Adventures in Pai

One random weekend I decided to go explore a quiet little town in northern Thailand called Pai. I was told this was the quintessential hippie/backpacker hangout, but has since become more popular with tourists. I guess it still holds much of that same "charm", but now Pai prominently exists on the backpacker trail, and receives it's share of traffic.  Pai is tucked away in the mountains around Mae Hong Song (very northwest Thailand), just near the Burmese border. This beautiful village offers a great place to relax for a few days, and leisurely explore the stunning northern countryside.

So that's what I set out to do!

I decided to forgo the 600 baht bus ride up north for two reasons.  One: there are literally 700 switchbacks up the mountain to get there, and I get car sick pretty easily.  Two: I have a motorbike and knew this would be an incredibly scenic drive, and would definitely want to stop off and take pictures whenever I pleased.  It took me about three and half hours to reach this place that was maybe 80 mi outside of Chiang Mai.  

When I arrived, I took a friend's suggestion and hit up the Darling Viewpoint Bungalows, which is perched up on a hill with awesome views of the entire village, and a great mountain backdrop!  It was perfect, and a true Thai-style layout, which I love!  The owner/operator was named...yup, you guessed it, Darling!  She was this cute little lady living alone in this huge guesthouse. She was really sweet getting me arranged with everything, and made me feel right at home.  She always said things like, "Super happy you're here!", "The food is super good!", "I'm super happy today!", etc.  She was funny, and always had a smile on her face.  A total hippie herself, which I presumed was probably indicative of the overall vibe in Pai I'd heard so much about.  It was low season and there were only a few other guests, so I got to chat with her quite a bit.  

That night I was exhausted from my drive up in the boiling sun.  I grabbed a large beer, sat in one of the back deck hammocks and watched the entire sunset!  

Later that evening two guys, one Hollander and the other German, showed up and were staying in the same dorm.  They were traveling together, and eventually heading to Laos after their stay in Pai.  We chatted awhile, then they decided to hit up the local nightlife.  However, I decided to retire early, but made plans to meet them up the next morning.

I was up surprisingly early the next day, well before anyone else, and ventured into the village for some breakfast.  After some pretty standard yogurt with muesli, I decided to cross the bamboo bridge to see the river.  It was very quiet then, so I decided to take advantage of the silence and meditated by the river for about 30 min.  Afterwards, I felt really calm and energized for the day-meditation is always the best way to start the morning!  

I slowly meandered my way back through the village and watched some locals building some traditional Thai-style huts.  It's amazing watching them build these little bungalow huts with very limited supplies, probably using craftsmanship dating back centuries. They enjoyed the curious onlooker admiring their work.  I gestured with a friendly smile and continued on.

I met back up with my two new friends, and we decided to take out motorbikes around and explore the local attractions.  The first stop, a waterfall about a mile away.  What's great about Pai is all the stuff to see here is within a few mile radius, so you can cover a lot of ground in a short time. This was clearly a popular local sight, as there were a few groups of people already there enjoying the swim under the 40 foot waterfall.  There was an area you could climb up the rock and jump off, but only a few decided it was safe enough.  I threw caution to the wind and jumped first!  It was deep enough, so no worries at all. 

We chatted with some others enjoying this secluded pool area surrounded by steep overhanging walls of rock. 

It was an impressive little spot.

Next, we went further down the road to a huge ravine that promised some really cool views of the surrounding area.  The trails around the ravine were unique to say the least.  The narrow walking paths were all elevated high above the deep ravine crevasses.  It was stunning, and I've never seen anything like it. 

Some people didn't like the heights an stayed back, as the rest of us walked cautiously along the natural paths.  We quickly took notice of the looming dark clouds approaching.  So we decided to head out before we got dumped on.  

This time of year is the beginning of the rainy season, and when it rains here, it's torrential!  

Sure enough, halfway back to the village we got dumped on!  This really sucks when riding a motorbike because you have to obviously slow way down, but you're also trying to find a good balance between speed and safe driving to quickly escape the rain before you're soaked.  

Let's just say we didn't find that balance, but did make it back safely!  

