Four weeks in. This last weekend was a crash course in Thai culture for me. Saturday, our Peace Corps group engaged in a Thai Day extravaganza which inlcuded Thai food, dance and music. After that, the group living in Tambon Uthai was invited to the Nayoke's house for lunch and entertainment (she would be considered the mayor). Then my family took me into town for some shopping at the Tesco Lotus. Just wow. It was a bit overwhelming but I did manage to find some things. Think of it like a classy Wal-mart (if there is such a thing). Sunday, we went to see some history and visited Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, dancing elephants and Wat (I can't remember the name but it was long) which has a floating market with food vendors. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon was absolutely stunning and huge! It was a great view from the top and it was amazing on the inside as well. Then we went to see dancing elephants and I have to say I was impressed. I got to feed them and pet them and watch them hula hoop. There were 2 toddlers which were 2 years old and so cute. I saw that they also had elephant rides which was wonderful. It would be great to go on one at some point in the future but I have two years to go and why not space out the fun?

Along with that, I also received my nickname from my family. Everyone has a nickname here and I think it is because their birth names are generally long and because they have some significance to the individual. My nickname is "Maylee" which is a white flower that is fragrant. I have to say that I agree with the white part but I can't smell that great given it is so humid and I'm always on my bike. Then finally, we had a cross culture experience when I made my family dinner. One the menu was spaghetti. I was really worried that my family wouldn't like it; especially the kids. But it turned out great and I was soooo relieved when the kids went back for seconds. We even had a neighbor that came over and finished up the leftovers straight from the pot. That made me feel like I have some culinary skills. Horray.... Still working on pics so I just need to gain motivation and time.