Monthly Archives: July 2012

I knew I should have brought my own socks.

26 Thursday Jul 2012

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Acquired: one pair of red Converse All Stars. Strictly out of necessity, of course. I have pretty much spent my money only on food, lodging and transportation since I got to Thailand. Sports day gave me the perfect excuse to buy new shoes. You know, so I can cheer for the red team next week.

My student, Mike, took me to Diana Mall to get them. Bam accompanied us and we all went to the 4th floor to buy the shoes. They had great variety and I wasn’t even thinking about buying red ones until I saw them. Only ever had black ones, so I figured I would live a little. One thousand fifty baht ($33). Sold. The socks at the sports shoes store all looked really thick so I thought that I would just buy some socks somewhere else some other time. Note: socks are not easy to come by in Thailand. Buy them when you can. Continue reading →

‘Curvy’ is In. ‘Fat’ is Out.

20 Friday Jul 2012

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7.18.12

I’ve always said that the best way to start out a Wednesday is with a runway fashion show. I’m glad someone finally figured that out.

It was a beautiful morning but they were assembling on the top floor instead of on the basketball court. Of course, we had no prior knowledge of this. Wish we had. I would have brought my camera. When we got up there, we noticed there were a whole bunch of art objects and things like cowboy hats and visors made out of coke cans. Khun Wanchai explained that the students had made these things, all from recycled materials. They were really great. We sat down on the couches and listened as usual. Patricia got up and spoke English, imploring the students to get their ABA textbooks (they have had them available for three weeks and she is still having classes show up with half of them missing their books). Typically, once we are done speaking English to the assembly, we head back to our office. Something told us to hold off today. I’m really glad we did. Continue reading →

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for a Ride to the Bar.

20 Friday Jul 2012

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I decided not to mope about on Saturday night. After spending most of the day lounging about and doing my lesson plans for the following week, I thought I would go out to the Buzz Stop for a cider and maybe a snack.

I left the mansion at around 8pm or so. Started walking down Raduthit 1 to get a motorbike. There didn’t seem to be any about. Had been walking for a couple of minutes when a man with an ice cream cart flagged me down. He spoke no English but he was offered me a ride. I told him I was going to get a motorbike and made the ‘handlebar’ gesture. He nodded and said something in Thai and indicated again that I should get on the back of his motorbike. Which was attached to a sidecar with an ice cream cooler and awning. I rode side-saddle for the first time. It was really comfortable, but I don’t think I would have had the courage to do it without the cart to hold on to. I told him where I had planned to go and he nodded. I expected him to take me to the next taxi stand, but instead he took me the entire way. When I hopped off at the Buzz Stop, I took out my wallet to pay him and he waved me off. “No, no!” Another Thai first for me. Instead, I wei-ed him and thanked him and he went on his way. George had a laugh at me arriving via ice cream cart. Continue reading →

“Boo” for the Bamboo Bar.

17 Tuesday Jul 2012

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7.13.12

Friday was Ellie’s last day of teaching at HIC. I decided to hang out with her after school and take a taxi back to Songkhla later. We caught a motorbike to Wangburapa. Then she and I and her friend, Ocean, hung out for a bit before we headed out to the Bamboo Bar. I had really been wanting to smoke a cigarette lately. I have no idea why. I failed to bring my e-cig with me to Thailand. I didn’t think I would want it. Now I wish I had brought it with me. No, I have not had a cigarette. But I really wanted to smoke some shisha to stave off the craving. William had said that this place, the Bamboo Bar, had hookah. It is owned by a Welshman and is where William and his fiancé spend their weekends.

I left my backpack in Ellie’s room so that I wouldn’t have to lug around my laptop. We had found the bar on the map I carry around with me. But didn’t think we would need to take it with since it was popular enough to be put on a map. Not the case. We stopped two tuk-tuks, both of whom had no idea where to take us. Walked back to the room and got the map. This time the driver was able to figure out where to go. I hadn’t ever had to actually show it to a driver before. I usually just use it for my own reference, to get my bearings. Continue reading →