I don't think its possible to rain more than it does in Taput, Phang-nga in the south of Thailand.
I have been working here for about a week, teaching an english camp(pretty much solo) with 60+ kids. Its hard. (mostly on the body and mind)
This morning I woke up at 7am, late for my schedule recently(usually I'm up an hour earlier). sprinkled frigid water on my face and hopped on my Thai family's moto-sii(motorcycle) and drove into town for Breakfast.
On the way I witnessed stark beauty over my right shoulder and severe weather over my left. The latter hit harder. I got stuck in the rain - and not in a fun way(there was no singing... I was, in fact, silent save for some indescriminant cursing). I would later stop in for breakfast in the local thai "coffee shop" to find my host father's truck. He was going in my direction and I needed only ask to hitch a ride and I could have avoided the rain all together.
The Taput area is a relatively undiscovered gem in Thailand. Mainly because Taput is just a meaningless stop along the way for most folks heading from Phuket(the island to the south west) to Krabi(the province to the east), both more popular for their exotic "thai-ness". I have found that, perhaps, exotic "thai-ness" can be found most easily in little towns like Taput. The Thai way of life is most starkly different in these places. In fact I am nearly the only farang(westerner) within 5km of the town. I never see other westerners.
I get the impression that locals like it that way(I can understand why they wouldn't want a whole lot of sun-burnt, sunglass-ed, folk in hawaiian shirts looking at the sky and asking for directions, mispronouncing names from an clumsily unfolded map - and then folding up their maps, that tell nothing of the area, and deciding that this area holds nothing worthwhile).
I can tell you about my family as well. I am staying with a great Thai family here in Taput. Both parents are teachers(sound familiar?). The father also works about 7 different "farms". He has help to work his farms for him but he grows bananas, coconuts, and oil palm.
The family is six-strong. That includes Maee("mom"-real name: Rosrin), Paw("dad"-real name:Pai-sarn), Pik, Pook, Ya("Grandma"), and Poo("Grandpa").
Paw is in a constant state of youthful mischeif. Riding in his truck through the streets of Taput he often points out a dog in the road and calls out "moto-wayy!". He does the same thing everytime he sees a dog, a chicken, a cow, a water buffalo on the road where it shouldn't be. For whatever reason it never gets old. He always has a sly smile on his face that makes you wonder just what it is he's just done(most of the time he hasn't done anything). He hates staying in one place and would rather bounce around all day long. He makes you think you could stay young forever.
Maee is similar in temperment though I think she is more of the enforcer(though the kids honestly need no enforcing-why? I dont know but like most thai kids they never seem to argue or have any serious problems, I think its the live and let live attitude that permiates this crazy country).
Pik is a little ball of maturity. He cooks, he clears the table, and he does everything with a broad smile.
Pook is traveling to America in August on an exchange program and I am helping her complete her application. She is a good student and a fast learner.
Ya is the cutest old woman you will ever meet(sorry grandma). She speaks softer than a mouse and though I can't understand a word she says I listen and cherish every word.
Poo is a rugged grandpa - by Thai standards he looks about 120 years old and he is still going strong. When you guess Thai's ages, by the way, make a guess and then subtract 15-20 years and you are probably right.
He's up before the rooster, fixing cabinets, doing the gardening on his hands and knees and wearing his pale white, rigid plastic cowboy hat, sarong or safari shorts(likely commando), and (most of the time) shirtless. The guy is just hard. Some might say a rough-neck.
Anyhow I'm eating like I'm possessed. I eat breakfast, snacks at 10, lunch at 12:30, and 2 dinners. Its delicious and I'm only gaining good weight(I think).
Thats it for now. I know most of you have long forgotten me but thanks to those who continue to check in. It means a lot.
I have been working here for about a week, teaching an english camp(pretty much solo) with 60+ kids. Its hard. (mostly on the body and mind)
This morning I woke up at 7am, late for my schedule recently(usually I'm up an hour earlier). sprinkled frigid water on my face and hopped on my Thai family's moto-sii(motorcycle) and drove into town for Breakfast.
On the way I witnessed stark beauty over my right shoulder and severe weather over my left. The latter hit harder. I got stuck in the rain - and not in a fun way(there was no singing... I was, in fact, silent save for some indescriminant cursing). I would later stop in for breakfast in the local thai "coffee shop" to find my host father's truck. He was going in my direction and I needed only ask to hitch a ride and I could have avoided the rain all together.
The Taput area is a relatively undiscovered gem in Thailand. Mainly because Taput is just a meaningless stop along the way for most folks heading from Phuket(the island to the south west) to Krabi(the province to the east), both more popular for their exotic "thai-ness". I have found that, perhaps, exotic "thai-ness" can be found most easily in little towns like Taput. The Thai way of life is most starkly different in these places. In fact I am nearly the only farang(westerner) within 5km of the town. I never see other westerners.
I get the impression that locals like it that way(I can understand why they wouldn't want a whole lot of sun-burnt, sunglass-ed, folk in hawaiian shirts looking at the sky and asking for directions, mispronouncing names from an clumsily unfolded map - and then folding up their maps, that tell nothing of the area, and deciding that this area holds nothing worthwhile).
I can tell you about my family as well. I am staying with a great Thai family here in Taput. Both parents are teachers(sound familiar?). The father also works about 7 different "farms". He has help to work his farms for him but he grows bananas, coconuts, and oil palm.
The family is six-strong. That includes Maee("mom"-real name: Rosrin), Paw("dad"-real name:Pai-sarn), Pik, Pook, Ya("Grandma"), and Poo("Grandpa").
Paw is in a constant state of youthful mischeif. Riding in his truck through the streets of Taput he often points out a dog in the road and calls out "moto-wayy!". He does the same thing everytime he sees a dog, a chicken, a cow, a water buffalo on the road where it shouldn't be. For whatever reason it never gets old. He always has a sly smile on his face that makes you wonder just what it is he's just done(most of the time he hasn't done anything). He hates staying in one place and would rather bounce around all day long. He makes you think you could stay young forever.
Maee is similar in temperment though I think she is more of the enforcer(though the kids honestly need no enforcing-why? I dont know but like most thai kids they never seem to argue or have any serious problems, I think its the live and let live attitude that permiates this crazy country).
Pik is a little ball of maturity. He cooks, he clears the table, and he does everything with a broad smile.
Pook is traveling to America in August on an exchange program and I am helping her complete her application. She is a good student and a fast learner.
Ya is the cutest old woman you will ever meet(sorry grandma). She speaks softer than a mouse and though I can't understand a word she says I listen and cherish every word.
Poo is a rugged grandpa - by Thai standards he looks about 120 years old and he is still going strong. When you guess Thai's ages, by the way, make a guess and then subtract 15-20 years and you are probably right.
He's up before the rooster, fixing cabinets, doing the gardening on his hands and knees and wearing his pale white, rigid plastic cowboy hat, sarong or safari shorts(likely commando), and (most of the time) shirtless. The guy is just hard. Some might say a rough-neck.
Anyhow I'm eating like I'm possessed. I eat breakfast, snacks at 10, lunch at 12:30, and 2 dinners. Its delicious and I'm only gaining good weight(I think).
Thats it for now. I know most of you have long forgotten me but thanks to those who continue to check in. It means a lot.
posted by Nicholas | 2:18 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home