Awestruck….

Awestruck….
That’s exactly what I was as I stepped in to the meeting room filled with about 100 Thai, and 50 exchange students from ALL over the world. At that moment I finally realized how big rotary is, and how lucky I am to be a part of this program. How often can you say you sat at a table filled with Germans, Brazilians, French, Americans, Japanese, Thai, Taiwanese, Mexicans, Swedish, Finnish, Italians, Austrians, Australians, Norwegians, Hungarians, Polish, Spanish (from Spain), Slovakians, Canadians, AND FINALLY the Swiss??? Only when you are an exchange student. Not only did I just sit at the same table with them, but I personally met each and every one. We didn’t always speak English, instead us exchange students found out some weird language including frantic pointing, waving of the arms, a high pitched squeal and a head shaking in amazement when you finally figure out ONE WORD of the sentence they are trying to use. Somehow, many of us became close friends, and we didn’t let something as simple as language get between us. After learning all the rules of rotary once again (for about the 100th time!), it was time for lunch. And how do you insure that all these people from around the world will like the food? FEED THEM SPAGHETTI! This was the first time I have had real American food since I got here, and it was AMAZING!! Also available were chicken wings, rice (as always), and a few other common Thai dishes. Upon desert, we were bombarded with a vast array of fruit and cakes. The fruit was cut into delicate and intricate designs that made you not want to eat them because it was so pretty! I wish I would have taken a picture of it, but I know I will get another chance. The Thai love to show off their creative cooking and designing skills. After lunch was language orientation for two hours. I realized that the Thai language had different tones, but what I learned was unbelievable. The sentence “Bad wood will not burn” Translates to “Mâi máai mâi mâi” Each word is only different in what tone you use, and how long you say a certain letter. It was quite amusing listening to how some of the different accents from around the world sounded so different when we were all trying to say the same thing, the same exact way. Finally, the meeting was over and WE WERE FREE!!! My friends Aom (from school), Jessica (exchange student from America also from my school), Abby (exchange student from America) and I went to Siam Square. We ended up going to MBK, which is one of the most famous malls in Bangkok. First of all, I though shopping in NYC was amazing, but once you go to Siam Square, your shopping life will never be the same. You name it, they not only have what you’re looking for, they have it in every color, texture, size, scent, and origin you can think of! “Hmm…I want a really big lollipop, fermented milk flavored, no chunks, from Antarctica. Can you get that for me?” “Got it. What color?”

Speaking of fermented milk, I seemed to have fallen in love with it. It comes in a small container with a foil seal on it. You poke a straw through the seal and drink away! It’s similar to yogurt but its drinkable and the taste is a little different. Anyways, we didn’t do too much shopping, instead we just explored the many many floors of shops, and stores. (Yes, there is a difference. Shops tend to be smaller but cheaper, while the stores tend to be twice the price.) MBK even has a Cinema, a bowling alley, an arcade, and karaoke! And that’s only the stuff that we had time to see! Later that night we all took a Tuk Tuk home, and I went out to dinner with my family. We went to a delicious Korean BBQ. They give you all your meat and food raw, and you cook it yourself in a round BBQ that is located in the middle of the table. You can season it however you want, and cook it just perfect. I even had kimchi! I was very exciting. Now this week, I look forward to a very busy week. I practice Thai Dance EVERYDAY in preparation for a big exhibition on Thursday. I have to be at school at 6am for my makeup and my costume. I will make sure LOTS of pictures are taken. Well that’s all I can think of for now! If I forget anything, I will write back! I really hope all is well in America, BUT I’M LOVING THAILAND!!!