Wow...I just realized it's been awhile since I posted. I forgot to post anything from my Vietnam trip.
Ok...here is the quick recap of Vietnam...massive cars/motorbikes, chaos, everyone driving at one time going in all directions, honking and more honking, construction next to hotel that went on all night, being harassed incessantly as soon as I walked outside, and cockroaches, lots and lots of cockroaches.
Yup...I think that covers Vietnam. Oh...the cau lao was awesome!
So just in case you were wondering where in the world I've been or why I've been offline, let me tell you right now...it was not because I was stuck in a Thai prison. For those of you who didn't know, didn't call, didn't write, etc...I've been living in Chiang Mai for the last few months. After my brief trip home in Sept/Oct last year, I returned to Chiang Mai to take the TEFL course and to teach English(scary, I know!). I completed the TEFL course right before Thanksgiving and really, it wasn't that difficult. However, I have to admit I had some issues with what was being taught. Now, granted, there is a slight difference between British English and American English, but I have a hard time believing that there is such a thing as a double contraction and that it is appropriate to teach in schools. What the heck is a double contraction? Well, according to the instructor at the school an example would be "I'd've" (translated - I would have). After going around and around with him on how I was never taught double contractions and that my English professors would surely shoot me if I did write such a thing, I gave up and just let it go. Although it was fun to watch his face get more and more red. It was almost worth it so see if his face would turn purple...but that would have been a**holic (yes, that's a word.) But I digress...
Back to my hunkering...I had secured a nice little serviced apartment about 15 min from old town and it was perfect. I met some great people (and some not so great) while taking the class. And most of my time was spent hanging out with friends, trying out different restaurants, going running at the 700 stadiums and hitting every night bazaar/walking market in town. Oh...and I did teach, occasionally. But I won't go into that...let's just say, teaching is for some and not for others and I definitely fall in the latter category.
That's it in a nutshell. It seemed a bit lame to have daily posts like "got up, met X for lunch, went running, taught students, went to X for dinner, and went to bed." So there you go...
Anyway, I left Chiang Mai last night via the most awesomest bus ever. It had leather seats that reclined with a foot rest that extended out. It wasn't completely horizontal, but it was enough. I had my own little 9 in TV screen where I could watch some pretty decent movies (in English, no less) or play video games. We were served sandwiches with the crust cut off, fruit, water, coffee/tea or soda and chips/cookies. Then right before we arrived, we were served orange juice and given a little moist towlette. It was the most comfortable trip I've had so far and it didn't cost much more than the train, but was far better. I wished someone had told me about it sooner.
Speaking of waking up on the bus this morning...I had the most unusual experience. So, you know when you go on a trip to some place far away and on your way home you fall asleep. You wake up a little while later and you look out the window and after a brief moment of being discombobulated, you start to recognize some buildings, streets, landmarks, what have you, then you go "oh, I'm near X" and everything is fine and dandy.... Well, this morning, when I woke up, I looked out the window and for a second, I forgot where I was. I was expecting to see buildings near my home in the US and signs in English, instead I see buildings I don't recognize and signs in Thai. I had an "oh, Sh#@!" moment. For a second there, I didn't know where I was. A few seconds later, I remembered I was on a bus to Bangkok. But I was still slightly disappointed I wasn't going to be HOME anytime soon. Anyway, thought I would share that little moment from the bizarro files. Do with it what you will.
