Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple) in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Laoungin’
My time in Laos was spent loafing about the city and wandering through the countryside--down dusty roads, through villages, to waterfalls, and up mountains by motorbikes and mountain bikes. We visited Laos' two biggest cities--Vientiane and Luang Prabang--which were not big at all. These big cities are really just a few big roads. The rest … Continue reading Laoungin’
Mai Pen Rai
After joining tens of thousands of farangs and contributing to the lunar tomfoolery at the infamous Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, we decided to elope to the less traversed, more scenic east coast of the island. After a terrifying hour-long songthaew ride through steep slopes and bumpy roads in the jungle, we arrived at … Continue reading Mai Pen Rai
Ryan Joins the Journey
Ryan's first time in Bangkok. My first time seeing someone familiar in more than six months. So much excitement, so many emotions. We spent the first few days traipsing around the seedier parts of Bangkok to indulge in some much needed celebratory hedonism. And then, a little bit of the usual: fruit markets, temples, tuk … Continue reading Ryan Joins the Journey
The Ramblings of a Revenant on a Runaway Train
I am on a train to Chiang Mai. I am finally free. I finally feel like me. We are in 3rd class seats instead of 2nd class sleepers because the guy behind the counter booked our tickets for the wrong month. It's no bother. I have the wind in my face and the world on … Continue reading The Ramblings of a Revenant on a Runaway Train
Not Your Typical Tutoring Session
Despite our considerable language barriers and limited vocabulary, Ja and I have delved into some pretty serious and awkward topics of conversation. She probes me with deep, personal questions and I shock her with my answers. The following are a few conversations I never want to forget. I think they reveal a lot about the … Continue reading Not Your Typical Tutoring Session
A Sunday Afternoon Stroll Through Hell
When your landlord asks to take you to lunch on a Sunday afternoon, you expect a laid back time at a local restaurant. Maybe even a picnic on the beach. But, this is Thailand, so instead I spent the day in the back of a truck ascending a mountain overrun by monkeys and descending into … Continue reading A Sunday Afternoon Stroll Through Hell
Mornings with Ja
Last Thursday, I met Ja--my new partner that was assigned to me as part of the director's most recent initiative to teach select Thai teachers conversational English. We were instructed to use our free periods, the weekends, or any opportunities available to tutor with our partners, many of which know only rudimentary English. Janurat, or … Continue reading Mornings with Ja
Letters from America
Friday was one of my happiest days as a teacher. My Thai co-teacher left the room and the entire class (2/1--my homeroom, my favorites) spontaneously busted out singing Zombie by the Cranberries. Naturally, I joined in with resounding gusto. We managed to get through the chorus two full times before, upon seeing Teacher Jit imminently … Continue reading Letters from America
An Unexpected Insight
I have been intentionally reluctant to divulge my views on the practice of Thai teachers using physical punishments on their (and my) students in class. Before expressing my shock and condemnation for these practices--which I indeed felt--I wanted to be sure that I had fully absorbed what was happening in front of me. So, for … Continue reading An Unexpected Insight
Joc Cousteau 