January 14, 2011

Sowatdiika!  (Hello!)
So, PC is keeping us busy!  Yesterday was full of biking information: we received our mountain bikes (yay!) as our main mode of transportation, learned how to change flat tires, oil chains, get rid of wild dogs (they are everywhere in Thailand - being a primarily Buddhist country, they do not euthanize.), and driving on the opposite side of the road....the way they do it everywhere except America - still don't get that one!.  After that, we had our welcome ceremony and dinner. The ceremony is a ceremony for special guests in which they do this thing on your forearm with a string to wipe away any bad/negativity and welcome the good, wish us a great stay in thailand and thanked us for coming to their country to help their people.  The room was dark, only lit by candles....it was really nice.  Then we had a big feast by the water and sang karaoke, which, apparently, Thai's are crazy about!  Not necessarily my thing, but when in Rome, right?!  So, I joined in on a song by bon jovi with my dinner table and somehow stayed far away from the microphone so I didn't ruin anyone's meal with my voice! 

Today (Jan 14) was a big day.  We met the Governor of Attuthya, the province in which our 3 months of training will take place.  This was a big deal as we had to get dressed up appropriately ('riap roy') for the big event.  The governor and our Country Director both gave speeches and we had to individually stand up and wai (the Thai bow) and say hello and introduce ourselves.  We were all so nervous!  The Thai's seem to have much respect for those of authority - it is very much a cultural thing that I think is nice in many ways.  It's something I think that lacks a bit in America, at least for our politicians/governmental leaders - pros and cons to both, but either way, meeting him was a very big deal for all of us!  The rest of the day was more biking - we all passed the test (yay!).  Just fyi - i was sweating up a storm at 4:30pm during the cold season!  God only knows what the hot season will feel like!  We also had our first language lesson - much of my time will be spent practicing.

Tomorrow afternoon I move in with my homestay family who I will be living with for the next 2 months.  I will live with them, eat with them, practice Thai with them, eat good Thai food with them, share my family and American life with them, etc.  I am feeling many things about meeting them, but certainly excited and anxious to know what they are all like.   Internet service may become quite limited so will try my best to keep you all  posted.  Please know that thus far, I have been enjoying everything: the people (both volunteers and PC staff), the Thai people, the training, etc!

Again, thinking of you all and hoping all is well :)