2009 Thailand Project
March 2009 marks our fifth year in Thailand. In response to an overwhelming number of strong student applications, this year will see two teams (Black and Gold) working on completely separate projects. One will be constructing a learning centre and the other will be helping to construct accommodations. The Black group will be working with the Karen hilltribe people near Kamphaeng Phet.
The Gold group will be stationed at Ban Nato, one of eight sub-colleges or satellite campuses of Chiangrai College of Agriculture and Technology. The so-called "Nato Model" is well known for its strong focus on sustainability and highly regarded for its proven record of effectiveness in delivering education to rural people. Our EDGE team is helping to construct a small guest quarters that will expand on-site accommodations for the increasing numbers of educators seeking firsthand experience of Nato. Thus Shawnigan is playing a support role in a kind of pyramid scheme of education whereby a relatively few people can come to Nato and then disseminate new knowledge in an ever-widening circle.
EDGE projects are collaborative in nature, teaming Shawnigan students and Thai students in immersion living and working conditions. We seek to provide a hand up—as opposed to a handout—and one of the best ways to do that is to improve access to education. A rural learning centre achieves that goal perfectly.
The teams are looking forward to the joys and challenges of hard work, hot weather, spartan accommodations and Thai food. We plan to post pictures and blogs on this web page as a means of sharing our adventures with family and friends, though the frequency of those postings will depend a great deal on internet access. We invite you to look in from time to time over Spring Break.
(NB. Applicants to EDGE projects are selected without consideration of financial status. Directing annual fund donations to the EDGE Program is one sure way to invest in global action.)
Click on dates to follow the Team's progress.
March 9 (Team Black) - - March 9 (Team Gold) - - March 10 (Team Black) - - March 12 (Team Black) - - March 12 (Team Gold) - - March 14 (Team Gold) - - March 14 (Team Black) - - March 16 (Team Black) - - March 17 (Team Black) - - March 18 (Team Black) - - March 16 - 20 (Team Gold) - - March 21 - 25 (Team Gold) - - March 25 (Team Black) - - March 25 (Team Gold)
Team Black - Weekend of March 6-9
Alana - Equipped with our Thai phrase book and our newly acquired vocabulary (sawatdiikha, baa tanhaa, and sabaiidiimai kha), we're ready for an action packed adventure! We've seen a pineapple express, tasted our first sour dates (note tasted, not swallowed!), and we've survived our first ethnic Thai dish. We're all very excited for the experiences that await us.
Tyson - When we left Shawnigan it hadn't really hit me that I was going to Thailand. The 14 hour flight to Hong Kong was probably the longest 14 hours of my life. We arrived in Hong Kong and it was incredibly surreal to not be in a country where English is the predominant language. When we arrived in Bangkok, it finally hit me that for the next three weeks, I would be spending my time in a foreign country. My first impression of Thailand is that it is really hot and humid, but most of all tons of fun.
Katie - Having not done a lot of overseas travelling before, the 14 hour flight and 14 hour time difference threw me for a loop. Stepping out of the Bangkok airport into a 35 degree afternoon made me smile just to think about how warm I was while wearing shorts and a t shirt. The lack of sleep combined with sugar made the five hour drive north-west of Bangkok exciting, with crazy sights at every glance.
Ron - I still can't believe we are in Thailand. I love the weather here and am glad to be away from the cold. The best thing was changing from pants and dress shoes into shorts and flip flops. All the Thai people are very nice, and the Thai food that we ate for lunch was amazing. I am very much looking forward to the next three weeks here.
Valentine - We had our first Thai meal in a little inn off the highway. It was some of the spiciest food I have ever tasted! The inn was really rustic; there was no separation between the inside and the outside. There were flies buzzing around us and our food. That really didn't bother us of course, we were just really glad to finally be in Thailand.
P.S. I'm sweating from parts I didn't know were capable of sweating!
Sara - Within the first minute of being outside, I was already sweating which is a real contrast from Shawnigan, where the forecast for the day after we left was snow! Thailand, in some ways, feels like a different world; the billboards are as big as skyscrapers, trucks are loaded down with twice the amount it seems possible they can carry, whether it is a tress with branches spilling out 5 m behind it, or pineapples in crates piled twice the height of the trucks. Even the names familiar to us are somehow foreign. KFC serves rice and shrimp, 7-11 has shelves of seaweed and Lay's chips in odd flavors like lobster.
Lucas - Having been in Thailand for just less than a day, we've already seen so many things we'd never expect. There are tons of people just traveling on the backs of trucks and trucks loaded with chickens are always passing by us! The only meal we've had here has been simple, but very cheap and very delicious. I am so glad to be away from Shawnigan's rain and snow, and to be in awesome weather, wearing t shirts, shorts, and sandals. We're all very excited for the next couple of weeks to come.
Lulu - The first word I learned was "Huang naam" which means "bathroom". Thank goodness! The heat is amazing; it was such a shock coming from a BC winter. The people here are so welcoming and glad when you try to speak Thai. I'm excited to start the construction of our project, but I am starting to warn my teammates about my clumsiness!
Ali - The journey to Bangkok has been both tiring and exciting. The long fourteen hour flight flew by as we all slept through the first half. As we separated from the other group at the Bangkok airport, Ben, Nicola and I took the car with Lozzy up to Kamphaeng Phet. The four of us combined had a $3.50 Cdn meal that consisted of four pop and four spicy green curry dishes (well at least Nicola and I thought so). I am looking forward to my other exciting adventures. Hope you guys are enjoying the cold!
Ben - On our way to Kamphaeng Phet Lozzy, Nicola, Ali and I marveled at the exotic and beautiful scenery, which had us captivated from the moment we laid eyes on it. Four hours left of driving and we have played almost every road trip game known to man, a few examples being "Name that tune" and "What movie is this?" So far Ali has shown a lack of skill in the movie department.
Nicola - So we've finally arrived! It's great to be here, and very exciting. I am in awe of how hot it is here, it's almost unbearable being outside which is surprising because I am the type of person to be out in the sunshine all day in tropical places. It's been a very long journey yet so worth it. So excited to be here and looking forward to arriving in Kamphaeng Phet and meeting all the Thai people. So far we've experienced our first "real" Thai meal…Green chicken curry which was unbelievably spicy!
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Team Gold - Weekend of March 6-9
Emily - At Chiangrai airport we were warmly welcomed by Ajarn Jeab and several others from the college. They gave us leis made from jasmine flowers that smelled wonderful. On the way to the college the fields were so green (Ankle status report: everyone's feet were swollen from the flight, but Camille's were the size of Jupiter!)
Camille - The first thing that happened to me in Chiangrai was something everyone wishes for in a tropical country: I got "lei-ed." The scent of jasmine flowers was almost overwhelming in my exhausted state. Palm trees flashed by as we sped through the countryside in an open-back truck. The atmosphere here is so humid that everything is somewhat hidden by a shroud of mist.
Min Ji - Thailand is exactly as I remember it, from the endless fields of rice paddies to nature's creations (bugs) that can be found in every inch of the rural house we are staying in.
Morgan - After my first ever overseas flight I was very tired and my ankles were huge (not Camille-sized, but still HUGE). For dinner we went to a restaurant with our Thai friends for some traditional Northern Thai food, then stopped to watch an amazing light and sound show in the city centre on our way to the Night Market.
Caitlyn - After spending a grand total of seventeen hours in three separate planes, it was a relief to finally arrive in Chiangrai. We were all completely exhausted, but when we cleared customs we received such a warm welcome that I completely forgot about being tired.
Hyun Sub - Arriving in Thailand I was met by very friendly people and the expected heat. Our place of rest is quite…rustic.
Dylan - The Thai people are very friendly and so many seem to live with almost no possessions. I'm looking forward to riding elephants today.
Johannes - Upon our arrival in Chiangrai I was overwhelmed by the heat. However, I am very satisfied and the Thai people are extremely welcoming.
Tyler - Three days away from Shawnigan and I'm still alive…on the other side of the world. I have already done and seen some amazing things: first and foremost was flying on a plane and leaving Canada for the first time. The Thai people are so considerate, and it mostly turns into a game of charades when trying to communicate.
Val - Wild orchids growing on trees! Hot and humid! Phenomenal jungle noises!
Paul - Day #1 was a lot longer than 24hours, and by the end of it we were all zombies. Happy zombies!
Peter - It is wonderful to be a guest of the always friendly and gracious Thai people.
(Day 2) Today's highlights included a half-hour long elephant ride through a Karen Hilltribe village and having our picture taken with a gigantic snake. I am forwarding some pictures, and will follow up with blogs when time and Internet access permit.
