Kyle Ducharme
Kyle Ducharme
Thailand 2013-2014
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“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” -Howard Thurman Read More About Kyle →

Bangkok/Kanchanaburi

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View from hotel in Bangkok

Four days ago, I boarded a 19 hour plane from Boston to Bangkok without any expectations for my arrival here in Thailand. I remember making the long walk through the Suvarnabhumi International Airport to find make it through customs, find my luggage, and eventually get in a cab that would take me to my home for the week in Bangkok. As soon as I got in the cab, I handed the address written in Thai to my driver, he nodded, and said “Oh, this far.”  I realized that this first step in my journey wasn’t going to be as easy as I originally thought, but I was up for the ride (literally and figuratively).

After almost an hour of driving, I made it to the Ebina House Hotel outside of the city of Bangkok to begin my training to prepare me for being a high-school English teacher. I never really knew why people always talked about how bad jet lag is. As of right now, I haven’t slept a full night in almost 5 days and am becoming to feel a bit

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Kanchanaburi, Thailand

under the weather because of the long hours and excessive traveling. I am continuing to fight through because I know that all of the training sessions about teaching and the Thai culture will be well worth it in the future.

As much as

I tried to not have any preconceived notions before I traveled, there are many things that have happened in Thailand that I never really thought would be true. First, the traffic in Bangkok is as scary as people describe it. There really aren’t any driving laws here. It is pretty much every man for themselves. Second, the food is much different than food ordered at your local Thai restaurant in the United States. Here, when you order Chicken Curry, you are not just receiving the breast, you are receiving the WHOLE chicken in your meal. Yes, feet and all. Third, Thai is a very difficult language to learn. At this point, I can currently say very few phrases like

Grand Palace

Grand Palace

“Hello” (Sawadee), “Thank You” (Khawp Khun), and “I am good” (Sabai Dee). Hopefully things will continue to get easier as I continue to immerse myself in this amazingly unique culture.

Currently, I am laying in bed in my hotel in Kanchanaburi, which is a small city

about 3 hours west of Bangkok using wi-fi for the first time since I arrived in Thailand. We were able to take a break from training and see some amazing sights here. Tomorrow we will head back to Bangkok, meet our school coordinator, and make the long 12-hour drive to our school in the city of Chiang Rai. I will post as soon as I am able to find internet in my new home in Northern Thailand. In the meantime, enjoy some pictures that I’ve taken since arriving here.

-Kyle

 

New England Foliage

Kyle Ducharme Blog Belmont University

New England Foliage

Ten days from now I begin my adventure abroad working, living, and eating (yum) with some of the most compassionate and loving people on the planet. I will leave behind many of the comforts that have become an integrated part of my life. I will no longer be so focused on the content displayed on an LCD screen, yet I will be able to look up and let go while fully immersing myself in such an amazingly unique culture. Soon I will be stepping on a plane that will will take me to my final destination: Northern Thailand. Away from western influence, I will be able to learn the culture and customs of these amazing local communities.

In the coming days before my departure, I am blessed to be able to relax, catch up with friends and family, and prepare for this amazing time abroad. It’s tough to know how to prepare for this culture shock that I am about to experience, but I know that I will grow through the initial difficult times abroad. So rather than fear Kyle Ducharme blog

this change and shock, I will embrace it with open arms.

Before I sign off, I rcently purchased a new SLR camera for the trip and a simple love of photography. I have been taking advantage of this new purchase and the beautiful foliage in New England. Enjoy my first blog post, and I ask for you to pray for me as I prepare for my time abroad.

-Kyle