Thursday, February 12, 2009
Check out our fellow traveler's blog as well.
Judy Peterson, the third member of our traveling team, has her own blog. If you'd like to check it out you can find it by clicking her picture in the followers section of the page. (We follow each other's blogs as a way to interconnect them! She is very good at the photograph thing as well, so she posts several interesting photos.
Warm Welcomes
Following our warm welcome of the past couple of days, we are back at Muangchaliang School this morning. This is the first chance I've had to add to the blog, but Fred has been keeping you well informed! I've truly been enjoying this so far. The students and staff here are great. I've been walking around campus, greeting students in English and talking to some of them. Some of them speak English quite well.
I'm currently living with Mr. Chusak and his wife in Si Satchanalai, near the school. Just a few block drive each day. Today we will get to tour some of the quite historical areas this afternoon. They have been very gracious about welcoming me into their home and yesterday made me a wonderful American Breakfast consisting of fried eggs and three different kinds of breakfast meats. They wanted to be good hosts for their American visitor. I did convince them today to cook us a more traditional breakfast, which they did. We were joined by Karen, a Fullbright teacher from Philadelphia who has been a great resource for us while we are here, and enjoyed a wonderful sampling of traditional Thai breakfast fare, which seemed somehow appropriate after awakening to the sound of Monks chanting.
I've been enjoying every facet of this culture. It is very relaxed, and the people here are very warm and caring and go out of there way to make you feel comfortable and welcome. The schools here have amazing campuses with most passing areas actually outside between buildings. I do find it interesting that anywhere we are introduced, including my overall introduction to the student body here at Muangchaliang included the word "single". So LeeAnn, I think you're rubbing off on Fred a bit :).
I'm currently living with Mr. Chusak and his wife in Si Satchanalai, near the school. Just a few block drive each day. Today we will get to tour some of the quite historical areas this afternoon. They have been very gracious about welcoming me into their home and yesterday made me a wonderful American Breakfast consisting of fried eggs and three different kinds of breakfast meats. They wanted to be good hosts for their American visitor. I did convince them today to cook us a more traditional breakfast, which they did. We were joined by Karen, a Fullbright teacher from Philadelphia who has been a great resource for us while we are here, and enjoyed a wonderful sampling of traditional Thai breakfast fare, which seemed somehow appropriate after awakening to the sound of Monks chanting.
I've been enjoying every facet of this culture. It is very relaxed, and the people here are very warm and caring and go out of there way to make you feel comfortable and welcome. The schools here have amazing campuses with most passing areas actually outside between buildings. I do find it interesting that anywhere we are introduced, including my overall introduction to the student body here at Muangchaliang included the word "single". So LeeAnn, I think you're rubbing off on Fred a bit :).
Pictured here are Fred Judy and I eating lunch with the staff leaders at Muangchaliang School,and some of the agriculture students work at Sawan Anan Wittaya.
A Feast for the King of Siam
As you may know, Thailand was known as the kingdom of Siam until the late 1940s when it became Thailand and now has an elected government. Their is still the king and queen of Thailand who are greatly revered, however, there is a separate elected government that governs the country. Today there are over 65,000,000 people living in Thailand. The largest groups of people are known as "ethnic Thais". There are many separate tribes of people (often known as hill tribes). One tribal group you will recognize is the Hmong. The Hmong were groups of farmers found in Laos and also in Northeastern Thailand. Someone once told me there were over 50 different tribal groups in Thailand.
This evening we were invited to Mr. Tawin Hirunsri's home for dinner. Mr. Tawin was the former principal at Muangchaliang and is now the administrator of an even larger school in Sawankhalok known as Sawan Anan Wittaya. This grade 7-12 grade school has over 3,000 students and is the most highly regarded school in this area. Thailand has open enrollment meaning parents can choose which school they will send their children to. Some schools have better programs and are known for higher standards, and so parents often send their children many miles to attend a better quality school.
Mr. Tawin Hirunsri was my exchange partner in 2006-07. He came to Wisconsin and stayed in my home for almost two months. I also stayed in his home when I visited Thailand my second time for two months.
He invited a number of teachers to his home this evening for dinner and what a feast we had. Tawin and his wife Ong served us a dinner with over 10 different dishes!!!! Many spicy curry dishes, noodle dishes, meats, vegetables. It couldnt have beena finer meal.....which of course....was followed by karaoke!!!
more later.....
