pathumseb
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Post by pathumseb on May 26, 2016 9:12:57 GMT 7
So far so good, enjoying the land for its friendly warm people and delicious food. Currently in Yangon for one final day before being moved to Mandalay. Some differences compared to Thailand:
The food: More straight up Chinese food here, which I am indulging in at the expense of the school; a situation that I can live with! Looking forward to try some Shan noodles in Mandalay and to tuck into some of the Indian food that I have heard so much about
Beer: I think it's better- certainly crisper than Leo. There is also a stout which is full of flavour and booze (8.1% ABV!)
Weather: It's actually much cooler in Yangon than BKK- not complaining.
As for the job, looks like I will be teaching multiple classes of first grade, which is what I wanted. Going to be odd only seeing each class once a week. Certainly going to miss the rapport I was able to build up due to only having three classes in my last job. It would also appear that I am going to have a lot less work than I did in Thailand yet get paid more for it. That one is still sinking in 555
Finally, I have to mention the internet, it's slow to the extent that I think I am back in the 90s. Took 20 mins to load the good old Mango
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me
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Post by me on May 26, 2016 12:01:16 GMT 7
So far so good, enjoying the land for its friendly warm people and delicious food. Currently in Yangon for one final day before being moved to Mandalay. Some differences compared to Thailand: The food: More straight up Chinese food here, which I am indulging in at the expense of the school; a situation that I can live with! Looking forward to try some Shan noodles in Mandalay and to tuck into some of the Indian food that I have heard so much about Beer: I think it's better- certainly crisper than Leo. There is also a stout which is full of flavour and booze (8.1% ABV!) Weather: It's actually much cooler in Yangon than BKK- not complaining. As for the job, looks like I will be teaching multiple classes of first grade, which is what I wanted. Going to be odd only seeing each class once a week. Certainly going to miss the rapport I was able to build up due to only having three classes in my last job. It would also appear that I am going to have a lot less work than I did in Thailand yet get paid more for it. That one is still sinking in 555 Finally, I have to mention the internet, it's slow to the extent that I think I am back in the 90s. Took 20 mins to load the good old Mango How long to load the other one:) food photos....we need more......and food:P) |
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pathumseb
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Post by pathumseb on May 26, 2016 16:31:44 GMT 7
Food will come soon, I'm in Yangon at the moment and I am told the food is much nicer in Mandalay. Early bus up there tomorrow on a brand new road- only 600 have perished on it so far. Will stop being lazy and sort out a 3g simcard there, too. Looked around AF  - Maybe Can a Troll from Myanmar thread is needed |
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Mosha
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Post by Mosha on May 27, 2016 6:32:56 GMT 7
A friend went on a tour, and he loved the food. Now and again we get invited to eat with neighbours. Rubber tappers, their version of non chin is delicious. A nutty smokey taste.
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pathumseb
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Post by pathumseb on May 29, 2016 11:54:31 GMT 7
A massive Pagoda in Yangon. Stunning   Yangon is a bit of a contradiction at times; so leafy and green but such a concrete jungle at times. The view from the hotel room was thankfully leafy  Been settling into Mandalay- the school accommodation is basic, but this is Myanmar and I was expecting it.Start lesson prep tomorrow. TBH, looking forward to it as there is little to do in Mandalay itself- beautiful place though. |
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pathumseb
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Post by pathumseb on May 29, 2016 12:10:11 GMT 7
Some additions and random thoughts. I wasn't really prepared for the poverty; it's much more in your face than Thailand- there are families squatting on the roof in tin shacks on my apartment building, communal open air bathrooms on the street and a lot of child beggers/workers. The Chinese seem to have the money here- they love building gaudy mansions. Food hygiene is a bit more basic than Thailand- you certainly need to keep your wits about you. Something is not sitting well today and I usually have a stomach of iron when it comes to food. The electric is bearable- most places have generators as back up. Despite all the poverty in the country the people are some of the friendliest and most accommodating I have met. Smiles seem genuine here.
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pathumseb
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Post by pathumseb on May 30, 2016 16:05:58 GMT 7
Got shown around the school today,all seems good on that front. One thing I have noticed is that kids are pretty eager to try their English out here. Shy they aint! School also took us up the hill   In other news my stomach has recovered, I've found the western bakers and a gym. |
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Post by Soutpeel on Jun 1, 2016 20:24:22 GMT 7
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pathumseb
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Post by pathumseb on Jun 1, 2016 22:03:05 GMT 7
A rather uneventful day at school with admin stuff, but did get to eat Shan Noodles for lunch- nicest soup I have eaten in Asia so far.
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pathumseb
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Post by pathumseb on Jun 4, 2016 21:12:27 GMT 7
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Post by rgs2001uk on Jun 4, 2016 21:28:41 GMT 7
Been there a few times, every time I go I think to myself, is this what Thailand was like before the GIs arrived?
Beautiful country and people.
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pathumseb
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Post by pathumseb on Jun 4, 2016 22:13:39 GMT 7
I suppose I ought to mull on education seeing as I am here to teach. Lots of friends both online and offline want to know how Myanmar kids compare to Thai kids. Thing is, I don't think its correct to judge a first graders intelligence on their ability to speak a foreign language. So considering that, the kids I teach are much the same as the ones I taught in Thailand: mostly enthusiastic, resilient, creative,smart individuals with strong personalities. It seems common for expats here to slag off Thailand- I tend to remove myself from the conversation or change it. Honestly, as much as I like this place I can't see it as a place to settle like I do when I think about Thailand. Lovely people for sure, but the lack of basic infrastructure put me of stay for more than a year or two.
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Post by rgs2001uk on Jun 4, 2016 22:23:57 GMT 7
Give it time Seb, first and foremost you are a teacher.
Give the country time to come in from the cold.
If things were diferent and my situation was different, I would rather be there than here.
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pathumseb
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Post by pathumseb on Jun 4, 2016 22:39:33 GMT 7
Adjustment, that's all it is I think. Miss all that space I had in Rangsit. This will sounds silly, but I am having a hard time dealing with the fact that I am doing less for more pay. Back in Thailand I had three classes and 50 sts between them, knew most of them since they were in kinder. Here I have over 200- seems like they are just a number. Not used to that set up.
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Post by rgs2001uk on Jun 4, 2016 23:00:20 GMT 7
Dont feel guilty about it, like the rest of we expats, we are paid what they think we are worth, and not a satang more.
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- Maybe Can a Troll from Myanmar thread is needed