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Team Black - March 10
Robyn -This is day three of Team Black's adventure at Kamphaeng Phet. We have been working hard the past two days performing a number of different projects and activities. This includes the construction of a Learning Centre for the Agricultural College and landscaping the beautiful grounds of the campus. We've also been slaving away in the kitchen; the Thai dishes are delicious and we've been given the opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade of Thai cooking. We prepared a mean chicken curry last night and I believe our efforts were successful!
The students continue to impress the Thai people with their hard work ethic. They've actually been told that they work too hard! During breaks, they play soccer and volleyball with the Thai students in the grass or are constantly working on learning the Thai language. They
don't ever stop!
Tonight after dinner, we will be heading out into the town to explore a night market. We're having loads of fun and fully embracing the culture, but are also appreciating Canada more and more everyday.
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Team Black - March 11
Tyson - The last two days in Thailand have been a blast. I was in the Service group which consisted of learning about Thai food and how to prepare it. We had tons of fun, especially Lulu who got to watch the corn boil for 40 minutes. It was really hot on Monday, about 39 degrees so everyone was really tired at the end of the day. We woke up the second day to a loudspeaker playing Thai music. Work was really tough for the construction crew who were mixing concrete. After work we went back to the houses, where Katie found a giant lizard in the shower. She freaked out but quickly clamed down enough to let Nicola go in after her without saying anything. After Nicola freaked out we called the head groundskeeper who captured it in a second. Yesterday was highlighted by us making juice and the lizard catching contest between Ben and Nicola. All in all it has been a lot of fun.
Quote of the day: "I feel like an 18th Century housewife"
Team Black - March 12
Lucas - We had another amazing day in Kamphaeng Phet continuing with our project. Our working groups all switched to different activities today and we were able to try out different aspects of the project. We also went to the night market in town two nights ago and we were able to experience Thai "bartering" culture. We tried some of the food sold by the vendors and the BBQ pork was amazing!
Galen - These pics are from our Welcome Party last night. The Thai students worked all afternoon to make treats and our kids spent several hours making the punch from scratch using all local fruit! We met the Director for the first time and presented her with a Thailand EDGE shirt as a thank you.
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Team Gold - March 12
Peter - This is a quick note directed in particular to parents of the EDGE team in Chiangrai (Ban Nato) to say that all's well. We are way back of nowhere, with no immediate cell phone reception (have to drive half an hour, apparently) and only occasional satellite internet access. This is the first time I've successfully connected to the internet. We will be in Chiangrai city on Saturday night, and I anticipate sending out some blogs and pics then. I will press "send" on this before I lose the connection!
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Team Gold - March 14
Peter - Ban Nato is probably as far off the beaten track as one can go in Thailand. Although the road from Chiangrai is paved, it is oh-so-twisty-turny-up-and-downy that it took a full hour to negotiate the last 20km of the journey. Take away the agricultural college and the adjacent school and Nato would hardly qualify to be called a village. There is no cell phone reception in the immediate area, and the satellite internet is subject to the vagaries of atmospheric conditions and is v-e-r-y-s-l-o-w (so I will be posting a week's worth of pictures and blogs when we visit Chiangrai on Saturday).
Apparently there are eight different hilltribes in the area surrounding Nato. So far I have named six, and my phonetic spellings are "A-kha (preferred over I-gah), Mong, Mo-zir (aka La-hu), Thai-yai, Jin-haa, La-su (preferred over Li-saw)." Each of these particular hilltribes originates in a different part of China and each speaks its own language as first tongue and (usually) Thai as a second.
As part of our learning experience, and in addition to our construction work, we have been divided into three teams on a daily rotation schedule. One group helps with food prep and clean-up, another helps feed the pigs twice a day, and the third helps to gather and grade eggs. Everything in Nato is organically grown, and the animals are housed in very clean and well-managed facilities.
The building we are constructing is made of adobe. We joined in the brick-making, mixing with our feet a blend of local clay and rice husks and straw, then pressing it into simple wood forms. The forms were removed immediately and the bricks left to dry in the sun. I am impressed with adobe: it is totally organic and simple, the materials are widely available and the finished building is incredibly durable so long as it is covered with a good roof. The roof of our building will be thatched (bundled grass).
Emily - The first week has gone by extremely quickly. So far I've done a day of pig duty and a day of kitchen duty. For the pigs we sliced up and pounded young banana tree trunks, mashed the slop and fed it to them. I named the pigs-Napoleon, Constantine, Mommy (with her 3 piglets named Pinky, Feel and Sneezy), Grandpa (who was pregnant) and Rose.