Fred
This evening we were invited to Mr. Tawin Hirunsri's home for dinner. Mr. Tawin was the former principal at Muangchaliang and is now the administrator of an even larger school in Sawankhalok known as Sawan Anan Wittaya. This grade 7-12 grade school has over 3,000 students and is the most highly regarded school in this area. Thailand has open enrollment meaning parents can choose which school they will send their children to. Some schools have better programs and are known for higher standards, and so parents often send their children many miles to attend a better quality school.
Mr. Tawin Hirunsri was my exchange partner in 2006-07. He came to Wisconsin and stayed in my home for almost two months. I also stayed in his home when I visited Thailand my second time for two months.
He invited a number of teachers to his home this evening for dinner and what a feast we had. Tawin and his wife Ong served us a dinner with over 10 different dishes!!!! Many spicy curry dishes, noodle dishes, meats, vegetables. It couldnt have beena finer meal.....which of course....was followed by karaoke!!!
more later.....
Fred
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Muangchaliang Rhong Ree an (School)
Rhong Ree an means School in Thai. We traveled by slow, slow, slow train yesterday from Bangkok in the South of Thailand to Sawankhalok located in the Sukhothai Province of North Central Thailand. We were met at the station by Mr. Tawin, Mr. Chusak, Ms. Ratree and several other staff from the schools. We then went to a hotel for a Thai Banquet with at least 8 different Thai dishes..... My favorite is Tom Ka Kai----a spicy soup with coconut milk base, lemongrass, vegetables and chicken....oh, it is so delicious .
Lots of introductions, drinking of beer, conversation, and finally it is time for Karaoke!!!! I had to join Mr. Tawin singing For the Good Times....we were pretty good. The three of us joined Ms. Ratree singing Top of the World....Russ is a pretty good singer and I think he could be a guest preformer with the Solon Choir.
This morning I was awakened by loud Thai music being broadcast on the village speakers at 4:30 am!!!!!! They were awkening people because of a special early morning event with the village monks......oh, how I had forgotten all these little things!!! Kuhn Russ and Kuhn Judy are living in the "city" of Si Satchanalai so they did not experience this early morning joy.
We are now at the school Muangchaliang School......2,000 students in grades 7-12. There is a morning roll call with prayer, announcements and morning exercise. As part of the announcements I was introduced and then used my Thai to greet the students, tell them we are from America, introduce Russ and Judy, and finally I told them I only speak a little Thai so they should practice their English skills by talking with us.
Later today we will meet the department heads of this school and then head to visit two other schools we will be working in.
For me, it has been like an old homecomming. It is great to be back with these gracious friends. That is it for now, but I did notice last night that Russ was eyeing up some of those Thai women...Le Ann, that should make you happy.
Fred
Lots of introductions, drinking of beer, conversation, and finally it is time for Karaoke!!!! I had to join Mr. Tawin singing For the Good Times....we were pretty good. The three of us joined Ms. Ratree singing Top of the World....Russ is a pretty good singer and I think he could be a guest preformer with the Solon Choir.
This morning I was awakened by loud Thai music being broadcast on the village speakers at 4:30 am!!!!!! They were awkening people because of a special early morning event with the village monks......oh, how I had forgotten all these little things!!! Kuhn Russ and Kuhn Judy are living in the "city" of Si Satchanalai so they did not experience this early morning joy.
We are now at the school Muangchaliang School......2,000 students in grades 7-12. There is a morning roll call with prayer, announcements and morning exercise. As part of the announcements I was introduced and then used my Thai to greet the students, tell them we are from America, introduce Russ and Judy, and finally I told them I only speak a little Thai so they should practice their English skills by talking with us.
Later today we will meet the department heads of this school and then head to visit two other schools we will be working in.
For me, it has been like an old homecomming. It is great to be back with these gracious friends. That is it for now, but I did notice last night that Russ was eyeing up some of those Thai women...Le Ann, that should make you happy.
Fred
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Thai Temples and Palaces
Another tour of several Thai sites today! We took a boat up and across the Chao Phraya River to visit two of famous Buddhist temples. We went to several Buddhist Temples. We started at Temple Arun (Temple of the Dawn). This fascinating Mosaic temple created with broken plates that were salvaged from the ballast of ships. The plates then glued to the concrete to create amazingly intricate patterns. Our temple visits afforded us the opportunities to see the famed Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.
We then went to the Grand Palace where we saw the Emerald Buddha along with a great deal of history of the current royal line. They are have truly an amazing history.
We finished our tour with a tuk-tuk ride (it's a good thing Fred knows some Thai to be able to barter with these drivers! We took the tuk-tuk to the Dusit Palace and the Vimanek Teak Palace. It is truly an amazing structure.