We headed to a reggae bar called "No Cry", and chilled out while enjoying some much needed brews in our soaked clothes. Later that night, we would return to this same bar, which absolutely comes alive at night. Both locals and tourists hit up this late night spot, mainly because it's open later than other bars, and has an attached second bar with local live music all night.  Each evening, in the middle of the outdoor bar they ignite a massive bonfire where people sit around and play guitars and smoke weed.  

It all felt suitable for this lazy town full of hippies, and I had a feeling this is what happens here each and every night.    

Around 3am we decided to walk back to the guesthouse.  On our very intoxicated walk back through the dark, we were suddenly scared shit-less when some young guy out of nowhere, in the middle of nowhere, pops out of the bushes and tries to join the conversation like he had been with us the whole time, not realizing he just scared us to death! It was so so random! He was clearly drunk, lost, an couldn't even remember where he was staying.  We all laughed historically at this guy...like, what was he doing in the woods way out there before we came by? What if no one ever came by?  It made for a great laugh!

This guys was so completely faded! (I wish I had pictures of this moment!)

It was even funnier the next morning when we all gathered for breakfast and again, out of nowhere, this guys shows up at the same restaurant by himself, and he didn't even recognize or acknowledge us sitting right next to him!  We politely reminded him who we were, and all offered him some much needed water.  He had no clue who we were.  

Wow!

Unfortunately, I left quickly the next day.  I was invited to continue on to Laos with everyone, but I had to work the next day.  Darling checked me out, and gave me a customary bracelet that she makes for each guest who stays there.  It was again, another sweet touch Darling provides at her guesthouse-I highly recommend this place in Pai...and if you do, please grab my shoes while you're there, please!  

We parted ways and I headed down the mountain pass on my trusty steed!

About an hour into my ride, I got a flat tire.  Interestingly though, before I left for this trip I had a feeling this bike might encounter some problems traveling this far.  I definitely took my chances going against my gut.  Now, I'm in the middle of nowhere halfway up a mountain with no towns around for at least 30 miles.  So now, I'd have to hitchhike for the second time ever in my life back home to Chiang Mai-both times happened in the last four months here in Thailand!      

In these moments of near panic I revert to my meditation practice, concentrating on returning myself to a calmer and more positive state.  There isn't anything I could change about the situation, so I had a choice, either get pissed at myself, or, choose a more constructive emotion that would actually help me out here. So, I remained calm, took a moment to close my eyes and forcibly laugh at myself.  "I knew this was going to happen!"  Then I quickly found peace with it, opened my eyes and suddenly felt just fine.  I smiled at myself, held out my thumb and began walking, knowing it would all workout...somehow.

Seriously, within 5 minutes (no exaggeration) a truck passed and stopped for one of the passengers to take a piss. They didn't necessarily stop for me, but they quickly took notice and waved me over. They unfortunately didn't speak English, at all.  I gestured with my hands to explain my situation, which is something I'm getting really good at here, and then they asked me, "Chiang Mai?" I said yes, with the assumption that this was an offer to take me back there, and began incessantly thanking them for their help.  They loaded up my bike, and I hopped on the truck bed and headed down the mountain with some more new friends.  

This was one of those moments I felt that emotional/spiritual interconnection I channel when I meditate. Maintaining a positive outlook in that situation I believed saved me.  Yes, those guys actually saved me, but I do believe positive thinking attracts some positive outcomes in life, and know this happens to me quite often since I've been meditating. So, I relished in that moment in the back of that pickup, and smiled back at the Universe!  

We took a longer way back to Chiang Mai than what I remembered.  Again, they didn't speak English, and so I was at the mercy of their decided route back to the city.  We made a few stops and attempts at communicating, but to no avail.  They had a small girl with them, maybe around 4.  It seemed like I was the first white person she'd ever seen.  Driving down the road I'd catch her in the side mirror starring at me with her big curious eyes, sometimes for like ten minutes. It was funny, but no one likes to be starred at like a circus sideshow act.  

We made it to a town just outside of Chiang Mai called Mae Rim.  We stopped off at a local market and sat there waiting...for something or someone, I wasn't sure.  Now I was getting a bit anxious as to what we were actually doing. After 20 min a 50-something year old man pulls up on a brand new bright red crotch-rocket with a big cheesy smile on his face.  He shook my hand incredibly hard and asked if I was hungry.  "I'm always hungry!"  He laughed and told his friend, the driver of the truck and my savior, to follow him. 

