Culture week in Hua HIn

The next day we had to go to Xploreasia for our first day of learning how to be a teacher. The first week we had a Thai culture orientation program. The first two days we had workshops on everything from Thai politics to how to interact with the local Thai people.

Now that was pretty boring for to adventurous guys like us and we used the time wisely in class to plan the next month or two’s activities via sign language, lip-reading and other forms of unspoken communication.

After class Steven and I went to a temple (I think the standard for building a Thai temple is that all temples should have at least 10000 steps and a random statue or 2 with a very nice view) very close to the school which is called “Monkey temple” – this also seems to be some Thai standard where at least every village/town should have a monkey temple (see our blog later on Phuket and other towns.)

Pictures of monkey temple:

The next day we went to another temple (this time we had the Xploreasia team to act as guides). And alas the 10000 steps stared at us with a very vindictive grimace- the things people will do to get a glimpse of a nice view.

Some pictures of this temple:

After visiting the temple, we had a Thai cooking class by an old Thai lady. She first showed us how to prepare the food and then sent a plate of food around for us to taste. Next we had to implement our culinary skills that was taught to us in a language that resembles absolutely nothing known by the western world and with the use of spices and herbs and other ingredients that looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.

So there I was – spatula in hand, containers full of herbs and a massive wok on a gas burner staring at me while the Thai lady is nodding and gesturing. So I started frying and stirring and dabbing and pouring and and and… And I got food. (No idea what it is called but it was loads of noodles with scrambled eggs and STUFF.)

We also went to a pineapple farm during the week to buy a Bakkie load full of pineapples for elephants at the Hudsadin Elephant sanctuary. As you can imagine a visit to a pineapple farm is almost as exciting as a week of Thai politics lessons. The pineapples were extremely tasty though. After walking up and down the plantation (people actually like to do that??!!) we tasted some pineapples, threw bags of pineapples on the Bakkie and off we went to the sanctuary.

The week was ended by a very nice welcome braai on the beach where we had braaivleis and braaibroodjies (with fake cheese) and very real alcohol.

The alcohol in Thailand is a whole new experience. Steven and I had a bottle of Samsong (rum) mixed with Sprite and Redbull (not like you know it – it is a thick, sweet syrup in a very small bottle). The cool thing about Thai alcohol – you can drink LOOAAADS  and not feel drunk. PLEASE note – not feel drunk … and then BAM!! You are walking on the ocean. (Really. The alcohol here does not make your head spin, it makes you feel as if you are walking over ginormous waves. This feeling is further extended to your bed where you pass out and wake up the next day VERY upset that someone built a train station over your bed.