Min Ji - Time flies when you're having fun! By living among Thai students and not being able to communicate, I am seeing things from the foreigners' point of view when they come to Canada. The next time I see someone who is having trouble communicating, I will remember my experience here.
Val - We are really into clay. Orange clay. And we are getting the knack of forming work lines to quickly pass along buckets of water for mixing the mortar. There is a constant haze from the slash-and-burn clearing of forest and jungle. This morning the heat was intense and the smell of smoke was strong. The young Thai women giggle constantly, and they really giggle when we try to speak Thai!
Our building is now ten courses of bricks high. Right now I see several of our boys heading into the river to cool down and wash off clay. Some people pay big bucks for a mud wrap…who would have thought? I sure know our kids well now. They are awesome and very entertaining.
Paul - Construction couldn't be more basic, but it is effective and ecologically responsible. The students (and I) are learning a lot. Great experience!
Tyler - Well, here I am in the middle of the jungle enjoying what life has to offer, and I feel at home doing it. The Thai people are very accommodating in all areas. Communicating here is kind of like a chess game where simplicity is everything.
Morgan - Ban Nato is so beautiful. It looks like a paradise in a magazine. I am so excited to spend another whole week in this lovely village.
Camille - Over the past three days in Ban Nato I have learned to love the good old-fashioned assembly line. Our project site is located on top of a steep bank beside a river, so to get water we make a line and pass full buckets up and empty buckets down. The same method is used to transport mortar from the mixing area or unload a truckload of bricks. Our mascot, a praying mantis named Richard Spophmo IV, must think we are sick of assembly lines, but I rather enjoy them.
Hyun Sub - We not only work on our project but also take part in evening activities such as stick dancing. It's been quite fun so far.
Caitlyn - Ban Nato is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. In addition to taking our turn with the food preparations we also have some really exciting jobs! Yesterday I helped feed chickens and collect and weigh eggs. This morning I helped feed pigs.
Johannes - I woke at 2am feeling nauseous. The suffering had just begun. Dylan threw up a few minutes later and we alternated turns until eventually we went outside for a walk at 6am. I rested all day and now that it is almost over I feel better than ever. I do hope I will never experience this again.
Dylan - The village of Ban Nato is far more accommodating than expected. A river flows through the campus offering relief from the heat, and you can watch elderly Thai women fishing it. It is amazing how inexpensive everything is, and I look forward to shopping at the Chiangrai night market again.
Peter - Ajan Sam has been teaching the basic moves for handling a fire stick. First he cut each of us a bamboo staff measured to "nose height." This staff is spun and twirled rather like a baton and, for me, it also evokes something of the art of kendo (martial arts stick fighting). Sam wants us to learn the form well enough that we can safely "light 'em up," with flaming rags wrapped on each end of the staff. I'm having enough difficulty learning the fundamentals, though, and I doubt I'll be ready to introduce flames into the equation anytime soon. Sam performed for us-he was a whirling firestorm! (Check the pictures to see for yourself.)
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Team Black - March 14
Katie - After an eventful night (another giant monster-lizard--sighting in the boys' bedroom), work was hard to get enthusiastic about. Thank god it's Friday! Quitting work two hours early to get some laundry done and bask in the 39-degree rays of sun was just what the team needed. A full body massage clinic, followed by Iron Man and Canadian candy, impressed our Thai affiliates. Who knew that chips, chocolate, and pop could be so sought after?!
Galen - We've had a great start to the weekend with rain and sun, UNESCO World Heritage temples and museums and an amazing two hours at a local Hot Springs. My Thai foot masaage was painful at the time but I now feel like I am walking on cloud nine! Tomorrow we head off to Ban Nong Nam Daeng, a local elementary school, to play some games, teach some English and do some landsacping with the staff and students.
