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Published: August 30th 2007
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Hangin out with the cops
Katie and Torr were posing with the five-0 prior to picking up some trash. It has been way too long since I last entered a travel blog. For that, I'm sorry. But let me just say the past few weeks have been some of the best times in my life. I am so eager to share all of my experiences with you, but with time restraints it is difficult; I have chosen my most note-worthy to describe.
Something I'm really proud of:
About three weeks ago I brainstormed and implemented GVI's first community development project in Ao Luk, Krabi. I created a "National Park Clean-up Day" where the volunteers of GVI and the local community were able to come together and pick up trash in one of Ao Luk's major tourist locations, Tharnbok Koranee Marine National Park. The park is a large forest nestled in the middle of a mountain, and has an underground stream that flows through the cave known as "Tham Naam Lot". At the mouth of the cave is a natural pool, "Sa Tharnbok Koranee", where people are allowed to swim around rocks and tree roots amongst the shallow tier waterfalls.
It ended up being a huge success! The turn out was well over a hundred people including: children
Joining the crowd
Cathy and I hopped up on the truck that shipped away a load of volunteer students back to school. from local schools, volunteer firefighters, local police, our students from class, and friends and family.
Prior to this event, other volunteers around base were feeling that the community development projects were lacking. It was definately true but instead of doing anything about it they would complain. I decided to get the ball rolling.
I consider myself to be a positive person, and I just assumed that most volunteers that would sign up for a project such as this would be like-minded. Some are, but it is very difficult to live with people from the western world who constantly complain about even the smallest things. I feel my spirit (after seven weeks of trying to make the most of it for myself and others) is struggling. Once I leave the four walls that trap us in from Ao Luk and the rest of southern Thailand I'm more than fine. Unfortunately with the TEFL training program consuming so much time it doesn't happen very often. But believe me, when it does I'm free again and make the most of every minute I have. This usually means depriving myself of sleep, talking to and meeting as many Thais as I possibly
the children volunteers and I - day in the park
Most of these kids belong to an environmental club in their school. It was so nice to see so many of them show up to help. can, wandering the streets aimlessly to explore and just "be".
After traveling around ten countries I can whole-heartedly say Thailand is my favorite. The people have the most generous, kind souls. They will share their only meal of the day with you. I can't even count how many times I merely walked by someone or a group of people and got invited to sit with them, eat their food, drink their beverages, and smoke out of their bamboo pipes. The conversation tends to be minimal but it doesn't matter. We laugh, smile, and attempt to teach each other our different languages. It is such a beautiful exchange of the purest love. I never pass up an opportunity (unless I am on my way to teach).
Most Thais live the life I have always dreamed of. They take each day for what it is, live so simply, and look out for and take care of each other in the meantime. They tend to have this outlook of "we" instead of "I". It is simply refreshing.
After the park clean-up day I went back there and asked if any employees would be interested in taking English classes. They seemed
excited, but I wasn't sure what I was about to get myself into. From that point on, I decided to start my own classes (outside of GVI) in order to involve more of the community and to make the material more relevant to their lives. I am still living on base and participating in most activities but I now have my own students and classes. I figured I might as well enjoy teaching the last five weeks to the fullest, and since I received my TEFL certification already I have the qualifications to do so (and staff support as well).
I taught my first class at the national park this past Thursday and my second one today. Eleven students showed up. I didn't know how many to expect. It was a great number to work with.
I think the most challenging part was getting them into "classroom mode". After all, they are at work, sitting in the park's visitor center, and doing something completely new and different from their normal, everyday routines. Plus most of them are guys in their late 20s so of course the ego thing kicks in. They hate to create "pretend" dialogue and are
"the" swimming spot
This pic was taken right after I almost busted my head on these rocks. I slipped as I was trying to take a picture of the waterfalls in the park. embarrassed when they pronounce something wrong.
By the end of the first two hour lesson we had grown comfortable with one another, and as always, they offered me food and drink. They carved a fresh coconut and placed it in front of me. They emptied the milk into a chilled cup and placed a spoon in the shell so I could eat the fruit. They all sat around and watched me at first. I received lots of "arroy mai?" which means "delicious, no?" I would respond with, "arroy mak" (very delicious). Afterwards they all dived into one of their own.
Afterwards, I also accepted my first motorbike ride since I've been in Thailand. I had a white board and other materials in my hands and had a mile and a half to walk. I couldn't refuse. One of our "base" rules is we are not allowed to accept rides because it is too dangerous. When I pulled in the driveway on the back of my student's bike it just so happened that the staff members were having a meeting- outside. I got off, graciously thanked my new friend, and shot a smile and hello across to them. "To
Thanking my students
This was the last time I taught the students of my first class. It was a successful lesson. hell with the rules," I said in my head.
I have a special one-on-one student, Mac, who I teach for two hours everyday of the week. He is 25 years old and is studying to pass an English test (kind of like our SAT's) in order to work for an international airline. His English is excellent for it being his third spoken language (Chinese is his second). He has so many dreams and goals that require him to speak English. "I want to take my family to America and be able to speak English well." After studying with him for a while he now says, "I must visit Pennsylvannia." I also help to teach him phrases for his boat-touring business. He promises to take me on a free ride around seven of the islands. We shall see!!!
I am also teaching the mayor's wife for an hour and a half every morning. She is a lovely woman. She is another one of my Thai teachers. She has invited me to her house on Thursday morning to teach me how to cook some of her favorite Thai dishes. For my birthday she made me a tiger's eye necklace and
The last day of my first class
16 of my students received a certificate for completing level one English. earrings. How did she know I love handmade jewelry? I wish I had some that I made to give her.
I personally prefer one-on-one tutoring sessions over teaching a class of thirty students. I find it is more beneficial to the student, mostly because I can work with their specific needs. It becomes a very comfortable environment allowing the student to ask more questions and not to feel embarrassed by his/her mistakes.
My students are very eager to teach me their language as well. I have also been getting a lot of practice with some of my Thai friends that I have acquired over a short period of time. If I do say so myself, "chan pood Thai dee mak mak." (I speak Thai very well.) It is a shame I am learning so much and then have to leave. I know I will be back in Thailand again, and when I am, I'm going to stay for a much longer period of time.
I did add a few new pics to some of my old blogs.....thanks to a friend of mine....I can't download any pictures on my own. I forgot to bring my
elephant on base
The last day of classes brought many surprises...including an elephant at our house! Don't worry Michelle, I didn't ride it!!! I warned everyone about elephant cruelty in Thailand. cable to Thailand, and of course no one else has the same size memory card as I do.
This weekend I am going to Ranong, Thailand and then to Burma to renew my passport. What a weird country that is. I will write more next week. Promise!!!
Hope all is well on the other side of the world.
Love and Peace,
~Wah-ness-ah
Happy Birthday shout out to you little bro jo!!!!!!!!!!!! 21 Baby.
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Alie
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