Where do I even begin??? Some of us have decided to create a FAQ list for people interested in working in Thailand, so add that to the list of things I want to work on over the next few days/weeks. To say that there have been no surprises, frustrations, or that this was easier than I imagined would be to tell a flat out lie. But to dwell on those things would take away from the awesomeness that is this experience. Maybe in a future post I can share these things...
My 2nd day in the country started super early since me and Rachelle couldn't really sleep anymore. Plus I think both of us were terrified we would oversleep. We both went downstairs and enjoyed some Thai food, toast, coco puffs, and something close to American coffee, which we would later realize is absolutely nothing like Thai coffee. Maybe if we had known this we would have appreciated that coffee more! LOL!! People started to trickle into the lobby and before we knew it, a bunch of us were crammed into large vans and we headed out towards our new home, the city of Hua Hin. Our van was definitely the party bus, sitting there in the dark garage waiting for other buses to fill up we jammed to American hip hop with a disco ball/strobe light hanging from the roof. 3 hours later we arrived. Just enough time to drop our bags and then off to the mall to get ourselves a new Thai cell phone, toilet paper, and a few other necessities.
That evening we got a chance to meet everyone again, enjoy some drinks by our pool, munch on some french fries... Little did we know that in less than twelve hours we would be crying together, sharing our stories, forever forgetting that we were all perfect strangers.
Tuesday, everyone broke off into two groups and headed to their locations. Our group leader started by telling us a lot about himself, and his own candidness allowed everyone a chance to feel welcomed and at home. He had dealt with addictions and fears that paralyzed him, and lived to become a better person. He made sure to show us that he was there to help each one of us overcome our own struggles and do the same, no matter how big or small. Like they said, you don't just drop everything and move around the world without bringing some baggage with you. Before we broke for lunch, nearly half of us had shared shockingly awful and yet surprisingly beautiful stories about what actually brought them here. We were all moved by the moment. I couldn't get my eyes to stop leaking on me. By lunch we were all wet noodles, numb and limp. A handful of us broke off and enjoyed one of our best meals yet, complimented by some much needed Chang (beer). Those of us who didn't have a chance to talk used this small group as a chance to open up as well. Seeing the children for the first time and then the raw emotion of us all left everyone dumfounded. It really was just a magical day. Sounds so trite as I read my paragraph, but it was one of those moments in life you will never forget.
As if Tuesday wasn't enough, Wednesday literally changed my life. The day started at a Buddhist temple, heavily influenced by Chinese culture from the history of the location. Fortunes were read and wishes were made, both of which are not really related to Thai Buddhism, but it was fun and for some profound as well. Then the most amazing thing happened. We all got a chance to meditate and pray inside the temple. Standing there, waiting for my turn, I remember feeling so overwhelmed with emotion about the enchantment of it all. My heart literally felt like it would explode with love. I was (once again) brought to tears just waiting there, taking in the experience. Once we were done with our prayers the Monk agreed to bless all of us. I don't care where you come from, what religion you study, in that moment God or the Universe or Allah or Buddha was with all of us. Imagine 30 people all touching the person in front of them, all connected together. At first we were murmuring, unsure of what was happening and then from the corner you could hear him start to chant. Did his voice grow or did we become more connected to the sound? As the Monk continued in his blessing his chants danced inside our ears and grew louder than you can imagine, yet never increased in volume. I was electrified. I stood there and was literally pulsating as I felt his energy flowing into all of us. I would never believe it if I hadn't experienced it. It was much like the feeling I had when I have had my chakras balanced. You just gotta be there to believe it. We got to climb up the mountain afterwards and take some gorgeous pictures. You've never seen anything so beautiful!
The days that followed were wonderful and strange; such intense friendships were formed, seemingly over night. I bonded with so many beautiful souls, some of whom I would swear I have known forever.
The week waned on and as early as Friday night and Saturday morning people left for their placements. A large tropical storm caused us to switch our farewell BBQ to Saturday so a bunch of people missed out on that crazy night. As of today, a handful are left to leave in the morning and the vast majority are now here for a three week TESOL course. I am the odd man out with a week off between my placement to travel. I have no idea where tomorrow will take me, but I imagine somewhere south. Maybe I will island hop for a couple days.
By Friday, I have to be back in Bangkok to meet with my agent. She will pick me up and take me to my new home for the next several months, and then I believe I will get to tour my school. I have the weekend to venture around my new city and then starting that Monday, I will begin teaching classes of 35-40 high schoolers. I am excited and terrified, ready to go and sad this week is over.
How have we only been here for one week? How have I made so many new and wonderful friends? What in the world am I going to do with my time this next week and how will any week in the future ever compare with the one I just had? These are the questions I can't stop asking myself.
Love you all.
No comments:
Post a Comment