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Team Black - March 16
Ben - Today we got up nice and early and quickly were on our way to a local elementary school. At the school we were welcomed with excitement and given beautiful jasmine necklaces that smelled amazing. We were also greeted with a traditional Thai dance that involved graceful and delicate movements. We then began our games and teaching of English to the Thai kids. They were enthusiastic and eager to learn, which is typical of Thai nature. Pictionary ended up being a huge hit with the kids. The Thai children taught us their alphabet which all of us ended up butchering. Who knew that tone changes what a word means when speaking Thai; it all seems the same! The Thai students then played a game with us which involved the loser having to dance a special dance in front of the whole school. We played a few more games and then started the landscaping project around their flag pole. Lunch involved us making our own meal (pad thai). We learned not to take directions from the Thai kids when we were adding the chili peppers. Lulu ended up haing six peppers in her small bowl and nearly died. When it was time to leave we were given a photo of us with the students, flowers, and a book mark with writing on it by the Thai students: "Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened."
Galen - We had an amazing weekend. The entire team agreed Sunday was the best day yet! We were up early again (no sleep in or brunch here) and then we jumped on the bus at 7:50 to head off for our date with a local rural school. After a long and dusty 1 ½ hour bus ride we pulled into the school yard and were met with a very excited group of adults and kids. The (only) English teacher told me that in her six years of teaching there she had only once seen a foreigner visit their school and only for 30 minutes to have a quick visit. Needless to say everyone was very pumped that they had 13 of us for 7 hours. We played games and taught English, cooked Pad Thai did some landscaping and wrapped up the day with an amazing Thai Buffet (Korean style BBQ) and some shopping in the night market!
Ali - As today was Katie's 17th birthday the Thai people showed us as much generosity as I have seen throughout the entire trip. The kindness that they offer and display, I think, is something really quite unique. The surprise birthday party that was planned for Katie included cake, fruit, pop and, of course, some Karaoke! Even though we have only known our fellow Thai friends for just over a week we have found the language barrier to be no more than an inconvenience. As we have grown closer it has become easier to open up and show expressions and emotions to get our point across, even if it means doing really embarrassing things. A conversation that I had the other day revolved around how great it was that the Thai students had given up some of their summer holiday to live and work with us for two and a half weeks. I guess that brings me back to the point about their generosity and how powerful it truly is. As Mr. Sarsfield has repeatedly said in my English class, "The greatest goodness in the world is service to others." It makes me feel good to know that I'm doing my part!
Team Black - March 17
Nicola - After a very eventful and great weekend with a lot of change from our routine, going back to work on Monday morning was hard. I was on kitchen duty today though and I learned how to make a delicious Thai dish that I was excited about. The construction and landscaping groups were working hard and we were all looking forward to finishing the project and being able to paint the mural! We've all put in a lot of effort not only into the project but also into this trip. We've all kept positive attitudes and bonded very well with each other and the Thai students. We've been patient and kind and I'm very proud of our group for that. As well as working had we've had a bit of fun too! Today we went to the beach after work. The beach is situated along the bank of the Ping River, which flows through Kamphaeng Phet City. The change of scenery was very appreciated. We all stuck out like sore thumbs but had a good time swimming and eating the local Thai food. A few of us waded across the river to the other side. It was quite the adventure! Today was a challenging but satisfying day and we all just have to push through and work hard for the next couple days. I know we are all starting to look forward to Bangkok.
Team Black - March 18
Alana - Waking up was a little easier today--well, for the boys it wasn't. For us girls, perfecting our images comes quite quickly in the morning (ironic isn't it?). With only one more week left in the land of champoo fruit, bottomless rice, and the occasional expired snack we find ourselves with a sense of belonging; we find ourselves not wanting to think about our approaching departure date. Today was relaxing in a hard but fun and entertaining way. The Thai people truly live "in the moment" and the weeds we cleared from the driveway outside our only air-conditioned building will grow back quickly (we didn't remove the roots--we simply trimmed). I sit now, outside our room watching Ali eat stale noodles and Tyson create a shank, and I wonder what to write about...it's hard to express the emotions, smiles and experiences in a mere 129 words.
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Team Gold - March 16-20
Peter - Road trip! From Ban Nato we took a back (back) road to Doi Tung, the mountain top Royal Villa with gardens that surpass the renowned Butchart of Victoria. Krit finally joined us there; I don't think any of us was fully aware of how much we were missing him until he arrived, and almost everyone has commented that we are now complete. From Doi Tung we continued to Mae Sai, heart of the infamous Golden Triangle where Thailand and Laos and Myanmar (Burma) come together along the mighty Mekong River. We visited the Hall of Opium, which is both a museum and a tribute to Thailand's remarkable success in eradicating the opium industry. Prior to 1959 the Golden Triangle was the centre of the world's opium trade (a dubious distinction that currently belongs to Afghanistan). The Hall of Opium is impressive and informative, and I left the place feeling thoughtful and reflective about the huge social cost of drug addiction. Continuing on to Chiangrai, we spent the evening rubbing shoulders with the crowds at the bustling and vibrant "Walking Street Market."
