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| Happy 2017 Everyone! |
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| Jake at a Buddha Temple |
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| With Nate in Bahrain, January 2017! He flew down from Kuwait and we drove over from Saudi! Had not seen him since last May! It was a Happy New Year indeed! |
Day 168 from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, January 28, 2017
By the numbers: 75 student contact days left, leaving for Chennai and Pondicherry, India on February 16th and returning February 21st, leaving for London, United Kingdom on March 23rd and returning on March 29th, traveling to Cairo and Luxor, Egypt April 2nd through the 12th, departing on June 19th for Ljubljana, Slovenia Gottschee then Baumgartnerhof in Altfinkerstein am Faaker See, Austria en route to Engelberg, Switzerland and flying from Zurich into Minneapolis on July 5th and staying until August 8th before heading back to Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to complete the final year of our contract.
December 16th, 2016 to January 4th 2017: The Thailand Adventure Reflections: I gained a renewed sense of thankfulness for the luxury of growing up with toilet paper and modern plumbing, for regulated health, safety and food standards for my own well being and that of others, for an occasional raccoon or bear in the garbage rather than a 8 foot water monitor, for being able to go to a movie theater, for being able to wear what I want outside and not have to cover my shoulders-arms and ankles, for wide streets and roads back home AND for being able to drive a motorized vehicle!
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First time driving in 6 months! |
Thailand was amazing. BANGKOK has earned a spot in my top 5 favorite places in the world. The street food was abundant, unique and delicious. On the streets, we ate glass noodle soup, breaded shrimp, deep fried sweet chili fish and several unidentifiable morsels!
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Street food deliciousness!  |
With over 12 million people, the city vibrates 24/7 with diverse people, languages, music, smells, traffic, lights and markets. Organic, herbal and plant-based products could be found everywhere as well as massage parlors, 7-11 stores on every corner and a few Buddhist monks here and there with their shaved heads,orange robes and sandals.
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| Chillin' at "River Vibe", one of our favorite places in Bangkok! |
We observed very clearly that we didn't fit in because we don't have any tattoos.
The city is draped in lavish black and white material in honor of the former King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away last October. Building, bridges, parks and temples were all decorated with real fabric. The King was viewed as deity and we were advised not to speak about him because the basic rule in Thailand is to not talk about the royal family as that is seen as disrespectful. At each of the four movies that we attended, we stood right before the main movie to watch a short tribute film to the King. Because movie theaters are outlawed in Saudi, we saw the following four while on vacation: "Rogue One" in the Bangkok Airlines Elite Movie Theater, "The Wall", "Passengers" and "Patriot's Day." Movie tickets were 180 Baht which equals $5.
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| Rogue One movie at the Bangkok Airlines Deluxe Movie Theater! |
On this vacation, we traveled by boat, city bus, motorcycle, on foot, plane, scooter, subway, train, truck and the TUK TUKS! Prices were always negotiated so Jake and I would compete with each other to see who could get the best price every other time!
Since Thailand is 80% Buddhist, 10% Christian and 10% Muslim, we saw many, many beautiful temples. One day, we hired a private guide to take us to the old capital of Ayuthaya where we toured Wat Phu Khao Thong, or the “Monastery of the Golden Mount”," the ancient palace, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, one of the largest bronze Buddha’s in Thailand, Wat Lokaya Sutha which is the temple that enshrines a large reclining Buddha image. "RECLINING", and and not "resting." We also visited the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. The palace showcases an eclectic collection of buildings that blend European, Khmer, Thai and Chinese architectural styles. We learned A LOT on this day and WE SAW the Buddah Head in Tree Roots at Wat Mahathat!!!! SO COOL! Wat=temple.
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| Buddha Head in the Tree Roots! We saw it! |
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The Reclining Buddha |
According to Khan, our tour guide, the top 4 industries for Thailand are tourism, exporting rice [to Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines and the Middle East] , seafood and rubber. Yes, RUBBER! On the road to Poseidon Bungalows, we passed rubber trees which had little cups attached to them which looked similar to tapping maple trees!
My favorite cultural buildings were the Sprit Houses, which were EVERYWHERE. I want to have one of these when we build our permanent home at Waukenabo. The written Thai language is beautiful with lots of curls and twirls.
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| One of many Spirit Houses |
During our trip, we stayed in 5 different accommodations ranging from a hostel to a beach bungalow to an obnoxiously extravagant glass hotel to a dumpy cheap room in Chinatown. We checked out 2 national parks and tried five different beers: Ashanti, Chang, Leo, Sigha and Tiger. Driving was a BLAST---opposite side of the road as home so a real mind game the first 24 hours!
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| One of the best places to hang out in the world! Megan, Jake & Jonah |
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| Since I couldn't make a snowman, I made a sandman! |
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Supporting the National Parks in Thailand! |
The most depressing site we visited was the Tsunami Museum. The tsunami occurred in 2004 right where we spent a week, which was Kao Lak. Many, many people died, mostly Asian and European tourists. It was heartbreaking to watch the footage as the Tsunami approached the beach and the devastation which followed. All four of us were really affected by the museum exhibits that day.
