The smells, sights and sewage

Ahhh it's great to be back in the hustle and bustle of the big smoke. Bangkok that is. We returned this morning at about 0630 and spent the following couple of hours searching for a room. Luckily Na knows the people that run the guest hours we stayed at before we left the big smoke. So now we are sunning up in the substantially warmer climate of Bangkok and I feel great.

It now seems apparent that I have learnt many things. When I first reached Bangkok at the beginning of November I was scared and overwhelmed by the sheer over absorbing, extreme, nature of the city. Even while in the company of Na I still felt almost as though it was all to much. Now after seeing Pai and Chiang Mai I feel at peace. Like the lessons I have learnt while away have helped me to adapt to life in Thialand. Admittedly my Thai is getting slightly better but that is surely not it. I have now simply become marginally accustomed to the life style here. Comfortable and relaxed in this chaotic environment - of Bangkok.

So now I am faced with the prospect of working as a teacher which brings with it so many new fears of failure and hopelessness. HAHAHA That is just me being paranoid as usual. Narin has taught me many things but one compounding lesson I am starting to learn is that I have to relax and stop taking things so seriously. Everytime something changes I find myself stressing out. Especially when it comes to money. But now I can be rest-assured that teaching English should be fairly straight forward. Everyone I have spoken to says it is as simple a job as can be.

On a serious note I would like to voice a concern of both mine and Narins. This concern is for the free loading backpacker that comes to Thailand and needs to extend his or her holiday further. I feel so terribly guilty that I am resorting to working as a teacher as it is, in a way, a corrupt and unfair system. I will be capable of earning around 30000 baht per month as a minimum. Where as the local Thai's can only expect to earn upto about 10000 baht per month. Economically speaking I understand why English teachers are paid so generously but it is easy to understand how the Thais must feel when English teachers teach by day, then drink up their money on booze and woman on Khao San by night. It makes me sick. The only thing I can do is attempt to be the best damn teacher I can be. I hope I can be a good example to those that may follow the same path I have taken.

I must leave it here as I have 11 minutes left and I've also left Na at the hairdressers for the past hour. heheh Who knows what sort of trouble I might be in? Till next time, be good. And for god's sake, if you can be good be careful.
Nengi