tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89936582921011605762024-03-14T02:01:59.387+07:00adventure awaitsmamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-58455270256879987482015-04-02T20:21:00.001+07:002015-04-02T20:21:36.568+07:00Endings and beginnings<div class="MsoNormal">
My time in rural Thailand has come to an end after 27 months of service as a Peace Corps volunteer. It’s
been an experience that’s impossible to sum up in one sentence, one paragraph
or one blog post. I could talk for days
about the last 2 years of my life and still have plenty more to say. I'm heading back to America and the familiar mix of excitement and trepidation are constantly bombarding me with expectations and questions. I’ve explained my role as a Peace Corps volunteer in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region> many, many times, both in complicated
English and simple <st1:place w:st="on">Thai.</st1:place> My answer varies depending on the audience
(and the language). My general, vague
answer is that I’m a youth development volunteer and I teach life skills to
kids at schools in a rural Thai community.
It sounds meaningful and productive and usually satisfies the
requirements of the depth of many conversations. While that explanation is perfectly true and
a big part of what I came here to do, my real life, day to day
experience has been everything but that.
The ‘Youth Development’ program in <st1:place w:st="on">Thailand</st1:place> started with my group and
no one – volunteers, PC staff, Thai communities – knew what to expect (or what
we were doing, really). I’d like to be able to
say that, two years in, we’ve figured it out and accomplished a lot along the
way. We've certainly accomplished things, but we're still figuring things out, and I'm still explaining to everyone along the way that I'm not here to teach English. I’ve spent a lot of time
convincing people why I have absolutely no business teaching English here (or anywhere). My
community is still not convinced, and I think they still wonder why I wouldn’t
just sit in the classroom and teach English to every grade, every day of the
week (I did that once and it was beyond exhausting). My time here as been spent, in large part, hanging out
in my community, having conversations with anyone willing to struggle through my language blunders, watching things happen and participating when I can.
I’ve spent my evenings at the local market with my host mom, selling fruit and listening to the local gossip and goings-on in the community,
taking in what I could understand of the local dialect. I’ve spent days at a school waiting to do afternoon activities with a group of kids that only sometimes happened. I’ve exchanged American culture with Thai
kids and vice versa. I’ve fumbled
through games with a group of kids who laugh at my accent and
tease me in the local dialect. I’ve had
simple but meaningful conversations with someone who stopped me walking down the
street to ask where I was going. I’ve
shared meals with too many people to count.
I’ve cooked brownies in a rice cooker and shared them with teachers who
mixed them in with their rice and veggies because they were 'too sweet'. I’ve struggled through
conversations that were nothing but confusing and went absolutely nowhere. I’ve taken pictures with countless Thai people around the country, both those I know well and a lot of total strangers. I've spent time reveling in the simplicity of life here and enjoying my laid back, very flexible schedule. I've experienced the entire spectrum of human emotion, sometimes on a daily basis.</div>
