Opening Ceremonies

We got to the hotel at 2:30 in the morning- it took awhile to get everything organized and headed to our rooms. Once we were setting down in our room I heard a scream coming from one of our neighbors. I went over to find one of the girls in a towel and said there was a gecko in their shower. I tried to get it out but it was to fast and crawled inside the door frame (yes inside-it was hallow)...one of the hotel staff came and got it out. A few hours later when we were in bed we heard another scream, after that we heard a knock at the door and someone asked us- "you scream?" What they must think of us wimpy Americans!

Since we didn't get to bed until 3 or 4 am when it was pitch dark outside we were able to sleep in- it was glorious! The minute we were out of bed we opened the blinds to this! We were right on the shore of a river-a very dirty river with needle fish, snakes and garbage floating around in it, but it was still gorgeous!
They made a sign for us that hung in front of the hotel the whole time we were there.

Panorama of the schoolyard and temple

1 of the 2 school buildings- 3 class rooms each

The old temple and cemetery

Close up of the temple...it was next to a small monk monastery

That day we headed to our school site. When we pulled up all of the kids were waiting to greet us. When we tried taking pictures with them we swatted down so that we were on the same level for the pictures- they would in turn get lower and lower to the ground- by the end they were practically lying on the ground!

After we got there the kids ran up grabbed our kids and we went for a little tour...

They took us to their temple and we taught them how to play down by the banks...probably not the best idea to do there... but we needed something to do with them to bridge the language barrier!
Our group with the school consulate and the president of their local rotary club

They played Thai music for us... very well prepared!
They dished up and served us lunch- this was probably one of my favorite meals of the trip, rice, fried egg and some kind of spicy-ish (they tamed it down so I didn't think it was to spicy) meat dish- way tasty!

Playing games- (duck duck goose, red rover) with them, it took bit for them to figure it out what to do, we would have to demonstrate it for them and help them.

They LOVED our camera's!! It was the best form of entertainment- they loved getting their pictures taken and especially taking pictures. This is kind of a weird picture of me- I look overly excited but figured you would get the point!