Settling In

Hello friends!

We made it to Bangkok! After 14 hours in the "all inclusive resort" (aka the plane) we arrived in Seoul Korea where we were surprised to see snow and 30 degrees!! From Seoul Korea, is was another short 5 hour flight to Bangkok Thailand where we arrived around 12 a.m. Wonderful flights overall. We both love flying. The longer flight the better. We had a ton of fun together watching movies, eating plane food, talking, etc. Getting "stuck" with your best friend on 25 hours of traveling in air planes and at airports is a great thing.

We are settling in to life here in Bangkok and we have had a few days of very helpful orientation. The winter weather in Bangkok is hot and humid to our Minnesota bones. However, we have air conditioning in our room and in the classroom, so we stay nice and cool most of the time :). We're also getting used to the busy city of Bangkok. Bangkok couldn't be much further from rural Caledonia. The street 15 feet out the door is a 6 lane highway... or maybe it is 8 lane?  Sometimes it feels like 10 lanes as the sidewalks are fair game for motorcycles, etc. Getting around is quite the adventure. I am happy to report that I have not gotten run over yet. Hopefully my record will remain such.
Food: We are already enjoying the Thailand cuisine in our first few days here. Thankfully, our students or the other Thai teachers usually accompany us to meals and help us order. We are starting to learn the Thai names for certain things that we enjoy so that we can order more independently. A few interesting differences: Thai's do not use serving utensils. Instead, everyone is given a larger spoon and a fork to dish and eat. Thai's also love SPICEY food... when they ask me if I like spicy food (which I do in the U.S.) I have to explain that I do not like “Thai spicy” food. We have learned how to say “no spice” in Thai so we can be sure to order at restaurants accordingly.

Overall, we are doing great. We're experiencing all the joys of being overseas...I even had an 'exciting' bout of what seemed to be food poisoning already! :) Food poisoning in a foreign place is a treat... especially when you can't read the signs to decipher the men's from woman's bathroom as you are heaving. :) Actually... it was quite exciting and thankfully short (just one night). Please pray that my stomach stays healthy now that I have “enjoyed” this overseas experience!

I guess that is all for now! Stay tuned for more stories!

Thanks for reading!

Liz for both of us

p.s. Sorry for the difference in blog formatting from my previous blogs. I'm trying to figure it out but, most of the text on my page is in Thai and it won't translate.... so we're doing pretty good concerning the circumstances! :) For a real treat - google "Thai language" and see what it looks like! Seeing people write Thai is IMPRESSIVE!! It is like word-art... very different from our alphebet!

Jonathan at the Traveler's Aid Office.
Thankfully we were able to buy a ticket to renew our visa at the end of February
before our next flight so customs would let us in to Thailand!

Enjoying our "all inclusive resort". We LOVE long flights!

Seoul Korea airport where it was 30 degrees and snowing!

Our new home for two months. 

One of the exciting things we have been able to eat here.
We think it is a red snapper fish. Very good! There is also mango salad in the other dish.
 Also very delicious but a little spicy! :)

More exciting food...

AMAZING power lines in Bangkok!
Jonathan has decided he would not want to work for the power company here. :)
We dodge hanging power lines on our way to school!

Jonathan in the lobby of the Santisuk English School.
It is a really fun hang out spot for students and teachers! We love it! 

This is our kitchen/parking lot at school... if only I could have an outdoor kitchen in Minnesota...