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The short version of why I joined PC is because I wanted to
help people, travel and experience life in another culture, and my view of PC was that it provided these
opportunities in the form of a very unique experience. I came to provide help to people who wanted
it, and to use the skills and experiences that I have to bring something
special to a community of people who were open to what I had to offer. </div>
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Peace Corps is often an exercise in managing expectations, particularly when it comes to the ones we have about our service compared to the reality of what service really is all about. We’re told to come into this experience with
no expectations, but in reality we all have ideas and preconceived notions
about at least some part of our service – what our community will be like, what
we’re going to do, how people will view us, how we’ll respond in certain
situations, what we will and won’t do (or eat), how we’ll grow and change, what
we’ll do in our free time, and what we’ll accomplish. The expectations we have, especially about what we’ll accomplish
during our service, change many times throughout two years. My expectations about my accomplishments at
my site have fluctuated with almost the same frequency as my emotions
throughout this experience, but so have my definitions of what I consider an accomplishment.</div>
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As I finished up my 2 years of service in this rural Thai
community, I couldn't help but wonder if I’d really done anything. The lofty goals I created when I first
arrived at sight were still mostly unaccomplished when I left. I don’t have much to present when it comes to
tangible successes or results to show the effect of my work here, and without
that it’s hard to tell people about what I’ve done without simply using the
ambiguous, general description I provided earlier. While the broad, overarching goal was to
teach ‘life skills’ to kids in my community, the schedule of my daily life here
has looked sparse and sometimes chaotic, without any real 'projects'. </div>
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I'd never been too sure of my post-Peace Corps plans, and I assumed when I left 2 years ago that when I was finished with my 27 months of service I would return to Chicago and pick up where I left off. A lot has changed since then - my perspective, my goals, my relationships, my whole life - and I've spent a lot of time thinking about what comes next. Despite all the frustrations I've experienced in the last two years, I've gained and grown a lot from this service. I speak a new language and am intimately familiar with a culture that is in every way foreign to everything I've ever known. In an effort to use what I've learned and build on everything I've done in Thailand so far, I'm extending my service in Thailand for one more year. I've moved to southern Thailand to do youth development projects at a youth detention center and a small school in a Muslim community. I have two years of Thailand under my belt that includes language skills and an understanding of the culture that only comes with time. I'm looking forward to using what I've gained in the last two years to work toward a productive and meaningful third year project. </div>
mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-35565490987280122922015-02-25T22:33:00.002+07:002015-02-25T22:33:49.827+07:00Thanksgiving in Myanmar<div class="MsoNormal">
Serving as a PCV in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region> has many benefits, one of which is the opportunity for incredible
vacations, both in country and in the surrounding region of <st1:place w:st="on">Southeast
Asia</st1:place>. A few months ago, on
little more than a whim, I found myself booking cheap airfare online for a trip
to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Myanmar</st1:country-region>, the country
formerly known as <st1:country-region w:st="on">Burma</st1:country-region> that
borders a great portion of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>’s
western border. I didn’t know much about
the country other than the fact that it was politically unstable, used to be
closed to the world and had some amazing places to visit. I started doing a lot of reading on the
country, the history, and all the amazing travel possibilities. This trip is explained mostly through pictures...they can say much more than I could through words. I took a lot (well over 1000) and tried to pick out some that are representative of the places I went.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiuiKK9iC6xg3-RyGxF68vvcUKdUNJcQRworrBSxoO3RCqhkH8lXSvPktc6N80jZ7zVlq5Xc9paCHB9vTVYuE8ZTmKHF9sJG_agZZBqbo_un-_tRWheyxtDsnxfDpA9JyFKK5zpYNFxA/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiuiKK9iC6xg3-RyGxF68vvcUKdUNJcQRworrBSxoO3RCqhkH8lXSvPktc6N80jZ7zVlq5Xc9paCHB9vTVYuE8ZTmKHF9sJG_agZZBqbo_un-_tRWheyxtDsnxfDpA9JyFKK5zpYNFxA/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silk weaving</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeanFP5K38eVKbSycw2s5Ocvop-kZNRF96Q4QBgQbL8-VJCRwfPBzdvD_AVub0KR2slx0UCUYqT6TvwIHjZSZTorvyKIRiMSX-WZMtwtDj7ioshitwRh2OWOZ1E226LgBzyOHd2DYJsZw/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeanFP5K38eVKbSycw2s5Ocvop-kZNRF96Q4QBgQbL8-VJCRwfPBzdvD_AVub0KR2slx0UCUYqT6TvwIHjZSZTorvyKIRiMSX-WZMtwtDj7ioshitwRh2OWOZ1E226LgBzyOHd2DYJsZw/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temples in Bagan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GTlq4RGELrNYo5ziOKYVK7WPbB6LAT3Lg9YHZvOwGNzV9aheaf9Nq1GzucGoGRoOYFPVCtbNxcrzm1GQLa0kiwFXMsCAnA5Gy202wwnaW9R_GAvV5QXwx-CbQ7N89H27uFj67NTvk0A/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GTlq4RGELrNYo5ziOKYVK7WPbB6LAT3Lg9YHZvOwGNzV9aheaf9Nq1GzucGoGRoOYFPVCtbNxcrzm1GQLa0kiwFXMsCAnA5Gy202wwnaW9R_GAvV5QXwx-CbQ7N89H27uFj67NTvk0A/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient pagodas. I'm in there somewhere too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1377JU3OdD_PLF48xJjHi_Gu8bNtK1Kn8_x7ib_lLdL8wdRVdP9vV5mmE7hKY4YRxng332gkEOwlvZ-IGIbnzRjZqZQCTtdUM6hyrf4_Xg1b2Tlmzc2SpACABIe3Gcohx_MFXAWIoYrU/s1600/IMG_8526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1377JU3OdD_PLF48xJjHi_Gu8bNtK1Kn8_x7ib_lLdL8wdRVdP9vV5mmE7hKY4YRxng332gkEOwlvZ-IGIbnzRjZqZQCTtdUM6hyrf4_Xg1b2Tlmzc2SpACABIe3Gcohx_MFXAWIoYrU/s1600/IMG_8526.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a boat, Inle Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3aHec7QVS4aVZeWYaPw2MDuE7kfeCC1XQVI5GSABkQRJCUDK1bpBkXZjekde5kXst9VF8_kZeP-YVQ2mrj-tHVOmIkXAxKyV1NXR21VEv5IEtCEzPVJC3Mc1vjYDemt1Zvvv032Bs6o/s1600/IMG_8573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3aHec7QVS4aVZeWYaPw2MDuE7kfeCC1XQVI5GSABkQRJCUDK1bpBkXZjekde5kXst9VF8_kZeP-YVQ2mrj-tHVOmIkXAxKyV1NXR21VEv5IEtCEzPVJC3Mc1vjYDemt1Zvvv032Bs6o/s1600/IMG_8573.