James eats crickets in Thailand

James, recently in Northern Thailand, sent this report back to loved ones during his placement with us.

He writes:

So since my last message, we have been doing lots and lots of things. We went to the nightmarket where they close 2 streets and ate some food from the market stalls. Out here in Chiang Rai there are a lot of stalls that cook food, and you can pick up food whenever, about 30-50 baht (about a pound or less). We met up with the Changing World girl already out here (Fran who is 27) but doesn't look like it. There was also another girl called Jess out here, she came out last monday and is 18. Me and jess ate crickets from a stall, they were quite nice. Jamie wimped out. We had a look at different stalls - it so different to the UK, so relaxed and the food is very nice and fresh. Although at times quite spicy. Been eating rice and noodles, chicken and pork, sea food as well. Its very nice. We have been taken around Thailand by Paul, he showed us The Golden Triangle and the river where Thailand, Burma and Laos can be seen together. We have been travelling around in the back of the truck with Jess and Fran who wanted to see the sights and see differents schools. It was really good in the back, the wind in the face and just chatting to them. You can see the pictures on Claire's facebook now. We had drinks in the Elephant bar with Shirley and Fran that night after the market which was good. The people are friendly and you could watch the english premiership.

James and the crickets!

On sunday we arrived in Fang which is west of Chiang Rai close to the Burmese border and north of Chiang Mai (Google it if you want to). We are staying in a nice guest house behind a restaurant called the Ritzer. It was very nice have a hot shower (although it is luke warm), double beds, and a living area. We are staying in Fang until next monday when we actually moving into a village closer to the two schools we are staying in. We will have our own house, sqat toilet and cold shower. We wanted to get the Thai experience and will help clean up the house and paint it. Jilldou with her husband Ben (an australian) are helping us out and are organising everything with us. We are joking with them that they are our surrogate parents as they are giving us a 200 baht a day allowanace for food and water and drink. They are being helpful and we have mountain bikes to get round town from Paul. We will be staying in the village away from Fang for the next two months, so will be out of internet contact for a while. We will try and send emails from the school. We start teaching on thursday but are going out to the school tomorrow to help with their two day scout event.

Have to go now, as my hour is nearly up. I have uploaded pics on to facebok, so have a look.

Part of the Changing Worlds orientation

More to follow!