Emily - On our way from Chiangrai to Ban Nato we stopped at 3 tea plantations. Trying the different types of tea was a great experience; I learned a lot about the different types and grades of tea, as well as the way to drink them properly. We also saw a really funny "Engrish" sign at the entrance to a tea plantation: "Prohibit pluck the top feels numb."
Peter - On our visit to the famous tea growing plantations of Mae Salong I learned a few things about tasting tea. It was poured into a ceramic shot-glass and capped with a small ceramic bowl, then the two were held together and quickly inverted whereupon it was served to the customer. The tea drinker lifts the shot-glass, releasing the tea into the bowl, and holds the shot-glass beneath the nose to savor the tea's fragrance like a glass of wine or cognac. Only then is the little bowl of tea itself consumed. It gave me a whole new appreciation of tea.
Paul and I rose at 5:30am to accompany Jeab to the local market where she often goes to purchase various fresh foods. It was a bustling place when we arrived just after 6am. The atmosphere of the place-the sights, the sounds and, especially, the smells-made me so aware of what a different universe we are privileged to visit on this trip to Thailand. My favourite memory of today's market is of a Hilltribe woman, wearing a brightly embroidered headdress with dangling silver balls, lighting up her long curved wooden pipe. As tourists we are often cynical about vendors wearing traditional clothing (Is it only a tourist gimmick?) but there can be no doubt that it is everyday-wear in a place so far removed as today's 6am market out-back-of-beyond.
Paul - What an awesome experience! Multiculturalism, ethnic groupings with their distinctive clothing styles, and the morning market replete with vendors or everything from spices, mixed pastes, unknown vegetables, 6" live fish, chicken, pork, beef, sausages, donuts, clothing, hardware, etc. Customers crowded the market. Our guesthouse was being mudded on the outside today. Dylan and I worked on 3 concepts for the landscape plan. They were presented to the students and head honchos, resulting in an amalgamated final plan. Work may start tomorrow on the landscaping, with completion scheduled for Friday. Tyler will be in charge of the hardscape construction and Dylan in charge of planting.
Caitlyn - Last night we had a Korean style barbeque. The food was incredible but I think that the best part was when Krit and I had an eating contest! We had spent the hour before dinner deep frying bananas and at the end of the meal there were lots left over. Even though we had just eaten a huge dinner, we basically finished all the leftover bananas. Krit won the dinner part of the contest when he finished his 7th bowl of noodles, pork and veggies. However, my banana eating skills were far superior. Therefore, I think the contest was a tie. Until next time…
Morgan - Happy St.Patrick's Day to all the Irish out there! We began today with a ceremony to open a new dorm building for the college, then put in a long day of work on the project. At the end of the day something very strange happened: It began to pour and a thunderstorm rolled in. Since being in Thailand I have learned to expect the unexpected.
Tyler - Well, surprisingly, against all odds, I'm still alive and kicking. This past week has truly been something special. Ajan Jeab often has me go out logging, to cut down young banana trees. The
Thais cut down the whole tree, take the small bundle of bananas, and cut up the trunk (it is almost like an onion inside) to feed the pigs.
Min Ji - Our first group of Thai student co-workers, whom we just got to know well, left on Sunday and will soon be replaced by a second group. We worked on our own today and now realize how much work the Thai students do. I am looking forward to the new group of Thais, and I hope they are as friendly as the last ones.
Val - Our building is really taking shape. Yesterday was hard work. I spent the entire morning stomping in a bed of orange clay, straw and rice husks. Getting the mud to the right consistency takes many feet! Our feet and legs are getting a major workout. Last night our Thai friends treated us to a Korean-style barbecue. We sat on bamboo mats and were served pork, vegetables and noodles. Delicious! Suddenly a very large spider appeared which caused everyone to jump up, but it quickly disappeared. There are some very interesting looking spiders here and they are very fast! We are getting ready to begin another day of stomping clay, mudding the building and leveling the roof. The sun is trying to break through the smoky haze!
