There was something about leaving Bangkok which bought one very large smile to my face! I knew very little about how I would spend the next 10 days and this seemed to make it all the more exciting. I boarded the overnight train and was warmly welcomed by a women monk who made me feel very comfortable on what could have been a scary train trip. I soon realized she was from Wat Mahathat the place I practiced meditation. The trip however was not enjoyable at all and I had barely a minutes sleep. This is unusual as I am getting good at been able to sleep anywhere. I stumbled off the train the next morning into a whole new world and all feelings of exhaustion quickly disappeared. This world was full of smiling people, rich culture and exotic smells and tastes. I was greeted by two teachers from the school both named Borpit. They gave me the basic information such as where I was going to be staying, working eating etc. I was told the school has over 3000 students many of whom have never talked to a westerner. It did not take long for me to work out that for the next 10 days I would have some kind of celebrity status and be the main attraction at the school. This fact scared me just a little so I tried not to think too much about it on our drive there.

Some time later we drove into an extremely large complex filled with playful, smiley teenagers. I was welcomed by the director of the school and shown my way to the English department. There where around 10 teachers in the department who soon became good friends. My first day was overwhelming and fantastic. I soon discovered teaching English at this school basically involved me standing up in front of around 50 Thai students ranging from 13 to 18 years old talking and playing activities. The students are all very shy and love to giggle when I crack a lame joke. They all love participating and get very into the games I create. I am lucky I have a loud voice and am confident because you definitely need it to be able to talk for so long in front of so many of them. Many of the teachers comment "You, Sophie very good teacher… Always loud and clear, easy to understand." I guess growing up with 3 other brothers and sisters did do me good J. One thing that is most noticeable here is the respect level the children have for the teachers. Unfortunately in Western schools this level of respect is no longer shown. I could not believe how much fun the children where having in class and at the same time always learning. It is saddening to know that 70% of them will end up as farmers yet they all have such big dreams of university and work Bangkok. Many students take so much for granted back home and it is clearly shown by how neat their uniforms in Asian countries are kept and how they always respect those who are willing to teach them knew things. On my second day it was the schools 40th birthday so it was a day of fun and activities. It did not take long for me to pulled into the chaos of it all and soon enough I was dancing, singing and part of all the funfest games.

During my stay in Ubon I am sleeping and living with Yawado a teacher from the school. Oy (her nickname) has constantly gone out of her way to make me feel comfortable and spoils me rotten. She is a very kind lady who lives alone and enjoys company. I called her my "Thai mum" which she seemed to like very much. Of an afternoon after school I have been indulging in local Thai culture as me and Oy trot off to aerobics at the local park. Afterwards we either shop at the local supermarket or eat dinner at the market. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to eat, sleep, work, exercise and socialize as the locals in Ubon do.

On the weekend I was there the teachers from the department took me on a tour of the city and surroundings. It was great to see many sites and enjoy lunch with all the teachers. Some people say traveling is the best education one can get and I cannot agree more. I have learnt and continue to learn so much from not only the places and things I have seen but simply from the conversations I have had with people. From the elderly Thai lady explaining life working in the rice paddy to the ex banker who is now backpacking the world teaching me about world currencies and finance. I have become such a more knowledgeable person from just simply listening to so many different kinds of people.

The last few days of teaching where tiring as the days where jam-packed with classes. Though I never lost the love for it as the children where always so smiley and eager to learn and practice more English. Everyone in the school knew who I was by this stage so where ever I went I could hear "Hello Sophie" shouted from all directions. Of a night this sound would ring in my ears and put me into deep deep sleeps.

My last day quickly arrived and the teachers planned a party lunch for me. We all enjoyed local foods and I was given my very own teachers t-shirt. The tears ran down my face as I said my last goodbyes to the teacher's ad students and my "Thai mother". As I boarded the bus on my way to the wonderful land of Laos I realized how lucky I had been to experience local life, in Thailand once again. I also thought about the friendships I had made over the last 10 days. I feel I now have my very own Thai family who will always be there if I need them or want to visit. On the 25 hour journey I enter a dreamlike state of mind where I recap my time in this beautiful country. Beginning from the beginning in the bustling city of Bangkok and moving on to my rewarding time at the Children's home, relaxing and partying on the incredible beaches and now teaching and living in Eastern Thailand- I feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction run through me as I realize I have experienced so many different sides and seen so much of this diverse country that always seen by those foreign to it! Thinking about how many more months I have left and how much more of the world there is to see is overwhelming yet thrilling. One step at a time is all I can quite handle Next step… Laos!