Our new home is located in one of the buildings that makes up the Pearl Complex. ISM provides our housing and hosts their teachers in two different buildings, Pearl and Diamond. They are about a 20 minute taxi ride apart (depending on the traffic of course). Almost all of the new teachers are in Diamond because they have more apartments there, it is the more modern of the two buildings. We, however, were given an apartment in Pearl because they are the only of the two that accepts dogs and we were originally planning on bringing Ms. Ellie May. Pearl is where all of the teachers with families live. It works out nicely because Kim has made friends with Sharon, one of the other "trailing spouses" in the building and they enjoy going on adventures together. The Pearl Complex has 5 or 6 buildings with a few levels of shops and restaurants on the first few floors and condominiums (apartments) above. Given the option to change to an apartment at Diamond, the neighborhood and close vicinity to food and stores were one of the main reasons we decided to stay put. There is a chandelier store, a pharmacy, a few restaurants with mini-plastic furniture spilling out into the street, a Samson electronics store, a Korean version of McDonalds, a fancy French bakery, a fancy european soaps and fragrance shop, and so many more. Here are some of the places we frequent: Asia Light, a small grocery store where we get food and household goods The Golden Pearl, a simple restaurant with very low prices that delivers right to our door (when we can get our phone to work to order) The Yangon Bakehouse, a pricy but delicious bakery with fantastic bread and quiche The Indonesian Restaurant, okay - that is not really it's name but it is packed full with Indonesian fair, nice, clean, tasty food at a medium price The Money Exchange, just as it sounds - where we go to exchange our USDollars to Kyats Pa Pa's Pizza, medium priced, thin crust only, fresh pizza served with a side of blaring techno music Another nice perks to Pearl is the workout room and the pool! They call it a gym, but to me it is a workout room as it is pretty limited with equipment - on the bright side it almost never has people in it, so the one piece of each workout equipment is enough to go around most of the time. It has a treadmill, a bike, a few weights, and one of those all-in-one weight machines. The pool has been closed for a couple month, I was told that it is closed during rainy season, but it is opening tomorrow! It is not super fancy but it looks decent enough to me. The water is clean and cool and the surroundings are nice. The pool itself is located on the top level of one of the Pearl buildings which means that it is an open air environment. The floor below the pool also has a pool hall - we haven't been yet but hope to go check it out soon Our apartment is on the second floor of building E (it is actually the third level but all of the buildings here go by the european way of naming the first floor "ground level"). We have a two bedroom apartment with two bathrooms, a living room, and a "eat-in" kitchen. I am especially fond of the high ceilings with moldings, the great lighting, and the "windows" between the rooms. Kim is very happy to have an air conditioner in each room. Our apartment came furnished so we have a full set for the living room including a small couch and chair, a coffee table, an entertainment stand, a small TV and a phone. Both bedrooms have a queen size bed with sheets, pillows, and blankets - these get changed once a week from housekeeping. We also each have a bureau for our clothing and one night side table. One bathroom is off of the kitchen and one is off of one of the bedrooms. Each bathroom has an open shower - this means that it is not inclosed at all, the water drains into the corner of the room. The showers have an instant hot water heater which works fairly well, I wouldn't mind it being a bit hotter but it's alright. There is also a bidet with each toilette - very European. Lastly, the kitchen! We have a small fridge, not a mini one but about 4 feet tall. We were concerned about it not being big enough at first (we usually have a very full fridge) but it has been working out just fine so far. We have the usual sink, cupboards, countertop, vent, etc. What we don't have is an oven or a stove. We do have a gas range with two burners - originally we had an electric range but Kim sweet-talked the office ladies and got herself a gas one. We were also supplied with a microwave and a rice-cooker. A handful of cooking utensils were also supplied (2 knifes, a spatula, and a ladle). As I mentioned, it is an eat-in-kitchen meaning that the dining table is placed in the kitchen. It is a really nice table that has sleeves to pullout to accommodate more people. We also have a set of four chairs as well as four plates, bowls, mini bowls, cups, teacups, saucers, forks, spoons, mini forks, mini spoons, and Chinese spoon. I knew it would be hard to make such a foreign place feel like home, so before we left I printed off about a hundred different photos for us to take with us. We were able to create multiple photo collages around the apartment which quickly became our favorite feature. So that is it! Our home away from home! Hope you enjoyed to tour!
