Creamy curries, crisp veggies, sauteed noodles, tropical fruits... The unique fusion of spicy and sweet make Thai food among the best in international cuisine. For this, a trip to Thailand isn't complete without learning the staples. Cooking schools are everywhere in Thailand as they've quickly become a popular tourist pastime.
On the evening of January 13th, we arrived in Chiang Mai, a bustling, yet quaint city in the north of Thailand. With spectacular mountain views and a laid-back vibe that's sure to appeal to any traveler, Chiang Mai was a breath of fresh air after the metropolitan city of Bangkok.
The first leg of our journey began in Thailand's capital, Bangkok. After a relatively easy trek on a couple 2-hour flights from Xi'an, we arrived in Bangkok on the night of January 10th.
Like most, when 2017 arrived, I found myself reflecting on the past year and wondering what the new year would bring. I've never been one to set New Year's resolutions (after all, aren't most of them broken by February anyways?), but I still use the time for myself— to think about where I am and where I want to be. As the clock struck midnight in China, 13 hours ahead of most of my friends and family, I couldn't help but think back to everything that led up to that countdown.
As family and friends back home gathered around their Christmas trees and enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa by the fire, we sure started feeling the homesickness catch up with us. We both missed our New England homes— of course, we missed the tradition of Christmas day, but even more so, we missed the whole season of warmth, light, and time with loved ones.
It’s hard to believe I’ve been teaching in China for nearly four months. By now, I’ve gotten into the groove of lesson planning and seeing 2,000 students every week... Okay, maybe the latter isn’t completely true. Either way, I’ve noticed so many fascinating differences between classes here and classes back home in the States. Here are some of my thoughts: