Hot Tuna

Yesterday was a dandy.  My class went well and I have been receiving good feedback from my instructors. My Thai is getter a little better day by day, but let it be known that I have barely taken the edge off.  In other words I know nothing.  On Tuesday night four of us went in search of some live music. Success on Walking Street.  We visited an outdoor cantina-like bar. The band, Hot Tuna.  5 Thai men, not taller than 4'11.5" signing and playing, Classic American Rock.  They were excellent, I was impressed. Doug and Twin you would approve.

Later we headed to a night bar for an hour.  It has more of a club feel.  Neon and black lights.  Few people were there, as we were early.  If there's one thing I have learned, the night life is just beginning around that time.  We danced to mostly American pop music. Favorite song choice of the night was Gangnam style.  This song makes everyone smile, doesn't matter the age, gender, or ethnicity.  Several of the Thai's were laughing at us.  I am sure we looked ridiculous, I for one lack moves. To the left muy thai on the streets. Back to homework I went.

Yesterday in class, one of the ladies brought longan (left) to share.  This fruit was interesting.  The exterior looked like baby potatoes.  Once you peel the fruit, a white segmented fleshy clear-white fruit awaits.  The name comes from it's appearance.  Once peeled it looks like an eye.  The occasional black seed in the fruit resembles a pupil.  The name means dragon eye.  The texture is like that of a grape and the taste is similar to a mild sweetened grapefruit.  I like them chilled, traditionally served at room temperature in Asia.  The fruit is native to China and India.  The  fruit grows in clusters on tree in sandy regions, fruits from November to March.  1/2 cup of longan's is about 60 calories, high in potassium and vitamin C.  The fruit is commonly seen in Chinese medicine.




 For supper I had a Thai vegetable stirfry. I asked for spicy but it didn't seem spicy in the least bit.
In the evening I made a stop at Friendship Supermarket for some yogurt (below).  I decided to buy flavors that I have not had yet.  In the evening I tried the top left yogurt.  I chose this one specifically due to the fact that pic looked pretty.  I broke the seal and it had a honey nut smell to it.  The color, a pale brown with brown chunks.  I took a spoonful, hmm, the taste? I'm gonna go with a pungent  "foot and celery" taste.  Yes, I too wish you were there for the experience as well.
This morning I had the tropical one below it.  This on the other had was good.  I have yet to try the other two.  Cranberry yogurt? Sounds good to me. The other (bottom right container), is corn, cereal, and bean yogurt - jealous?  Ha, looking forward to the flavor explosion tomorrow morning. Off to teach I went.  One of the students gave me 2 bottles of chilled water and 2 bottles of interesting orange drinks, with 4 straws.  Straws are necessary in certain settings, drinking straight out of the bottle can be seen as poor manners.  The orange drink I tried, in appearance resembled Tang.  I am not much of a juice drinker, but clearly I wouldn't miss the opportunity to try something new.
I took a sip once I got back to my apartment and a mysterious chunk floated in my mouth.  This caught me off guard, but then I realized it was a fruity-gel.  Then I remembered that many Asian juices/drinks have fruit-jells in them.  Honestly it wasn't bad.  Hmm, it may go well with my corn, cereal, and bean yogurt tomorrow. Ya?

I had my Thai listening, written, and verbal examinations today.  The testing went well.  I don't have my scores back but I am not worried.  The test consisted of numbers in context, writing directions in Thai and translating Thai to English; listening to Thai speakers and filling in blanks with Thai phonetics; answering questions about a written dialogue in Thai phonetics; and answering questions in full sentences that my instructor asked in Thai, ie what is your last name?, Where are you from? What is you favorite drink?

 Tonight my friends wanted to get food at a coffee house.  The food looked descent, but the fact that it was a 'chain restaurant' was a big turn off to me.  It reminded me off a Starbucks that served food. The food was portioned oddly, almost like an upper-scale TV dinner.  Instead of dining, I socialized with them during their meal, then headed off to a vegetarian place that I have been to three times now.  Each time I order something different.  The food is good and inexpensive.  This evening I ordered the yellow vegetable curry, 70 Baht.  I splurged and got some brown rice for 10 baht.  Not many places serve brown rice.  I ordered it take away, meaning to go.  While I was waiting (7 minutes maybe) I was served chilled safe water, amazing.  Don't take chilled water for granted.  Most places in Asia charge for their bottle water. Total cost, 80 baht ($2.60) and I will have the rest of it for lunch tomorrow, all in all good meal choice.  Not only that, the staff is so friendly.  If I was a local, I would frequent this little restaurant.

Thought I'd share a little activity of mine that I did in class yesterday. We were talking medical situations.  Keep in mind that none of my students have a medical background and they are at high beginner to intermediate English.  I gave them each a term.  There were to write three related words under the term.  The one that got me was under the word "stomachache" - student writes one word: "intravenous drip."  It was obvious that she just pulled this out of her book.  Later I looked at her book, in the medical section there was a picture of an examination table, termed: couch in English.  I have to say, translations keep ya smiling in these parts.

Tomorrow brings my last day of teaching.  I love my class of ladies, there are so sweet and grateful for the time I give them.  But.... I am so ready to depart Pattaya. It's been a busy couple weeks with projects and homework.  Moving onward. Where to? Chiang Mai! This is northwest Thailand.  A region I have wanted to explore.  I leave Saturday afternoon via bus.  It should be about a 12 hour trip (with some stops).  It won't be bad as I will travel mostly through the night.  I am excited. So excited. Ready for some fresh air.  I am dying to go for a run. There is no place to run in these parts - how is that possible? Trust me on this.  I am certain that if I started jogging or running here, people would think that I was A) an idiot, B) running from something, C) I just shoplifted or D) I am trying to commit suicide.

I have my final review tomorrow early afternoon and then hopefully receive my certification.  In the afternoon the LC program is taking us to a Japanese restaurant. I am looking forward to it, I have heard good things.  Until we meet again! Love, H