Paisley Firefly: First week in Thailand!

Week 1

So now allow me to properly explain why I’m currently sitting at a desk in Thailand typing this blog post. I’d always been a huge lover of animals. Well I still am. So up until about 2 years ago I had decided I would be a vet when I started working. Then physics screwed me over and I realised I’d never get accepted to the only university in South Africa that offered vet science no matter how hard I tried. But I also knew there were other ways of getting into vet science and other places to study at. So all hope was not completely lost. But the realisation that physics was an absolutely bitch threw me for a loop and left me feeling unsure of what to study after school. I had decided on a few options and applied to a few courses and different universities and got accepted for them. The world was my oyster. I could just pick one. But something didn’t feel right. I wasn’t ready to settle down and study. So after putting off registering for university way past due, it left me going for the other option I had decided on which was becoming an English teacher in Thailand. So here I am.

Time to start the course to qualify me to teach.

Day one of the course was good. I almost didn’t wake up in time so I’m still so grateful to my roommate who helped me out by waking me up. Breakfast was scary. I walked to the buffet and was worried I was going to end up eating by myself until I spotted Tristan and the couple. I was nervous about the first day but relieved I’d found my friends. The breakfast itself was something to get used to, I’m not really too keen on the idea of noodles and Thai food for breakfast. But I tucked in none the less. After that we all met at foyer of the resort and did register. It was then that I become overwhelmed by the size of my class. 54 people. I would have to do practice lessons in front of 54 people, most of whom were older than me. And public speaking is not my thing. We made our way to class in 45/48 degree temperatures. We were relieved to find the building had aircon. During the first day we were just given a brief overview of the course and what we’d be up to for the next 3 weeks. I was excited and was eager to explore with my new friends. So obviously what else to do than to go to a mall. I was excited because I’d recruited a new member Sara to our group and she was my age so I didn’t feel so alone. The mall was huge and exciting and expensive. When people picture Thailand they often picture cheap affordable etc. that’s not the case at all. Obviously you can find the cheap stuff at the markets and night bizaars, but other than that living in Thailand is not all that cheap. Well at least not in the beginning. After realising we wouldn’t find much in our budget at the mall, we ate supper and headed back to the resort (with one last longing look at Starbucks). By the time we got back to the resort it was quite late and time for bed.

Days 2 to 5 involved introductions and our first little presentation. I was extremely nervous and just hurried through my presentation, regretting my rushed performance immediately. I reassured myself that I’d do better in the next presentation. We also had photos taken which would be used to show the schools when applying for jobs. That meant long skirts for girls and ties for the guys. And we were also told that black wasn’t an appropriate colour (it was associated with death) and neither was red (considered to be an aggressive colour). So Simone, Sara and I headed back to the mall to find some light coloured clothes because we mostly had dark colours. The trip to the mall was unsuccessful and we had to settle for what we already had for our photos. After putting on make-up for the first time in weeks I was ready. (had barely any make up on) Oh and I didn’t have a straightener or anything so I had to also settle for my natural hair. Fun. The walk to class was awful and we all soon realised working was going to be hot unless we had aircons in the classroom.

But soon enough the first week was over and it was time for our welcome braai/barbeque. We were all excited to unwind and socialize. Everyone hurried off after class to get some booze and I was eager to get myself an ice cold sprite (I don’t drink alcohol, never have). Then we all met back at the building where we had our classes and eagerly awaited the delicious smelling braai meat. The braai was a perfect way to start getting comfortable with my classmates and made me feel a little less nervous for our next presentation. The braai was pretty cool, the staff had set up tables on the pavement and we were literally having a street party. As things started to unwind plan of going to a lady boy show arose. Although a few of us were sceptical at first, a group of about 12 of us plus one of our teachers decided to try it out. It is definitely one of my favourite memories here. I’ve never laughed so hard. The boys felt rather uncomfortable when the lady boys would grope them or try plant a kiss on them during the show. We all had such a blast and it’s definitely something that is a must see in Thailand, hands down. (The show we went to was at the Night Bizaar in Chiang Mai. Which is also a must see if in Chiang Mai.)

All in all, the first week was tons of fun and I was eager for our excursion the next day. And for some sleep.