WORLD CHALLENGE THAILAND
We arrived in a hot and steamy Bangkok late on Sunday evening. The girls were given a portion of the budget and the first leader
had to work out how to get to the backpackers. So began the adventure. With a different leader every day, the girls had to plan
activities, transport, accommodation and meals. The first week was difficult for them as they realised that they could not look to
their teachers for answers. It was also rough for the teachers who had to keep quiet and endure! From trains to Marigold hotel type
buses, to speeding ferries and tuk tuks, we travelled hundreds of kilometres and along the way the girls learned how to see! They
saw cities with golden temples, and lush and bright forests in rural areas, and relaxed on a postcard perfect island.
@special_events
They experienced so
much, and that was
just using their eyes.
They also learned to
look for clues, the
tourist information
signs, bus stops,
remembering how
they got somewhere
and so how to get
home.
The girls learned how
to talk and listen: how
to bargain, how to ask
for directions, how to
ask for advice - and all
using gesticulations
and facial expressions.
Luckily the Thai are
warm and friendly
and interested in
helping foreigners!
The girls also learned
how to taste. They
started out with
French fries, toasted
sandwiches, chips and
ice-creams and ended
up eating pad thai,
curries and other
culinary delights, even
a scorpion or two.
And there were
challenges to be
endured. The heat
was over 40 degrees
and the humidity
100%. Sweat was a
best friend and a
breeze was a blessing.
The equatorial sun
was harsh and burned
quickly, while
mosquitos were
always looking for a
juicy bit of skin.
Then there was squatting on porcelain toilets, squirty hoses instead of toilet paper and a bucket instead of a shower. We
experienced Erawan falls and had fish nibble our toes; we wal