Wait, where are we going now??  

We eventually made it to this guys house, where his wife, sister, cousin, etc. were all preparing for a Thai style BBQ.  The man offers me a drink and begins chatting with me about all things Chiang Mai.  Turns out he is a retired Thai police officer and is hosting a cookout for all his cop friends, who were on their way over right then.  I found this very interesting, and felt how incredibly hospitable, even for a cop!  

There were about 15 people that showed up and everyone was wildly curious about this strange white guy dining with the family.  Some of them spoke some baseline English, so many wanted to speak with me and practice their skills. They were so fascinated with me, and so I became fascinated with their fascination.  They were all really sweet and incredibly nice people, and I felt deeply grateful to them all for helping me and being so kind.  I couldn't thank everyone enough for their hospitality and for saving me up in the mountain.  A few of them wanted to take pictures with me and become my FB friend, so I obliged, although still feeling like a sideshow, it was all very endearing.  

After a few hours we headed back to Chiang Mai.  It started to rain, so I was growing impatient and ready to be home.  I was still sitting in the truck bed, pathetically trying to cover myself with t-shirts from my backpack.  Once we arrived, they unloaded my bike and dropped me off at my apartment.  I thanked them again for the awesome experience.  I earlier noticed the little girl had bracelets on her arm, so decided to give her the bracelet Darling had given me earlier, and felt it was appropriate for the circumstances.  She smiled bashfully, and hugged her dad happily with her new gift from the circus clown she couldn't stop starring at before.  

I can't say enough for Thai hospitality and their huge hearts, they always seem to bail me out of potentially dangerous situations I find myself in sometimes.  This is twice Thai people have gone out of their way to rescue me on the mountain with motorbike issues, and refusing any compensation afterwards.  

I was deeply touched by the whole experience.  

The Intrepid Thai Driver

Thai driving habits are something worthy of mentioning, and a forewarning if you actually plan to visit the country.  

After living in the "Land of Smiles" for the last few months, one thing is blatantly obvious here - driving in this country is absolute insanity! 

No, I haven't been to India. No, I haven't been to Egypt. No, I haven't been to Namibia. No, I haven't been to (fill-in-the-blank with the worst country to drive in).

Many people claim there are far worse places for your daily commute.  But after some internet perusing, I quickly discovered the statistical truth behind the ominous driving habits of Thais.

Thailand is now considered the second most dangerous place to drive in the world!  

...and from what I've personally seen and heard so far, I believe it! 

Just the other month, another bus in Northern Thailand careened off the edge of a cliff, plummeting hundreds of feet down a ravine where 30 people died. Incidents like this have become commonplace, and raise for serious concern when commuting around the country.  When something like this happens there isn't much recourse either - I guess there isn't anywhere, really.  But here, it almost seems like officials do nothing to really address these issues, at least outside the obligatory public safety announcement following a tragedy in attempt to appease tourists who fear for their lives on every departing bus or train.

So like most things in Thailand, you need to look out for yourself and make the safest decision with the information provided.

My advice: avoid the overnight buses across long distances, especially the north where you pass through mountainous terrain at high elevations.  Most of the drivers are extremely overworked and potentially strung out on amphetamines.  

You would think trains are the safest and most obvious option, however many of them are outdated and running on fragile rail systems in desperate need of repair. 

Trains here just aren't that safe either.  

First thing to note while driving on the roads here, "red" doesn't necessarily mean stop.  Its more of an indication that you should yield and look around, and if no one is approaching, just go for it.  This cavalier attitude will get your ass hit quicker than you can remember the Thai name of the street you're on (most street names are like 15 letters long). But I've basically learned all colors mean yield (particularly GREEN), and to use your own judgement to gauge when it's actually safe to cross a street, rather than the traffic lights.  This logic is uncomfortable for most Westerners, especially for someone like myself who hasn't routinely driven a car in almost four years. 

