Our second week in Surin felt much more normal than our first. Slowly, but surely, all twelve of us have fallen into a routine that has ultimately made this house feel like a home away from home. We make breakfast together, we shop together, we teach each other things, and we sing, drink and dance together. 

Despite it being the rainy season, this week has been unbelievably hot and without any rain. 38 degrees Celsius with 93% humidity was staggering, to say the least. Our school it not air conditioned, so our teacher’s lounge where we are allowed to stay on our breaks has become a literal sanctuary and reprieve from the heat. 

This week, we taught the children body parts and shapes in our lessons, and all in all I think it went very well. Our Primary 1 class (ages 5 and 6) are a handful, and need a new game or song every ten minutes otherwise they become bored VERY quickly. I have sung “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” this week in different voices, speeds and accents than I can even begin to count. 

Despite being very worn out at the end of the day from the heat, the planning and the constant “being on-ness”, it is fully and completely worthwhile. These children are so smart and catch on so quickly, all because they are eager to learn. Not only that, but they are so affectionate and caring, it is truly heart warming. I’ll be leaving some of my clothes at home in favour of taking the drawings the kids have made for me instead.

 

Apart from school, this week has been full of other discoveries as well. I learned that it IS possible to get a beer and a lunch for under $1, and that sometimes just blindly pointing to some item on a menu that is completely in Thai may lead to the best food of your life. I’ve also eaten a silk worm and a beetle, and discovered a love for Spy wine coolers. I’ve learned Canadians say words like “oregano” and “aluminum” differently the British, and had my eyes opened to a whole new realm of words. (I.e, wanker, chav). 

It is officially the weekend here in Surin, and I am so unbelievably excited to sleep in and tan that I can barely contain myself. It’s also just begun to rain here, so I think that’s a sign of a perfect weekend to come.