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Almost all Myanmar people practice Buddhism which means there are an extraordinary amount of pagodas, stupas, and pyas throughout the country. Out of them all Shwedagon is the most revered. If you are lucky to live nearby you may visit Shwedagon on a daily basis but more often it is the dream of many to visit it once in their lifetime to pay homage to the Buddha. There is a dense amount of history and meaning in every nook and cranny, the three hours we spent there seemed didn’t allow us to even skim the surface. The Pagoda, which is also known as the Great Dagon Pagoda, is 325 feet tall and is completely covered in gold. The crown, or very peak of it holds 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies plus a 76 carat diamond. It is said to be the oldest pagoda in the world at over 2,600 years old. It has been rebuilt and added too over the years and there is always at least one section of it that is getting work done. There are four entrances that lead up to the main floor, all grand and quite spectacular. Along most of the entrances are vendors selling all sorts of goods including religious items as well as every day items. We did participate in a few traditions while we were there, first I rang one of the giant bells - I'm not exactly sure what the meaning to this is but they were everywhere and it was very fun. While walking around the pagoda we each found the "corner" relating to our day of birth (Wednesday morning for Kim and Friday for me). Buddhist believe strongly in astrology and have many superstitions around dates. While we were at our corner we poured water over the buddha statues there to wash away the bad. To start our journey we needed to travel to Bangkok where we would meet with ISM administration and the rest of the new teachers to learn how to get our The transit to Bangkok was long but not too bad overall. We left Portland at 7:45 pm and arrived in New York around 9:00pm. JFK was a HUGE airport and I was very glad that we had two hours before the next take off to find our gate and get through security. Leaving JFK around 11:00 pm we were so happy to be able to sleep finally (only getting a few hours the night before and having such an emotional day really put a toll on us). One of our best decisions was bringing our pillows in our carry-ons, we were nice and comfortable for the trip. I slept most of the 13 hour flight, waking up to eat the two meals and snack they provided as well as for a couple hours towards the end. Kim was up and down, getting a few hours of sleep in here and there. Our stopover was in Dubai with a 2.5 hour layover. Just enough time to get through security, and jump online for a bit. It was 7:45 pm local time when we arrived in Dubai, which meant that we had another evening flight. We relaxed, napped a bit, watched some movies on our personal screen, and got another meal. For both of our long flights we flew Emerits. We were very happy with them, comfortable seats (or as comfortable as you can get on an airplane, active service,decent meals/drinks, personal screens with hundreds of movies, TV shows, games, and plane information. 6.5 hours later we stepped off the plane into Bangkok. Two days after we left Maine we finally landed in Bangkok!!! After checking into our spectacular hotel, The Furama, we were very happy to shower and get into a new change of clothes. We didn’t waste any time before we were out the door exploring. Of course we were in search of food! Knowing that the street food had more of a chance disagreeing with our western stomachs we decided early on to avoid the very tempting array of options from the many street vendors. Instead we were looking for more of a clean restaurant. After only a couple blocks we were stopped by a lady asking what we were looking for, we told her “food” and were pointed in the direction of a small shopping mall. We chose to eat at Mr.Lee’s for our first meal. I got a fried noodle dish with chicken and Kim got a rice dish with pork. Funnily enough, it ended up that both of our broths tasted exactly the same, beef gravy like but more liquidly and smoother. The meal was very tasty and ended up costing us 400B ($13 usd) including a small appetizer and a mango drink. After our delicious meal we continued to wander, enjoying the many sights and smells of the city. There was just so much happening and so much to see! After a while we bumped back into the lady who showed us where to eat. She quickly picked up a conversation with us trying to see how else she could help us, asking if there was anywhere we wanted to go or see. Kim had been wanting to see about buying some chefs knives here which she attempted to communicate to the lady. Seeming to understand she quickly hailed us a tuktuk and negotiated with the driver. Not exactly sure where we were headed we hopped in and gave her a thankful nod goodbye. The tuktuk ride was fantastically fun! It was a great way to see the city, although there were some questionable moments when I feared for my life as the driver squeezed his way through traffic. Eventually he pulled up on the sidewalk and a doorman helped us out. We walked into the building only to find out that we were at a high class