Teachaaaaah, Where You Go?

Thais don’t talk about the weather like Americans do. Since the weather is so static (hot, hot, rainy, hot), they make small talk by asking where you’re going and sometimes where you’ve been. Whenever I see a student outside of the classroom, it’s usually the first thing they ask. Some of my lower level students holler a simple, “Teachaaah, where???” It’s important to realize this is just friendly small talk because to a Westerner it might seem a little intrusive or personal.

However, that time of year has come. I’ve finished teaching, students are taking exams, and it’s just about time to say goodbye. My students want to know what I’m going to do now. Well, I’ve cooked up quite the adventure for the next six weeks, kiddos, so stay tuned.

Zoom out to see the entire trip or view it in a larger map

Preggo Baby Update!

When we stopped by Lung Geet’s, he told us that Preggo Baby had her kittens! Three black and white ones that Lung Geet calls Panda (yes, all three have the same name).

Don’t Go, Chae Son Waterfalls

Pii Pan, Sara's fellow teacher in the English department and our good friend, was nice enough to take Sara and I to Chae Son National Park about an hour outside of Lampang. Sara and I had wanted to visit the park for awhile but couldn't get there on our motorbike. On the way to the park from Hang Chat, Pii Pan picked up one of her good friends to visit the park with us. We drove through some beautiful scenery and arrived at the park in the early afternoon. After a failed attempt to get Sara and I out of the tourist (read: farang) price of admission, Pii Pan and her friend sat down for a picnic lunch while Sara and I explored the park.

We started at the hot springs, which were hot enough to cook eggs , if you could stand the sulfurous stench. At about 180°F, you have to leave them for 17 minutes so that’s plenty of time to run over to the mineral spa.

Hang Chat Spotlight: Lung Ween and Lung Geet

With just a few weeks left in Hang Chat, we're happy to present another Spotlight feature on our favorite people and places in our little town. 
 
In this post, I'll introduce you to three of our favorite adoptive family members: Lung (Uncle) Ween and his wife (Mrs. Lung Ween, of course) and Lung Geet (we think that’s what he said).  

Lung Ween and his wife run a typical Thai restaurant in the giant front room of their home. Sara and I love their fried rice; it is the most flavorful in town by a mile. They are always happy to see us, and we go see them once a week for lunch like clockwork.