Nayao School

Hi Everyone!

We finally have internet in the rural Nayao village!! Yippee!

Gosh, so much has been going on these past few days, but I will try to keep it short and sweet.

MAY 29

Our first full day in Nayao. What an amazing place! We were introduced to the students in grand fashion, upon which we had to introduce ourselves in the Thai we learned, which of course made everyone laugh! We then had the opportunity to visit different types of classrooms here in Nayao. Funny, but their motto should be “The world is our classroom” because it is true. They have a machine shop donated by Toyota where students make a design then build a project. The latest projects are a remote control lawn mower and a truck completely designed and built by students. It was quite impressive! They plan on making a tractor and van next. They also have gardens, fish ponds, fruit trees, rice paddies, a beauty shop, a bank, and regular classrooms.

As we were preparing to observe our first class, the vice principal approached us and asked that we teach English for 2 hours. Right now. So Ying, Top (the two amazing Thai grad students), Sarah, and I went in and taught students how to sing Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Old McDonald Had a Farm, worked on alphabet pronunciation, and played Hangman.

MAY 30

Today is special...The Bong-Fie (firework) festival. There is a story about sending dragons up to the angels in the sky to ask for rain. So the village has a festival to celebrate, with many different components. A parade with dancing, music, floats, and beautifully decorated fireworks, which are judged. Fred warned us that the parade may have sexual undertones, but there was nothing under about it. Men were walking around with penis guns, carvings, and sculptures. Animals on floats were all male. I couldn't help but notice. We spent much time at the festival visiting markets, buying new tropical fruits, and watching beautiful dancers. It was wonderful!

I miss you all, and can't wait to hear from you!

Bankok Day 2

(Adrian here. These are some pics she sent me to post - I have larger versions if people want them. Carrie, if you see this, I did not have to post the rest of what you sent me because it was already here.)

Hi Everyone!

I am having a little trouble with my blogging...When I got here to update it, I found the entire site in Thai! Needless to say, I'm not sure what I'm doing anymore! So Adrian volunteered to update it for me. Thanks!

The past 2 days have been spent exploring Bankok, a largish city of 10-12 million people. The first morning here, a couple of us explored a local park to check out the flora and fauna. To our surprise, there was also a Family Sports Day going on! And yes, that part was written everywhere in English! Four different teams (with about 30 people per team) going head to head in different events, including cheerleading, drums/music, and volleyball. Well, an adaptation of volleyball, where 5 people held a sheet, put a water balloon into it, and had to team-toss it over a net for the other team to catch in their sheet. Quite entertaining, along with the cheerleading happening in the background.

Afterwards, we met the Thai grad students that will be working with us, and they took us to some famous markets. Imagine Pike's Market with more people, more booths in a smaller space, and 95 degree temps with humidity. It was quite an experience, one that I'm sure the trendier people on this blog would enjoy...And Adrian and Erik because they had an amazing array of ugly shorts.

Today we toured the Royal Palace and saw the Emerald Buddha, both of which were amazingly beautiful. The Royal Palace is a mansion where the King addresses the people, and maybe where he used to live? The Emerald Buddha is surrounded by many other temples/shrines that are brilliantly colored reds, blues, greens, whites, and GOLD! So much gold everywhere...And amazing detailed murals that tell ancient stories of Thailand. I will post a few pictures when I get a chance, but it was truly a sacred place. The rest of the day was spent on the river through Bankok. What a day! Time to have a Thai dinner! Hope this works! :-)

Preparation for Thailand!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my Thailand Blog...I know, I am a complete techie, right?? But I thought this would be much easier than mass emailing everyone what is going on in the Far East. So welcome, enjoy, and please comment on stuff!! I want to stay in touch with all of you!

Also, if you are a true techie and have any suggestions, I would gladly take them! :-)

Carrie