House Gecko, Names and Safari World

I never thought I would use the words "house gecko" but it something that just happens here. HG hides out behind the curtains, behind the fridge and more recently under the blender. He's quiet all night and then each morning when I come downstairs he makes his little clicking noises and I know he's around somewhere. The recent development of being under the blender does nothing for either of us as we jump in surprise.
Thai's are very superstitious and say that it is unlucky to hear the gecko when you leave the house. It hasn't happened yet.

Today, one of my students, Jumbo was laughing when the name Mary-Anne came up in a word problem. They take US standardized tests so we need to work on their US context. He couldn't believe that this was a real name. I pointed out that out of the kids in our class I had only ever heard of Brooke, Jo and Harry. The rest in the class are Radar, Milk, Asta, Tee, Pou, Mint, Play Play, Pao Pao (and her twin Pae Pae), Plankton, Ohm, Atom, Beam, Air, Fay Fay, Poon and Neck. These are there nicknames because their names are way too long to pronounce. Talk about a culture clash. So many are named some version of Pou and Pee that conversations start to sound ridiculous.

My partner in crime in grade 7 science is a great gal called Jessica from the midwestern US and we have been given the duty of organizing the grade level science trip for April 1st. The annual trip to Ocean World in downtown Bangkok has to be changed because of potential unrest. So, we decided on safari World...a place that neither of us had been to. So, we took an afternoon to visit and put together a trip for the kids. Jessica has been here 4 years and has seen a lot and has many great expressions. The new one I learn is "T-I-T Moment" as in "This is Thailand". There are so many politically incorrect things that go on here it is mind boggling.

A Thai entrance to Marine Land and Safari Park. We are so far away from the water and no idea why it is called Marine land...it's a zoo.

shows, shows and more shows.

A zoo with some of the funniest statues etc I have seen.

A lady

...and her partner.

Macaws

So, this lady squirts water at you from two place and there is a reason I am not standing in front of her.

At the dolphin show. Bollywood music started and there was a 5 min impromptu dance by many Indian men. Very entertaining but a little surreal.

 The sign reads "noodles" or something like that.

Swan boat ride? Hmmm, no thanks.

You do not want to know how loud I screamed when I came around the corner and saw this.

I don't get it....

Really...I don't

This misting is a fairly common way to cool people off.

This was downright freaky.

So, part of the trip is about becoming aware of the treatment of animals. This was tough to see. They looked so sad and bored.

...and the big guy.

 Most cages had what we thought was many too many animals. It will be interesting to look into.

....and small living areas.

Great sign.....

Is that a cow in the forest?

Lots of this

So, people can do this.

The Safari part was a bus tour in the "wild". It was so dry and dusty and so many animals.

It was a little sad but we are also in a developing country and things take time to change.