So. I am here, and it’s been a long journey! I just got through with my first day of Thai language classes, and it was intense to say the least. I am very excited though, because it can get frustrating to live with my family and not be able to communicate with their native language. Oh, I’m sorry, I never introduced my Thai family. I have my Mae (mom) and Paw (dad) and also my sister Nong Yeem (Nong means someone younger). Living with them is excellent, they take me in as if I was literally born into their family. In return, I try to spend lots of time at home, and helping out with chores (yes mom, that’s right!). Last night I got the opportunity to explore the city of Chiang Mai a bit with a couple of students who were on this same study abroad program last semester. It was soo helpful to learn about the city from these students (they hail from Kalamazoo College by the way:) and just learn little things about this new culture I’ve been immersed in. We explored a market called Got-Luang and also one called “the Walking Street”. The Walking street is a large series of streets all closed off for vendors and what not. It’s perfect for shopping and getting a cheap meal (a plate full of pad thai is 20 baht-or 75 cents). This is special too, because it is a market that only takes place on Sundays. After leaving the market, I returned home to my host family’s house in the small town on Doy-se-ket and I ironed my school uniform with my Mae. I have so much more to share with you, but there are also many other students who need to use the computers, so I must get going. I will post again as soon as I can!
lovelovelove,
Bets