Fred and I have been fitted for our suits in a great tailor's shop in a hotel down the street from ours. I'm excited. This is my big gift to myself for my trip.
Our whirlwind tour of Bangkok has been amazing. This is definitly a city that never sleeps, ever. There's always something, going on, there's always traffic, but more importantly there's always life. I can see why Fred really likes it here. It is vibrant and excited and the people here are really great.
We leave to head to the schools up north tomorrow. I'm excited to meet the teachers that we will be sharing this exchange with, and to be back in the school life. Looking at our agenda, it appears there is a lot planned for us, and we will have ample opportunities to see and learn about the schools in norhtern Thailand.
We then went to the Grand Palace where we saw the Emerald Buddha along with a great deal of history of the current royal line. They are have truly an amazing history.
We finished our tour with a tuk-tuk ride (it's a good thing Fred knows some Thai to be able to barter with these drivers! We took the tuk-tuk to the Dusit Palace and the Vimanek Teak Palace. It is truly an amazing structure.
Fred and I have been fitted for our suits in a great tailor's shop in a hotel down the street from ours. I'm excited. This is my big gift to myself for my trip.
Our whirlwind tour of Bangkok has been amazing. This is definitly a city that never sleeps, ever. There's always something, going on, there's always traffic, but more importantly there's always life. I can see why Fred really likes it here. It is vibrant and excited and the people here are really great.
We leave to head to the schools up north tomorrow. I'm excited to meet the teachers that we will be sharing this exchange with, and to be back in the school life. Looking at our agenda, it appears there is a lot planned for us, and we will have ample opportunities to see and learn about the schools in norhtern Thailand.
a whirlwind of touring Bangkok
Well, we just finished our last day of touring Bangkok and Russ showed me how to do a post by myself on this thing.....(Dave....you should have showed me this before I left....you should know I am illiterate)....
On a very hot day we started with a typical Thai breakfast of fried rice with pork and a fried egg on top...wonderful! We then set off on the sky train ...like a subway only above the street level.... took the sky train all the way to the River Chai Praya and then caught the boat ...kinda like a bus on water....up river. (cost of water bus service about 30 cents) Our first top Wat Arun an ancient temple probably 200 years old along the river bank . We had to cross the river, so we got another boat (cost 9 cents). This temple is of plaster/cement with glass and ceramic pieces all the way up a 200 foot tall prang (tower). You can climb very very steep steps ...almost like ladder steps...to a lookout way up...really cool view of the area....
We stopped for some shopping and we all bought some intricate leatherwork done on water buffalo hides...they are really cool!!!!
Crossed back over the river too see the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. This buddha is probably 50 feet in height and is in a lying position. it is gilt with pure gold. It is an amazing structure.
Next stop (no time for resting) was the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. Each of the 9 kings of the modern era (last 200 + years) has added structures to this temple/palace area. The central feature is a large golden chedi or tower that has a relic of Buddha inside. On the grounds is also the very famous emerald buddha ( a very old buddha image), greatly revered....when you see our pictures of this site you will be amazed and the variety and beauty of the many temples and structures here.
Stopped for lunch at a street market and had rice with an assortment of dried shrimp, vegetables, cooked pork , etc. along with great chili sauce and peppers....all quenched with Thai Coffee --- Iced coffee with milk and sugar....what a great treet on a 94 degree day.
Then bartered with a tuk tuk driver to take us to the Teak Palace...A tuk tuk is a three wheeled vehicle found all over southeast asia resembling a three wheeled golf cart with a back seat....These things zip in and out of traffic at high speeds....kind of dangerous but fun. The driver was convinced that Russ was Thai...and then I used my Thai to tell him that Judy and Russ were both my children.....He did believe Russ was my son, but he knew I was pulling his leg regarding Judy....
We visited the Teak Mansion all out of teak wood built by Rama 5 (the fifth king of Thailand modern era) in the 1800s. This beautiful house was only used for a few years and then closed for over 80 years and used as a warehouse until it was restored and opened as a historical site.
Can you believe that is all we did today!!!
Tonight Russ and I go back to the tailor for our first fitting of our new suits and shirts that are being hand made for us .....Lee Ann....don't get nervous...it is not school money we are using for our new suits!!!! We aare also going shopping tonight at the Big C....kind of like a Target with a food store and about a dozen restaurants included....pretty cool....we will eat there tonight...will let you know what later.
You wont hear from us for a few days as we catch a train to Suwankhalok...a city in NorthCentral Thailand in the Sukhothai Province. This is the area we will spend the next several weeks.
