Oops
Tuesdays are my free days. I only have one class in the morning, so I spend the rest of the day reading or bugging Thai teachers with questions about their language. It’s fun.
Well, today I was so bored that I offered to help Nummon with some of her work (ya…I was that bored). She replied with “You be a strong boy for me,” and sent me to her classroom with a stack of books. I dropped the books off and walked back into the hall to enjoy the rain for a few minutes. Standing there, I noticed a class of 1st graders bowing prostrate. Their teacher was conducting a practice-Buddhist-prayer-position-session (the technical term).
Ya…I had to stare, and stare I did.
Well, I needed to pass the class to get back to the English office, so I stepped over a couple of the kids on my way. After crossing the practice prayer vigil I heard an eruption of gasps and muffled screams. I turned to find the kids staring at me, the teachers covering their mouths, and two of the janitors glaring at me. I did a double-take to make sure Hitler wasn’t standing behind me.
Apparently your feet shouldn’t ever go near a child’s head, but especially not when they’re praying (it was just practice!). I knew a little about this, but I didn’t know it was something that would induce hatred and a sound shunning.
Needless to say, I’m on the outs with a number of the faculty, and this is saying something considering I didn’t really fit in before.
So there’s my random story. Things have been busy lately and I haven’t felt like blogging. My camera is also out of commission so I won’t be able to post any pictures for awhile. I’ll try to get some from Cayla’s camera later. Love you all,
matt
PS. Uhhhh the new Coldplay album. Ya. A legalized form of auditory heroine (That means it’s good). Unbelievable.
Matt!!
Ahh… stuff like this is bound to happen. Take risks and sometimes we fail, but hey – there’s forgiveness and grace and they’ll get over it, keep doing what you do, brother!
Ha, yeah I hope they get over it! I don’t know what that culture is like when it comes to forgiveness and offending, though. I would be so embarrassed.
I’m sure some of them know you’re an ignorant foreigner.
Good to hear about you!