|
|
 |
|
|
|
Kai in Thailand
"Leaving Vancouver was the start of a new year and a great experience to come. Only 20 days into my year-long Rotary youth exchange, I have already had a fabulous stay in my host country of Thailand and city of Chumphae.
The moment I stepped off the plane at the Bangkok International Airport, I was greeted by cheerful, smiling Thai people, starting with Rotary. I was met by the current Rotary youth exchange student who came to Chumphae in January from South Africa, my host family and my Rotary councillor. My Thai family consists of a wonderful mother, three younger sisters and a grandmother, all whom are very helpful and generous in teaching me the Thai language and culture.
The city of Chumphae is located about 500 km northeast of Bangkok and 81 km from the closest major city of Khon Kaen. Chumphae, being a smaller Thai city, has all the amenities of a North American town. If you need anything, you’ll find it in Chumphae.
Thai culture is one of honour and generosity towards other people, the government, the monarch and Buddhism. Many people will give food and gifts to the Buddhist monks who walk the streets during the early morning. There are various classes of citizens in Thailand, with the high class consisting of government employees and business owners. A classic example of the Thai culture can be seen within the school I attend, Chumphaesuksa School. Teachers and directors are of a high status and therefore are always greeted with a traditional Thai greeting and palms together gesture. Students are meant to stand lower than teachers and crawl into a room on their knees, but within recent Thai culture this stance has been removed. Everything in Thailand has a purpose and meaning and is set out from generation to generation.
Recently, on Aug. 12, it was the Queen’s birthday and Mother’s Day. This occasion and celebration of the Queen was marked by a holiday and great ceremony in which the community gave gifts for the Queen. With my host mom, I went down to the town council hall where I took part in the events. The high-class citizens were dressed in their best clothes, a white, government-issued, military-style uniform. As representatives of Rotary International we went up to bow in front of the Queen’s picture and then gave a flowered present. Two of my host sisters performed a traditional Thai dance in front of the audience. It was a huge occasion that is very important to Thai people and their way of living.
Education in Thailand is a slow and tedious process that is mandatory only up to a certain age. Few men are left in the highest grade at the age of 18, while women dominate the schools. English is taught but isn’t a successful course as the teachers sometimes can barely speak the language themselves. After secondary school, the students generally go straight to university for further study, usually the English language. Overall the schooling system is quite advanced and comparable to Canadian standards.
The day after I wrote this article I was to pay tribute to the Princess of Thailand in Bangkok on behalf of the Rotary Club of Chumphae in lieu of their donation towards her foundation. I am sure it will be a great visit and I will represent Canada as I wear my Rotary jacket. A Rotary youth exchange — what an experience I have already had. As I am less than two months into my year aboard in the country of Thailand and city of Chumphae I have been openly accepted into the community and a culture of which I have never been a part before.
It is a community full of gracious people willing to teach their traditions to a young Canadian guy while also wanting to learn of his customs in Canada. Thai people extend themselves with open arms as they generously offer you anything you need, at any time. It is a culture full of respect and pride of their native language and values which they continually pass on from generation to generation.
Recently, I had the chance to take part in an English class tour to the ancient city of Phimai, located about 250 km northeast of Bangkok. The one-day trip included about 200 students from my school all of whom have an interest in the English language. With all the students and staff riding in four tour buses we began our four-hour journey to the town of Phimai where ancient ruins of Thai and Cambodian culture awaited us.
The Khmer temples of Phimai have been designated a United Nations World Heritage Site and therefore have become quite the tourist attraction. Dating back to the late 10th century, the ruins of Phimai were used by kings Suryavarman II (1113-1150) and Kauavarymam VII (1181-1219). There main purpose was a monarch temple and ceremony centre. Since then, the ruins have been reconstructed in order to preserve one of Thailand’s most sacred Khmer sanctuaries.
The structures within the compound’s walls are made of white and red sandstone that has been discoloured over the years by natural erosion. Highly detailed Buddha and Naga images are depicted around the windows, on the walls, and covering the ceilings, while statues within the towers are another great feature. As the temples within the property blend both Hindu and Buddhist artifacts and culture these Cambodian influenced structures are of great historical value to southern Asian society. The trip really opened my eyes to other religions and historical locations around the world that are of significance to civilization and preserving each definite society.
In terms of climate, Thailand only has three seasons and in some southern areas only two. The rainy season starts around July and runs through to November with the most rainfall in August and September. After the rainy season the cool season begins and runs from around December to February with relative temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius. Finally the hot season carries on from March to June. It pretty much rains once a day. The humidity is high at about 66 to 82 per cent.
