The lost email only lasted one night. I have gotten my Chinese visa and will be leaving in a few weeks. My several days in Bangkok, while I waited for my visa, were fun as always. It is a crazy city with 24 hour traffic which prompted me to become comfortable with its sky train and underground. Both are quite simple and easy to manage as there are only a few lines. I explored some parts of the city that I had not known while frequenting an Irish pub that has delicious western food. I visited the famous Southeast Asian backpacker hub, Khao San Road. I was there during the day so missed its raucous nights, but enjoyed wandering around its crowded streets filled with Western tourists, restaurants, travel agents, dvd stalls, and bookstores. This is where you go to pick up a fake passport if needed. Bangkok is a massive sprawling city and where I was staying was a good distance from this Khao San Road. I am always overwhelmed with the city’s diversity despite growing up in the New York area. Arabs, Indians, Westerners, and Thais overwhelmed the street I stay on.
Upon my return to Ubon I was treated with two plays my students had been working on, amongst their other English course work. The plays were Chicago and Snow White. The productions were nothing less than spectacular. Mind you, almost all the students who are taking my classes are studying English just as American students study Spanish or French. Although a few of the students are incredibly strong in English, most struggle. Nevertheless, the students got to know their roles and spoke eloquently. They developed elaborate sets and costumes, coordinated sounds and music, created t-shirts, made and sold tickets, and left me in awe. In my time as a student, teaching assistant, and teacher I do not think I have ever seen such a tremendous final project as that of the Snow White play. It was completely student led and considering the language barrier, their coordination, collective effort, and overall final piece is unmatched by anything I have partaken in or instructed. As my days in Ubon are numbered, it was a wonderful way to remember my students. More photographs can be found at the school web site. For Snow White and Chicago
Upon my return to Ubon I was treated with two plays my students had been working on, amongst their other English course work. The plays were Chicago and Snow White. The productions were nothing less than spectacular. Mind you, almost all the students who are taking my classes are studying English just as American students study Spanish or French. Although a few of the students are incredibly strong in English, most struggle. Nevertheless, the students got to know their roles and spoke eloquently. They developed elaborate sets and costumes, coordinated sounds and music, created t-shirts, made and sold tickets, and left me in awe. In my time as a student, teaching assistant, and teacher I do not think I have ever seen such a tremendous final project as that of the Snow White play. It was completely student led and considering the language barrier, their coordination, collective effort, and overall final piece is unmatched by anything I have partaken in or instructed. As my days in Ubon are numbered, it was a wonderful way to remember my students. More photographs can be found at the school web site. For Snow White and Chicago