Hua Hin Weekend

I had decided to go out and get myself a bottle of cold water on Sunday morning when I met Nick, another student teacher, on his way to 7-11 as well. We walked together and then he invited me to go for breakfast. I decided to try eating something since I hadn't left the room at all on Saturday and was still not feeling well, but knew I'd need to try and get something into me. We went to a German place for breakfast and I just ate toast, but it was kinda fun. Both of our roommates had gone out kayaking and we were both kinda missing home (I was sick, but he was missing his girlfriend - I remember what that was like, too, when I studied in Mexico.)

After breakfast, because I wasn't feeling well at all, he showed me where to find a pharmacy and I spoke to a doctor. I found out it was food poisoning and picked up the medications that he prescribed and then we went for a walk along the beach. He was hoping to reach Monkey Mountain, but it looked a lot closer than it was. I enjoyed walking with my sandals off and in the incredibly warm ocean water. The sand felt great and the little critters crawling in the sand were amusing. The horses that were walking on the beach looked weak and hot, and one was even trotting funny. People were sunbathing, swimming, or going for rides on a pencil tube. The breeze off the ocean was cool and refreshing. We walked for about half an hour before my stomach decided for us that it was time to turn back. After walking back to the hotel, I spent the rest of the evening in my room.

Monday morning came and I wasn't feeling altogether better but I was so tired of being in a box called a hotel room. I went down for breakfast but I didn't feel very well after eating it, and again missed out on a trip with some friend to Monkey Mountain. I was very much looking forward to seeing the temples and shrines on the little island called Monkey Mountain. But my stomach had it's own ideas and I spent the morning sulking in my room. I admit it, I sulked, it's tough enough to be away from home and adjusting to a new culture, but to be there and feeling incredibly sick, and missing out on 3 days of fun activities REALLY stinks and I was really depressed about it all. 

For supper on Monday, everyone from Brandon University went for supper together. Chris had chosen a place on the pier for us to go to and it was absolutely breathtaking. I loved the view, and I would have loved to have tried some of the sea food, but with my stomach being upset, I opted for a good old pizza. Which didn't really seem to go down so well either in the end. After enjoying the view on the ocean, and our meals, we went on to take a look from above in the lounge of the Hilton. I've never been in any place like the Hilton, and I don't think I ever will stay in a hotel as luxurious as that, but WOW was that ever a fantastic view... Pictures cannot show the beauty of looking down and seeing the waves rolling into the beach in the dark, and the moon reflecting off the ocean. It cannot recreate the wonder of the twinkling city lights or the little flecks of light from the boats that are out on the ocean. After a few minutes at the Hilton, it was time to go back to the hotel and get some shut-eye.

FINALLY, Tuesday morning I was feeling better. Not perfect, but better than I had been for days. The only problem is that we were leaving Tuesday to go back to Bangkok. I got up and had an American style breakfast at the hotel (bacon and eggs and toast which I was SOOO excited that my stomach was alright with!) and then went and did some walking. I went with a group (Will, Sarah, Val, and a few more) and we went to a fish foot spa. This is a place where you put your feet in a tank with lots of little fishies and they eat away the calluses and dead skin from your feet. We were definitely nervous at first, and with a few squeals, we all managed to get our feet in the water and swarmed by fish. The fish tickle and make your feet almost tingle like they do when they fall asleep. They look funny swimming around your feet and calves sucking on your skin, and it feels so strange when they get the parts in between your toes. After that, it was time to grab some lunch and pack up to head back to Bangkok.

The ride to Bangkok was shorter than the ride out, but we weren't coming in at rush hour. The city seemed incredibly hot when we arrived but it was really only about 33 degrees C, but with the humidity (according to theweathernetwork.com) it felt like 44. We unpacked and did some laundry and cleaned our apartments, while ordering some food and just relaxing after a busy weekend.

I'm excited for Wednesday (tomorrow) when the students start arriving. I have my first day of classes which are essentially just getting to know all of my grade 2 classes. I'm looking forward to it!