Aah so, nearly a month has passed. Everything that I thought was
ridiculous and hilarious a few weeks ago has kind of started to become
just normal everyday life, so I suppose that means I'm getting used to
all the mad cultural differences between the UK and Thailand which is
good. I've already started to notice the way I talk is different;
everything has to be slowed right down, I cant even remember the last
time I overused the word 'like' in a sentence and I end up over
pronouncing everything.. so words like 'Scotland' become something like
"Scottt.laaand'. I've also picked up really annoying habits like saying
'back in England', instead of Scotland or the UK, just because its
easier (I know all you guys at home would be shouting at me for it).
It's fine though cause the other day I caught my English partner (in
living/teaching/pretty much everything) say 'wee bit'.
Me and Beth moved out our host family's home a week last Saturday and
into our flat. It's massive, really really massive. There could be up to
three bedrooms in it, but we're using one as a store room and another
as a dressing room, then sharing the nice one with the air con. When I
applied to Project Trust I really didn't imagine our accomadation would
be anything like what it is. It's odd because we leave our nice
apartment in the morning, then a driver (I suggested we could take the
bus but got shot down) takes us to school, and then we spend all day
teaching English to kids who literally cant even afford to buy their
lunch or uniform, and can only attend school because someone (I think in
some cases the government and in some cases charities, not really sure
about the ins and outs) gives them scholarships to be able to pay for
these things. It's a really sharp contrast.
So far everyone we've met has been ridiculously nice, and not nice in
just the usual way, but a lot of people just seem completely selfless
and are constantly wanting to make sure we are happy. Every time we try
to catch a tuk tuk somewhere even complete strangers will stop and
spend time trying to work out and translate to the driver where we want
to go. Then the other day I burnt my leg on a motorbike and a boy
selling fruit on the side of the road sat with his mum and bandaged me
up, then wouldnt even accept any money even though he'd sent his friend
out to buy me burn care ointment and bandages. Theres also a tuk tuk man
outside Fairyland (shopping centre), who helps us lock up our bikes
everytime we stop there, just because hes being kind. I know if I was
every in any trouble or upset about anything, there would never be a
shortage of people willing to help me out. It's just loads of little
things that make me think Nakhon Sawan is such a safe and nice place to
live. Possibly I'm looking at it through clouded eyes because I'm still
new to this city, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.
I just read that back and I'm making it sound like something out a
Disney movie. It's not, theres still cockroaches and rank bugs and a
prozzie bar about a 3 minute walk away from my flat.
The only problem I've had is that people are maybe being a bit too nice,
and thats not really a bad problem to have. The other day I was
walking through the park and someone who knows someone (think it was a
high up ladies daughter's husband) recognised me, and said he thought it
would be safer for me if he walked round with me the rest of the
way.. even though it was broad day light, right across the road from my
flat and full of people sitting about having picnics and doing
excercise. So then I had to take my headphones out and walk with him in
silence for 20 minutes until we got to the gate, then even though our
flat is then just across the road, he said he would have to walk me
there, and then said something about suggesting to the Mayor me and Beth
have a bodyguard. I think I would rather eat cockroaches than have a
bodyguard. I dont think I've ever heard something more ridiculous in my
life. I'm not really worried because I know Project Trust or the
SET Foundation would never let it get that far.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaanyway, so we tried to sample some of Nakhon Sawan's night
life on Friday, but ended up getting sucked into this little bar where
all these other foreign teachers were sitting and had the shittest night
ever. The other teachers are all between 25-35 and have proper jobs in
the private schools. They hate Nakhon Sawan, seem to know nothing about
Thai culture and are literally the most boring people ever. I also met the only other Scottish person in Nakhon Sawan. A 27 year old English teacher who goes by the name of 'Baz'. Both me and Beth agree we wont bump into Baz much over the next year, to put it politely, he's an arse.
We dont have wifi or any tv channels in English at home, so it forces us
to go out and do stuff all the time. We eat out every night because
its so cheap, and go on bike rides in the evening or just go to the
park. Life is the complete opposite of at home, but reaally really
amazing. Home is good because thats where all my friends and family are,
food is normal, I dont need to worry about acting the wrong way and I
can wear what I want without being worried about if somethings too
short (Nakhon Sawan isn't touristy so you have to dress and act Thai).
But thats also the reasons why Nakhon Sawan is so good, because its so
different. I'm socialising with people who are so so different from
back home, I'm eating loads of weird shit, and I dont have to worry if
my make ups looking shitty because people are nice and will still say
you look pretty anyway, and also I can ride about on my new purple bike
without feeling like a complete freak.
Much lurv, Holly xxx
Much lurv, Holly xxx