The other day, I was driving along the south moat near Chiang Mai Gate, and witnessed this brave act of commuting with what I assumed was the beloved family dog, "standing" on the back of this motorbike with his two front paws on a single supporting bar, just cruising down the street. 

 
The driving here is just rediculous.

More often than not, I see a single person driving a brand new four door Toyota truck with no one else in the vehicle. While a family of four is carelessly packed together on a single motorbike (sometimes one being an infant child held in the driver's lap - with no helmets!), following dangerously behind.  I can't help but think that this poor family could dramatically increase their life expectancy by opting for the "safer" four door pickup...but that just isn't as fun.   

Motorbikes are a way of life here, and now, for me as well.

Motorbikes are efficient and actually really fun to drive - aside from the elevated risk of death, it's awesome! 

At every intersection when traffic is backed up, all motorbike drivers weave in and out of the idle cars to make their way to the front of the line.  On a motorbike, you rarely have to sit in traffic!  Almost everyone commutes by motorbike, unless you're an affluent teenager who's mom just bought you a brand new truck for your 16th birthday...lord help us all! But seriously, many Thais here have money and have nice rides (especially Toyota trucks), but for the majority of those living here, motorbikes are the preferred and most efficient means of travel.

So whether you're driving your child to soccer practice (well, football here), to the market, or to make an urgent trip to the hospital, Thais generally accomplish their transit needs via motorbike.  

So when visiting Thailand, be extremely cautious and aware of the elevated risks while commuting around the country, no matter what mode of transportation you choose.

Oh, and yes mother, I wear my helmet! 

Songkran Festival 2014

Songkran is a huge festival celebrating the Thai New Year, held in April and marked by the Buddhist tradition of sprinkling water on others as a form of cleansing.  This is by far the largest and most important holiday, where people travel from all over the country, and really the world, to Chiang Mai for the largest Songkran celebration.

The Buddhist traditions are mostly practiced at the temples around town.  There, scented water is poured over the statues of the Buddha and loved ones.  People gather around and listen to monks speak.  

Meanwhile, as Buddhists worship at temples throughout Chaing Mai or travel to visit family, the other side of Songkran can only be most accurately defined as the biggest water fight in the world!  This is where massive super-soakers and buckets are loaded full of water and sprayed into strangers' faces, with every car in the overcrowded streets equipped with 55 gallon barrels of water, "ammunition," ready to unload on anything that enters the reach of those at the helm. 

Massive blocks of ice are purchased from random folks lining the streets, tossing freezing water on completely suspecting passer-buyers.  Random "fill-up" stations were available around the moat and the old city.  Local businesses take the four-day hit on their water bill to keep the party going with an unlimited supply of water from their tap, usually through an industrialized sized hose endlessly filling barrells with water. 

But the best part of all...you get to act like a complete kid again!  

I mean, everyone of all ages participates in the fun.  Running around laughing like a giddy little child, getting pelted all over with refreshing water while boiling under the sun.  You really feel that youthful spirit come alive.  Like, man, I remember those days!

The city hosts many concerts and DJ's all over town.  Although I was rather fried and didn't do a ton most evenings, there was a bunch going on after sundown.  Some of the big malls host live music on their doorsteps, and bars uncomfortably packed with lines out the door, clearly violating capacity.

It's madness!  It's refreshing!  Its disgusting, at times!

Its absolutely the best festival in Thailand, especially here in Chaing Mai!

But no matter what, you don't leave your home without getting annihilated with water- it's just understood.  Either from a small child wielding a super-soaker the size of himself, or a sweet old woman tossing cup sized amounts of water as you pass her front porch, you WILL get soaked!

After the third day I was kind of over it though.  Living as a bachelor and eating out at restaurants every meal, I just don't have food in my fridge.  So when trying to leave my apartment to get some breakfast that fourth day, I just wanted to be dry and eat in peace.  Ha, but good luck with that, I was eating completely drenched, and honestly, it didn't matter.  

All you can do is smile.

I've never seen anything like it before.

The country literally comes to a complete stand-still!  Everything shuts down - minus some bars and restaurants, because of course, that's what fuels the festivities. 

