This Week in PST (Pre-Service Training)

In spite of all the best intentions, I never seem to have energy and time in the quantity and synchronicity conducive to actually posting anything on this blog.  So, as we’re about to leave the hotel and hence predictable access to internet, I figure something hastily dashed off is better than nothing.  So, coming up on the end of week 1, here are the highlights (in no particular order):

1. Incredibly warm welcome by the fantastic Thai training staff and Peace Corps staff. 
2. Getting a Thai cell phone and then, with the help of another trainee, figuring out how to set up Skype To Go, so people can call me for around 2 cents/minute.
3. Beginning Thai instruction and having people enthusiastically congratulate me on my linguistic ability for being able to say “Hello” and “Thank you”.
4. Karaoke with the entire group of trainees and trainers.
5. Meeting and beginning to get to know the amazing, diverse group of people who make up PC Thailand group 125.
6. Learning how to use a squat toilet, take a bucket shower, use a mosquito net, etc.
7. Getting my Peace Corps-issue mountain bike and logging my first ride (23 miles, and this after not having ridden a bike for close to 10 years) through the rice fields in the agricultural province where we’re being trained.
8. Eating Thai food every single day!