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waiting squat; waiting for the train</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncRUe54MmsGDj8Yb2aMk9VSpg8628yYLkxyPCEoh9fsg8FWcrdZeGPoAoJE3t-oT-ea7OxsQahmen0Pqtb4kxZ3sXPs-aGr_TR-obN1HItBxoMboQrRPxM9wiVeQ0x6L9iLm9Fztwjxc/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncRUe54MmsGDj8Yb2aMk9VSpg8628yYLkxyPCEoh9fsg8FWcrdZeGPoAoJE3t-oT-ea7OxsQahmen0Pqtb4kxZ3sXPs-aGr_TR-obN1HItBxoMboQrRPxM9wiVeQ0x6L9iLm9Fztwjxc/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys on a bike wearing longgyi's, a garment that the majority of men in Myanmar wear instead of pants. Even in places like Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, men wore these with their dress shirts to work. After seeing them for a couple weeks, I really started to appreciate their simplicity and versatility, maybe just as much as men appreciate their comfort.</td></tr>
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I started my trip with a couple days in and around Mandalay, continued to Bagan for a few days of biking through valleys of old temples, went to Inle Lake for a boat trip around a community on the water, saw some of the sights of Yangon and finished with a train ride to one of the most revered Buddhist sites in Myanmar, a 'golden rock' that is balanced on a mountain. <st1:country-region w:st="on">Myanmar</st1:country-region> is an interesting country in the midst of a democratic transition.
The people are curious and friendly, although seem to be somewhat jaded
by tourism in the areas overrun by backpackers and package tour buses. One man I met told me I must be poor because I had an iPhone 4. If I come from the USA, the land of Apple, why did I have to settle for an out of date iPhone 4? Obviously I was poor - a logical conclusion I suppose. He had a good laugh at this, as did I. Another man told me of his desire to save up enough money to move to Thailand to be a teacher. My answers to the question of “where do you
come from?” were met with enthusiastic responses like, “Obama!” or “<st1:country-region w:st="on">America! Great country</st1:country-region>”. My trip occurred shortly after Obama's visit to the country, so I’m not sure how much of this
was common reaction and how much people had been stirred by his recent visit.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse buggy ride through the ancient city of Ava</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHoAE4BrPm0Jvpl336rjJAtch-62ELlm3kGwb-YnG27HVoFWgyu8izzXu2dlUascxEwxVNOnAj6DQaI5HnKAqls41JHVX3jPlJY_TDhlwC3NOgXzjYllihU_u1C0HycYz2holctK0IwM/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHoAE4BrPm0Jvpl336rjJAtch-62ELlm3kGwb-YnG27HVoFWgyu8izzXu2dlUascxEwxVNOnAj6DQaI5HnKAqls41JHVX3jPlJY_TDhlwC3NOgXzjYllihU_u1C0HycYz2holctK0IwM/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the U-Bein bridge, Amarapura</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NqgHMbv7p_MW09Yirxek9Znf3PmeAgwkHy8Pi6DwbXv-UM_-evrwOoc-QgbMgIg9gLdqHCn5rOPkpKdHvGCzElbAeXWiNOIeaa9zDMkY9P1hPglVFfr3dPykBx1y1pW8PDpEMAxvrxk/s1600/IMG_8298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NqgHMbv7p_MW09Yirxek9Znf3PmeAgwkHy8Pi6DwbXv-UM_-evrwOoc-QgbMgIg9gLdqHCn5rOPkpKdHvGCzElbAeXWiNOIeaa9zDMkY9P1hPglVFfr3dPykBx1y1pW8PDpEMAxvrxk/s1600/IMG_8298.