jewelry store. After a brief glance around we headed back to the tuktuk to explain to the driver that we were looking for knifes. There was a jumbled conversation but an agreement was found and we were off again. Before long we were ushered into another store, this time with tailored suits and dresses. I quickly turned around and demanded the driver return us to where he picked us up, he tried to argue but I was all finished being scammed – you see a lot of businesses will give the drivers money for bringing in perspective clients. He dropped us of just a couple blocks from our hotel and demanded 100B but I would give him no more than 40B since that was our original agreement. He finally conceded and we were glad to be finished with that. It was super fun to ride in the tuktuk but next time I will be sure we have a known destination before we get in. Our first night in Asia was unforgettable. After sleeping for a couple hours, Kim woke up very hungry so we went off in search of food. The front desk of the hotel told us to go to the night market where we found hundreds of stands selling all sorts of goods; from clothing (modern and traditional) to knickknacks and souvenirs, there was so much to see. I bought a small hand-made journal for 60B ($2 usd), a pair of wrap around pants that I have yet to figure out how to wear correctly for 200B ($6 usd) and a pair of sunglasses for 300B ($9 usd). We found a restaurant to eat at called the Black and White Chef. I ordered a curry pork dish that tasted exactly like beef stew complete with the potatoes and carrots. Kim ordered some fried chicken with rice and we shared an amazing plate of fried dumplings (one of our all time favorite dishes that we were so looking forward to tasting and it did not disappoint). Kim was determined to try a McDonalds burger so we continued on until we found a McD’s. The burger Kim says was not very good, just about the same quality that is in the US. I’m glad that she got her fix. On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a fancy bar to have a beer and a glass of Champaign. It was very expensive and not very worth it except for the cheese cake that was pretty tasty. All in all that cost us 570B ($15 usd) – more than we have spent for both of our meals. It was about 1:00 AM when we stumbled upon a funky looking bar with tables outside, we stopped to check it out when I was pulled to a seat by a energetic lady who we quickly found out was a South African named Michelle. The evening was filled with laughter, new friends, and exciting happenings. Michelle was good friends with the chef/owner of the bar who Kim made quick conversation with speaking of knives and cooking ingredients. I joined in on an impromptu soccer game in the middle of the street where I almost go hit by a car on multiple accessions, Kim convinced one of the restaurant helpers to giver her a ride on their motorbike, and we witnessed my first bar fight. We drank the night away as the kind owners who became fast friends, continued to bring us different bites to eat. As the sky grew lighter and the traffic grew heavier we watched the city wake up. We said goodbye to our new friends and grabbed a bite to eat at the nearest store. Friday morning we met with the other ISM teachers at the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Everyone was very friendly with great energy and excited to be there. After we gathered together we hoped on a bus the school rented for us and were off to the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok which turned out to be only a few blocks away. The reason they wanted us all to meet in Bangkok was to show us the process of getting our visas because we will have to do it again every 10 weeks (70 days). For our visas we needed: -Visa application -Passports -A copy of our passports -2 passport photos -A registration letter from the school -A letter stating the school as our visa sponsors -My school contract -2115 Bhats each (~$70, much cheaper than my school had told us it would be) The process of getting the visas was mostly uneventful, the line was very long so we had to wait a few hours but it was fun to be with the group and begin getting to know everyone. We finished in enough time for us to go grab lunch before heading back to the hotel to get our things together. We decided to walk back to the hotel and stumbled upon a Hindu temple where this happened: For lunch we chose a restaurant that didn’t have an English translated name so I don’t know what it was called. We ordered an appetizer of pork balls in a platter where you made your own wanton type things. We had no idea how to make them so we just guest. On the platter was also rice wrappers, cucumbers, pineapple, hot peppers (chilies), garlic, a green bitter thing. On the side we had a large bowl of various greens: lemon grass, green leaf lettuce, mint, Thai basil. To dip they gave us a big dish of sweet chili and peanut sauce which was unfortunately a bit too spicy for us. Kim had a tasty dish of crab noodle soup, the noodles were ramen like and the broth was similar to a clear consume and not overly fishy. I had a noodle dish with chicken, eggs, and peanuts. The noodles looked as if they were made from rolled up from the rice