First Three Weeks in the Land of Smiles... Part 1

Group D at the Grand Palace

You know when you’ve experienced something so momentous, so much larger than yourself that you can’t properly communicate it to anyone?  You understand that it’s incredibly significant but can’t find the words to do it justice?  As I’ve begun recalling the first three weeks of my time in Thailand I’ve been overcome with that sentiment.  I’ve realized that the task of recapping my experiences for all of you has already become incredibly overwhelming.   I want you to feel the same emotions, see the same inspiring natural and physical wonders, and share the new bonds of friendship the same way I did but I know my words won’t be able to achieve that goal.  That being said, I hope you bear with me as I attempt to impart on you the story of my more than memorable first three weeks in the land of smiles.

Exhibit A of orientation week

I first decided to come to Thailand on a whim, without fully thinking through all the consequences because that’s always been my process.  I often lack foresight.  Thailand sounded incredible and many of my friends have traveled abroad and loved it so how bad could it be?  Even after deciding to go and forking over half of my lifesavings to CIEE I never really thought about the implications of what I’d committed to.  Even in the 6 months before departing, actually driving to the airport, meeting up with Scott, saying goodbye to my parents, hopping on the Korean Air flight (all female flight attendants I might add, just saying, if you’re going to fly it’s not a bad option), laying over in Seoul, flying another five hours to Thailand, and finally arriving at the Louis’ Tavern Hotel in Bangkok I had cultivated absolutely no expectations for the my time here.  None.  They could have dropped me off at Kim Jong-Il’s doorstep or in the middle of Hong Kong and I would have said “Oh, this is Thailand, cool.”  So needless to say, Thailand has far surpassed all my prior expectations.

Dinner in Pattaya complete with an Enrique serenade

The first week in Thailand was spent in orientation led by the CIEE/OEG team at relatively cushy hotels in what can only be compared to as a coed summer camp environment.  There were roughly 150 of us, most of whom had little to no idea what they wanted to accomplish in life other than “having a good time.”  We were broken up into four groups based on our teaching experience and grade preference and then introduced to Thai history, travel safety, the Thai language, and the basics of teaching English as a second language.  But anyone who was there will tell you that the only introductions anyone really paid attention to were the ones being done by our fellow Teach in Thailand participants.  It felt like speed dating in a NASA G-force simulator.  We met countless new people every day and by the end of the week you were muttering your own back story in your sleep.  I feel very lucky however that in a mere 7 days I was able to meet so many wildly intriguing, adventurous, free spirited people that willingly tolerate my presence.  Shocking right?   

"Training" in Pattaya

 Even more surprising though was the firsthand education I received on the Thai governmental structure.  I quickly came to learn that the Thai political hierarchy is as follows; stray dogs outnumber people and call all the shots, stray cats are second in command only for a lack of aggressiveness, street side food vendors are the political machine that doles out delicious instantly gratifying treats for a minor contribution but take no credit for the inevitable negative aftermath, and cab/minibus drives are the political revolutionaries who will promise to deliver you anything you want but will almost certainly kill you in the process of acquiring it.  Aren’t Thai political analogies fun?  But seriously there is some political unrest here but it’s been somewhat muted by the commotion over the flooding.   

Pattaya's infamous Walking St.

Speaking of flooding, we were forced to evacuate Bangkok a day earlier than expected and continued the orientation process in Pattaya, a beach city two hours or so south of the capital.  Essentially this was an all expenses paid vacation to Las Vegas, on the ocean, with dozens of new friends.  The only reason any actual training occurred was because the hotel’s conference rooms, which we were forcefully quarantined in, didn’t have windows overlooking the pool or the beach.  Once classes ended however we more than took advantage of our location and, without sharing too many details, experienced everything Pattaya has to offer.  I’ll put it this way; I won’t soon forget my experiences there.  The vacation was seemingly over almost before it had begun and by Friday morning we were checking out of the hotel, saying good-bye to people we’d just met but felt like we’d known for years, and were preparing to meet our school coordinators for the first time.  Depending on placement in Thailand you were bused back to Bangkok to be picked up, flown to your destination, or met by your school at the hotel.  Just like that the first incredible week was over but the memories had just begun.

The KU Team; chosen for their boyish good looks and enthusiasm 

 

 

 

 

I’ll compile a recap of week two in the next post but if I’m being honest, it won’t be written until next week.  It’s Scottapalooza this weekend and we’re heading to Koh Samet to celebrate!  By that mom, I mean it’s Scott’s birthday and we’re going to stay home, maybe play some cards, have an O’Doul’s, and call it an early night.