A village school in Thailand (Part 3)

30th July

Sunday and one week since my arrival in the village. It's 9.20am and I've done my laundry - first time I've hand-washed clothes for years. Hard work, but quite satisfying in a way - did it outside in the 'garden'. By the time I'd finished, I was drenched in sweat so enjoyed a long, cold shower. What I'd love to do now is plunge into a swimming pool or the sea. No chance of that here. No plans for today.
2.30pm and it's disgustingly hot and humid today. I wish it would rain. Went to the email café earlier; half way there a guy on a moped stopped and offered me a lift. I don't know who he was, but he knew my name - father of a student perhaps?
Had an interesting email from a school in Sarajevo about a job I applied a few weeks ago. I replied, explained that I'm now in Thailand and asked for more info. It's purely out of interest - I couldn't afford to get to Bosnia now even if I wanted to. Anyway, it's far too cold and snowy in winter. Better to bake in Thailand than freeze in Bosnia.
This evening it's the bazaar at the temple so that will be something to do later. I need to buy a small mirror and, if I can get a good price, a cassette player or a small radio - need something for company in the evenings.
It's one week almost to the hour since I arrived in the village - feels a lot longer! How long since I last spoke to a native speaker? Ten days!
A Thai customer has just come into the café; he's young - about 20 years old.  Most of the guys here are incredibly thin; almost to the point of looking anorexic. They all have the same pop star-esque hair style and wear their jeans low on the hips. Seems to be a fashion to display their underpants! The Thai language is interesting too. All the words seem to be very long-drawn out: haaaah, wohaaah, lots of aaah sounds.
How can the sun be so ruthless when you can't see it for clouds? I feel like I'm being burnt to a chip even though I'm under cover.
That young Thai guy took away four pots of food and now two ladies have arrived to buy meals. Seems people here prefer to buy take-aways rather than cook.
The matriarch of the café is sweeping out the frontage. She's a real witch of a woman - never smiles or welcomes customers. If she smiled, her face would crack like crystal!

31st July

Monday and the start of week two. Woke up to see a huge lizard on the bedroom wall. Must have been nearly a foot long, but it soon disappeared out of the window.
We had a tropical rainstorm this afternoon; unbelievably heavy rain that lasted half an hour. It was deliciously cool while the rain was falling and there was zero humidity for a while - what bliss!
The school presented me with an iron today so I don't have to wear crumpled clothes any more.
It's just occurred to me that I haven't seen a single cat since I've been here; plenty of dogs, but no feline creatures. I must remember to ask someone about it. I wonder if they all go into the cooking pot!

1st August

Nothing to write today. Lessons - some good and some chaotic. The temperature is decidedly lower today and far less humid than it has been. Right now a light rain is falling; maybe we're approaching a change of seasons? I'm certainly not complaining as this weather is much better to work and live in.
I learnt from a student that we are very near to a famous floating market; pity I didn't learn how to get there. I also found out that there's a public swimming pool about twenty km away - was also told that there's no bus to get there and no suggestion or offer of transport was made by the student.