The mad-cap adventure and fairy tale, film story of a quixotic, middle-aged woman who won't give up on her dream and ends up in every scrape imaginable.
Wait, it gets worse! The other day it was explained to me WHY there never is any toilet paper. They don't use it. I was also told that if I want to use toilet paper I'm not allowed to throw it in the toilet as it will block the drain. Now I understand why there's always a bin heaped-full of dirty toilet paper in the bathrooms.
The teaching is going well. Am I imagining it or are the kids here a lot naughtier than our Afrikaans children? Today I had a Grade 1 class and their attention span lasted for about 10 minutes. Then I had to come up with a physical game for them to play. A while after that they decided it was now time for me to mark their books so they stormed my desk like the French stormed the Bastille.
I'm very excited because on Friday, my day off, I'm going sightseeing. I'm really looking forward to finally being "The Tourist". Here in Phetchaburi province where I live there are many temples and a summer palace that a previous king, Rama IV, built on the mountain. It also has a museum and an observatory. It's called "Khao Wang". There are also lots of monkeys, like in South Africa's rural areas.
Every home and school has a shrine. I find it interesting that when I look at the huge Buddha statues, I feel absolutely nothing. In other words, it holds no power. It's dead. The people are worshipping a dead idol. Obviously I don't say this to anyone, because I'm sensitive to the people's culture and faith and I respect them, even if I don't agree with them. I knew from the start that my witness would be a silent witness. It's how I am and that works well for me.
When I enter a house, I have to take off my shoes. It's foot fungus paradise, especially in this heat and humidity. The floors are also always wet. It's a losing battle.
When I get a lift with the people from the office, I have to sit side-saddle on the back of the motorcycle. That's what ladies do! I can say with great satisfaction that my balance has improved considerably. Women are also not allowed to show their shoulders but showing leg is perfectly acceptable. I see a sleeve tan in my future.
The people still stare but the children are getting used to me. Yesterday I went to a new school and I got a kindergartner class. One little angel stroked my blonde arm hair and touched my moles the whole time. It was kind of sweet that my arm fascinated her so much.
I also got my first Thai nickname: "Mali". It means jasmine and it is the brand name for milk in Thailand. The association is obvious. I'm as white as a lily. In South Africa it was the cause of my brothers' constant teasing. In Thailand it's a mark of royalty. I must say, I'm enjoying this refreshing change.
My host family are looking after me very well and every day I try to eat some spicy food to get used to the local cuisine. But I'm like a baby going on solids. I'm adapting slowly. I'm very fussy.
I tried two new types of fruit. The one is the size of an apple, green and has a prickly rind like a pineapple on the outside. The meat on the inside is white with black seeds. It tastes like a lichi and pear combined. I think they call it a "dragon fruit". The other fruit is green on the outside and white on the inside. When you bite it, it's hard like an apple but it tastes like a pear. I think it's called a "Noi Na", "custard apple" or "sugar apple". But I stand under correction. The language barrier is still a colossal obstacle.
The plots of land in Thailand are very small. It's basically just the size of the house and the strip around it. I realize now how massive our yards in Pretoria are in comparison. It's the size of two more houses. We South Africans are very lucky.
I visited the nearest sea. It's a 30 minute drive to Cha-Am. Cha-Am is nothing in comparison with "The Beach" in the movie or with our pristine beaches in South Africa. The water is greenish blue and there are almost no waves. I'm told it not a swimming beach so maybe I'll still change my opinion about it later.
The day before yesterday I took a bus back home from one of my schools. You won't believe me but the bus, which is open in the back, with two rows of seats down the sides couldn't go faster than 30 kilometers per hour. The ride, which is supposed to take a half an hour took an hour and a half. Yep. I thought I would die from the heat. It was in the same condition our South African taxis are in. Basically held together by spit and glue. Any minute a bolt or nut would fall off and the whole thing would come apart at the seams.
Thailand is also the home of the Killer Ants. They look so small and cute. Wait until they bite! You won't ever forget it!
Most of the familiar brands from South Africa are here too; Nescafé, Dove, Caltex, Head and Shoulders and all the popular beauty products.
Well, that's all my "Eat Pray Love" news for now.
Thanks for all your replies. I'm glad it's going well with you all.
Lots of love
Yvette
Teacher Mali
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