Sunsets, Lady Boys, and Lizards

Nai Harn sunset

I haven't written in a few days because not a lot has happened (especially after such an eventful weekend in Phi Phi), and also because I've been busy with assignments and hanging out with everyone.

This week's classes were more boring than usual; we just sat in class and got lectured at. Though we were quite bored, we learned about classroom management and the difficulties taht will be facing us in the next few months became far more real. What stuck out to me most was the idea that i will have to be the leader and voice of reason in the event of a natural disaster, including fire drills, earthquakes, and, and tsunamis. I will not have to worry about the last disaster, however, because I am 90% sure that i will be in the city of Ayutthaya, which is an hour north of Bangkok and used to be the capital of Siam. It's supposed to be an amazing city. I will also be with 4 other people on my program. However, only one person has been given this information verbally, so I can still only wait and see where I will actually end up. The weather has been absolutely beautiful, and after class we have been going to the beach to enjoy the warm water, crashing waves, and most pristine sand I have ever come across. The other night John, Collin, Dylan, Annie, Alicia, and I swam around in the water and went out far enough to enjoy a beautiful sunset. We were able to see the sun go down below the horizon line, without it being blocked by a ledge that encompasses the beach we are on. We bounced up and down on the waves and just stared at the pure beauty of the place we have been living in for the past 2 weeks. I love it here so much and cannot believe that I had the opportunity to not only visit, but to call Nai Harn beach my home for three weeks.

On Friday we got out of Nai Harn and headed to Patong, which is called the “back alley of Phuket. It’s known for its wild bars, crazy partiers, prostitutes, and extreme sex shows. My excuse to go was that it was something just to see--I could not imagine streets filled with lady boys, prostitutes, and men trying to get laid (or knowing they would with a little $$).

Me, Jess, Erin, Kate, and Amy in Patong

We were dropped off at what seemed to be the main bar street in Patong. We made our way down the street to another club. Upon entering we received coupons for a free shooter* (*when you buy a drink), and a dance floor filled with people copying the moves that the lady boys on the stage in front were doing. It was quite the scene and looked more like a zumba class than a dance club.

The night ended with most of our group attending a sex show (myself not included). Everyone who went is scarred for life and cannot stop talking about the images they will never be able to get out of their heads. Though Patong is incredibly seedy and a place I would have never really imagined myself, it is a part of Thailand that is interesting to witness, since sex tourism here is incredibly popular.

Our night ended with all of us finding our way into tuk tuks—little trucks that have open backs. Our driver said that we could have fit 8 people in the back, but 7 was more than enough as the tuk tuk had a hard time making its way up the hills that separate Patong from Nai Harn. In between my bits of concern of falling out of the side of the tuk tuk and possibly needing to get out and push it, we danced our way home as the driver blasted music such as YMCA and the Spice Girls.

I am now entering the last week of my training, which means that we go to various organizations to practice teaching to REAL children. Tomorrow we are heading to an orphanage. The topic of my lesson is cartoons for 7-9 years old. I will be teaching children the words cat (Tom), mouse (Jerry), boy (Ben10), duck (Donald Duck), and sponge (spongebob). I am excited and nervous for my first real teaching experience!

On a side note: there is a little lizard in my room. One of the many little surprises I get for living in the tropics.