Loving things Thai!

Today was Leang Jing and Peeyung's last day at Bannoenthong - the two Chinese TA's. We had an after party for them at the end of school with food, alochol, karaoke and the dreaded speeches that definitely had me shedding a tear. The girls have been an absolute breath of fresh air to have around - two other people completely alien to Thai culture so I didn't feel completely out of my depth. However, they had already been at the school a few weeks when I arrived so were able to help me significantly with what to do and, more importantly, what not to do. Leang Jing in particularly speaks fantastic English, and as none of the teachers speak Chinese, the girls have been another reason for teachers to speak English more frequently - making my life a lot easier. I'll miss them a lot; the school will no doubt be a lot quieter without them here!

The girls making speeches, seconds before they cried their hearts out!

Leang Jing told me how sad she is to be leaving, and it got me thinking about all the things I'll miss when I go back England. So, I'm not going to do a list about English things I miss at the moment - although there is a lot, I'll be back there and bored out of my mind before I know it. Instead here is a list of all things Thai I have grown to love and will miss back in the UK.

• Thai food. some people posted on the Facebook group saying about the weight they had lost since being here. HOW! The food here is so good, I just can't stop eating! The Thai way of eating is generally to put plenty of dishes in the middle of the table so you can help yourself to anything. Or in my case, everything. The fruit in particular is so delicious, and fried banana.. YUM. My school seems to make them all the time and they are so good! I also have a new found love for sea food, which I never ate back in the UK. Yes, the rice is a bit much every meal... but generally, I have nothing but praise for Thai food! 
• Cheap everything. Cheap food, with my weekday meals being on average about 30 Baht, which is around 60p. Travel; for example my van from Chumphon to school is 70 Baht, about £1.50 for an hour long journey. Accommodation - our Phi Phi hostel was 200 Baht a night - around £4 - and considered expensive. How am I ever going to get used to England again?!
• The Teachers. They are like a family at Bannoenthong, and they have been so welcoming of me which has made the experience here as incredible as it has been. Only 2 of them can actually speak English well enough for a conversation, but the others make every effort to communicate with me - it is surprising how easy it is to have a conversation just through flapping your arms about and acting things out. I'll also miss their banter - some of them are absolutely hilarious. 
• The Heat. Although this doesn't necessarily me an sunshine, I have become accustomed to how hot it is here. I love being able to wear summery floaty stuff to school! I'm such a girl. I'm just not a fan of how deceiving British weather is, when you look out the window and plan your outfit based on the blazing sun to then go outside and find its in minus degrees and you should have packed your ear muffs.
• Thai People. Generally speaking they are so happy to talk to you and so happy to help you. Even if they can't speak a word of English, they'll give it a good shot! I swear you could go up to anyone in this country and ask for help and know 99% of the time they will try their absolute best to help you - even if that means giving you a lift somewhere themselves.
• 7/eleven toasties. Great shop. Great toasties. 7 eleven seems to be everywhere in the world but the UK! Come on England, get it together!  
• Pale skin being fashionable. My Irish blood means I very, very rarely tan, and when I do it's not enough to be really noticeable. So I packed the trusty fake tan, but have not touched it once. I think everyone at school might cry if I did. They are crazy about my skin! The paler the better here, so I am in my element. 
• Thai National Anthem. Me and Aimee spent the entire two days humming it last weekend. Hearing it at least 3 times a day means it has become the screensaver of my brain! I'm sure other ETA's agree. But it's not annoying (yet), I still find it very catchy and bob along to it when I hear it. So I'll miss that at home. Maybe I'll set it as my ringtone in England...
• Ghekos. They are so cute! I love finding them in my room! Who would've ever thought I'd say that!
• Being treated like a celebrity. Something you never get used to, and I must say, it's pretty great. I'll be confused when no one is bowing to me and telling me how good I look back in England...
• My wonderful students, who have treated me with more respect than I could have ever imagined. Giving me hugs and presents so randomly, telling me how 'beautiful' I am because of my skin, curtsying and bowing whenever they see me... it has been the most heart warming factor of this trip even at my lowest moments, and I love every single one of them. I'm going to be an absolute weepy mess when I leave. 

I'm sure I'll think of more to add to this list as I go, but that'll do for now! I <3 THAILAND