“I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going. And I have trained myself to love it. Because it is only when we are suspended in mid-air with no landing in sight, that we force our wings to unravel and alas begin our flight." - C. JoyBell C.

After an hour or so on the van (and some very narrow and precarious roads) we arrived at the Flight of the Gibbon. According to their website they are “the leaders in zipline eco-adventure canopy tours in southeast Asia”. And I would justify this. It was absolutely incredible. Over 5 kilometers of ziplines as well as suspended bridges and abseil descents which totaled more than three hours of soaring and suspension many stories above the forest ground. And we saw gibbons!

A pre-flight photo of Kate and I in our souvineer bandanas they provide.

Gibbon baby! 

It's a bird, it's a plane, oh wait it's Winona on a zipline! 

Just climbing a net in a tropical forest. No big deal. 

One of the abseil descents. I think these were the scariest part. 

Kate and I on a tree top hangout area. 

Kate and I soaring on a tandem zipline. 

A really pretty tree. And if you look closely you can see one of the zipline platforms. 

After our adventure of soaring through the forest Fight of the Gibbon provided a delicious Thai lunch before taking us to a waterfall near their site. They told us we had 20 minutes, but our tour group decided to hike up to the top of the falls, so we made it back in just under an hour.

Oh, and a quick anecdote about our tour group. There were six of us total: two couples and then Kate and I. Ironically, we were all midwestern Americans. Kate is from Wisconson, one of the couples was from Chicago, and another came from the Twin Cities (Minnesota, where I myself dwelled for a while). It was kind of fun that we could bond over similar roots while all traveling around Thailand.

Walking around the waterfall. 

The bottom part of the falls.

Kate and I at the top of the falls. 

The falls were gorgeous and the entire trip was easily one of the best highlights of my time here in Thailand. On the trip back into Chiang Mai Kate and I mused over how lucky we were that it was each other here at Santisuk right now. Had another missionary been here instead of Kate and I, we might not have gotten the oppertunity to do such adventurous things. Such as spontanously trecking out to Chiang Mai by ourselves. Or hiking around tropical mountains near the border of Myanmar. We were just so grateful for everything to work out and end up as such an exciting trip.

Domestic Travel

So Kate and I woke up at 3:00 in the morning to catch a taxi and meander our way to the local airport. We actually live 5 minutes from the international one, but this time we were traveling like locals. A little airport, we were through to the gate in no time. But (besides the fact the airport had Starbucks and Krispy Kreme) the absolute best part was security.

We walked right through. No taking our shoes off, no removing electronics. No standing for three seconds with your arms out while someone stares at a screen of you. We just walked right through a metal detector and sent our bags through. I packed a variety of liquids including large bottles of hair products and sunscreen as well as a razor. No problem; carried them all on board in my little backpack. It was awesome.

A sleep deprived selfie at the airport.

Our airplane.

We proceeded to sip our coffee and enjoy our semi-American donuts. (They do have places like KFC, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and McDonalds, but they’re much more expensive than eating Thai food and have odd menus. Green tea and bean paste donuts anyone?) Before we knew it we were landing in Chiang Mai and picked up by van to be whisked away into the mountains.

Our adventure was just beginning.

Computer Access Has Returned!

Okay! So I made it back from Chiang Mai! It was absolutely incredible. I am going to work on putting up some more posts in the next hour or so. Unfortunately I have to catch my plane back to Tokyo tonight as I am heading back to the US today/tomorrow. I am definitely not ready to be coming back. I mean, I'm packed, but Lat Krabang feels like my home right now. I'm a little worried about going back to my actual home town only to experience culture shock again. We'll see how it goes.

Anyways, I'll put up some more posts soon! Despite my heading back to America I still have a few updates for you guys, so don't just assume my blog is over and done with! I'll still be updating for a little while with some more posts I never got the time to share while I was teaching and traveling.

In the meantime, here's a teaser for what's coming up in the next few posts...

Yup. Lots of adventure and a few dorky helmets. Get excited.

Goodbyes and Good Eats

Today was kind of surreal. It was my last full day in Bangkok, as well as the day Carol and CJ left for the Philippines. So my day consisted of packing, saying goodbye, and a last dinner with Kate's students.

Kate, CJ, and I hanging out before he headed to the airport.

Today he informed Kate that he's leaving for the Philippines where he's going to preceeded to break her heart. This comment slightly made up for the fact that the vendors down the street from where I live think that he is my son. When I found that out today it seriously made me sad. But kin or not, I am going to miss the four year old whippersnapper.

The send off party for Carol at the airport.

Oh, and we had to rush back to Lat Krabang from the airport to meet Kate's students for dinner. They took us to a "buffet", which actually just means that they keep bringing food to your table until you explode. It was a Japanese restaurant. So, I experienced sushi for the first time. As well as shrimp eggs and liver. Good thing I can actually use chopsticks now! (Thai's only use chopsticks for noodle dishes, so I didn't get used to using them until the last week or so, but Japan uses them all the time so we would've been in trouble if our skill sets hadn't expanded.) But just to recap: sushi, shrimp eggs, and liver. That was on top of all of our slightly more normal foods. And Thai spice levels to everything. Kate learned very quickly not to ask what was being put on the table. Even when she spoiled the surprise I decided to dig in anyways... after all, when in Rome Thailand. 

The orange on top of my piece of sushi is actually just a pile of shrimp eggs.

I'm off to bed though. I have to get up in a matter of three hours or so to catch our early morning flight to Chiang Mai. I'm not bringing my laptop, so expect posts to lull for the next few days. But I'll make up for it in mass posts before I leave on Monday, so no worries! See you on the flip side!

I'm Nearing the End....

I've finally reached that point where I had to start saying goodbye. And let me tell you, it's breaking my heart. I know I've only been here a month, but the love and support everyone's shown me has been incredible. Today was my last class with my Level 1 students. I might've taught them the English language, but they taught me a whole new culture and way of living. They taught me everything from how to get around Bangkok by myself to where I can eat near where I live. So without them I'd be both lost and hungry.

Truely though, they are some of the nicest people I've met. It's so hard to leave them. Mamay is going to come see me off at the airport when I leave, and all the others are already asking when I will be returning. Oh, and they also asked if I had Skype, because they want to see live snow. I told them I'd do one better, that I'll Skype them from my iPhone and hold it when I go sledding so they can vicariously see what all the fuss is about. I honestly can't wait to show them snow.

Class photo!

Oh, and they even got me thank you gifts for teaching them! (As my Pre-1 students phrased it, "for sharing your knowledge".) The four girls who are friends together at KMIT got me a handmade bag. They want me to wear it around in the US and show them pictures. I can't wait! And one of the boys gave me a little handmade doll keychain. Oh, and funny story, Thai's don't hug. They have a very specific cultural stigma of personal space. They just don't do it. But all of the girls hugged me before they left today! I felt very honored. The guys just shuffled out after asking if I would tell them when I was coming back so they can take another class with me. I'd call that a success.

The keychain Kim gave me. 

I adore this purse. It's even cuter on the inside!

(A gift from May, Mint, Nes, and Chompu.)

A Lesson in Thai Cooking

One of the things I wanted to do while I was in Thailand was learn how to cook Thai food. Well Thai cooking classes are crazy expensive due to the whole take-advantage-of-the-foreigner philosophy. I mentioned this plight to my students and they enthusiastically responded with the desire to teach me themselves. So today, five hours before their English class, they showed up psyched and hungry. We attacked the kitchen with fervor as they demonstrated how to make tom yum kung and kowpat (fried rice), while other students prepared kaijiao (Thai omlette) and some noodle dish. Then, we feasted.

From the left: my student's Por, Chompu, and Mamay in the kitchen. 

May and Chompu

An interesting fact I learned was that citrus cuts the spiciness from food. I, against my students' suggestions, decided to try and eat one of the Thai peppers on its own. I regretted it rather quickly. However, one of the student's came to the rescue as she told me to take one of the slices of the lime we had been cutting. It really did cut the burn almost immediately. So now you know.

All of us in the kitchen. 

Chompu applauding me as I do the very hard job of transfering rice into the pan. 

Making fried rice. The tom yum kung is on the left. 

Chompu making the servings look all professional. 

Fried rice and the noodles. 

All of us right before enjoying our meal.

One of my best meals in Thailand. And the fact that we made it ourselves was all the better. Aroy!

Attack of the Flesh Eating Fish

That is what I stumbled upon while walking through Ayutthaya. A fish spa. You stick your feet in a fish tank full of garra rufa (also called "doctor") fish. And they eat all of the dead skin off of your feet and legs. 

I was so excited. I had heard of such a spa in America, but in most States the practice is illegal (sanitation issues or something... you know, nothing to be concerned about...). But I love fish, so this was definitey on my Bucket List. The fact I got to cross it off while I was in Thailand? Even better!

Sitting with my feet in one of the tanks. 

This is right after we put our feet in. 

So it's really hard to explain what it felt like. I've read descriptions by other people who said that it feels a little like being shocked at first. Which is a little true; like little pin-pricks of electricity. But then they also say after you get used to it it becomes relaxing "like a foot massage". I beg to differ on this part. I was worried about being able to mentally take it for the full 20 minute session. It never became "relaxing". The best I could do was just try to forget they were there, which is pretty hard to do. I did enjoy it though. It was super fun to just try something so different. And it does make your feet softer, so that was a cool bonus.

A close up of the fish devouring my toes.

So while you were sleeping Friday night I was sitting on the other side of the world while fish were literally eating my skin. Bucket List success.

Ayutthaya

First off, it's pronouced (roughly) like eye-you-tie-yuah. Secondly, it was gorgeous. It was like going to see the ancient (Mayan) ruins that I'd always seen in my Spanish textbooks, except these were oriental. A lot of these ruins were origionally built in the 1600s, only to be burned to the ground by Myanmar when they invaded in the late 1700s. The ruins are now spread around the town of Ayutthaya, which also includes a floating market. But getting to the good stuff... pictures:

Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of the most famous ruins. 

 A model of what it used to look like.

Kate and I in front of a giant Buddha statue. 

