ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY

Happy Solstice! While summer time in Seattle is marked by sunny days (hopefully), here in Thailand summer invites the rolling thunder storms and cataclysmic sunsets. Unlike Seattle, rain showers here are rather exciting because they only last an hour or two: violently interrupting an otherwise 90-100 degree day. On the few auspicious occasions that the temperature plummets into the 80's, our students come to school wearing jackets and emerge from the school's swimming pool blue lipped and chattery teethed.

We quite enjoy northeast Thai cuisine. Katie's favorite dessert is lychees, which have just come into season here. When you peel the red skin off this golfball-shaped fruit, a white translucent flesh is revealed that tastes like roses and sugar. Travis, ever anxious to use his Thai language skills, loves to order "cow cow moo". This dish incidently has no beef in it whatsoever. Another local delicacy that we've only ever heard translated in English as "cow shit soup", does indeed have certain cattle remains inside; and is supposed to be fantastically delicious and quite spicy. Sometimes after school we take the motorcycle down to the Poo Milk Cafe (see picture) for some bubble tea. We're not exactly sure what's in the tea that makes it so yummy?

Recently our school celebrated "Wai Kru" day, which in English means respect your teachers. Our students brought us flowers, candles, and incense. Students bowed before all the teachers and presented them with gifts as is the Thai-Buddhist tradition. This was a rather overwhelming experience for both of us. Quite a juxtapostion for Katie after having taught Seattle Public School students last year. Teachers in the US get a fraction of the respect that teachers in Thailand do. Here, teachers are respected more than most other professions.
We have become rather spoiled indeed.

Katie is presented with flowers on "Wai Kru" Day at Patanadek School, Khon Kaen.

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Originally uploaded by migratorynature.

Travis is presented with a house made of crackers by Aim, his kindergarten student. Patanadek School, Khon Kaen.

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Originally uploaded by migratorynature.

Poo Milk Cafe, a fine afterschool hang out. Khon Kaen, Thailand.

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Originally uploaded by migratorynature.

Katie waxes nostalgic inside the massive caves of Laos.

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Originally uploaded by migratorynature.

SPELUNKING IN LAOS

... Just returned from a weekend trek to Laos, where we spent 3 days in Vang Vieng (see link to the map). The mist enshrouded mountains rose like giants out of the flat prairie fields. It was just like in the movie, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. We spent hours spelunking through endless caves, swimming in crystal clear water lagoons, and flying like trapeez artists on aerial rope swings. We even found a rope swing designed for two people to leap together at the same time. You know we did! If you ever get a chance to visit Laos, GO.

It's a bird. It's a plane. No, it's Katie plunging 55 feet out of a tree. Vang Vieng, Laos.

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Originally uploaded by migratorynature.

King of the Jungle, Laos.

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Don't look too close if you have a weak stomach: these rats are for lunch. You catch 'em, we fry 'em! Laos.

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Originally uploaded by migratorynature.

CRUISIN TO KINDERGARTEN

We have started the school year. Both of us are on a real learning curve as we get used to Thai customs in the school where we are teaching kindergarten. Days turn into nights quickly and its easy to get caught up in all the lesson planning, school events, and meetings with staff. We're almost as busy as y'all are in the states! Enough of that, on with the show...

We also got a motorcycle that sounds like a bumble bee in a jar. For cruisin of course. Travis loves practicing his wheelies and I love watching him do it, as long as I'm not on the bike with him. On the weekends we go exploring around Khon Kaen's many lakes. Check out the pics!

We've also pimped our crib: We're starting a garden on the back balcony and and have the laptop with surround sound up and running for movies. The university is near our house, so there are always students eating at the street corner shops and hanging out on our block. We're the only Americans for miles, which makes us quite a scene when we join the masses for "dinner on the sidewalk" at night. The best part though, is that the rainy season has come upon us. Compared to Thailand, Seattle does not the know meaning of rain. When the thunder rolls in, the birds stop singing and the people run indoors. Then giant gulf balls fall from the sky. The sound is like machine guns going off. If it happens during class, we turn off the lights and read stories. The kids love it.

Travis catches a big one at the lake in Khon Kaen.

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Originally uploaded by migratorynature.

Look at those kindergarten teachers, such professionals. Patanadek School, Khon Kaen.

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Originally uploaded by migratorynature.