Ok, so I have SO much to catch up on, and no time to do it. Leaving Prakhonchai tonight, and have lots of things to do before then, but wanted to write a quick blog entry before I go, because I don't know when I'll next have the chance!

The last day I wrote a blog was Valentine's day; we ended up having a really long meeting at school that I didn't understand, didn't leave school until about 6pm, and Bomb and his parents were on their way to my school to pick me up! We went out for dinner (also Sam, Alex, and a couple of teachers at Bomb's school) for Bomb's birthday, which was really nice. Ate crickets for starters (actually ok!), and then steak, mash, gravy, spaghetti, chilli con carne.... SO exciting when all you normally eat is rice!! As I hadn'd had chance to go home to change or anything, I was still covered in heart stickers from the students! Got several roses too - Valentine's is much more exciting here!

The following day was a Friday - normally my busy day of teaching, but got to school and was told we would be going to visit one of the teacher's Dad in hospital, so I wouldn't be teaching. In the hospital, there were people everywhere, visitors sleeping on the floor, all sitting outside the wards etc, people on beds in the corridors (which are technically just outside), then inside there's very little space for visitors, and you just feel massively in the way. It's not to say that they don't have good healthcare, it just seems very different to home... and there are random clothes shops in the hospital too....

Anyway, we stood awkwardly for a bit, then went for lunch. On the way back, we stopped at a Thai silk shop, where the teachers started draping me in pashminas, and asking which I thought was beautiful! Turns out they had decided to buy me one, which was lovely. They then insisted on buying something for all my family - so kind of them! They told me it's so I don't forget them!

That day, I taught 6/1 for the first time since befre Christmas, as they always have exam practice and stuff - wish I'd seen them more because they understand a lot, and seemed to enjoy my lessons!

That night, I went to Bangkok - arrived at 3am, then headed to the hotel. Met Caroline there, and we had pancakes for breakfast. Also met Simon from uni in the hotel, so the 3 of us spent the day together. We were just teaching Simon all the Thai words we knew, and a tuktuk driver overheard us, seemed impressed and so we managed to get a good deal! We went to Ananta Samakhorn Throne Hall, as had been recommended to me by a Thai friend. When we arrived, we were told that the ladies had to wear skirts, and Simon's shorts weren't long enough, so we all hired sarongs to wear!

The place was really nice, with lots of beautiful handcarved wooden displays, gold thrones and (my favourite) beetlewing chandeliers! It's all been set up by the Queen in Thailand to preserve Thai skills and trades, while teaching poor people, so that they can be employed. Anyway, we went to hand in our sarongs after, and turns out they weren't for hire, but to keep - maybe I wouldn't have opted for bright yellow, had I known!

Got a taxi to Siam after, drove past the National Stadium, where Buriram Utd had been playing, so saw some familiar shirts! Had lunch in MBK, and bought a backpack for my travels. When we got back to the hotel, me and Caroline went for a bit of a walk around the stalls on Khao San Road. I was in one stall, took a step back, slipped on the curb, fell and twisted my ankle... instantly, there was a massive egg on my ankle, and it's been causing a problem ever since - not good timing!

Hobbled to a restaurant for pizza and cocktails, then had a singalong at the reggae bar, before having an early-ish night. Didn't do much the next day, before heading back to Prakhonchai. Sylvia's mum and sister had come to visit, so we all got the bus back together, and had dinner with Kru At and Mr Wit in the evening.

The last couple weeks teaching have absolutely flown by - I was teaching how to say when your birthday is (you wouldn't believe how hard it is for them to say fourth, fifth, sixth etc!) and about family... then this last week, we just did tongue twisters and sang the superman song, which they absolutely loved. Originally planned to do it with the younger ones, but it was the 17-18 year olds who got the most into it! So much fun (though too much dancing on my ankle!).

On the Thursday that week, we went for dinner in the evening at Baan Peet, with Sylvia's family, which was nice. Then I had to leave, as we were going on the school trip. We travelled over night on the coach. When I got on, the students were all up in the aisle, lights flashing, and they were having a right little disco on the coach! They wanted to me to dance, but I used the foot excuse!