The schooling system in Thailand is somewhat slow and therefore it took me a while to receive my schedule of subjects. Finally around the beginning of September I had a timetable in place and I was off and running. My courses include Thai speaking, writing, culture, dancing, cooking, and sword fighting. Also I will often help out with English classes and camps in order to help the community learn their foreign language of choice.
While I have been keeping busy as my stay lengthens to three months so far in the country of Thailand, I cannot tell you everything through this article.
Each day seems to be going by even faster than the last as I near seven months here in Thailand, away from the familiarity of Canada and in a new country that has become a second home. I remember, as if it was only a few days ago, arriving at the Bangkok International Airport, wondering what I was doing going on an exchange. Why did I choose Thailand? Why would I want to spend a year, in what Western culture views as a diseased, 3rd world country that is full of chicken flu, malaria, and now is dealing with the aftermaths of a recent Tsunami? The simple answer is, although I could have never predicted the Tsunami, or say for sure that Thailand is free of chicken flu and malaria, it has already proven to be a life lasting experience full of culture, travels, and personal growth.
On December 26th, 2004, when the devastating tsunami hit the south-eastern coastline of Thailand, as well as many other areas in South East Asia, it brought the world together in an effort of relief, community, and aid. Although Thailand wasn’t one of the hardest hit countries, there was destruction throughout the coastline, which is also a popular tourist destination. I can remember taking a taxi through Bangkok two weeks after the tsunami struck and talking to the driver who couldn’t stop thanking me as a Canadian for all of the help we were providing within the region. It was such a wonderful feeling knowing that we as Canadians were making a difference in a country that needed help. During that same trip in front of the United Nations building were about 500 misplaced and homeless people who had made the grassed area their temporary home. Still recovering from the damage, this area needs tourists so that the local society’s main income can be replenished and continued.
I spent the beginning of January saying goodbye to our “oldies”, the exchange students who arrived in January 2004 and therefore were with us for six months. It was a hard time saying goodbye to friends I was now very close too and not knowing the next time we’ll see each other. With the departure of “oldies” comes “newbies” who come from Brazil, South Africa, and Australia.
A trip to the country of Laos with my host father recently took me to its capital of Vientiane. We toured the area with some of his friends, stopping at various markets, temples, and other tourist attractions. In not seeing much of the country during the one day trip I can only say that it was similar to Thailand except they drive on the same side of the road as Canada.
The MTV Asia Awards, also known as MTV Asia Aid, were in Bangkok on February 3rd, and I was lucky enough to received free red carpet tickets for the show. Celebrities and groups such as Alicia Keys, Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, and Hoobastank turned out. Overall it was quite the performance, but was a bit drawn out while MTV decided to redo some of the acts because of mic problems and the idea to make the “live” show the best it could be.
I celebrated the Chinese New Year with my host family and their relatives in Bangkok’s Chinese District and China Town, much like Vancouver’s. There were many festivities such as dragon dancing, fireworks, and streets filled with merchants. At the same time we toured the Bangkok area visiting a huge hydro-electric dam and various temples. Coming up at the end of the month is the summer break that will run until around the beginning of May. That’s right, no more school for quite a while, and you know what that means-more traveling around this vast and interesting country of Thailand!
Whoa, how time flies when you’re having fun, or should I say while I’ve been in Thailand…Coming up on the 27th of May, will be my 60 day count down for coming back home on July 25, to face Canada again, with all its and my differences.
What an amazing summer break I have had, as school was out for 2 ½ months and is just starting up now. Everything began with a huge bang as Thailand celebrated the lunar New Year over April 13-15 with a festival called Songkran. It is during this time of the year that Buddha images are bathed and cleansed, but there is also a lot of fun with water. Thailand was transformed into a huge water festival. In every city and down every street, people were getting drenched with freezing ice-cold water-there was no way out, unless you stayed inside all day.
Another exchange student came to my town and we were quick to leave and be one our way to where Songkran is best in Thailand-Chiang Mai. The first day of the festival we spent one day in a town called Khon Kaen visiting another exchange student and participating in the water action. There was a huge parade all day long where everyone brought their truck that held a large container full of ice-cold water ready to be emptied onto everyone. We made the early morning trip to the ice factory after filling up the container with water and got our buckets ready. Driving down the main road was utter chaos as you had truck after truck full of people dumping water on everyone and then slapping your cheeks with baby powder. It’s hard to explain, besides calling this event a complete water party where you try and get every single person wet, freezing (especially in the heat of Thailand), and white from all the baby powder.