We spent an entire day snorkeling around the Similan Islands which are located in the Andaman Sea. The white sand beaches and fancy boats were amazing. This was a real highlight for the 6 days that Jonah and Megan spent with us! Our boat ride back to land took 1 hour and 20 minutes. Jake and Jonah also rented scooters for 2 days and went exploring around the Kao Lak area. Jake had several shirts and a winter jacket custom made by a tailor. There are tailors everywhere!
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| With my daughter, Princess Megan Mary, Similan Islands, Thailand |
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| Jonah and Jake rented scooters and drove around for 2 days! |
We really enjoyed our week with the kids! Megan and I spent 2 days on the beach, eating at the local hut, getting outdoor massages, jumping the waves and just hanging out together. That was the BEST! I spoke German everyday in Kao Lak as the area is a popular vacation destination for the Germans, Swedes and Swiss! I could not believe that I was an American currently living in Saudi Arabia, vacationing in Thailand and speaking German! This life is nuts and I love it!
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| Every morning, we had breakfast with the kids and this was our view! |
Meanwhile, back in the Kingdom......we purchased a gently used chiminea for our garden patio which came with 2 tiny bundles of wood. Now, we have to figure out where to get more wood since there are no trees or any woods here.........The roadside camels will be having their babies soon. The Saudi "wildlife", packs of dogs and camels, continue to enjoy picking from the abundant trash that is found everywhere alongside the drive to and from school and extending like mini-mountains out into the desert.
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| My latest purchase from someone moving back to the UK! |
Since we have little freedom and recreational options outside the compound wall, Jake and I have started assembling a massive jigsaw puzzle, joined the circuit training class for the compound military personnel which meets twice a week, cook more, enjoy our patio and are taking advantage of the sauna/cold splash pool once a week. We have saved a few exciting options for the future [when needed] such as bowling, ping-pong and trying the "Dance-Off" machine at the Sports Complex! To emotionally survive here, you have to really be creative and get yourself on some sort of schedule while living from vacation to vacation!
School news: Last night, Jake chaperoned the first of several senior trips which was held at a private beach club on the Arabian Gulf complete with grilled steak sandwiches, an arm-wrestling tournament and large bonfire.
I've started a very small school garden. The Saudi Salsa Garden. My students planted the tomato and chili plants are very excited for this project!
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| Planting day at the rooftop garden! 1st school garden |
The students are the highlight of my school day as well as the daily cup of coffee with my Russian friend, Olga. I'm helping her learn English and she makes me a super strong cup of java! It's a good trade.
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| Sports Day with my Homeroom Class! I am in love with these kids! |
There are quite a few students returning to their home countries next year, so far mostly Egyptians, Indians & Pakistanis, as the increased taxation by the Saudi government is proving to be too much for certain working sectors currently filled by expats.
Harsh realities: The topic of President Trump and his commentary about Muslims, Islamic extremism and banning refugees are of interest and on the minds of many of my coworkers and 6th grade students. "Mrs. Wyant, Mrs. Wyant, is it true that Trump hates Muslims??? Will we be able to visit America? Will I be able to go to college there? Will I be allowed to visit you in Minnesota and meet your kids too?" It's a complicated time in our world and I find myself shaking my head often over the daily news coming out of the USA since Inauguration Day.
And then I think about how I am spending my days working side by side with lovely people who are 90% Muslim, some who are Syrian refugees and becoming really good friends. People I want to invite to Minnesota who have passports from Syria and Pakistan.
Sometimes, while power walking the compound wall, I hear the air force jets heading south and cringe about the humanitarian crisis in the bordering country. The children who are starving and diseases that are killing people because of minimal medical care and aid. And, here I am cruising around in my Adidas, drinking bottled water and thinking about the house we're going to build on East Lake Ranch. I almost start feeling guilty and then sadness and then so god damn lucky and thankful. Reality check.
And then there's my student who begged his parents to go on our student trip to India and prove that he can handle the responsibility of doing this, of leaving home and of being able to overcome some of his phobias. Finally, after his parents attended conferences and met me, they agreed. It's been all he can talk about. Last week, while completing the final paperwork with the Indian embassy, we discovered a stamp from his visit to Pakistan last year. No one affiliated with Pakistan can enter India, not even my student who was born in, holds a passport from and IS A CITIZEN of Ireland. Because my 11 year old student's grandparents are Pakistani, he can no longer travel with us to India. Breaking this news to him was the most difficult conversation I've had since arriving here on August 13th. Politics, historical conflicts and rules have shattered his dream. He is punished for having the wrong stamp and blood. It's so wrong and here I am, an American who can travel just about anywhere in the world, often times without a visa while three of my students were denied this opportunity just for being born where they were.
While a part of me likes the slogan "America First", most of me likes "Humanity First" better. I can't help but wonder what I will be writing about during my last month in the Middle East come June of 2017. I wish I felt more optimistic.
I pledge allegiance to the Earth of our beloved solar system and to all of her creatures, for here they dwell, one planet, united in harmony with universal love and compassion for all AND God Bless the United States of America.
