On Thursday we held our last Parent Teacher Conferences, there was a low turnout rate (usually there is a good turnout rate) because it was the day before break, so a lot of people took off for holiday early and started their traveling. I was able to get a lot done, so I didn't have to do any work over break. After school, I basically packed up and then left to head to the airport.
My flight was supposed to leave around 8:30pm but we didn't leave until after 10:00pm I bet. The line to check in was insane, so I was worried I wouldn't have time to eat. When I got to the check in desk I found out the flight was delayed, so I was actually a little thankful because I wanted to eat. I ate and then went to the gate. When I got to the gate, it was a mob. There was no sign saying if we were boarding or not, it was just blank. I went back upstairs to ask the information desk. He said it was just delayed the one hour (like I was originally told). So i sat upstairs for a little bit longer, but then decided to go downstairs and just stay there. Still an insane mob. There was no organization, no lines, no information, no communication, no signs. It's moments like this where you appreciate the strictness of American airports. I saw another teacher from my school and a couple of his friends that teach at a different school. We had the same flight all the way to Bangkok, so it was nice to have people to talk to. Eventually I got on to the plane (even though the sign never said we were boarding).
I had a layover in Mumbai. I hate that airport. I was really crabby (I don't sleep on planes, and I landed in Mumbai at like 4 am), which didn't help my attitude. The whole process to international transfer was just plain dumb, and it made zero sense. The layover was a couple hours, so plenty of time to kill. The flight to Bangkok was smooth (no mobs). I landed in Bangkok then had to cab to the other airport. I had one more flight from Bangkok to Yangon, Myanmar. This flight also went smoothly. I did have to take note that I didn't have anyone sit next to me on any of my flights (in the middle seat). I think everyone put in a request not to sit next to an American.
When I FINALLY landed in Myanmar (like a 24 hour trip) I was unbelievably excited!!! I couldn't wait to see Tiff. I landed at like 8:30pm on Friday night. Went through customs and then was greeted by my favorite math friend, Tiffany. We had a lot to get caught up on. I think we talked nonstop for three days straight. We dropped my stuff off and then went out. I was able to meet Tiffany's boyfriend and her friends! Apparently when Tiffany's friends asked what I was like, she told them that I was like her, but athletic. It's true. I also noticed how the first cab we took the driver was on the right. Then I noticed that in the next cab, the driver was on the left. They drive on the right side, but they can have any type of car. So some cars have right side drivers and some have left side drivers. Mind blowing. The next day we went to lunch, the market, got coffee, went to a fundraiser for the animal shelter (there are loads of wild/stray dogs) and went to a Reggae party in the park.
On Sunday, we went to brunch. The restaurant/hotel was gorgeous. The food was amazing, too. I guess brunch is really big there, which was fine by me. After brunch, we went to Tiffany's school. I was able to see her classroom and get the tour. The school was awesome, and they are having a lot of construction right now. Then in the evening we went to Shwedagon. This is the most popular shrine in Myanmar. It is a place of worship for followers of Buddha.
In order to enter, we had to have our legs and shoulders covered. We walked around and Tiffany was just there for a field trip with her kids, so she gave me some information about what she knew. There is a statue for each day of the week (two for Wednesday because they follow an 8-day calendar) and you go to the statue that represents the day of the week you were born. Tiffany and I did what we are good at (Math) and figured out which day of the week I was born on based on her birthday. I was born on a Tuesday. The animal representation of Tuesday is a lion.
While we were walking around (to find the statue with our days of the week), a man approached us and began conversation. He ended up giving us a tour and giving us LOTS of information. He told me that Tuesdays are protectors. He said they have a good connection with people born on Friday (which was funny because Tiffany was born on a Friday, so he said that makes sense for our friendship). He said Tuesdays are not a good match for other Tuesdays. He said they know a lot about a person based on what day they were born. People name their children based on the day they were born. The first letter of their name tells you what day they were born (I don't remember the way the letters are split). He also told us that there are 1,461 statues at the Shwedagon. That is unbelievable. It was a really interesting place to visit and I learned a lot about a religion that I know nothing about.