Embarrassingly, I actually locked myself out of my apartment the first day of Songkran, only to find the small note in broken English written on the leasing office door, "Office close, no key no in apartment until 4-15." 

It was the 13th.

How I managed to "break-in" later that evening is another story - returning home completely soaked from head-to-toe, a little drunk and exhausted, I was determined to concur that locked door. Needless to say, I wasn't homeless for the duration of Songkran.

Songkran couldn't come at a better time too.  April is apparently the hottest month of the year, and when Thais call it hot, it's baking!  I can now say living in Chaing Mai, April will personally and very appropriately be marked as the month where I average three showers a day, and celebrate the craziness that is Songkran!

This is a must when traveling to Thailand, mark the date - (April 12th-15th).  

April is a fantastic time to be in Chaing Mai!

 

 

The Horse Farm

Last November, I met Louisa, my Bavarian friend traveling around SE Asia during her gap year. For those that don't know (because I know I didn't), "gap year" is the time when high school graduates from many Western countries travel abroad before entering college.

Man, I wish I would've traveled like this before college - although I would've been an absolute mess traveling here at that age, and probably would've found myself in trouble!  So, maybe I'll call it a blessing in disguise I didn't!

Louisa happened to still be in Thailand when I moved, and actually came up from the south islands to visit me in Chiang Mai.  She was planning to continue on north to a horse farm owned by a fellow German, that asked her to help out for a month.  

Since I'd never ridden a horse through the jungle, or anywhere for that matter, I made it a point to come visit!

The ride up to the Phrao District is amazing!

Phrao is tucked away in a valley surrounded by a horseshoe shaped mountain range just north of Chiang Mai - so no tourists up here at all. You know you've exited the tourist track when you start turning heads of unsuspecting Thai onlookers by simply driving down the local streets.

It's very dry this time or year, and of course, freakin' hot!

After two and a half ass-numbing hours on the motorbike, I made it to the base of the mountain where the horse farm was.

I was greeted by Lousia and the Thai family she was living with. Boris was the owner, a German who married a Thai woman, started a nice big family here in the country, and ran this horse farm taking tourists on week-long excursions through northern Thailand and Laos. He offered tours of no more than four per group, and options to either trek through the mountains locally, or venture into the southern mountains of Laos for a longer tour.  I didn't have time to do anything that extensive, so I settled on a modest day ride through the jungle the following morning.

The farmhouse was crowded to say the least.  Typical of Thai households:  the whole family lives together, usually about three generations all under ONE roof!  So, there wasn't much room in the house for another head. The only option for me was to pull a mattress outside to an outdoor covered lounge area, next to the horse stable, and sleep outside in a mosquito net!

Ok, so, no complaints sleeping outside...at all!

It was amazing at night to hear all the sounds in the country coming alive, along with the horses practically sleeping at my feet.  It was again, something I'd never experienced before.  

The only downside is life starts ridiculously early on a farm!  Of course, horses are hungry at the first sliver of daylight, so the work started very early - of course, not for me though, the noise just simply woke me up and I couldn't go back to sleep, so it felt like I was up working that early, but I really wasn't. You literally could hear roosters from miles away, like 5 farms over, crowing all morning long. They were relentless, and successfully prevented any sleep past 5am.

We went for our ride that Saturday. We rode into the jungle and began climbing the mountain by horseback. Riding is pretty easy when you're only going 5 mph. The ride was slow, but the scenery was worth the ass-dragging.  These horses weren't really trained, so it was a challenge getting them to do anything but slothfully trudge along the mountainside trail.  

We arrived at a waterfall deep in the jungle, near a small wadding pool where we could take a dip and cool off. The horses voluntarily got in the water as well, practically diving in splashing everywhere, and really enjoying the bath.

It was seriously such a hot day!

We continued back down after a few hours, and quickly realized we may not make it back before sundown at our current pace. This became more concerning when the obedience issues continued.  I made the mistake of letting my horse stop a few times to snack on the low-hanging meals along the trail.  Underestimating his intelligence, I quickly found, like the children I teach, if you give him an inch and he'll take a mile.  He quickly realized his newly enlisted power over me, and stopped at every other green plant he saw, giving little regard to my stern commands to move forward.

