Sorry, but this is just going to be me, being spontaneous and very honest.
Today I feel like I am surrounded by happy people who just don't have a clue that we exist in different worlds of knowledge. I was surprised to now realize that each room of my school has a supporting column running through floor to celing, somewhere near the middle of the room. Even the way we build buildings is different.
I kept given the impression that Thais were rarely to be hugged, touched, grabbed... obviously the reverse doesn't apply. Not that I've been hugged, but I've been touched on the arm, pushed on the waist, and slapped on the back. A lot. Conveniently, I baked my upper back and neck last weekend on the shrimp farm...
All those who love cleanliness/sterile environment, or all those who fear germs. Please, don't go to Thailand. They have clean things here... but the standards are not the same, and there's a bigger indoor ant population.
Everyone can sing here, in a wide range of settings, and it isn't even mildly surprising to Thais. However, I would get full attention if I were to sing (that, and my sore throat, is why I don't like to sing)!
My Thai friends eat food quickly, because they don't talk when they eat! Only afterwards, but during, they only comment a bit if there's something weird I'm doing or if there's a food they think is or isn't delicious. Oh, and people do not use napkins, at least not at lunch. So when I go ketchup on my finger, an uncomfortable and humorous situation ensued.
My host brother. Ahhh, my host brother! He is annoying me. He says my name like "P' Tangthaaaaiii" which is a bit terrible when you hear it 5 consecutive times and paird with "pid fai" or "ap naam" (turn off the lights; take a shower). He will also manage to ask me to begin doing something as I begin doing it. This is actually irritating in any language, but in Thai it makes me feel stupid.
Thais will repeat a phrase, with increasing clarity and dramatics, until you have replied, and satisfactorily. This is one reason maybe getting good with conversing in Thai will be difficult for any non-Thai, because sometimes you can spend minutes on the exchange of something like "where did she go?" "she went to the store."
If someone burps or farts here, they will not only not excuse themselves, but they will act like nothing happened. Unless they laugh.
My angst about all the odd aspects of my life should be countered with a rave about my adventures today. I know my friends are starting school today or so! To that, I say: The following paragraph is geared toward you, and unless you are attending foreign classes, you have no excuse not to study! Unlike me, who escaped to the library just to find a cockroach who wanted to be our reading buddy. To that, then, I say: I sincerely think cockroaches are cute(!), unless they fly in your face or wander in your house. Do you recall those ice cream freezers that sell stuff such as Drumsticks or Otter Pops? Here they sell Puddle Pops! And hey, America? Your freezer ice cream suckks, with an extra K for emphasis. Seriously. The stuff they got here is mouth exctasy. You know motorcycles? Of course you do. I rode one, but this time on the streets of Chanthaburi, with a boy from school that I barely know. He had a helmet, I did not, blah... fun! My parting advice to all: get a motorcycle, and ride it.
If you are still interested, a teacher's discussion with me inspired the date of my return to USA: I'll spend exactly ten months in Thailand! :) And your mail, if you're getting mail frm me, should arrive within the week. If if doesn't, blame lightning storms, or my neightbor's untamed monkey.
-Tangthai
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