Scooter love'n

It’s the end of the first full week and the suns still shining despite a few loose ends in the States.  I wake in the morning, a quick mix of Nescafe which surprisingly has more of a kick than expected, bust some taiji, spread some Nutella on a few pieces of bread, top with a banana, and 20 meters to class.  Break time has been mixed with lunch at one of the local restaurants which cater to the small tourists community, the food vendors; satay, roasted chicken, green coconut curry, or a low-key meal in the room of tuna sandwiches or prepackaged noodles.  This all hangs on how much ‘beach time’ is needed during that day’s lunch break.  The course itself is informative and intense starting at 9am and goes until 4:30.  It’s a much appreciated reminder that this isn’t just a vacation.  Next week we will be doing our student-student teaching to familiarize ourselves with using the curriculum.  The third week we will be volunteering at local schools for hands on training.  A few of the schools are orphanages and don’t have no English teachers at all (yes, I’m going to be teaching English) and our participation may be the only English they're ever exposed to.  It was explained to us that we’re seen as ‘rock stars’ to these children - sad how quickly glamorized expectations can fizzle.  Rumor has it that I’ll be assigned somewhere in Ayutthaya, Thailand’s old capital just North of Bangkok.  This isn’t confirmed, nor is the age group.  

                       This past weekend was something of a celebration for having completed our first week in the TEFL course.  Friday was a group outing to Rawai Beach, dinner drinks and dancing.  I suspect it will be one of the few, if not the only time, such a large majority of the group gathers together.  Nothing against the idea, just logistics are tricky when accommodating a group of 20+ folks with varied agendas.  Saturday was successfully spent on boat adventure to a remote island 30 min away.   

For having little to do with ourselves the day seemed to disappear quicker than anticipated.  A few times I reminded myself that it wouldn’t be like this for long and to enjoy these moments.  Over all the people are fine but there’s always going to be a few that you gravitate towards; closer company is enjoyed by a small circle with rotating representation from Canada, S. Africa, Romania, and the ol’ USA. 

Just got back to the room after a dip in the ocean to cool off from today’s motor bike excursion. (Can't tell from the pic below but that's a gravel trek going down at a decent angle and I probably shouldn't have been risking the road rash..)

Hit the main highway and ventured towards the Big Buddha on the hill.  After a few missed turns and friendly stops for directions (and to pat the elephants) we conquered one of the highest peaks in the area.  Earned our celebratory meal of some of the best pad thai in Phuket served up by one of the sweetest generational trio, mother, daughter and grandmother who seemed to be just as stoked to have us as we were… maybe more.  After the wolves refueled and enjoyed the last morsels of the meal, the pack saddled up and ventured on in hunt of nothing more than a good view.  Not too hard to find as long as you keep your eyes open.  Scooter love’n..