Muay Thai Training

One day, my coworker I were invited by the Muay Thai coach to train after school in the gym. If you're not familiar, Muy Thai is a combat martial art of Thailand, sometimes also referred to as Thai boxing. However, it is different than traditional boxing and called "The Art of Eight Limbs" because it uses eight different points of contact of the body: hands, feet, elbows, and knees. It is said that the body is used to mimic the weapons of war. The hands become the sword and dagger; the shins and forearms act as armor against blows, the elbows hit opponents like a heavy mace or hammer, and the legs and knees become the axe and staff. 

While I had no intention of actually fighting, I thought that a little Muay Thai training would be good exercise and was unique to Thailand, so I decided to give it a go. On a Friday afternoon, Jeff and I changed into workout clothes and headed over to the gym after school. What we didn't know was that coach doesn't let you start practice unless you've ran for at least 30 minutes since endurance is a huge part of the sport. So we ran around the campus a few times while our students giggled and gave us high 5's as we passed. Once we came back from our run, the coach started me kicking over a plastic chair and had Jeff kick over a plastic garbage bin since he's so tall. He pointed to his right leg. "100!" then pointed to his left leg. "100!" I think that meant we had to do 100 kicks with each leg. At this point, we also had an audience of about 150 kids watching us like hawks. It's my very first try at Muay Thai and I have an audience to witness it. Embarrassing. "It's Friday afternoon, don't you have anything better to do?" Jeff said. But of course, they didn't understand. 

After what seemed like never ending chair kicks, we were finally promoted to the punching bags in the gym which were about 10x more difficult. 

I'll give you a tour of the gym. This is the entrance. 

These are the weights. They're old basketballs filled with cement.

The gym.

I was told this was the "locker room". Lol.

This is coach. Coach trained the female Muay Thai world champion of 1999. He even showed me the poster to prove it. After my first day of practice, he told me, "You. Champion. 1 year." Apparently, with 1 year of training with him, he thinks I can be a champion. Somehow I highly doubt that.

This is Bill, who I guarantee will be a champion Muay Thai fighter very soon. While he's not actually one of my students, I still see him quite a lot around campus and running around Bang Pa-In. He lives with monks in a nearby temple and spends nearly every morning and afternoon training and practicing Muay Thai. He's already won many fights in Bangkok already. Bill is hysterical; probably one of the funniest students, despite his limited English skills. Unlike most shy Thai students, Bill's not afraid to scream "HELLO TEACHER, I LOVE YOU!" across the entire campus.

This is Cartoon. She is perhaps the most dedicated and impressive 7 year old I have ever met in my entire life. She obviously doesn't attend our high school, but she comes every single day after school to train with our coach for her future as a Muay Thai fighter. Her training mostly consists of running to build her aerobic endurance. She also does this with absolutely zero sign of fatigue. A smile and wave from Cartoon can be the highlight of my day. She's awesome. What a motivation!

After telling my mom about my Muay Thai training and Cartoon, all she responded was, "Just don't get beat up by an 7 year old, okay?" Lol.

I know it's hard to believe, this is the crappy gym is where many amazing Muay Thai fighters (past and present) train everyday. I guess we don't really need all the fancy stuff after all, huh?

My Daily Entertainment

It's stuff like this that make me smile as I'm quietly sitting at my desk grading papers. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
 

1. Across all cultures, pimples make teenagers feel angry. Totally understandable. But, can you spot the cultural difference? 

2. Top right. I don't blame you kids; that would make me feel sad too.

3. I think this one just speaks for itself. Lol.

4. Bottom left. Agree or disagree?

 

5. Meet Sexy. Brought to you by a 12 year old. 

6. I just think Chili is cute. 

Meet My Kids

I'd like to finally introduce you to my darling kids, all 516 of them in 12 different classes. Well, minus the ones who skipped class on the day I took the pictures.

