Phuket 03 May

So, the first few days in the new job, it's going really well, love the fact that I have lots of company and everyone gets on, no politics as yet, it's a very different structure and set-up from Chockchai, we'll have to see if I like it so much once the kids actually arrive. Lesson plans here are really minimal, which could be a bad thing for me as I like my classes to have a structure, I like to be able to refer to a guide, so I will probably write my own anyway. Everyone here scuba dives so I should have no drama finding buddies but of course the season is almost over so we shall see. Oh and did I mention that we clock in and out at work using our fingerprints, it's all very James Bond (or Kim possible).

I hired a bike for the month (Don't read this next bit Uncle Chris) I am still extremely nervous on it (your Gran drives more recklessly than me) and haven't tried night time yet (mostly because the street lighting is minimal if it exists at all), while in Patong the other day mind you I discovered what I suspect is one of the main causes of the high death toll here. Driving (like at home) the Thai's believe should be done on the left hand side of the road, except every now and again of course, when they don't and suddenly you come across a road where you have to drive on the right!!!?! They also only follow the traffic lights if there is traffic, if the road appears clear they just ignore the red light, sometimes it's chaos out there I spent my first couple of days not even making it out of second gear! I have relaxed some what now but the motorcycle helmets are not even glorified bicycle helmets, they won't be protecting much and thats if the wearer actually has the thing done up!

I went into Patong on my last day before I started work and discovered the back streets away from the intense tourist area are actually quite nice, beautiful old fashioned architecture crowded in by the usual Thai soi life, noodles on the street and the familiar ordours of asia. Every second house runs some kind of semi retail business out of their front room, the sight of little sparrows feeding straight out of the huge open sacks of rice, which are all on display for the shoppers convenience.

Anyway I have lesson plans to write, later guys.

Love N.J.