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out from the top of the Mandalay hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1qKHeiFuMYGRlFd8USCYaJ6ln10DSR3lLbzbTsHQHWMT6ASthxbMfh8mpn4rE0jS0kyw2qpgzPB1wN_k-MJVtcXKhhKi4p-QQ8HVcDVogzeusNBDvQBBVFS19vo2YQ2QiFTIy9tfWH8/s1600/IMG_8305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1qKHeiFuMYGRlFd8USCYaJ6ln10DSR3lLbzbTsHQHWMT6ASthxbMfh8mpn4rE0jS0kyw2qpgzPB1wN_k-MJVtcXKhhKi4p-QQ8HVcDVogzeusNBDvQBBVFS19vo2YQ2QiFTIy9tfWH8/s1600/IMG_8305.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandalay Marionettes </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZNghxZyXiYWsfPozbgWYFa3JKNX3ptrFGDEWuUGs2jxFfOKb2pZ6kvPTX6GzYZIe0bs1bZ-05f_B0HJlzGqTcTBedUT7emIO8ylcQ50cUjgV0vSDdwzYplNefz9futPoU6rxOTZ0SIk/s1600/IMG_8329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZNghxZyXiYWsfPozbgWYFa3JKNX3ptrFGDEWuUGs2jxFfOKb2pZ6kvPTX6GzYZIe0bs1bZ-05f_B0HJlzGqTcTBedUT7emIO8ylcQ50cUjgV0vSDdwzYplNefz9futPoU6rxOTZ0SIk/s1600/IMG_8329.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids dressed up at the temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcQSY9xg98ZhsVdpVsGbPI12UqwR0lm_mwf30_nuRW5GjUQO3WSSU_zDqqTbsWbTv9iOY8PIIOlgxZU9FQEkMwWZcjuN_rYEUYbhvG4zt4UHUamNQVbg2jY_vd8q4QdW6Ib9oAVqAZqs/s1600/IMG_8331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcQSY9xg98ZhsVdpVsGbPI12UqwR0lm_mwf30_nuRW5GjUQO3WSSU_zDqqTbsWbTv9iOY8PIIOlgxZU9FQEkMwWZcjuN_rYEUYbhvG4zt4UHUamNQVbg2jY_vd8q4QdW6Ib9oAVqAZqs/s1600/IMG_8331.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mahamuni Temple in Mandalay: a major Buddhist pilgrimage site. Only men are allowed to enter and place gold flakes on the Buddha , women must sit outside and watch through doorways (seen above) or on video screens that are placed at various areas around the temple. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cgrcopoIkGAcZCfNB612N9kgC6MLd-0Hds4dNAy7W1f3vd0KnJ69O8xJlf0pmlEx6xgwb_KaVoqOG3gqGHr_id_oxMJbvHmRvetEF0cHb67pVuESOpEeWiPR-VjBQUt7-UaAkJVjQso/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cgrcopoIkGAcZCfNB612N9kgC6MLd-0Hds4dNAy7W1f3vd0KnJ69O8xJlf0pmlEx6xgwb_KaVoqOG3gqGHr_id_oxMJbvHmRvetEF0cHb67pVuESOpEeWiPR-VjBQUt7-UaAkJVjQso/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silk weaving</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTugWaVdypX83ds3JWjZIgE7cn0zzbu1b5Qa8v9JxVJUIFi8xGxnBuKNBrcUBY3hKcXF-y0j6O9qupsqxnfC0CCFrCLvCfjmCQwUdzjRnwtYVo6fYHD0OyuObgL4lDcNoiGAGO3f2CFbQ/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTugWaVdypX83ds3JWjZIgE7cn0zzbu1b5Qa8v9JxVJUIFi8xGxnBuKNBrcUBY3hKcXF-y0j6O9qupsqxnfC0CCFrCLvCfjmCQwUdzjRnwtYVo6fYHD0OyuObgL4lDcNoiGAGO3f2CFbQ/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade art for sale outside a temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAREHN61PihpMabOdvqNMqAPGNZC52zPcIzE4I-i5YNyhnXO0IR-no-rlMn9D5aK_vM_1pTggg1ByTbOHIKflgW8jIpyZIIhehpRW5OuyeATye0JNpIEnaWAgNFVNb6UdlMVz-PBTd10g/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAREHN61PihpMabOdvqNMqAPGNZC52zPcIzE4I-i5YNyhnXO0IR-no-rlMn9D5aK_vM_1pTggg1ByTbOHIKflgW8jIpyZIIhehpRW5OuyeATye0JNpIEnaWAgNFVNb6UdlMVz-PBTd10g/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of a temple in Bagan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefaL8YlA3YgJFS8Sz2xLjb1RV-w7aGFxMbspU60be_KoFzY7wDV5QpZhfbJXsofG_qHj6PjfTQdthah0Z4jdD40TAkM5nuSu6XO-3-KQ1cfu1ALI0rnkf1GuILY-fQUzy8lFaYd7X95Y/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefaL8YlA3YgJFS8Sz2xLjb1RV-w7aGFxMbspU60be_KoFzY7wDV5QpZhfbJXsofG_qHj6PjfTQdthah0Z4jdD40TAkM5nuSu6XO-3-KQ1cfu1ALI0rnkf1GuILY-fQUzy8lFaYd7X95Y/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on