Day 27: Good bye part 2

Friday, February 10 2017

This is the last day we go to school. We have our good bye speech in the morning ceremony and we have our certificates from school in the same time. Right after finish the ceremony, I go to say good bye to the teachers in science room. It’s not a hard time to say good bye, since I am strong enough to hold the tears in my eyes (haha).

After that, we go to Ban Makkhaeng School because they have invited us for an exhibition. I go with my friends, my mentor, and my friends’ mentors. They have a stage for the students to do their performance. In the afternoon, we have another farewell party with the buddies. We eat ice cream bingsoo together. And in the night, I spend the time by packing my stuff into the baggage. Tomorrow the eight of us will have a flight to Bangkok. Some of my friends will go back to Indonesia in the same day, but me and three of my friends will stay in Bangkok for two days.

Day 26: Good bye part 1

Thursday, February 9 2017

This morning we have schedule to meet the President of UDRU to say good bye. We tell some of our experiences during our time in Udon Thani. The President gives a souvenir from UDRU for each of us. Then we take a photo together.

From UDRU, we go to the school again for a small farewell party in English Department room. The teachers make a buffet party for us. It’s just like what I had the other night. But since my friends are Muslim, they cook it with fish instead of meat. They add vegetables like cabbage, basil, and kale. They also make fried rice for us. I don’t really remember the taste since everything is so delicious.

Today is pretty special because I get some good bye cards from the students. Ms. Aom tells them to write about me. But one thing that make me surprise is most of the students can’t even spell my name correctly so Ms. Aom has to spell it for them a hundred times. Hahahaha. It’s hilarious.

In the evening, we have a farewell dinner with the lecturers in UDRU. For this special occasion, we all wear our traditional dress from Indonesia. Most of us, including me, wear ‘kebaya’ dress. ‘Kebaya’ is a traditional dress from Indonesia that is known famously as Indonesia national dress. Most of the Indonesian women wear this dress for a formal occasion and as a wedding dress. ‘Kebaya’ commonly made from ‘batik’, special fabric from Indonesia. Just like ‘kebaya’ that I wear. The skirt made from ‘batik’. And brown is the most common color for ‘batik’. But for some people who don’t really like brown, there are many other colors that we can choose. For example, if you like modern batik, you can choose the red one, green, or even bright yellow batik.

Day 25: More Shopping and Girls Night Out

Wednesday, February 8 2017

The day for us to come back to Indonesia is getting closer and closer. I already start to pack my things that I wouldn’t be needed for the next few days. But we still go to school today. Mrs. Wallapa, an English teacher in Udonpicahirakpittaya School, also my friend’s mentor, takes us to Na Kha. Because the last time we go there most of the shops are close already. In Na Kha I find a hand bag for my mother. I already bought so many things so I don’t think I would need more souvenirs. After Na Kha, we go to Lotus Mall. My friend goes to find some shirts for her nephew, while I buy a man’s wallet for my father. We go back immediately to our dorm after finish the shopping.

In the evening, Ms. Annie, biology teacher in my practicum school, picks me up to have some dinner together with Ms. Aom and Ms. Cook. It’s a girls’ night out. I swear I never eat much more than I eat this night. I don’t know the exact name, but I’m just going to call it a buffet dinner since I can eat as much as I want. I can eat meat, seafood, crab, squid, boiled vegetables, and tofu. This is what you call a real party. Since I love eating, I can eat until I stuff my stomach and my mouth. Such an amazing dinner that is hard to believe.

Day 24: Another Trip to Nong Khai

Tuesday, February 7 2017

Today we have another trip to Nong Khai with Eve. Since I already went there and bought many things, today I don’t feel like to shop anymore. So I just walk through the market and enjoy the time. For lunch we have some halal India-Thai foods. The foods are delicious and make me missed my hometown. They use more spices than Thailand foods because it’s India-Thai style. The soup is very thick and has strong taste. Since I already used to eat food which is contain a lot of spices in Indonesia, the food here taste good to me.

After finish our meal, we go to Mekong River to enjoy sunset. Mekong River is a river that separate Thailand from Laos. We can see Laos land from here. It’s not very far. We can cross the river by boat or bridge. We actually have a plan to go to Laos, but since it costs so much money, we decide to cancel the plan. As the sun sets completely and it’s dark already, we immediately go back to Udon Thani. I am too tired that right after I take a bath and put my head on the pillow, I fall asleep right away. It’s worth the fun for today.

Day 23: Ban Makkhaeng School

Monday, February 6 2017

Instead of going to Udonpicairakpittaya School, today I go to Ban Makkhaeng School. I already made a promise with my supervisor to see her in Ban Makkhaeng School because she will observe my roommate who attends the school. In Ban Makkhaeng I meet Mom Kun for the first time. She is my friend’s mentor. Mom Kun is very friendly and she welcomes me very well. She takes us to have delicious lunch. Then she takes us to a mall for a hang out and shopping.

After we go back from school, in the night we have another birthday surprise since today is my friend’s birthday. All of us wait her in one room, and lock all the other rooms so she can’t get in. As she opens the door, we surprise her with a cake and candles. That night we spend by eating the cake that she bring for us. What a lovely night.

Day 22: Shopping time

Sunday, February 5 2017

Today the three of us are going to spend the time by shopping in Nong Khai and Na Kha market. We’ve been picked up at 11.00 am by our mentor and a buddy. We go to Nong Khai first since it farther than Na Kha.

Nong Khai is a city in nort-east Thailand. Nong Khai lies on the Mekong River, near the site of the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, spanning the river to Laos. Nong Khai is famous for its Sadet Market. This market sells everything unique and special about Thailand. We can find shirt, fabric, bag, and many more. The price is average, but we still can ask for some discount price. In this place, I buy some fabrics, blouses, and scarf.

After finish our shopping in Nong Khai, we are leaving for the next destination, Na Kha. Na Kha village is one of the closest tourist attractions to Udon Thani city. It is located 15 kilometers in the route to Nong Khai province. It is famous for hand woven products, for example Khid style woven clothes, dresses, women’s purses, and handicrafts. It is a very good place for finding souvenirs to take home with. They have a selection of traditional textile in various color and styles suitable for buying for oneself or as a group for the workplace. Unfortunately, when we arrive here, most of the shop already closed. I only get some cute purses with elephant printings on them.

Today is a very busy and tired day. But I am satisfied because basically I like shopping. And I can fulfill my hunger for shopping in these places.