Celebrity Status

After two weeks in Ayutthaya I am finally getting settled and feeling more and more as if this city of street-crossing elephants, ancient ruins, and few traffic lights, is in fact my home. I have bought a bike, spent a full week at school (minimal teaching was involved...2 days, in fact), and am recognized around town by colleagues, a restaurant owner, and students (for better or for worse). I know the lay of the land, what to buy in Tesco Express versus the oh-so-convenient 7-Eleven, which vendors at the night market are my favorite, and even how to hop on the minibus to Bangkok for one night. It's amazing that I am getting into a routine already and am feeling confident in this once far off land that I now call home.

Cain, a 4 month old elephant

My comfort is not complete, as I do not speak Thai and find it nearly impossible to order food from many street vendors I would like to try. Sometimes my frustrations go so far as to take the easy route and just splurge on KFC. Today I found myself on a 15 minute quest that led me to find that only knowing how to order "pad Thai" leads to finding that not all street vendors make that, many vendors don't want to play charades with a clueless farang, or me not wanting to attempt because what other people had looked a bit iffy. Don't worry though, I finally found a vendor that served soup (and spoke a little English) and had a pleasant street-side meal. After wandering around a section of the city I didn't even knew existed, I realized how comfortable I have become with the small area of the island that I reside.

sports week opening ceremony (a torch and parade were involved)

Along with becoming comfortable in my new surroundings, I feel as if those around me should understand that I live here as well. No matter how long I live here however, I will always be called farang. But up until today, it was kind of cool being a farang--celebrity, almost. Kids would say "hello" to you, flashing back a large smile when you returned the greeting; strangers would tell you you're beautiful or handsome; little kids shamelessly point and smile at the sight of you. Today was the first day I began to take my celebrity status for granted, because no matter how long I am here, I will always be stared at, be given a higher price, or just avoided because it is presumed (rightfully so) that I don't speak a word of Thai.It's a strange feeling being so blatantly out of place, because there is nothing I can do to mask the color of my skin.

The PVC pipe race (and fall)--a sports week event

Though my white skin makes me a foreigner, I am still exploring the island and getting out of my comfort zone (I often find myself in areas where farangs don't venture and I am the only white person). This past weekend, however, was not one of those weekends. My friend Kate and I went down to Bangkok for one night (I will write a Bangkok post soon) and then I headed back to Ayutthaya and found myself on Soi Farang (Foreigner alley) with my western friends. The next day I made my way out to the elephant sanctuary, which is about 10 minutes off the island. All the elephants are domesticated, and they even have dangerous and murderous elephants (these elephants are kept far away and have the largest tusks I could ever imagine). All of the elephants are chained to a tree or a poll, and many are kept behind a large bar--except for Cane. The 5-month-old rascal baby elephant that snuck up behind me and head-butted me in the butt. He is adorable and it was hilarious. I absolutely love elephants, though they are extremely huge and a bit scary because you know it would really hurt if they stepped on your toe.

Elephants crossing the road: a daily occurrence in Ayutthaya

This week is another lax teaching week. Last week, 3 of the days were reserved for sports week(though the third day it looked more like just a giant dance party), in which we had to be in the school but not teach. This week, there is an academic competition going on at our school and the neighboring school, meaning that we don't teach, but again, must be in the office. Next week will surely be a reality check, as we will have 5 whole days of teaching, and the introductory class to our Wednesday classes (yes, I have 5 classes I have yet to see). As tiring as next week will be, I am excited to see what a fresh crop of students--and nicknames--will bring.