On Monday morning, I flew out of Myanmar in the morning to begin my vacation in Thailand.
The statue that has real eyes donated from a Russian woman.
This statue is for fertility. There is a baby statue to the right, and if you want to have a baby you come up and put gold leaves on the statue. I stayed very far away.
The man who approached us and gave us a tour.
They wanted a picture with us, so we wanted a picture with them.
Us at brunch
View of Myanmar
Thailand
When I landed in Bangkok, I got into a cab to head to the beach! I decided to spend two nights in Koh Samet, which is an island about 2 hours from Bangkok. The other two nights I would spend in the city of Bangkok. My cab driver was hilarious. I have no idea why though. I got into the cab and he would talk (and I couldn't understand anything) and then he would laugh hysterically. So I would laugh hysterically. So we just laughed and laughed and laughed. No idea what was going on, but it was fantastic. Then he said he had to stop for gas. So he pulled over to a gas station. He got out and like 30 seconds later, he said something, laughed, got in, and we drove away. No gas. I think I got punk'd. We ended up stopping a half hour later. Still no idea what happened.
I arrived to the pier to take the ferry to the island! Fun Fact: I rode a ferry 10 different times while in Thailand. It was quite the trek to my resort, but well worth it. My room was so nice and right on the beach. All I did was lay on the beach, tread water, read, and sleep.
On Wednesday, I headed back to Bangkok. After checking in to my hotel and fixing my caffeine headache (starbucks, thank you), I got a Thai massage (felt really good, but I swear she twisted my body into seven different yoga positions). I figured out the sky train, and I headed to the Night Market. I shopped at the night market, ate dinner, and then headed back to go to sleep since it was getting late.
On Thursday, I did all of my sightseeing. I went to the Wat Arun, Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and the Golden Mount. I also went back to the Night Market to do a bit more shopping and to eat dinner. I ate the most incredible Thai food. Daddy would be proud of my immersion into the local food.
On Friday, I just slept in and then headed to the airport. My flights back were insane. I flew from Bangkok to Mumbai (ugh), Mumbai to Abu Dhabi, and then Abu Dhabi to Kuwait. My layover at Mumbai and Abu Dhabi were only an hour. They were both late, so I LITERALLY ran from landing to my next gate. I looked like a nut bag. I also gave lip to the Mumbai airport workers (their fault they told me the wrong gate). It was really stressful, and a great workout.
The view from my balcony.
My Room.
Ferry ride back to the main land.
My ride.
Reclining Buddha.
The statue for the day of the week I was born. Not a coincidence that Buddha is lying down. I love sleep.
Monks entering the temple.
Democracy Monument
I love parks in the middle of a city.
View from ferry
Night Market
Only elephants I saw, but I bought so many things with elephants on it.
Too much adorable.
Updates
I have 8 weeks until I come home for the summer. I am extremely excited. May will be a very busy month, but June will be smooth sailing. We have a long weekend in May (Thursday off), and it is also the weekend after Taylor's birthday, so Tay, Allison, and I are heading to Bahrain for the long weekend. I am excited to get one more mini trip in and another country on my passport.
I have also decided to get my TESOL (Teacher of English as a Second or Other Language) certification. I applied to Penn State. They have an online certification program. I haven't been accepted yet, but fingers crossed. If not, I can find another program to try and get into. I think it is a next step that I really need to take. I have a hard time being satisfied.
It's amazing how kids can have a tremendous impact on you. I love this girl. Her mom works in the school, so she will "leave" at the end of the day and then comes back (sometimes three times) to say good bye one more time, hug me one more time, or to see if I need help. Her mom also told me that she knew I was a good teacher, because she doesn't have to teach her daughter anything at the house, because her daughter already understands it and knows how to do it. She only has to read with her and study/review. I hear from others that I am a good teacher, but when someone actually gives evidence on to a reason WHY they think I am a good teacher, it makes it a hundred times more meaningful.
THE MOMENT WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR...
That's right. My brother and I FaceTimed. My face is a great birthday present. I also FaceTimed Layla, but the screenshot I got was just a black screen. Cool.
No comments:
Post a Comment