Sawasdee Krub, kun peuen (Good bye my friends)
Fred
On a very hot day we started with a typical Thai breakfast of fried rice with pork and a fried egg on top...wonderful! We then set off on the sky train ...like a subway only above the street level.... took the sky train all the way to the River Chai Praya and then caught the boat ...kinda like a bus on water....up river. (cost of water bus service about 30 cents) Our first top Wat Arun an ancient temple probably 200 years old along the river bank . We had to cross the river, so we got another boat (cost 9 cents). This temple is of plaster/cement with glass and ceramic pieces all the way up a 200 foot tall prang (tower). You can climb very very steep steps ...almost like ladder steps...to a lookout way up...really cool view of the area....
We stopped for some shopping and we all bought some intricate leatherwork done on water buffalo hides...they are really cool!!!!
Crossed back over the river too see the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. This buddha is probably 50 feet in height and is in a lying position. it is gilt with pure gold. It is an amazing structure.
Next stop (no time for resting) was the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. Each of the 9 kings of the modern era (last 200 + years) has added structures to this temple/palace area. The central feature is a large golden chedi or tower that has a relic of Buddha inside. On the grounds is also the very famous emerald buddha ( a very old buddha image), greatly revered....when you see our pictures of this site you will be amazed and the variety and beauty of the many temples and structures here.
Stopped for lunch at a street market and had rice with an assortment of dried shrimp, vegetables, cooked pork , etc. along with great chili sauce and peppers....all quenched with Thai Coffee --- Iced coffee with milk and sugar....what a great treet on a 94 degree day.
Then bartered with a tuk tuk driver to take us to the Teak Palace...A tuk tuk is a three wheeled vehicle found all over southeast asia resembling a three wheeled golf cart with a back seat....These things zip in and out of traffic at high speeds....kind of dangerous but fun. The driver was convinced that Russ was Thai...and then I used my Thai to tell him that Judy and Russ were both my children.....He did believe Russ was my son, but he knew I was pulling his leg regarding Judy....
We visited the Teak Mansion all out of teak wood built by Rama 5 (the fifth king of Thailand modern era) in the 1800s. This beautiful house was only used for a few years and then closed for over 80 years and used as a warehouse until it was restored and opened as a historical site.
Can you believe that is all we did today!!!
Tonight Russ and I go back to the tailor for our first fitting of our new suits and shirts that are being hand made for us .....Lee Ann....don't get nervous...it is not school money we are using for our new suits!!!! We aare also going shopping tonight at the Big C....kind of like a Target with a food store and about a dozen restaurants included....pretty cool....we will eat there tonight...will let you know what later.
You wont hear from us for a few days as we catch a train to Suwankhalok...a city in NorthCentral Thailand in the Sukhothai Province. This is the area we will spend the next several weeks.
Sawasdee Krub, kun peuen (Good bye my friends)
Fred
Monday, February 9, 2009
Greetings from Thailand! We arrived safely yesterday after an overnight delay in Tokyo while they fixed an airplane. (Didn't see much other than a bus and a hotel and a few disgruntled travelers).
Thailand is as amazing as Mr. Schlichting made it out to be. He has been taking us around showing us several sites within the city, and just outside. Last night we were able to see the night markets in action, it's amazing how many people can sell how much stuff in one area.
I got an opportunity to work on my bargaining skills today in the floating markets. Shops on the edges of canals, and actually in boats on the canals that sell anything you want. I was able to find a few gifts for people, and haggle my way into actually purchasing the items.
Spent today there as well as at the Thai Cultural Center, where we saw a wonderful presentation about Thai culture. We also went to an elephant park where I got the opportunity to ride an elephant. (Pictures to come as soon as a recharge the camera. I took so many that it died at one point today)!
Thank you to those of you who are following the blog and posting comments; I truly enjoy hearing from you.
Thailand is as amazing as Mr. Schlichting made it out to be. He has been taking us around showing us several sites within the city, and just outside. Last night we were able to see the night markets in action, it's amazing how many people can sell how much stuff in one area.
I got an opportunity to work on my bargaining skills today in the floating markets. Shops on the edges of canals, and actually in boats on the canals that sell anything you want. I was able to find a few gifts for people, and haggle my way into actually purchasing the items.
Spent today there as well as at the Thai Cultural Center, where we saw a wonderful presentation about Thai culture. We also went to an elephant park where I got the opportunity to ride an elephant. (Pictures to come as soon as a recharge the camera. I took so many that it died at one point today)!
Thank you to those of you who are following the blog and posting comments; I truly enjoy hearing from you.
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