In the morning, we stopped around 6.30am at a service station, but there was no running water at the time, so suddenly about 250 students and teachers are lining the grass and the side of the road, brushing their teeth! First proper stop of the day was at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, where we had breakfast (I will never get used to rice for breakfast!), and then the students could have a go at ziplining, shooting, archery etc. Was really nice actually, but my foot had well and truly ballooned from sitting on the bus all night, so I couldn't enjoy it as much as I'd like.

We then went round the museum - noone was interested in reading anything or looking at anything, they all just wanted to take comedy photos of EVERYTHING. And then we went to the souvenir shop, where EVERYONE felt it necessary to buy odd things to take home. Apparently, that's "thai people".

Next stop was a temple, but it was up a lot of steps, so I was told not to go. A student bought me an ice cream instead! Lunch was som tam and pad thai. We were due to be going to a nearby waterfall so the students could play in the water, but it was dry, so they did some tubing in the river instead! They all go in the water fully clothed, which seems so odd to me! They change clothes to get in, but the clothes they put on are just another pair of jeans or something! Anyway, one last stop at a market, where again, they bought SO many things, and then we headed back.

On the way back, more singing and dancing on the coach. Stopped at one service station, and could see the students from another coach all dancing beside the bus, having a right little party! So funny. Anyway, got back to Prakhonchai about 10pm, but me and Pi Ni were both asleep, so I ended up back at school, and she had to drive me home!

Next morning, swollen foot had hit new highs from the day on a bus, so Bomb took me to the doctor, who gave me drugs and told me to rest/elevate. Lots of colourful pills in bags, which I had no idea what they were! That afternoon, Bomb took us to a sports day in Ban Kruat, where there were a lot of directors making Alex drink whisky with them - normal sports day then! I opted for ice cream, and sitting with one of our director friends from Prakhonchai and his wife, instead!

That evening, we all went to Prasat Muang Tam with Kru Jiap (from AnubanPrakhonchai) and her niece Kuan (who took us to Phanom Rung), which was really beautiful. We all sat on the floor and had dinner together, and there was traditional Thai dancing and a fashion show. Lots of lights too, which made the castle look really lovely.

The following day, I found out my Grandad had died, so was glad to be having a quiet weekend. Was really nice that Sylvia's mum and sister were around, and they looked after me! Sylvia and her mum took me for dinner that evening, which was lovely, and then I got a motorbike taxi back (not supposed to be walking!). I spoke to mum again the following day, and she assured me that she didn't want me to come home, and that I should finish my last week of teaching, and my journey here. After the initial shock and upset, I realised that that was exactly what I wanted to do, and what my Grandad would want me to do too. So I am still here!

We had Monday off school as it was a bank holiday. Had a full English for breakfast, which was so good! Then, in the evening, we went to the temple, as it was Buddha's birthday. Sat and listened to the monks for a bit, then had to walk around the temple 3 times in bare foot, with a flower, incense and a candle in our hands. Not really sure what it all meant, but we just followed everyone else!

Anyway, I think that pretty much brings me to my last week teaching, and nearly up to March. Tuesday night, we went to Baan Peet with the teachers from the others' school. On our way out, our landlady, Kru Nong, called to us that she had bikes we could use. Very lovely and kind, just wish we had had them 4 months ago! Anyway, nice dinner with the teachers, and they all spoke English all night, even to the waitresses!

Wednesday night, we had a new visitor - Julia was a friend of P'Buay, one of the teachers at my school, and wanted to observe some teaching, so she stayed with us for a few days. We spent the evening at Mr Bee's, over the road from Mr Kom, having a few drinks. Then on the Thursday, she observed my lessons in the morning, and then we were taken for lunch with the vice director, and were out for about 2 hours, missing one lesson entirely! That evening, it was Ploy's 6th birthday, one of the little girls out the road, so we had food and cake with them!

That takes me up to my last day at school, which was Friday. Normal morning assembly, with the national anthem, and raising of the flag, followed by a lot of talking I don't understand. Then Nitima got on stage to talk about me for a bit (again, didn't understand!), before I had to give a little speech. Not sure which was more scary, the speech I gave then, or the one on the first day! She then asked me if I could try to speak in Thai - the answer was, uhh no!! Then had speeches from a couple of the students and the director, all lovely, and saying I am welcome back any time, and that they are no longer scared of foreigners! Hurray!

