Blogs from Nakhon Phanom, North-East Thailand, Thailand, Asia

Just when I thought I was getting used to life in Thailand I was reminded just how different it is from home. Everyday really does bring something different… Yesterday we were informed that we were required to attend our secretary’s grandmother’s funeral and to come in wearing black with a white shirt and that we would be leaving school at 3pm. But of course, this being Thailand that didn’t exactly happen. At first we were informed that the school minibus we were all meant to be travelling in was in Bangkok and so we wouldn’t be able to use that to get there, some of the teachers were on about borrowing a car off one of the Thai teachers but in the end it was decided that our manager would take just 5 of us in ... read more

Imagine this... you live in a village of no more than 50 people. You’re sitting around one day going about your daily business and all of a sudden a group of 29 cyclists ride through. First you hear the unfamiliar sound of a bike horn closely followed by some loud and often over accentuated greetings “HHHAARRRROOOOOOOO”. And in a blink they are gone. That would happen at least 10 times a day if not more on this tour as we continue passing through tiny villages. The highlight on day 4 definitely had to be passing through a village street party. Instead of following the detour sign - which in our defense we couldn’t translate - we rode straight through to the marquee where tables and chairs were being set up for the days festivities. Of course ... read more

Dear Brent, I’ve eaten a lot of things that taste like minnows since coming to Thailand. Spring rolls, watermelon seeds, banana chips; when I eat things here, I feel like I forgot to wash my hands after playing in the minnow bucket. My lack of filter usually compels me to blurt out: “This tastes like fish,” and causes our dear vegetarian, Justin, to stop eating. I have developed a greater respect for the vegetarian lifestyle because of this; I congratulate you for making it through Thailand alive. I’m bored to death with the food on our street; I can’t imagine having even fewer options. I haven’t been writing of late. It’s not because of my selfish-keep the information to myself tendencies like of the past, but because I’ve been sleeping. I’ve actually been going to bed ... read more