We moved on, and caught a 12 hour bus to Chiang Mai where the rest of the festival awaited us. There was even more water, more baby powder, and more ice to keep us going. Water, water, and water.
After the festival was over all of us Rotary Exchange Students headed down to the southern part of Thailand on our last Rotary Tour. We visited tourist destinations such as Phuket, Koh Similians, and Surat Thani. Most of the time was spent jumping off our private chartered boat, snorkelling with the tropical fish, surveying Tsunami devastation, or driving the bus to another destination. We had 10 full days and our last chance as exchange students to be together before leaving back home to our own countries. It was another awesome trip full of various adventures, sight-seeing, swimming, snorkeling, boating, and being together.
In terms of my return back to Canada, I don’t know what to think. I know I have to go back and face new changes, both of myself, family, and friends, but the idea seems too daunting. A part of me really wants to return and then there’s the other side that says, “Kai, look at everything, and everyone you will miss from Thailand!” I have made so many connections, gone on various travels, and in a way become Thai, so that when the time comes to leave it will be such an overwhelming experience-something I have never experienced before. Everything will work out and come back into place upon my return home; it will just take some time.
One month, thirty days, four and a half weeks, that is the amount of time left in Thailand for me to explore places I haven’t been, visit exchange students, and spend time with my Thai friends and families. As my return date has been set, everything has been put into perspective as I must live everyday here in Thailand only thinking of the present.
Last week, beautiful women from all over the world were in Bangkok, Thailand, to see if they could become the next Miss Universe. This NBC programme was broadcasted live from Bangkok and I was one of the crazy Canadians in the crowd cheering on Miss Canada-who eventually, that morning would be crowned Miss Universe 2005. My role in the crowd included yelling out Canada every chance I got, even during those quiet times, waving my Canadian flag hysterically, and convincing the people around me that they too should be cheering for Miss Canada. Overall it was quite the show even though being part of a live broadcast means waiting on commercial breaks and having to listen to some producer ask everyone to start clapping.
A recent Rotary tour of the southern part of Thailand along with all of the exchange students, allowed us to travel to various popular tourist destinations such as Phuket, Koh Similans (Similan Islands), and Surat Thani.
The Similan Islands, located on the south-western Thai coastline, close to the popular destination of Phuket, really capture the tropical island appearance. This group of nine small islands are surrounded with spectacular diving areas, as well as various interesting rock formations. Mostly uninhabited, besides one island with a National Park visitor centre and cabins, these islands are well known snorkeling and diving marvels that include mesmerizing sunsets.
While taking a boat tour around the infamous James Bond Island we came across a sailboat from Canada, and more specifically the Nimbus registered out of Vancouver, and holding the R.V.Y.C. (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club) name. Unfortunately we tried to find the owners, but I guess they had gone ashore for the day. Much of the area was still undergoing relief efforts and rebuilding as a result of the December 26, 2004, tsunami.
A tour of Rotary International’s contribution to the relief effort assured us exchange students that we are with the perfect organization, one that is currently doing its part in reconstructing Thailand and the other affected nations. A long term project dubbed “Operation Rotary Cares,” is currently being commissioned to complete 200 low-cost housing units, provide public utilities, scholarships, psychiatric assistance, and repair or build schools in the affected areas. At two different locations we were able to help out for a short time with various duties such as dumping buckets of concrete to develop the building foundations and painting steel supports. One of the housing sites was almost complete with 30 units, as the other site was just getting started on its 80 unit project. Even though the area was still in ruins from the tsunami, it was visible that relief was taking place sponsored by organizations such as Rotary International, World Vision, and Care. Stopping at Phuket’s busiest beach, Patong Beach, was reassuring as that specific day exercises were taking place to have a mock evacuation of the whole beach and test its new tsunami early-warning system. It’s great to know first hand that the billions of dollars in reconstruction are starting to show in this devastated region.
Having to spend my last month saying goodbye to exchange students includes too many visits to the Bangkok International Airport, something that we all hate going to. The process has started and now coming back home to Canada might not be as tough as the rebound tends to be, although planning ahead will only make the readjustment easier.
Remember that becoming and exchange student is something that is open to any 15-18 year old that is currently in high school. It is an experience that will shape a life and create memories forever. If you’re interested check out www.d5040youthexchange.ca for more details on how you can apply."
 |
 |