wanton things and they were so very delicious. The dish itself had a pad-thia type flavor but wasn’t saucy, I can not wait to eat it again! For dessert we grabbed some bubble tea, Kim got chocolate without any bubbles and it tasted almost exactly like Yahoo; for mine I had gotten one yesterday that was amazing but I tried a different kind and it tasted exactly like salt water. It was so gross! I went back and traded it in for the one I had before. Before we knew it our bags were packed again and we were off to the airport. The only hiccup that came up was when they wanted to charge us an extraordinary amount for our overweight baggage. Luckily the group leader, Scott, took care of all of it from ISM. After a short 45 minute plane ride, and a quick line through customs, we retrieved our bags and were greeted by ISM. We were finally here, standing in Myanmar, the place where we will call home for (at least) the next two years. Photographing my last wedding seemed strangely not strange. Andrea, my sister, joined me as my second photographer which was just perfect because we have been shooting together for the past few years and we always have a great time working with each other. Also, Nico & Teresa were married right in my home town (well, just next door). The day was beautiful and the wedding full of celebration. I couldn't have asked for a nicer wedding to be the temporary end to my official wedding photography adventures. Sunday we moved more furniture and items to the storage unit with the help of Brian and Kirsten. Then it was off to my Mom's house to say goodbye and get my cat, Macy, settled in - Mom will be taking care of her while we are away. It makes me happy knowing she will be well loved. Afterwards we joined my family at my Dad's house for a big ol' family cookout. It was so bitter sweet knowing that this would be my last family gathering for almost a year but it was so fantastic to have such a warm and loving last weekend. Boy do I love all of these people!!! Tears were most certainly shed as hugs were squeezed a little tighter and held a little longer. Monday was spent fervently packing our suitcases and clearing out the rest of the apartment. We made a trip or two to the storage unit and a run to grab another suitcase. In the end we each took two large suitcases and one carry on. Crazy to think that we managed to pack our whole lives away and pair down so much! It was a mad dash to get everything in it's place and be sure we had all of our important documents ready for departure. We stayed up into the wee hours of the morning making sure we had everything in order, including downloading ebooks and cramming the car/truck with suitcases. Before we knew it Tuesday had arrived. Takeoff day. The day we leave the world as we knew it behind and set of on the adventure of a lifetime. It was a long and emotional day, one that we truly were not prepared for - emotionally at least. It started off by clearing out the last few things from our apartment and making one final trip to the storage unit. Our next stop of the day was to Sue's house (a dear family friend) to show Frank and Beans, our other two cats, their new home. We are so glad that they will have lots of room to run and play in the woods and get into lots of trouble I am sure. Then off to Kim's parents house we went. We wanted to be able to say goodbye to them and also drop off our vehicles that they would be storing for us. After an early lunch and a tender farewell to Sonny and Ellie May, Kim and I loaded up the car and headed to Augusta with Robin and Sue (a dear family friend). When we got into town we made a couple stops to get the toiletries we were taking with us along with a few other important items we needed to purchase like a portable speaker. Also, we had to stop off to get some passport photos for our visa application. Time flew by and way too soon we were saying goodbye to Robin, Sue, Andrea and Zane (who had come to give one last hug). Amanda and Josh brought us down to Portland to meet up with my Dad, Pam, and Brian for a quick dinner, it was nice to have a hearty meal in our stomachs to help settle them down a bit. Then it was off to the airport where we checked in and got ready for boarding. Our last goodbyes were to my Dad, Pam, Brian, Amanda, Josh, and Natilee (who had met us down there). With a few more squeezes we turned to find our gate. And there we were ready for boarding to a place unknown. It was beyond hard to part with everyone, words can't even say. It was most certainly the most difficult day of our entire travel. There we were, sitting at our gate boarding pass in hand, about to embark on a expedition that was so grand, so unthinkable, it seemed to be just a dream up until now - sure to dissolve before it was grasped. Yet, it was here now. All of the planning and prepping seemed to be all a blur. Boarding pass in hand it all sunk in on how real this was. Kim and I kept looking at each other with knowing eyes that asked "Are we really doing this?" Even without asking the question we both knew the answer as we handed over our tickets and stepped into the plane that would be the beginning of a journey that is sure to change our lives in every way. Stay tuned, Myanmar here we come!
