Wai Kru Day

With Ajahn Kannika, another English teacher on my right

Last Thursday, all classes were cancelled in the morning because of "Wan Wai Kru" which is a day of respect for all teachers. It is a significant day celebrated in most Thai schools where students show respect and appreciation for their teachers by offering them flowers and incense. All the teachers including myself were led to sit on chairs arranged at the school park and students one by one came up to offer us flowers. We would then give them a blessing and wish them well on their studies and their future.

I think that this day is as important for students as the teachers. I felt very appreciated and loved, and I was on cloud nine all day, but I think it is also good for the students, because they were given the opportunity to humble themselves and reflect on how important teachers are in their lives. It was also good for them to partake in this to realize that they are not at the center of the world, that teachers are not there to serve them, but to be part of their lives forever.

Students offering flowers and paying their respect

I was talking to the other foreign English teachers in my department and we all wished something like this existed in America. If American kids could just be a tad bit more humble and realize that not everything exists for their sole benefit, perhaps they can grow up to be better people. Modernization and materialism has eroded respect for teachers in America and these two things are also starting to encroach on Thailand. My host teachers tell me that students are less respectful of teachers these days and their numbers seem to increase each year. Students that are especially smart or talented tend to regard teachers as tools rather than as friends and mentors.

To end on a high note, the tradition of Wai Kru exists and remains strong in Thailand. It is my hope that Thai students continue to remain respectful to and appreciate their teachers always. Wherever I meet my students, they generally would say hello and wai me. I wai them back to recognize them and respect them too. It is a two way relationship showing that we will work and grow together.

Some of the teachers in the foreign languages department

Durian season is here!

The head of the English department, P'Sonya, dropped off two Uttaradit durians at my house tonight. It is now officially durian season in Thailand! Uttaradit durians are the most fragrant and sweetest durians I have ever tasted in my life. It is locally grown (in a neighboring province) and ridiculously cheap at 50 cents for each one. I only wish there was a button on blogger that could release the fresh fragrance that is durian to you now.

Ramwong in Phitsanulok

A few weekends ago, I was walking around the Saturday walking street in Phitsanulok and came upon a large square where many people were watching some sort of spectacle with great interest. As I approached the square, I saw older ladies in their upper 50's and in bright identical dresses dancing to very upbeat upcountry Thai music with other random locals.

My friend, Oom, explained to me that this is called "ramwong boran" or "old dancing" although this name probably hints at the age of the event rather than the dancers (though the latter is quite appropriate too). This type of communal dancing is becoming very rare, so I was very lucky to witness it. People can pay 20 baht or so for each dance and pick an old Thai aunty to dance with for any song, though couples can also dance with each other. Dances last for 4-5 minutes. Thai people, both young and old, were enjoying the time here.  Dances range from going in a large circle while hopping from one foot to the next or sliding forwards and backwards.

Very interesting and na-sanuk. Plus everyone gets a good workout.