a temple with too many other tourists, Bagan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindH7Q38Sc9lue5fxtgCz3ZkSrIVVt_7xfcM563SAKTiMAe3IqlIf5RtkVaOc0OOFkUbPEgZSvdap9S-Cf1Y3Gbr70OVZTWhqHcBvuZqXmx2borRqqf3kMktOclORw1RxTa9BLRBvQG9U/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindH7Q38Sc9lue5fxtgCz3ZkSrIVVt_7xfcM563SAKTiMAe3IqlIf5RtkVaOc0OOFkUbPEgZSvdap9S-Cf1Y3Gbr70OVZTWhqHcBvuZqXmx2borRqqf3kMktOclORw1RxTa9BLRBvQG9U/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over a field of temples in Bagan. Absolutely incredible...it received a round of applause from all spectators</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjj51-4WwYA-Zp0oiP_Q9T2Zfwb6MIsvL7wGPqmGKP5diL7mqURF_IQO6I25SD6Fazui_Hhnj7Vo-a-yt4JIoxwxeZ_ZsoI6UadZwFaUIzZKhmGkYip9mOpdXc8MsghX0tdYAqdqxu1I/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjj51-4WwYA-Zp0oiP_Q9T2Zfwb6MIsvL7wGPqmGKP5diL7mqURF_IQO6I25SD6Fazui_Hhnj7Vo-a-yt4JIoxwxeZ_ZsoI6UadZwFaUIzZKhmGkYip9mOpdXc8MsghX0tdYAqdqxu1I/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise in Bagan. Just as incredible as the sunsets, if not more so</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRtPIq6dOPcoAyvmOuqQgjZc2xgicegB_PJFOSElCf8Ob91BVPRvLMyuFd3hn-9GnIBbIX5WrIWcERBPGY0dqTKYQqNALDHarxmOX6ANL2zQLcC3W5SsQTNWdUCjpJuJmYJKR2FncFY0/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRtPIq6dOPcoAyvmOuqQgjZc2xgicegB_PJFOSElCf8Ob91BVPRvLMyuFd3hn-9GnIBbIX5WrIWcERBPGY0dqTKYQqNALDHarxmOX6ANL2zQLcC3W5SsQTNWdUCjpJuJmYJKR2FncFY0/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After enjoying the sunrise, complete with hot air balloons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RMwre0UzI8ccp15ZjXuTjt9ZQ59iwiStsCBaQeGIe8kqiIXndeJ1mFArK67z_zDAn8ZPaIp2u0E1_TC-NtdIoPew30LPNjczoH-0D7W_4wZC8MGpe_nsGsSTcrS5EjUpEor9-k5LJ9M/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RMwre0UzI8ccp15ZjXuTjt9ZQ59iwiStsCBaQeGIe8kqiIXndeJ1mFArK67z_zDAn8ZPaIp2u0E1_TC-NtdIoPew30LPNjczoH-0D7W_4wZC8MGpe_nsGsSTcrS5EjUpEor9-k5LJ9M/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot air balloons, sunrise in Bagan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeJXjnBnFMvI7Zkf-QKYrCEUqfYBRXL_B6lpojIz98tSZEPnSfbV3XAG5G3ykp2GPwP8kkG1PBfOzKOFZQfUzRMROKrbY3y02ouQukVF9lIMqPK4TdBvr1IbXXXd-MYj5Nbt3619UfMk/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeJXjnBnFMvI7Zkf-QKYrCEUqfYBRXL_B6lpojIz98tSZEPnSfbV3XAG5G3ykp2GPwP8kkG1PBfOzKOFZQfUzRMROKrbY3y02ouQukVF9lIMqPK4TdBvr1IbXXXd-MYj5Nbt3619UfMk/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making/smoking local cigars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNe6JDnEHReF1UKaqUX92BIDJ2g5VtAjRZpF7vYs-_yWzOdLe_r1Rx9gRxDmz-aT4ZyCDYNcoe0h7Pc5fqZrrPzG7nfiYJZa8TMFPOX6u9vyrx1mdZXUBUAeLRpXtN42Sn4Rg6wp59w8/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNe6JDnEHReF1UKaqUX92BIDJ2g5VtAjRZpF7vYs-_yWzOdLe_r1Rx9gRxDmz-aT4ZyCDYNcoe0h7Pc5fqZrrPzG7nfiYJZa8TMFPOX6u9vyrx1mdZXUBUAeLRpXtN42Sn4Rg6wp59w8/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selling art on top of a temple in Bagan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5dC-Zi4_qzn5uZsHA5Lcl_wBOfahnD0odFGGsXBlzy8VXmlLw5J3Zn4VrjG92oyVDgmlTTB7xjQy48Uecf0cKc88psZ6B584tMkMWmImlkTUwMqvx0qya4mVCiVzPZ8q_kX-hHNwQBI/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5dC-Zi4_qzn5uZsHA5Lcl_wBOfahnD0odFGGsXBlzy8VXmlLw5J3Zn4VrjG92oyVDgmlTTB7xjQy48Uecf0cKc88psZ6B584tMkMWmImlkTUwMqvx0qya4mVCiVzPZ8q_kX-hHNwQBI/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisherman at Inle Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT96k9kXAitlMA8UNebLNtfU3hUoL0cyatPIX-OpPunbLO1a3gxIfanoyLdEHGMr27H4yCK5VjMZUc_U5SYxcY77P3fCE2Fm6ZKci1JY7s4ngKrW_7Qj4PwWs_bCZO2e4Egy_L4sRgWNA/s1600/IMG_0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT96k9kXAitlMA8UNebLNtfU3hUoL0cyatPIX-OpPunbLO1a3gxIfanoyLdEHGMr27H4yCK5VjMZUc_U5SYxcY77P3fCE2Fm6ZKci1JY7s4ngKrW_7Qj4PwWs_bCZO2e4Egy_L4sRgWNA/s1600/IMG_0642.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local market on Inle Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6NWY43YI0qWAJzyJi7ieE2GW5diKODLGeX7MrhAo-j2V5nuBfpNXyPB88M0BPG5l34DXJ-PM2CnR676FgF6YdG9mffhUgm30d9RDc-I54CCz-5k4Sdi9VwXaI4rJxLDFx9sVXXDTGRc/s1600/IMG_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6NWY43YI0qWAJzyJi7ieE2GW5diKODLGeX7MrhAo-j2V5nuBfpNXyPB88M0BPG5l34DXJ-PM2CnR676FgF6YdG9mffhUgm30d9RDc-I54CCz-5k4Sdi9VwXaI4rJxLDFx9sVXXDTGRc/s1600/IMG_0674.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling local cigarettes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPm7orC5NC-9CSa2omOniOxsTvdTz_c50l8g7As91zkv5uS42_8_ftva-ZY2HizI_AYM3AW7GbnJ8PWLkjHdSFklVxMIcUpRUHAJIv5CtpCtwL9WkRdYQApLoDjTriW7_Ph8r51oAreYk/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPm7orC5NC-9CSa2omOniOxsTvdTz_c50l8g7As91zkv5uS42_8_ftva-ZY2HizI_AYM3AW7GbnJ8PWLkjHdSFklVxMIcUpRUHAJIv5CtpCtwL9WkRdYQApLoDjTriW7_Ph8r51oAreYk/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traveling around Inle Lake via boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3R3xAhsNL3xyBmmTScwUjqsZc0ynDLcFkfED6II85ZqJXxYDGvZWfzmuokrW0Va_gKvBEObswXhuQhrJ3Q1Jth_GPsl_vBV1c15E0BFH2s8tB0M-EccTJjEIwwn4w8II9C5W4KY5d9w/s1600/IMG_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3R3xAhsNL3xyBmmTScwUjqsZc0ynDLcFkfED6II85ZqJXxYDGvZWfzmuokrW0Va_gKvBEObswXhuQhrJ3Q1Jth_GPsl_vBV1c15E0BFH2s8tB0M-EccTJjEIwwn4w8II9C5W4KY5d9w/s1600/IMG_0813.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burmese sweet tea and local snacks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLgZjc4UpnIj8W1DCHdC3PIe4iJ_85DsEyZ6iho4V6LgJxIhMv1vx7rLoZQbiyiBkmvBAe8hkY_6VU-Cbw38iTvJplXHN1j_pye9xReK4tY7dFJFMt7mmy1z8TLbuQ4oG_p_JMflYNJI/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLgZjc4UpnIj8W1DCHdC3PIe4iJ_85DsEyZ6iho4V6LgJxIhMv1vx7rLoZQbiyiBkmvBAe8hkY_6VU-Cbw38iTvJplXHN1j_pye9xReK4tY7dFJFMt7mmy1z8TLbuQ4oG_p_JMflYNJI/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vmAojGpZ8u_YibvWEEJC-qf4V07R5QIgIF9QoVQUVbAwoG9-fC0O_oeOSyydQ0CwyLeuE9sskwBXMBJRp8ci30FCTlSQMm-6jmYPey7KlzqOxgaZ89fIMbHZAC4pXVvCVfjV5twEJQc/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vmAojGpZ8u_YibvWEEJC-qf4V07R5QIgIF9QoVQUVbAwoG9-fC0O_oeOSyydQ0CwyLeuE9sskwBXMBJRp8ci30FCTlSQMm-6jmYPey7KlzqOxgaZ89fIMbHZAC4pXVvCVfjV5twEJQc/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset, Yangon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_67ytDUzrcsT41RDymoKMH6Qq-p1jlMdse3UPXcksN_cvhrVLbUVzopOrr4TzcOMDEkVY1XjuPLZPFEkyxhiufGTDHjSgeqYW2gBqjQOKgTNGQXiOKnIHjrriDUio0x4Wr4nMm-reyY/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_67ytDUzrcsT41RDymoKMH6Qq-p1jlMdse3UPXcksN_cvhrVLbUVzopOrr4TzcOMDEkVY1XjuPLZPFEkyxhiufGTDHjSgeqYW2gBqjQOKgTNGQXiOKnIHjrriDUio0x4Wr4nMm-reyY/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the train outside of Yangon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSId9pEWBO027Mrmr0PGZD0r_8cdmP6K-jSNIimM5OUjj2jX1KxiuYP3tmnyKKy5DZUQNIhxqocjQ89hxR499Xd1uzkN_scSrZ0Jd2VDo8jNzVc-u6MTZoaavaeWG3WgphMcMc_zpOv8/s1600/IMG_0911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSId9pEWBO027Mrmr0PGZD0r_8cdmP6K-jSNIimM5OUjj2jX1KxiuYP3tmnyKKy5DZUQNIhxqocjQ89hxR499Xd1uzkN_scSrZ0Jd2VDo8jNzVc-u6MTZoaavaeWG3WgphMcMc_zpOv8/s1600/IMG_0911.