Teachers who get hit by the travel bug

There is a category of teacher called Tourist Teachers.  These are teachers who only take up a job in an international school because they want to travel that country and have a base to come back to.  They tend to only stay a year or two, and then they move on to their next adventure.  Then you get another group of international teachers who enjoy soaking up the culture of different peoples and even though they travel and explore, they enjoy being immersed in the culture so they stay longer.  Ami Blackwelder is a successful author who started out as a Tourist Teacher and then became so involved and immersed in Thai culture she stayed for a good many years.  “Ami Blackwelder is a Romantic Suspense author with a Unique Voice and Unpredictable Plots.”  Ami is the author of The Shifters of 2040 and She speaks to angels.  Her books are available on Amazon.

Travels to Thailand

HI! MY name is Ami Blackwelder, and while many of you know me as the romantic suspense author of paranormal, scifi, dystopian, historical, and soon to be steampunk, and urban...I am also a world traveler!  (The picture is of a Hill Tribe woman, not Ami Blackwelder! lol)

How did I get into this? I decided to teach and travel, two birds with one stone. Earn money in a country I wanted to visit. I began my travels in the orient in Korea, but this post is about Thailand...so after Korea I went to Thailand. I ended up staying for 6 1/2 years! I considered it my second home now and will return in a year or so! I hope!

 Swadee Ca! That is ‘hello’ in Thai. Women say ca and men say cup. You say that after every sentence, it is polite.  Unless you don’t want to be polite!

Cap Cun Ca means ‘thank you very much!’

 Bangkok is a city of noise, pollution, buses, motorbikes, taxis -all brushing past you on the road as you wander the sidewalks. Many markets on the streets filled with foods, house items, and sometimes illegal items like paperwork for visas, fake degrees and such.The people for the most part are very friendly and a joy to be around, but watch your wallet!

There is also a very cool sky train which is a main form of transit, because it is cheap and will take you from one side of the city to the other quickly.

 If you’ve been to NY in America, Bangkok is a bit like that in feeling. Rushing, work-oriented people. You might try fried banana or even fried bugs on the streets! But I spent most of my time in Jomtien/Pattaya area.

 In Jomtien the main form of transport is the baht bus and motorcycle. Tourists and Thais alike fill up the baht buses which follow a predetermined path around the city. For just a little change you can go around the city in no time.

 This area is known for the gatoys which are men that dress like women. The city is famous for it. There is even a show people pay to see called the Alcazar where all the women are actually men. Some of them are very women like!

 This is also a beach area were life is slowed down. Scuba diving, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, and other water sports are prevalent. You can take a boat to small islands were you can take elephant rides, watch dancers who blow fire, and eat seafood all day long! They even offer massages on the beach. Can someone say heaven?

 I even took a motorcycle ride along the hills and coast of the islands. How picturesque and exhilarating! You know you are alive then!

My friend and I came up with a top 10 reasons you know your in Thailand. 

1)  When you see elephants crossing the roads

2)  When baht busses are your main form of transportation

3)  When you eat fried bananas all day

4)  When you find yourself saying Swadee Ca and Cap Cun Ca in everyday conversation.

5)  When you find yourself lost in the city of monkeys

6)  When everyone is smiling even when they are mad

7)  When people are offended by your feet

8)  When everyone pays allegiance to one king

9)  When an extra-extra large won’t fit your American small frame

10)          When you could swear the girl on the street is actually a guy

 Hope you enjoyed

 Ami Blackwelder

http://amiblackwelder.blogspot.com

Where I blog about books, travels and have special guests regularly!

Introducing Ami Blackwelder

Ami Blackwelder tells us more about her exciting book in this guest post!

The Hunted of 2060 http://amiblackwelder.com/

By Ami Rebecca Blackwelder

America 2060.

Three Lovers. Two Species. One Way to Survive.

Summary: Set in Alaska in 2060, when April enters her Sophomore year at University, she thought Robert might be the love of her life, but as she discovers, she is hiding something inside her, something the rest of the world believes to have died out. She struggles with who she was and who she is becoming as she learns of a family she never knew existed and of enemies she will have to outrun, outfight or outwit to survive. As April embraces her new identity, will she have to leave the life she loves behind?

With underlining themes of how prejudice breaks human connections and animal/wildlife conservation, this novel which has received rave reviews will leave the reader flipping through the pages of April’s story.

Join the discussions for The Hunted of 2060:

http://paranormalromancereaders.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000483080700
http://www.paranormalromance.ning.com/

contacting the author:

http://www.amiblackwelder.blogspot.com/

Praise for the Hunted of 2060:

‘I have read enough to see that you have a fine story here, Ami. I skipped a couple of chapters, but still found the whole thing very interesting. The way you have spread the story out is very good, as a book, I think you have the makings of a good seller here.’ -Fromante

‘This is a very well structured piece of writing. I very much like how you create the opening atmosphere using a good range of strong sensory descriptions. Very powerful! Also what is very good is the suspense you build by what you don’t tell. this sets up the storyline so very well. You build a very credible character in April. Great narrative, great dialogue, great book!’ -Famlavan

‘The pitch is great and the writing solid. The imagery is touchable with fluid narrative. The secret is well revealed and I liked the fact it came as a surprise to the character too. You can almost feel there is another world shivering in the background waiting to pounce.’ -Owen Quinn

‘Wow. This is a good story. I like the way you hint in chapter one that something big is wrong with April but then take your time revealing that - makes this a suspenseful read. It also makes April a sympathetic character, because she's as in the dark as much as your reader in the beginning. Well done.’ -Burgio

‘I first noticed the awesome cover; then, the story completely held my interest. In chapter 1 & 2, I was wondering what was happening to April. In chapter 3, a lot was explained. I would love to read more of this! This story has such an original twist and is already gladly backed.’ -Jenn

‘Such an interesting idea! That and you've set it in an amazing location. You write very well and I really love your style. It drew me in right away. I find the changes coming over April very intriguing, it makes me want to read on and find out what is happening. All the little details of life in this future world seem real too; so good job with your descriptions. I really enjoyed this.’ -Missy

‘This is really well written and draws the reader in right from the first sentence! Very entertaining style of writing which I love! ‘-Liz

‘Cleverly plotted and well thought-out sci-fi thriller. Characterization and dialogue all work well and the setting is very believable.’-Jim Darcy

‘I found the premise excellent and the story does not let it down. April is in a quandary as she tries to outdistance whatever changes are taking place within her. Her need for meat and hunger for comfort, the hearing and memory capabilities are finally understood as she meets her twin in ch 4. This is paced well with enough tension and narrative to flesh April and the surroundings of 2060 out nicely. The beast within is taking control, and she must learn how to accept her situation as she morphs into the hunted.’ -Suzannah Burke