We eventually made it back as the sun was setting.  It was quite nice to have such a beautiful scene as we walked the horses back, and after a somewhat stressful fight against time. Getting stuck in the jungle at night is just not ok, anywhere.

That evening, the Thai children were preparing to grill (Thai style), and we ate and drank until the wee hours of the morning.

It was a great experience, and another "first" to add to my ongoing list here in Thailand.



    

Well, I've Never Done This Before

So, I need a job.  

I certainly moved here with money in my poket, but I clearly lack the long-term financial luxuries like a pension or retirement, and certainly don't have any windfall of expendable cash, therefore I'll need some income flowing. Thailand may be inexpensive, but I want to live here a while and not burn through all my savings. So, the obvious next step...

Get a J.O.B.  

I didn't move here to find another 9-5, of course.  Because frankly, the one I quit back in Seattle would be impossible to beat here.  Redfin is just an awesome place to work, period! 

I moved here to do something different.  I want to live, and make a living doing something unique I've never done before...or couldn't otherwise do back in the States.  After some preliminary research before I left, I knew English teachers were always in high demand. Seemingly, this is the best option for making decent money too (comparatively speaking), and something that would likely be more personally rewarding than a desk job.

This was where I'd start.

I put together a "teacher" oriented resume, and hit the pavement in search of a job.  This wasn't necessarily as easy as I thought it would be. 

Chiang Mai is the epicenter for quality education in SE Asia, so teaching jobs are highly competitive.  I have zero experience teaching anyone anything, although in college I was a mentor for disadvantaged inner-city youth for a year, but nothing related to classroom experience.  After realizing this harsh reality of the competitive job market I'm trying to enter, and drained from my exhausted efforts applying for jobs around town, I knew I needed to beef-up the resume.  

Of course, volunteer teachers are always welcome in most schools.  After speaking with a few people, volunteering experience seemed like my only option towards landing a paid position. One high school I found and applied to, allowed me to sit-in on a few classes to get a feel for teaching a class of 40-something kids! This was overwhelming to say the least.  

Madd props to the teachers out there who do this day-in and day-out, it's exhausting work! 

In the meantime, my Thai friend BeBe began reaching out to her personal/work contacts for me, in response to my obvious desperation to find work.

She surprisingly found me a lead rather quickly.  She told me all the necessary details over the phone. When she told me the job, I was a little apprehensive.  This was something I've clearly never done before.  I thought about not doing it, but at the same time, sounded like some relatively easy money for a half day's work - so was listening.  

She found me a one-time gig posing in a video for the Thailand Department of Tourism.  WTF, really?!?  Apparently Thai companies, especially those in tourism, are always looking for farang (Westerners) for modeling work to appeal to Western tourism.  I think there was a degree of urgency to find someone quickly, and I was likely the cheaper option for them shooting last minute in Chiang Mai.  

Oh, and it pays one month's rent for like three hours of work...SOLD!!  I'll do it!

She basically said to dress up, look professional, and go to this swanky hotel outside the city and someone will be there waiting.  The hotel was the Dhara Dhevi!   

When I arrived at the hotel, I was taken back by the extravagance.  It was a beautiful campus built around four huge temple-like buildings in a perfect little rice field and garden area, also surrounded by villas and private lakes.  

I only had my iphone to take these photos, so pardon the terrible resolution.  

I was lead into a conference room where a stunning Ukrainian model was sitting quietly getting her makeup all prepared by a team of stylists - who were all clearly professionals.  

I thought, this was a little much, I mean, the model is clearly a pro (something you can just tell), and I'm just some random traveler looking for work and just happened to know someone who knew someone in a moment of coincidence. 

I was suddenly really nervous, and also very aware I maybe should've asked for more money - (one months rent is only $129). 

This was way out of my comfort zone!  

A few moments during the shoot, Anna mentioned my shaking hand and instructed me to calm down. I could've melted each time she said it to me too, with her cool/calm Eastern Euopean accent.  

Honestly, I don't even like my picture taken at all really - something I just conveniently remembered right then.  However, the trepidation was mixed with the excitement of doing something different, and that was really the whole point.

Plus, I couldn't stop starring at this Ukrainian girl!  

