I have a routine.
Thai intensive language class begins at 9am every week day, which has prompted me to learn two very important Thai phrases: ronghai! (crying!) and na song san (to feel sorry for oneself). That pretty much covers any routine which requires me to wake up at 7am.
At 8am, I eat Thai breakfast (read: feast) – patango (fried dough) with nam tohu (sweetened soy milk), and 2 toppings on rice (I am already planning tom ka gai = coconut soup, and vegetables = pak, for tomorrow). The breakfast man is my new best friend. Then, to Payap far far away in the opposite far far corner of Chiang Mai. I have permanent motorcycle butt but I like it – the air is perfect in the morning.
Today’s lesson: food (THANK YOU). Class is basically kindergarten and comes complete with lots of picture printouts of animals and people brushing their teeth, and recess, except with Sewen Elewen instead of a playground. At 711, every day, my classmates (who are hilarious) buy things like “hot dog sandwiches” and Winny the Pooh red-flavored drink (which comes with its own shoulder strap).
Adjon Noi – my teacher! – exclaims Thai words with infinite enthusiasm. Her high tone hits a pitch only dogs can hear. And she punctuates all her actions by announcing “ding! dong!” (one classmate, on the first day, inquired – what exactly does “ding! dong!” mean? Well, nothing of course!) Clearly, I heart her.
We didn’t volunteer at Care for Dogs yesterday, so:
We went part-way up the mountain, without sliding all the way back down backwards (irrational fears), to Huay Keaw Waterfall. I climbed up rocks, with my bionic leg (and maybe a hand from Im), and no natural disasters or other inexplicable tragedies occurred (irrational fears). So much pride.
Convinced of my invincibility, today I drove the motorcycle with Im on back, on a road with curves (invincibility) and slid backwards down a hill (irrational fears). More practice.
Homework? (ronghai!)
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