decorated you put in a flower and incense and bring it to the river. We all sat on the steps leading to the house and were taught how to make a Krathong from the natives. They laughed at our efforts, but I think they were happy to have shared this holiday with us. It was about 11 p.m. before we finished and we were all headed to bed, but then found out they had made us dinner- I thought I already ate dinner but I guess not. I did my best to be polite and have a few bites on an already very full stomach! And... we got to sleep in airconditioning! Yahoo!!
The next morning we woke up and ate porridge and some great Thai noodles (they pretty much eat dinner for breakfast). We then headed to the more touristy floating market and it wasn't nearly as good as the Amphawa market. Each vendor had pretty much the same merchandise and as soon as you touched something the sellers pounced on you to buy it.
After the market the family took us to a nearby temple that was actually a tree. It appeared that a small square temple was built and a massive tree grew around it. It has been interesting to learn about Buddhism. The religion is very much based on the idea of karma and praying for good luck.
We then headed back to the house for a home cooked Thai lunch. We ate on the cement floor and were all very sick of sitting on hard groud at this point. The food was great and we sat around and attempted to chat with the family a little before returning home. The family must have enjoyed our company because they invited us to celebrate Christmas at their home.
The second week of teaching was been going well because we are all getting used to how things work here and are adjusting our priorities to fit. It makes it easier to teach after coming off of a weekend high!
After the market the family took us to a nearby temple that was actually a tree. It appeared that a small square temple was built and a massive tree grew around it. It has been interesting to learn about Buddhism. The religion is very much based on the idea of karma and praying for good luck.
We then headed back to the house for a home cooked Thai lunch. We ate on the cement floor and were all very sick of sitting on hard groud at this point. The food was great and we sat around and attempted to chat with the family a little before returning home. The family must have enjoyed our company because they invited us to celebrate Christmas at their home.
The second week of teaching was been going well because we are all getting used to how things work here and are adjusting our priorities to fit. It makes it easier to teach after coming off of a weekend high!
Jos--It sounds like you're having a blast!! I'm so excited that you're taking advantage of so many wonderful experiences there. I only wish we were sharing an apartment in Rome again...those were the days...
ReplyDeleteI'm bummed it's been so long since I've seen you; I think that needs to change whenever you get back (which will be awhile?) Hope you continue to enjoy your experience. Lots of people here are missing you!!
Shannon