Our much anticipated Farewell Party was hosted by Meg and John on Saturday. We were so looking forward to having a chance to see everyone one last time before we left. It was so fun to see co-workers, friends from all over, and of course family, gathered together for festivities. There was tasty food (of course), lawn games, a fire, Twisted Tea keg, and fireworks. Yay! Sunday I set off for a week long AP Art workshop in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. ISM (my school) recommended the workshop for me to help gain some knowledge about Advanced Placement Art classes before I begin teaching it. I will be teaching AP 2D Design. It was very hard for me to leave at this time where there is still so much to do before heading to Myanmar in less than two weeks (eeeekk!!!) but I knew that it was important for me to develop these skills. I was also hoping that the time focused on education would help me transition my teaching mindset to a high school level. And, as I thought, it was exactly what I needed. The workshop ran from Sunday to Friday on the campus of St. Johnsbury Academy, a private boarding high school in the vast mountains of Vermont. I stayed in the dorms and ate in their amazingly fantastic cafeteria. The workshop was just one of many AP workshops held at the Summer Institute. The AP Art session was led by a well experienced art teacher who was also a "reader" (evaluator) for the AP art portfolios. She led us through the AP evaluation process, the requirements for portfolios, and shared past portfolio examples. We were also tasked with completing a mini version of the portfolio ourselves. We had to make a concentration of 12 art pieces in the form of Artist Trading Cards. This is the series that I created: Subtraction This work echoes the detachment from the physical as I leave almost all of my belongings behind in my cross-global move. About to embark on a journey that will bring me to teach and live in SE Asia, almost all of my possessions have recently been packed and shut into a storage unit. This work echoes the subtraction in my life as I pair down to the basic necessities. Returning to the most fundamental elements and principles of art, I worked by cutting away the paper to leave the vital components: shape, line, balance, occupied and unoccupied space. Leaving the materials white without any embellishments or additions reflects on the degree of unknown and pairing down. Inspired by Minimalist masters like Frank Lloyd Wright I strictly controlled the spaces of the cards with circles, squares, and lines. By laying the cards on a similar white paper I ask the viewer to slowly trim away the inessentials, revealing subtlety and simplicity. Here is what my week looked like. It was very college-esk. Including working in the studio until all hours of the night and hanging out with fun new people. I'm so glad I got to be involved in the week which included a trip to a mountain buddhist monastery (with an introduction to buddhism class) and a exhibit of our work at the end of the week. In the meantime Kim was very busy back at home getting all of our belongings moved into storage. It was a long, difficult task that involved the help of Brian and Drew. Many days were spent moving truckloads from the apartment into the unit. By the end of the week Kim headed up to spend some time with her parents at their house in Avon.
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Alisa & KimTwo expats living, teaching, and eating their way across this beautiful world Archives
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