Mattayum 1 (12-13 year olds or 7th grade in the US)

Class 1/1 

 

Class 1/3 

Class 1/5

 

Mattayum 5 (16-17 year olds or 11th grade in the US)

Class 5/1

 Class 5/2

Class 5/3

Class 5/4

Class 5/5 

Mattayum 6 (17-18 year olds or 12th grade in the US)

Class 6/1

Class 6/2 

Class 6/3

Class 6/4

Maybe I'm biased, but I'm pretty sure my kids (yes all 516) are absolutely adorable.

The Day I Accidently Went to Rangsit

Well, I guess I forgot to knock on wood whilst writing my post The Infamous Commute to Work last week. As soon as I thought I had the commute all figured out... I accidentally went to Rangsit.

Let me explain...

As usual, my coworker Jeff and I were waiting at the train station on Tuesday morning. Our train wasn't listed on the delay board so we were expecting it to come at it's usual time, 7:00 AM. At approximately 6:59 AM, the announcement was made over the speakers, "asfjadjflkajsfdkjfkdjSAMNUENGJEDajsdkjkalsjlfkasjfkjdSAMNEUGNJEDaksjdkfasjdkfjasklKRUNGTEP" Sam, neung, jed towards Krung Thep (Bangkok) - that's our train! So we stood up with the crowd of people, walked to track 4 (where our train almost always comes), the train pulled up, we got on, and we were off. About 10 minutes later, the train conductor came around to punch tickets, as always. However, this time the conductor looked very confused as he looked at our tickets. He shook his head and said "No Bang Pa-In." Huh? "No Bang Pa-In" he repeated. "Next stop, Rangsit" then walked away.

Jeff and I just looked at each other. "Well, I guess we got on the wrong train" he said. "Oh well" I responded. I guarantee if this situation would have happened 4 months ago, we both would have literally been freaking out; but today all we could do was laugh at ourselves. This is a perfect example of how the Thai "Mai Pen Rai" attitude has affected us over the past few months. Remember: There's no use dwelling on something you can't change (i.e. being on the wrong train) because your dwelling still won't change the situation.

Well, apparently this mysterious wrong train we accidentally boarded was an express train to Bangkok and the next stop was in Rangsit, which is about 45 minutes away, on the northern edge of Bangkok and home of one of Asia's biggest malls called Future Park. We got off at Rangsit and bought a ticket for the next train going in the direction of Bang Pa-In in 40 minutes. We called one the Thai teachers, told her the situation, and said we'd be there by Period 2.  All she said was "Okay, I'll give your Period 1 classes a free day." I mean they cancel class on us enough, that I think it's okay if we do the same once.

When we arrived at school around 9:30 AM, I saw my 6/3 class (who I was suppose to have for Period 1) in the hallway. They all made fun of me asking, "Teacher, how was Rangsit? Did you go shopping at Future Park this morning?" No one takes anything too seriously here.

Mai pen rai.

The Best Valentine's Day of My Life

I received an email from mom asking "Do they celebrate Valentine's Day in Thailand?" Valid question. I'm sure many of you were wondering the same.

Well, let me tell you, Thai people celebrate Valentine's Day to the extreme! After thinking about it, it makes perfect sense because basically everything about Valentine's Day perfectly matches stuff that Thai people love: stuffed animals, cutesy things, flowers, giving gifts, candy, etc.

When I got dropped off at school in the morning, there were two big street stands selling anything and everything you might want to buy on Valentine's Day. And it wasn't just the 13 year old girls who were really to the holiday. Even my 18 year old male students were seen riding into school on their motorbikes with two big stuffed bears, one under each armpit.

This year, I got more candy, chocolate, flowers (and even a heart-shaped fake diamond ring) then I ever have in my entire life. As I walked down the hallway, students shouted "TEACHER, I LOVE YOU!" I basically got to relive my 5th grade dream of feeling popular on Valentine's Day.

When I walked into my first period class, I literally got attacked by a mob by students trying to put heart stickers on me. This actually happened over and over again all day as I walked into each class. By the end of the day, my cardigan was completely covered in stickers. I mean, what better way to tell someone you love them than by a heart-shaped sticker?

I found this note on my desk in the morning. It's all for moments like this, right?

