Settling In

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