Settling in..

The infamous bridge over River Kwai.  Host of the 'Death Railway'..

Well... where to begin.  Last we spoke I believe I was gearing up for a trip to Kanchanaburi.
Planned to spend two nights there which turned out to be four.  It happens.  You find a new spot with whatever intentions, but you can't resist the feel of the place and needless to say, plans change.  Despite extending my trip by the extra day(s), there's more to see and I plan a return trip being so close to my home for the next four months.  Highlights of that adventure include motorbiking to Erewan Falls but never making it (side tracked by a cave dubbed 'Buddhas Footprint' and few capitalistic monks...not really), views that stretched to the Myanmar border, 5' lizards in my backyard, walking 'the Bridge' and simply just chilling.

My impromptu tour guides for the Buddhas Footprint..

We named him 'Uriah'.

A little touch from the bamboo..

The real deal is that classes have begun; not full swing but mornings are early - wake up at 5:30am.  Simple intro lessons and just getting familiar with the students.  I'm teaching 21 classes a week and never seeing the same class more than once per week.  The girls range in age from 14-18 and their English ability varies dramatically...nothing to do with age, probably more so with who has the money to afford a private tutor.  I'm teaching, I think, four 'gifted' classes which will require a little extra attention to the lessons.  These classes consist of about 30 students; the rest of the classes average on 40+.  I'd say luckily I've a Thai co-teacher, but what I believe they're there for is to monitor student behavior and assist only in 'shit hitting fan' situations.  All good. 

Lending a hand making 'Kao Tip', a holy food for the following days festivities..

Below are just a few pics from around Ayutthaya.  As mentioned before, the city was Thailands old capital from 1351 to 1767.  In the 16th century it was described as one the biggest and wealthiest cities in the east; however, what remains is only the bones of that history - still spectacular.