Wednesday, 24 February 2016

February 23, 2016
After visiting China two decades ago (yes, it was a long time ago but seems like yesterday), I had no desire to travel Asia but I reconsidered when I was searching out international teaching. The more I learned about the world, the more intriguing Asia’s travel opportunities, became to me. Therefore, one of my reasons for committing to this teaching job. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Thailand during this last break which continued my Asian education.
I flew to Bangkok then to Chiang Mai. When I landed in Bangkok I was feeling absolutely wretched with a head cold combined with a sore throat and didn’t fully recuperate until my trip was over. Probably, travelling business class back from Bangkok due to a missed flight (my fault) helped me recuperate. Yeoww! That was a great flight, wish it had been all the way back to Canada flying in that class. Now, I know why there is less leg room in economy. Nonetheless, I made the best of my travelling, enjoyed each moment and will return to Chiang Mai.

Two hundred photos were shot with my camera, but I’ll try to condense those to around fifteen for the purposes of my blog, in order to not bore you, but to provide you with a glimpse into this wonderful country. I visited a lot of temples, palaces, washed and fed elephants at the elephant sanctuary, took a Thai cooking class, visited umbrella, silk, teak factories and shopped at the night and day markets. Hopefully, the photos will tell most of the story. My lodgings were impeccable and the people wonderfully kind. It felt great to have hot water on demand at the hotels, a comfortable bed and both cities smell so much better than where I live.
There was an outdoor market happening just down 
from my hotel,
in front of a very large shopping mall-food trucks 
and stands galore!


 mango smoothie photo taken  in front of the many stalls
fiberglass elephant created by nine artists 



Street food
the Grand Palace

Still at the Grand Palace


orchid farm

mango sticky rice  at the floating market-I think I'm addicted
teak woodcarver at the floating market

floating market - You call this busy??

paper umbrellas
weaving silk
The gorgeous Skoretz with her paper umbrella
and sexy clothes

|Imagine my surprise when this conveyance pulled up to my hotel to take me on a 1 and a half hour ride to the elephant camp at 6 in the morning
This baby elephant loves bananas-in fact they all do. We carried down cornstalks for their meal also.

Cooking Thai!!!  Look out- Thai meals to serve you up when I move back

Friday, 5 February 2016

February 5, 2016


Hi all!
We’re rolling into the Chinese New Year here- year of the monkey. At school there’s been a lot of related activities reflecting this very important season for the Chinese population. Most of the students I have were born the year of the dragon which is believed to be very lucky.  Hence there were a lot of children born that year and is why we have so many prekindergarten registrants this last year. I have attached several photos of the Taipa Carmel Park again. It’s all in splendour for the season.

Last weekend I picked up my tailored items and was very satisfied with them. I’m going to purchase some fabric in Thailand next week and have more clothes sewn. Yahoooo-I can have clothes made for a large top and small bottom!!! The same weekend I attended Sir James Galway flute recital at the Macau Cultural Center which was quite the building. Galway is hailed as the best flutist in the world who has sold 30 million albums. He’s collaborated in Lord of the Ring’s soundtrack and has performed with Elton John, Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell plus more. It was an amazing performance.


Other than that the last three weeks has been about wiping runny noses, staying inside because of the cold temperatures (ranging from 6 degrees above to 12), teaching children how to glue, use scissors and creating Chinese New Year projects. There was one song that they learned and they are so excited to  sing it every day. I wish I could upload short videos to show you them singing and playing their homemade drums.  It was fabulous!! The one thing I'm not happy about is they sneeze all over me and not being immune to these Chinese germs I have a wicked head cold to sport to Thailand.  Basically, the first serious cold I've had in a very long time.  UGH!!!
Some of the handicrafts at the Chinese New Year celebration at the school


Taipa Carmel Park dressed up for CNY
Some of the projects my Prek class created