I'm beginning to think my next travel destination will be Eastern Europe...(contingent on the current crisis, of course)

The staff needed some time to prepare, and told us to walk around the property until they were ready for us.  So, Anna and I went for a walk around this place.

Let's just say this wasn't a place accommodating the average backpacker.  I'm also pretty confident this would be the last time I'd come here, being it's probably one of the most expensive hotels in Chiang Mai...I was soaking it up!

We returned to the area where they wanted to shoot the video.  They put some makeup on me (another first), and styled my hair.  They positioned us at the foot of this big staircase, and the director started shouting orders.

After about 20 retakes, and what seemed to be countless little readjustments, they finally got the shot they wanted.  This was an exhausting process, mainly because I had to hold a generic smile for more than a few minutes at a time with each retake, so after a few hours I was done with the whole thing.  

Turns out our shot will only be a 10 second spot in this video.  The video team was traveling all over Thailand shooting random clips, and would compile the collection to edit at a later date.  It was all very professional.  The video is suppose to hit Youtube in May, I'll keep an eye out.  For all the time and effort put into a 10 second clip just seemed like overkill, but hey, what do I know, I've never done this before and likely won't again.  

The experience was another addition to my recent list of "firsts" here in Thailand, so it was worth it!

Around this time, I started volunteering at the Burmese Refugee Center near my apartment. The director of the center provided free English classes, a library, and essentially a community center for the refugees.  His name was Garrett, and he just so happened to be from Seattle! 

Small world, no?

He knew I was looking for permanent work, and sent a referral over to a language school he had a great relationship with, and that also just happened to be right across the street. Apparently his word carries some weight, as I was quickly contacted by the school's director inviting me to come in for an interview.  That Monday, I came in for my interview and was hired on the spot!  I felt like things were suddenly falling in my lap, this was just perfect timing!

She told me I could work about 15-20 hours a week, teaching one-on-one English conversation classes with students of various ages.  No set schedule, and I could take time off whenever. Sessions are hourly, so that provides me the flexibility to easily control my availability.  Each session is paid 220baht/1hr, which is equivalent to about $7 - essentially what I made when I was 16 years old bagging groceries.  She also knew I had some online marketing experience, and agreed to pay me to do some light-weight marketing for the school.  

Perfect!  

I've now taught a little over three weeks, and I think I really enjoy my time here.    

For the most part, the kids are really fun.  

Man, life was just so easy back then.  

They're generally always happy and full of energy!  However, these kids are temperamental, and can drive you up the wall insane as well.  But most of the day, the kids are excited to see you and are pleasant.  They're just so simple and funny, it's really a joy to be around them.  You can't help but feel a little nostalgic at times, reminiscing of years past, back when nothing mattered more than Legos and Grandma's house. We didn't know how good it really was back then.  Adults try to simplify a complicated life, while kids are are inherently simple, but forced to complicate it.  Ignorance can be bliss. 

We can learn a lot about life from kids. 

There's obviously the language barrier, but many of the students go to high-end international or expensive private schools, where English is taught very young, so there's some baseline to work with.

I really enjoy my time at the Burmese Center as well, where most of the students are adults.  A few are Thai, but the majority are Burmese who've fled Myanmar for better paying jobs or to escape the instability in the region.  They're all really serious and eager to learn.  I presume this is the case because they are considered second-class citizens here in Thailand, and probably realize more than Thais the importance of learning English as a survival mechanism, so they're more serious about learning the skill. Learning English does lend them an upper-hand.  

The priority to learn seems vastly different between the two ethnic groups.  In some cases I've noticed that Thais try to learn and teach their kids English almost as a symbol of status (you have money if you speak English), rather than a means of improving their livelihood (certainly not the case for All Thais, of course). In Chiang Mai, some Thais seem to live pretty well-off and with relatively decent money.  The language school students are primarily upper-class Thai kids, and sometimes you can feel that parents just don't take it that seriously, but insistent their kids come 5 times a week! 

I think for now, I've secured a good situation here with some cash flow, so I feel comfortable and at ease. Ill see how the teaching goes, I imagine Ill enjoy this for the time being...or let this become the most effective form of birth control, EVER!