Then, the students came on stage one by one, bring me a flower each and saying thank you, followed by some gifts from individual classes! I had so many things, and they were playing emotional (English!) music, and it was really really lovely! I'd asked the students to sign a book for me, and 5/1 had stuck lots of photos in, and made it really pretty. They also gave me some handmade paper flowers, and a photoframe with a picture of them and me, which was really sweet. A big teddybear from 4/2, and some other little bits. So sweet! 5/2 had made their own little book for me, with photos and messages from just their class. Love them. P'Ni told me that she had never known the students have such a reaction to a teacher, even after being there for 20 years, and that I had really given the students more confidence in speaking English. So nice to hear :D

After my day of teaching, and lots of photos, the teachers, who I always have lunch with, took me to a little restaurant at a reservoir in Surin. We all sat on the floor and had lots of food, looking over the water. One of the teachers brought her brother too, because he was excited to have his photo with the white girl, haha! After dinner, we went to the 'night bazaar', which ended up being one shop, which they were in for ages! Thai women really do love shopping! P'Ni insisted on buying me some shorts I liked, even though I told her she'd already bought me a present!

Got home about 10pm, and unloaded all my presents and things, and said goodbye to P'Ni. Told her not to be sad, because I'd see her when I come back here, before I go home!

Saturday morning, we had another early start - Kru Jiap was taking us to Korat for the day. We left at about 7.30 - me, Sam, Sylvia, Alex, Julia (who decided to stay because Prakhonchai is too fun!), Dave, Kru Jiap, Kuan, Kru At, Mr Wit, Wave and the driver. First we stopped at this place where there were a load of flowers and some little stalls. Not really sure what it was, but we took some photos and bought some orange juice. Alex got a free keyring from one man, because he said he spoke Thai with a Buriram accent!

We then stopped at a little market, before having lunch. Was really pretty, and had a tasty lunch! Finally, went to a place called "a cup of love", where apparently there are normally lots of flowers, but they weren't out for us. Mostly, we just fed some sheep, and then I drank peach tea! But it was fun anyway! The last stop of the day, before heading back, was to visit the monks, and pay our respects. My favourite part of this was seeing a monk riding a golf buggy!

That evening, we headed to Surin for a night out. Took ages to find somewhere to stay, and was shattered from a busy few days though! Had some drink, and listened to the music in the reggae bar, before setting down for the night in the most comfortable bed I've had in a while! Hot shower in the morning too! (For some reason, my shower has given up on being hot....)

Sunday, had full English again, then got the bus back, after saying a few goodbyes to TTT people. Started packing in the afternoon, and then in the evening headed to Mr Kom's ready for our goodbye party! Had such a nice evening, with all our friends from Prakhonchai, lots of chat, lots of laughs, lots of beer! There was the 4 of us, Julia, Jew, Jew's friend, Mee, Wit, Wave (though he went to bed before we went for dinner), Kru At, Jeans, Aui, Raw, Bomb, Gaw, Kru Jiap and Kuan. Had food at Baan Peet, as is standard for a special dinner! Then, we snuck off to pay - we are never allowed to pay, but wanted to this time, to say thank you. We got told off for doing so though! So they just ended up buying us more drinks!

We went to the karaoke bar after, more drinks, singing and dancing! Didn't get home until gone 2am!

Monday, I packed a bit more, and did some washing. Had lunch at Madam Tay's, and then in the evening, we had another party - this time at the others' school. It was really nice; had Thai BBQ, then they all got given SO many presents from everyone. The night went on with a lot of karaoke (they were all singing in English, which was nice!), and dancing!

This morning, internet catch-ups, more packing, lunch with some teachers from Alex' school. Then they took us to the temple, to be blessed by the monk, to wish us luck for our journey. Mostly, they talked a bit and then he flicked water at us. But very kind, and I am hoping, between that and my St Christopher necklace, I should be kept safe on my trip now :D

Few more goodbyes this evening, and then I'm off to Ayutthaya, via Bangkok tonight. Will hope to keep you all up to date, as much as possible, but in the mean time, sending you lots of love, and can't wait to see you on my return!

xxxxxxx