In front of one of our favorites of the ruins. You were able to climb up (and inside!) this one.  

My favorite photo from the day. 

Mamay tried to ask us questions about different architectural terms and facts regarding these.

Nothing like a Thai to make you feel inept at your own language.

A view of the floating market from a boat we were on. 

Another view of the market.

This was the second or third floating market I've been to. I don't want to shatter any of your hopes and dreams, but I'm generally not a fan of them market-wise. Aesthetically they're gorgeous, but they're also 2-3 times more expensive than the local markets and packed full of pushy tourists. Although there was one redeeming quality from this market. But it was so awesome, it'll get its own post tomorrow. 

Regardless, Ayutthaya was an incredible experience. Definitely a fun event with an uncomparable location. And, it was our last big outting before we head off to the northern part of the country. Unbelievably I head home exactly a week from today (or, due to timezones, tomorrow by your location). How am I supposed to leave places like this?

Another Post About Food... This Time Sponsered by Coca Cola!

I lied. Coca Cola didn’t sponsor my blog post. In fact, I had to pay a full 10 baht for my drink all by myself. That’s a whole hard-earned 33 cents my soda cost me, thankyouverymuch. But look at it!

Yes. That’s Coke in a bag. They like to put everything in bags here, particularly with liquids. It’s supposed to be healthier for the environment or something, and certainly makes things cheaper, but I have not adapted to carrying liquids in what I previously considered not even slightly sturdy plastic.

Also, I’d like to note that my student Mamay is entirely faking her excitement in the photo. She thinks that my amusement from this is weird. But she’s a great sport and not only drags me everywhere from the Crocodile Farm to Ayutthaya, but additionally puts up with my weird enjoyment of the mundane things in her life.

But wait, there’s more! In this special blog post you get not one, but two unique edibles from my past weekend. After all sugar always goes best with… more sugar!

Welcome to Thailand’s version of cotton candy. I believe the name is roti sai mai, but I only know that from Googling it. It’s some sort of spun sugar. Generally enjoyed wrapped in a weird crepe-esque thing. It’s similar to eating straw. It has a weird dry straw-like texture when you eat it, but it’s so appealing. I can’t explain it. And who doesn’t like eating straw wrapped in pastel pink and green crepes? Exactly.

New Post Coming Soon!

I promise! I left Santisuk at 8:30AM yesterday morning and returned at 2:00AM the next day. (Nothing like an over 17-hour-long day.) So I'm a little tired. I'll update and post about all my adventures tomorrow. I think the photos are worth the wait!

It's funny though. Worn out and driving through the rain in a taxi back to Lat Krabang at 2:00AM, Kate and I passed through Bangkok. Butchers slaughtering their next day's profits on the street, a weird mix of Thai ballads and Ke$ha on the radio, and watching the dark clouds over the Bangkok skyline as we made our way perilously through the streets. It's this mundane stuff I'm going to miss a week from now.

Babysitting: Thailand Edition

This morning I was peacefully wallowing around in my bed when I heared a shuffiling of feet followed by "oh no, she heard us" and shrieking. Good morning CJ. I preceeded to have a hyperactive four year old post-Frosted Flakes bounce around my room tackling Kate, myself, and anything breakable in sight. During this Kate informed me that Carol had left for the day putting her and I on CJ duty.

Me, being the bright person I am, decided to find somewhere that CJ could run around without breaking anything, or hurting himself or us. And where better than a giant park?

Less than an hour later I was caffeinated, and he was spazzing around with minimal injuries. He saw me using my camera and preceeded to ask if he could try taking some pictures. I figured I might as well let him. So, the following pictures are what happens when you let a 4 year old have control of your camera:

 He took some surprisingly nice pictures.

 No idea who this guy is.

 And then sometimes he's adorable. But only sometimes.

 He took pictures of Kate and I around the park.

Does your park have a giant turkey? I didn't think so.

Oh, and I finally got a photo of the water monitor on land!

He was about the same size as a park bench. And he was a tiny one.

And another photo of CJ for your enjoyment:

Do you see the mischief in his eyes? Because it's there. Look beyond the cuteness.

A week from today Kate and I are taking off for Chiang Mai! We can't wait! But it's also sort of sad, because I have to head back to the States afterword and by no means am I ready to go home. But I still have just under a week to hang with students, so I'm not out of adventures yet!

Home Sweet Thai Home

Back during my first week here my friend Tucker asked me to put up photos of my living quarters. For those of you who don’t know, I’m living in a room on the third floor of the Santisuk center. It’s pretty much perfect. Also, I don’t think I’ll ever have a shorter commute to work.

Anyways, here’s my room:

The view after you enter.

The view from the far end of my bed, back toward the door.

So that's it. That's home. And it's 100 times better than my college dorm was. You want to know why?

Bam. Air-con.

Air conditioning, or air-con as it is universially called in Thailand. It's kind of a God-send. 

Anyways, not much going on the past few days. Just teaching mostly, and I spent a few hours wandering around Lat Krabang today. It's nice to have times when I'm not running around to different corners of Bangkok and actually get to hang out in my own neighbourhood.