Ko Samet

I've been to the island! Last Friday Ginger, Lisa, myself and two of our other co-workers left work and in two hours we were catching a speed boat to the most crystal clear aqua blue waters that I've ever seen. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I heart Thailand! We Rented a moped, ate fresh seafood (being from the landlocked Midwest I never truly understood the difference)swam in the salty sea, walked the white sand beach, stayed in a bungalow on stilts (with a Buddhist shrine out the front door), and of course received two...Ok three Thai massages on the beach. At night we danced until we couldn't dance anymore. Chris, my coworker who came with us knows many of the locals which was a nice way to meet people other than farangs (foreigner). I will admit that I'm still not acclimated to using the stand only toilets, without toilet paper and I have not yet used the hose to spray myself off afterwards...call me square, baby steps.

Work is good the students are interested in everything, my room is full of tropical plants and a student is setting up an aquarium. Now I just need to convince my 6th graders that watering the plants is their job and not the maids. Many of our students have maids and drivers that bring them to school. Cleaning up after themselves is not second nature to say the least.

I've heard it is getting cool in MN. I am already lonesome for the smell fall's leaves, the taste of bitter apples and bloody homemade salsa.

Here the weather is humid and hot with the sun always beating down. Everyone is dripping with sweat when they arrive at school. Lately I've found myself stopping by rooms just to feel the aircon on my body for a quick second. The rumor is it only gets hotter.

Today I buy my airline ticket home. I'll arrive around 2100 on the 21st of September.

I miss you all!

Love,

Jana