Valentine's Day was probably one of my favorite days of work so far this term because the kids were so sweet and everyone was in a great mood! However, my friends who teach at another high school in Ayutthaya asked their students to create Valentine's cards during class and their students didn't seem to be as happy as mine. So to all my single friends out there - please remember that Thai kids feel your pain.

Photo credit: Mathias Connelly

Photo credit: Alex Kozela

Photo credit: Mathias Connelly

I hope your Valentine's was filled with as many heart stickers and I love you's as mine!
<3 <3 <3

Happy Chinese New Year: Part 2

The Chinese New Year celebrations on my street continue. View from my apartment building this afternoon.

Photo credit: Kate Shultz

The Infamous Commute to Work

Many of you have probably heard me complain at one time or another about my long and ridiculous commute to work every day. So to give you a little insight into my daily life, here's a breakdown of the process with pictures. Every day is literally an adventure. Let me know what you think!

Step #1 - Motorcycle taxi to ferry dock

I walk out of my apartment door at approximately 6:04 AM. I know, you probably won't even believe that statement because I'm the same person that absolutely refused to take 8:00 AM classes in college. It's about a 20 minute walk from my apartment to the ferry dock, but only a 3 minute motorbike ride. Since every minute in the morning is precisely (and I already leave at 6:04 AM as it is...) I always opt for the motorcycle taxi (or "motor-si" as the Thais say).

On my very first day of work back in November, I found a motorcycle taxi across the street to drive me to the ferry dock. Now, he picks me up everyday and drives me exactly where I need to go without any words exchanged. We never talked about this or organized this arrangement, he is just waiting outside the gates of my apartment at preciously 6:05 AM. I'm sure not complaining. I don't know his name, but I refer to him as "Number 1" (I'll explain why soon).

As a female (particularly a female wearing a skirt to work everyday) I ride on the motorcycle "side saddle" as the Thai women do. It's basically what it sounds like, both of my feet hanging off the left hand side of the back of the motorcycle (definitely not the right side because that's where the hot exhaust pipe is).

I obviously couldn't get a picture of myself on the motorcycle taxi, but this picture should give you an idea. Before I rode on one, I always wondered how Thai women looked so graceful and relaxed on the back of these things. However, you've got to believe me; it's surprisingly comfortable.

Photo credit: http://thomasriddle.net/

Motorcycle taxis are everywhere in Thailand. It's a very common, cheap, and quick method of transport for locals, but definitely not for the faint of heart. While you could be stuck in traffic in a car or taxi, on a motorcycle taxi you can weave in and out in no time. 

Many people have asked me, "how do you know a motorcycle taxi from just an ordinary guy on a motorbike?" The answer is that official motorcycle taxis wear a colored vest with a number on it. That's why I call my guy "Number 1."

Motorcycle taxis usually congregate in groups in front of prime locations like 7-Elevens or subway exits, but you can also flag down a moving one if you wish. You just head to the queue and one of the drivers will point you to the appointed motorbike. Although it may not be outwardly apparent, there is a fine science to their rotation schedule so everyone can make money. However, I think motorcycle taxis look like they're hanging out with their friends much more than they appear to be working.

Photo credit: Costanza Ferme

Photo credit: Costanza Ferme

Step # 2 - Ferry off Ayutthaya island 

After Number 1 drops me off, I walk down these steps to the ferry dock. If you remember from my previous post, since Ayutthaya is technically an island, I need to cross the river in order to leave the island. The boat ride is only about 2 minutes long, but there's only 1 boat that shuttles back and forth, so sometimes I have to wait up to 10 minutes if the boat is loading people on the other side.

This is a pretty standard mix at the ferry dock in the morning - (from left to right) normal guy, monk, shirtless guy, Royal Military Officer. I'm actually not quite sure what the deal with the shirtless guy is because he's there every single morning. He's pretty awesome though because he's saved my butt a few times by signaling the boat driver to wait for me as I ran down the steps.

This is the boat that shuttles back and forth all day, every day.

Check out the skills of this woman. 

The monks always stand on the front of the boat. I'm pretty sure this is because they cannot sit on the same bench as women.

