The guy who teaches 5-6th grade math and science and I are complete opposites--he's approaching retirement and looks like a Hershey's kiss when he sits--but our minds work in the same way. It's quite odd finding someone else who spent middle school reading science books in a teacher's classroom, especially when that was in 1952 in Australia, but it's refreshing to meet someone else who's boggled by the utter lack of initiative in a typical Thai classroom.
One of his chief challenges is getting students to think about the minutia without losing sight of the big picture--Instead of, "I got up and went to school," describe turning off the alarm, getting out of bed, getting dressed, all the steps in the process.
I wholeheartedly agreed, but have found myself making the same mistake when asking for a room. Here's what I've learned:
If it does not explicitly say, you need to ask if...
-electricity is available all the time.
-there is an electrical outlet (don't even bother to ask if it's two or three prong--just bring your adapter).
-there is working aircon
-there is a thermostat on the aircon
-"linens" means sheets AND towels
-"Sheets" means a cover on the mattress, two sheets, pillowcases, blankets, or all of the above
-"Towels" means full size shower towels, a bath mat, a hand towel, a roll of toilet paper, or none of the above.
-there has ever been a problem with bugs or rodents.
-"TV" means a working television that receives channels clearly, especially English language channels.
-the "hot shower" has cold water, too.
It's funny to think about coming back, especially with some of the places I've ended up crashing on roadtrips--walking out of the darkness into a place in Butte, Montana, or somewhere between Steamboat and Salt Lake, and saying, "now, will the electricity come on tonight, or do I have to wait for tomorrow? Are there sheets AND towels? What about toilet paper? And it's an in-room, flush toilet, right?" And some burly hotel mistress saying, "ah, no, we just filled up."
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