Blog 12 - Yet More Goodbyes

So, yesterday was my final day at the Boat Building College. I will no longer be spoiled with late starts in the mornings and a refreshing cycle to work in the morning. Although, I was on the route the lorries take, so many mornings I was first covered in red dust and then hosed with water on my way there, so every cloud. The morning started off like any other, 9 o’clock start but today was a free day, so no teaching. I spent most of it with Jack and Ruchanoo, one of the accounting students who’s very talented at English. We read through a guide to English, them pronouncing the words and me correcting them, and then correcting the book when it made a mistake. “I’m tall 180 centimetres”... Really?

There was then an assembly, where I listened to some very important Thai men say very important things, except I couldn’t understand a word they were saying and Jack couldn’t translate much without seeming rude. However, the chairs were comfy and there was free Cola, so I can’t complain. Things livened up with the traditional Thai farewell ceremony. The object of attention looks kind of like a few silver bowls stacked together with some folded banana leaves poking out. Upon these leaves are white threads. A monk dressed in white sang into a mic for a little while, again, probably important but I have no idea, before the Thais shouted something a few times. Then they all laughed, I was very confused. After this, the holy man tied the white threads around the wrists of teachers and I and the students went into some frenzy of their own. The white threads are for protection (from what I understand), they must stay on for at least three days before the effect lasts for however many years. Kind of like a passive skill in Dragon Age. I think maybe one person will get that reference.

Pictured: Holy man

We’ve done the ceremony a couple of times with Pookie and Sabine whenever a volunteer leaves, so it wasn’t much new to me. Though, it was still nice to be part of something. The students went about tying threads like they were going out of fashion, the teachers, monk and directors were all besieged for a thread, I think getting one from someone important makes it all the more lucky. I even tied a few, which was scary and confusing. Among teachers who have helped them for years and directors that run entire schools, some students chose a Kentish lad. Bewildering.

A clever girl going to a proper teacher

Then came prize giving. I still shudder to think of it from my school, and this was far, far worse. I was presented with a certificate, all well and good. I smiled for the cameras, gave respect to the vice director, totally normal things. I sat down, happy and proud, then Jack announced my name again and beckoned. I ambled back over to the stage, where he told me to do a two minute speech about my time. Off the cuff, without preparation, without wetting myself. So, I im-provved a little speech, which went down a storm. By the beard of Zeus, it seemed to be ok. I introduced myself with a little “sawadee krub” (polite hello), wittered for a little while, and finished with a “kawp koon krub” (polite thank you). They went wild for it, Jack told me it was a great honour from me to speak a little bit of Thai, no matter how much I mangled their beautiful language with my barbaric accent. Then, lunch.

Seen here: a director, a person they should have gone to

After a little more tuition of Ruchanoo it was time to go, I said goodbye to Jack and thanked him for his help. Then I gave him my presents, a couple of books on English idioms and a book on speaking English quickly, both things he is interested in. He smiled and thanked me, then I was on my way home. Sad face. Myself and Matthias had been invited to an end of term party that evening, so at 6:30 (arranged at 6:00) we were picked up and taken to the house of Manasaporn, another of my eldest set. She’s also very talented at English, though entirely ting tong (crazy). Thai parties consist of mainly chatting, insulting everyone who isn’t a farang and eating unholy amounts of food. Today was no exception. There were roughly fifteen (sib ha) of us and the first hour was spent of talking with my students and laughing along every time the lady boys had a fight. Then, food. Wonderful food. It was tom yum soup, but Thai style. Essentially, it’s like fish fondue, there’s a scalding hot pot of water with lemon grass, ginger, mint and other delicacies mixed in. You dump a load of lettuce and noodles in to cook then dip in fish until it’s how you like it. When I sat down, I immediately helped myself to a mouthful of almost raw fish. Ruchanoo, who was looking after me and trying to stop me from doing stupid stuff, for example eating raw fish, was aghast but another of my students looked delighted and shouted “sushi!”.

After roughly nine plates (remember, this is Thailand, I was being respectful) I was finally full. After helping tidy up and being flat out banned from washing up I told them about my plans for after school.

For those not in the know, which is everyone but my family, I’m going to a small village to teach at the local school for a fortnight. The village is called Tha Bor and it’s a fair clip from Nong Khai. I told everyone about this and one of the girls, who drives a pick-up truck had the bright idea to take us all there to look around. We agreed, and before I knew it we were speeding down the roads seated in the back of a pick-up laughing and discussing how feminine Matthias looked. For the record, not that feminine. As he tried to tell that to the Thais, without success. I had no idea where we were or where we going, but still having a great time. We arrived in Tha Bor, where Matthais called Pookie and asked which school I was going to. She couldn’t remember, but asked me “what’s gone wrong?” “what has happened?” and “are you ok?”. I assured her I hadn’t been kidnapped and I was having a good time. Bless Pookie, she’s far too nice.

We reached Tha Bor, roamed around for a while and were sidetracked by a local music concert. Free entry, so, why not? The music was what I expected from Thailand. They seem to be permanently stuck in the 90s. Girl groups, boy groups that can’t sing and just look cute and male singers wetter than India in July. On the stage was a wet singer, who seemed to be accompanied by half naked dancers, for a reason I can’t fathom  apart from “aren’t boobs awesome”. His singing voice did not suit the presence of dancers one bit. Imagine if Dido was escorted by strippers, or even Enya. It was a bit off-putting, they music was too slow to dance to and they just did their own thing. They were all a beat behind or ahead of the music and all seemed to be doing different things. To make matters more confusing, Thai men began handing them money, which bewildered me. Are we at a concert or an open air strip joint with singers?

Still, I enjoyed soaking up the culture. A freakishly tall Thai man walked into me and attempted to pick my pockets, I think. Either that or he wanted to cop a quick feel. Either way, I’m wearing fatigues, bitch. In typical Thai fashion, we’d had a massive meal, but Manasaporn picked up some gigantic biscuits, which were like plate-sized prawn crackers, except sweet. We then began the drive home, still chatting about how beautiful Matthias is and eventually dropped us off. At the end of it, a fantastic evening, and something I hope to remember for a long time.