So, I arrived yesterday in the beautiful Chiang Mai, Thailand. My flight was pretty long and I had a difficult time sleeping so I am a little jet-lagged and groggy but I think that I will survive.
The university where I am studying is called Payap University and I am living in the Paradornparp International House which is a gorgeous new building with three floors. I am living on the third floor and have a Japanese roommate named Aoi. She is very nice... I just met her this morning. But she has been here for about 5 months already and she is studying English. So we can communicate pretty well.
From the window of my room I have a view of some of the campus with beautiful giant mountains in the background. What I have seen of the campus is very interesting so far. I am hoping to walk around some more this afternoon. It is very hot and humid here though. And I was told that it rains around twice a week on average. Tonight we are supposed to go to a night market downtown which should be cool. I have not seen the downtown yet but I know that it is supposed to be peppered with Buddhist temples. All that I have seen so far outside of the university is a mall not so far from campus. That was an interesting experience. We went yesterday to get some basic things like sheets, pillow, shampoo--things that would take up too much to pack. We shopped in this HUGE store... sort of like a Wal-mart equivalent. Almost everything was in Thai and myself and 3 other girls from my program were just wandering around the entire thing getting lost and trying to decipher the labels and such. And then all of the sudden this song starts playing on the speakers throughout the store while I am rummaging through some items. I look up and EVERYONE in the entire store had stopped what they were doing and stopped talking (except for the 4 of us girls). They were playing the national anthem and I guess that it is a custom to pause out of respect and listen while this song plays through. O my goodness! Well I guess now we will know...
Anyway, I guess that covers it so far. Orientation starts bright and early on Monday morning. I am eager to see what my classes and service will be like.
4 comments:
oh emily! it sounds so wonderful! peer pressure, pshaaa. i'm glad you have a blog to keep up with you. it sounds so very wonderful, and i know its going to be a wonderful experience for you. can you post photos on your blog? if not, make sure to send them along. you know that i never mind too many emails. hehe.
it sounds very beautiful and will be interesting to see how you sort through things like thai-walmart-national-anthem moments. whoa! and all those things that you bring back. please send a picture of your in your sweet school uniform! HA! i assume keens aren't part of the outfit.
ahhh how i miss you already and i can't wait to hear how it all unfolds.
PLEASE SEND ME YOUR ADDRESS when you know what it is, and the we'll send you goodies.
speaking of which, did you get my package before you left?
sooo many kisses and sprinkles of love and glitter!
anna
Em:
Glad to see your blog! Looking forward to more posts. Can't wait to hear about the food ... of course.
xo dad
EMILY!!! This is so amazing, ive been thinking about you non-stop, wondering how everything was going. i wish i had access to a built-in camera on your forehead which connected to the thoughts and i could feel and experience everything with you. miss you so much and thanks so much for making a blog. will be checking it often. and i ditto the request for the address. love you so so so much!!!!!!!
Em
How wonderful to be able to hear about your wonderful adventure in the next few months - we have been thinking of you lots the past few days. We'll be checking your blog often!
Betty & Kermit
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