So since my last blog I have had a few interesting experiences, eating bugs, teaching at a secondary and joing locals on a temple day.

Over the weekend I joined a local Thai teacher on a trip to collect 17 piglets. I would have never have thought I would be frightened of pigs, but these mother pigs were colossal and very hungry. Warin (an english teacher) collected the piglets which were sweet but created an awful squeal. They managed to fit them into one crate no bigger than a chest, quite sad!

I visited a temple that reminded me of tracey island from the 'Thunderbirds'! Matthew didn't have a clue what I was going on about, being from America and born in the 90's! The temple was very impressive considering it was modern. It was built into the mountains and had glorious views over looking Pang Makha. We saw wax models of monks that looked very real. I met my first budhist nun and monk, did you know all men in Thailand had to practise being a monk at some point in their life! I was shown around the local trades of the area; there was gazebo making (nothing like yours though Dad) and all sorts of things hand made from Bamboo. Matthew and I took the plunge to try a bug at a local market. We did try the most pathetic there having a caterpillar, I could have eaten a cockroach, yuk!

On Monday myself and Matthew experienced teaching at a secondary school, which surprisingly was a good laugh, joking with the students. I met a Northern Irish teacher called Jimmy who has settled here and living with his Thai wife. He however can't be paid a full wage as he does not have a teaching certificate so he is living off 200 Baht a day (4 pounds), I don't know how he does it. The kids were surprisingly shy, there were a few lady boys there as the Thai's call any gay man. They were wearing make up, something a british school boy would be terrified to do.

Been woken at 6am in the morning by prayer from the local temple, I joined Krutoy (the teacher I am staying with) to temple. The locals all bring food to give to the monks, as a thought they are giving food to those that have left them. I have never seen so much food given to 5 people, it was just for their breakfast and dinner. Before praying I was given incense sticks to burn and flowers as a peace offering to the Budha's. It was a definite experience, even the stray dogs joined!

I have enjoyed my time here after a shock when I first arrived. I have been looked after very well, cooked for and taken out on trips. Wairin from the other local school has been amazing and maybe one day she can come and experience an english school. The thai cuisine is very different to the thai food we have in England, however I have enjoyed it but never warmed to rice in the morning! On Saturday I will be getting a 6 hour bus journey to Chiang Mai which is in the north. I hope I will meet other travellers there as I begin my backpacking adventure.

I hope you are all well at home, Happy Birthday Stu and Mum hope you gots lots of treats.

Miss you and love you all lots xxxxx