First Day of School

Today, Monday 1/28, marked the first day of school.  I started out with a shower, which was nice and refreshing.  I wasn't sure how that would pan out, as there is significant construction around the hotel and a waterpipe was hit yesterday. Also, I failed to mention that while I was in the lobby I hear screaming women from the kitchen, look up and three women are running for the door with their hands over their ears.  I later found out that a a rag was left behind the stove in the kitchen, caught fire.  The "security dude" decided to 'super extinguish' the fire - seriously funny, so we had a very late supper, and since they forgot my dinner, I got the super super late supper.  We are all about the experience here!

Anyways, we left for school via tuk tuks at 8:20am today.  It was about a fifteen minute ride to the University.  I kinda like the ride, we pass by several markets.  I am curious about the grilled bananas/plantains and rice-biscuit-looking things.  We started out our lessons at 9am. The lessons entailed a basic orientation, teachings styles, classroom warmers or starters, teaching with dialogue, content, context, and modeling. Our class was capped off with resume writing - Asian style.  Many of us had several questions, as you need to be careful with wording. For example, a couple students have cocktail/bar-pub experience...if you put "bar" on your resume, you are associated with prostitution. "You were not a bar tender, you were a customer service representative..."

Unlike the USA, CVs you are to put your DOB, marital status, and picture on your resume. In addition, awards, competitions won, sports you play, are all applicable areas to add to the resume.  I directed most of my questions towards potential jobs/contracts.  I am sorting through what I want to do as far as teaching location, population, etc so that I have some direction.  I spent some time with our instructor Indy on the way back from class, he is originally from London and lived in Thailand for four years - I hammered him with questions.  I am even more fascinated, so excited!

We had a 90 minute lunch break, went to a local guest house.  Ordered chicken with cashew nut and a fresh pineapple drink. I am sure it would have been good, but my entree got mixed up.  Whatever I had was so good, one of my favorite meals yet. This meal was $3 and served with a smile.

After the day of class, several of LCs and I went for a jaunt down the broken-rubbled roads, 'dodging bullets' - and by bullets I mean oncoming unhelmitted motobikes with 3-5 people on each, a few cars, maybe a utility truck.  It is crazy, but seems to serve them well.  I have to say, I feel pretty safe walking - I would feel rather unsafe on a bicycle. PS all cars are Lexus or Toyota.  We purchased a giant brown spikey fruit - I would describe the scent as 'tropical awful'.  The texture was that of a well baked mushy sweet potato but tasted like a combination of pineapple-mango-seafood. I really have not much more to say. Moving on.. We made our way to the mall to buy whiteboard markers.  The markers are for teaching, the cost $1.30 each and are refillable.  We were advised to not buy the color red as it is associated with death. We were left with an impression after the instructor indicated that writing a child's name on the board in read is like wishing the dead.  I chose black and blue markers.  I stopped at the supermarket to buy some fresh bread, wheat-based, with a Chinese fragrant pear, a purple-red apple from New Zealand, a mango yogurt, a strawberry yogurt, and a nata de coco flavored yogurt - $4.20.  I keep the yogurt in the freezer as it appears it is more refrigeration temps.  I figured these would make for an interesting breakfast.  I really wish I could cook some meals, but I guess that will have to wait a couple of weeks. Until then I will plan to take advantage of some fresh produce and Khmer cuisine!

Upon leaving the markets 8 of us went to a Khmer restaurant that looked like a hanger.  We sat at tables that had a basket of Fanta sodas and a bucket of Angkor beer (Cambodian brewed).  I would describe the beer as somewhere between a Spotted Cow and Three Women, only my Wisconsin folk will understand this - many will be embarrassed by my lack of beer class.  I had half, Nick wasn't there to help me out.  And moving on, Fancy Bunsen-like burners were placed on our tables.  Atop was a metal bowl that resembled a sombrero.  The inside rim caught the broth and the top-point of the hat bowl was were we cooked the meats.  Meats consisted of squid, fish, pork, beef, shrimp, ?crayfish, and pork fat (used for frying - it's was no chicken as Sam found out - ha).  In the broth-rim leafy green vegetables and rice noodles were cooked.  Each of us received small dishes of sauces - sweet chili and a spicy pepper sauce that could be added to the broth.  Add some chopsticks and some team cooking and you have Khmer cuisine.  Overall this meal was similar to Vietnamese entrees in my opinion, but with a unique flare. Amazing flavor.

I went back to my hotel and tried yet again to Facetime Nick, fail. I'll get this figured out.  Others are getting their ipods to work, so we shall see. Nick emailed me great pics and a festive pink video involving a cute 6 years old. Thanks :)