Camille - I turned 17 in Thailand: with my friends, with my boyfriend, and without my parents. I woke, showered in an ant-infested bathroom, then headed over to breakfast with the rest of the girls. Weirdly, breakfast ended up being the highlight of my day. After we had eaten Shin brought out my birthday cake. It was entirely different than one of those creations you buy in Canada. Completely covered in decorations (both edible and inedible) it was the cutest cake I had ever seen! There were two pandas surrounded by ornate bushes and flowers set on top of the cake, along with candles shaped in the number 17. The cake itself tasted a bit odd, but its detailed surface made up for it. The rest of the day was spent mostly in a cramped van, lurching forward to random tea plantations. Having my friends with me made all the difference.
Krit - My first impression: Really!?! I'm actually here? In Thailand! My plane rides were extremely long and boring, since I had to fly on my own 6 days later than the rest of the team due to my commitments to the musical and music festival. I met my team on the sightseeing trip to the Golden Triangle. The Opium Museum was very interesting and intense. It must have cost a lot to build. The next day we visited the Tea Plantation, but I was too tired to do much more than be a translator. When I arrived in Ban Nato I just went to bed-jetlagged. Yesterday was my first day of work. Mixing clay and straw and rice husks takes a lot of time. I am impressed with the landscape plan that Dylan and Mr. Donahue created. Turning the guesthouse into a mini-paradise will take pretty much the rest of the week. In only 3 days I have become much closer with everyone on the team. I can't wait to see our little paradise completed.
Peter - There was some lighthearted controversy as to the winner of The Great Chicken Cook Off, but no matter because all of the results were delicious. Who knows when it may come in handy to know how to cook a whole chicken with little more than a 24oz bottle, a large metal can, and a bale of hay?
Shin - Although I have been working outdoors in Ban Nato for over a week, I have not gotten any sort of tan. The temperature during the day goes up to mid to high 30s, yet the smoke prevents the sun from reaching us. I've never had a tan in the past and I don't have a tan right now, but I'd really like to have a tan in the future.
Peter - Basket Weaving: At the end of this evening I'm wondering when and why basket weaving developed such negative connotations for our society. One of the local hilltribe students demonstrated a couple of simple patterns for us, and I'm fascinated by the art. A basket is such a simple concept, so practical and utilitarian and organic, yet with unlimited complexity in terms of pattern and design. To me, function is the cornerstone of real beauty. (NB. I think it was Thoreau who wrote about how he sought a life that could focus on the creation and enjoyment of baskets rather than on the commerce of selling them.)
Peter - We wrapped up the construction and landscaping today. There are still a few finishing touches (a toilet, window shutters and doors, for example) but the place looks great. I'd like to come back and stay in it sometime. One more day in Ban Nato before we start to make our way homeward. This is a very special place and we are privileged to experience it.
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Team Gold - March 21
Peter - This morning a group of us took the opportunity to visit a couple of local hilltribe villages, just a skip and a jump from Myanmar. It seemed there were so many babies, kids and mothers—but maybe that’s to be expected in a village at that time of day. The local gas station caught our attention: a 45 gallon drum with a pump, probably an ample supply for the small motorbikes that serve for most of the local transportation. In the afternoon our Thai friends challenged us to a number of contests. Egg-&-spoon and sack races were reasonably familiar, but stilts and greased pigs were hilarious firsts. In the evening we were treated to a feast of Thai dishes and some wonderful displays of Thai dancing featuring a variety of different hilltribe traditions. The evening ended with the lighting and the release of a dozen or more lanterns that floated up-up-and-away. It was a beautiful and poignant ceremony.
March 22-23
Peter - From Ban Nato we drove to Chiangmai, about 5 hours but with stops along the way. I think we all have a new appreciation for fresh sheets and a bed, as well as the luxury of a temperature adjustable shower.
Local sightseeing included Doi Suthep (famous mountain temple) and Doi Pui (Mong hilltribe village).
March 23
Peter - Black and Gold reunited in Bangkok! Such bubbling energy. So many stories to share.
March 24
Peter - Up early for the drive to the beaches of Pattaya. A good time was had by all, though several of our number had to (re)learn the hard way about the painful consequences of too much sun. Ouch. For those who could muster the energy, the evening was all about bartering at Lumpini Night Market.
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Team Black - March 24
Galen - We took photos on our last day at work and the weekend as well as at our Farewell Party!
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Team Gold - March 25
Peter - The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha were the focus of the morning. The afternoon was devoted to satiating some final shopping cravings, then in the evening we dined with Thai friends and dignitaries.