Step # 3 - Walk to the train station 

After getting off the boat, I have a 2 minute walk down this busy street to the train station. Amongst the the motorbikes and people, there are many food stands open and cooking up a storm (yes, even at 6:00 AM). This is also a popular spot where monks stand with their bowls to collect daily alms. This is the act of a lay Buddhist person giving food or money to the monks as a sign of respect and to show humbleness. Thai people call this "making merit." This always happens very early in the morning and I learned that all of the food they receive must be consumed by noon the same day. Usually, as I walk past, I can see people giving an offering and the monk, in turn, saying a prayer for them.

Step # 4 - 3rd class train from Ayutthaya to Bang Pa-In 

My first month of work, taking the train was the most stressful part of my entire day. This was because A) The train is usually delayed B) There are about 3-5 trains that come to the station within the 15 minutes I expect my train to come C) The signs on the train are written in Thai script and D) the announcements are only made in Thai. So I was basically stressed out because I just never knew what train to get on. I knew which direction was right, but not which train. They also all look the same which doesn't help the cause.

Well, funny story...

One day, I accidentally got on the wrong train.  It was bound to happen. As soon as I got on, I immediately knew it wasn't the right train by the type of seats. However, the train was already moving and pulling out of the station. I had to make a quick decision. I knew I would NEVER make it to work if I stayed on; so instead, I decided to jump off the train. Granted, it wasn't moving full speed, but it was definitely moving. Yes, I jumped off a moving train like James Bond. I still can't believe I did that either.

The next day I was determined to figure out a way to understand which train was the correct one. As I stared at my train ticket, I realized that even if I can't understand the entire announcement, I know and understand numbers in Thai. Now, I just listen for my train number. I've never had a problem since. I take train 318 (3 = sam, 1 = neung, 8 = pad in Thai) so the announcement sounds something like this to me: klasjkfjasjdfkasjk;jfsjajsf;djSAMNEUNGPADaksjfkajdskfjaklsdjfakdsjfkadsjfSAMNEUGNPADkasjfkjsf.

Let me give you a little tour of the train station.

The ticket office.

The train delay board. I despise this board...

That's my train. Looks brand new, right?

I've noticed that Thai people have this uncanny ability to fall asleep on trains and wake up literally seconds before their stop. Unbelievable.

Bang Pa-In train station - my stop!

Step # 5 - Small songthaew to school 

After getting off the train, this songthaew is waiting outside for us. Songthaew is a Thai word that literally translates to "two rows", which makes sense. This particural songthaew is essentially a pickup truck with two benches in the back for passengers to sit. It's about a 10 minute drive from the train station to my school.

Finally, after making a few stops at the market, the songthaew drops us off right at the front gate of our school (or at 7-Eleven at my request).

You think that sounds rough? I would confidently say that the morning commute is much better than the afternoon commute home. On the way back...the process is pretty similar in reverse but much less reliable and also MUCH hotter. I usually walk down to 7-Eleven and catch a motorcycle taxi to the train station. Sometimes, well actually about 8 out of 10 times, the 4:37 PM train going to Ayutthaya is delayed. Very delayed. Therefore, I more often walk across the street and take the big songthaew home. Because it takes the (very dusty) country roads, it takes much longer than the train but still gets me home before the 1 hour delayed train would.

The big songthaew is basically equivalent to a public transportation bus and used for longer routes between towns. However, you can basically get on and off the songthaew anywhere along the route.  There's no stops, signs, or stations. It's actually quite annoying when the students ring the buzzer to get off 5 seconds after the last kid just did. Also, it has no particular times that it departs or arrives anywhere. The rule is that it leaves when it's full. So sometimes it will come 1 minute after I get there, and sometimes I'll be standing on the side of the road (no seat or shade) for 30 minutes anxiously waiting for it to come. Because many of my students take the songthaew home as well, it's usually JAM packed by the time I get on. This picture doesn't even do it justice. When I say jam packed, I mean there are literally students hanging off those bars on the back. Luckily, they're usually nice enough to give up a seat for Teacher Kim.

Photo credit: Costanza Ferme

My commute to work and back home consists of 5-7 modes of transportation, depending on the day and circumstances. It's definitely far from glamorous but always interesting.

How did you get to work today?