I believe that when traveling one has to be ready for pretty much anything... that means incredibly awkward moments, a lot of sign language/charades, unidentifiable foods, as well as many other things. It is the moments that you are not prepared for that really make a long-lasting memory, and in most cases a terrific story. From my experience, home-stay experiences have provided more than enough material for a great joke, story, or unforgettable memory. And sure enough, Day 1 of the home-stay experience has done just that for me. I probably would have preferred a little more time, but hey, the sooner the better I suppose - at least the really awkward feelings have subsided and now it's all about nodding yes, smiling, saying 'ok' and praying you won't end up with a rabbit head on your dinner table that night.
There's always a first for everything - last night was definitely a first for me in just a couple ways. It was the first time a host mother has decided to walk in on me in the shower mid-shampoo to make sure my water was hot - luckily I was able to throw a towel on before I actually realized what she was trying to do. And last night was the first time a leisurely evening stroll became a half marathon with two other trainees in my group and their families. One other trainee I was with decided that if a walk that long existed, then this country was just entirely too big. A solid observation. My thought was that they would walk us around the entire campus and side streets to make us so tired that when we came home they wouldn't have to deal with us anymore... which I believe they succeeded in. The three of us were so exhausted we couldn't even bring ourselves to talk by the end of our "evening stroll".
I'm sure their intentions were good and the walk was lovely, until the mosquitos came out. But my family is nice - a young couple with no children who rent out a room to some one else. The apartment is very nice, very clean, and my room has a nice bed, as well as internet access. Pretty much everything you never expect in a PC home-stay. However, if I've learned anything, it's that the PC is not what most people assume it to be.
Today is the beginning of our official training to become a TEFL instructor as well as continuing with our Chinese language classes. This is the time where I'm told they separate the "big boys" from the "toddlers". As Denzel put it so eloquently in one of my favorite movies, "Remember the Titans", "If you survive camp, you're on the team... If you survive".
Game face time.
WM