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, one of the most famous Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Myanmar. The rock is said to be balanced on a hair from the Buddha that was given to a hermit and then enshrined in this boulder that was shaped like the hermit's head. The name of the Pagoda (Kyaiktiyo) means 'pagoda upon a hermit's head'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXkjjPcUU9GYuWKu_d5pSrhdOGyDEMwp4sCqQ81QqRjc2yS7aujNEOj0Ffm2GHYgqYyJrYiI8a3IdsRor9yS7aNn2OJFcMxc3rcJaVizc32QvBatsXzrMtElHq89n5HRQKQBTKW7h7rM/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXkjjPcUU9GYuWKu_d5pSrhdOGyDEMwp4sCqQ81QqRjc2yS7aujNEOj0Ffm2GHYgqYyJrYiI8a3IdsRor9yS7aNn2OJFcMxc3rcJaVizc32QvBatsXzrMtElHq89n5HRQKQBTKW7h7rM/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up, wondering how that rock is still attached (ok maybe not, but that's sort of what I was doing)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HJ2geP6oDGHny6b2i6IqY_eC2gl1ef8jl3u0nsejM5aC1dmvii7NDeLI8kNB6sbenuVyKjpn8AjWT22r_7E1ijsrBWAmLIFc_ecpL8ieR-j8vK5ZaMaGtFulv0O0auRw0rXIrKXhU2Y/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HJ2geP6oDGHny6b2i6IqY_eC2gl1ef8jl3u0nsejM5aC1dmvii7NDeLI8kNB6sbenuVyKjpn8AjWT22r_7E1ijsrBWAmLIFc_ecpL8ieR-j8vK5ZaMaGtFulv0O0auRw0rXIrKXhU2Y/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view; you can see how little of the rock is actually touching the base</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8SSAuQgRXxGiLoIJBTT5qDr-pXsCWziZz4UeUmleve8c4CaHp1IhXSj3aSO4IVqetFNKR3xg2vR33FMt9bswiY0tSBmo45jWWraPFrs8wAEIx0Exo3jmQNRP6WxNBMRNbrXuNCcexlk/s1600/IMG_9935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8SSAuQgRXxGiLoIJBTT5qDr-pXsCWziZz4UeUmleve8c4CaHp1IhXSj3aSO4IVqetFNKR3xg2vR33FMt9bswiY0tSBmo45jWWraPFrs8wAEIx0Exo3jmQNRP6WxNBMRNbrXuNCcexlk/s1600/IMG_9935.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Buddha images</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cG7zSAPp84jSJ-WHeusq2i6QZzYbOi94xebCfsHEl687MGUgrSfvh6NhC5z3r5MIludFyKw9Bqt0M38l5vvuMHIlJVeIrOJPTZWVoC7d-xC0gk7ceJe7WkzHhB2rlHIOFJJGhDLrCT8/s1600/IMG_9986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cG7zSAPp84jSJ-WHeusq2i6QZzYbOi94xebCfsHEl687MGUgrSfvh6NhC5z3r5MIludFyKw9Bqt0M38l5vvuMHIlJVeIrOJPTZWVoC7d-xC0gk7ceJe7WkzHhB2rlHIOFJJGhDLrCT8/s1600/IMG_9986.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old temple ruins in Ava</td></tr>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-64626104161719987772015-02-13T10:20:00.004+07:002015-02-13T10:20:59.336+07:00Meditation, mountains and elephantsIt's been awhile since I've posted anything, and this is my effort to catch up. The last few months have been full of travels and figuring out what comes next in my life, so here's some of that in a nutshell.<br />
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October in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>
means a school break, and for PCV’s that often means vacation time. I spent a couple weeks in northern <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region> for a
meditation retreat, a day with an elephant, and a few days of hiking, caving,
and relaxing in the mountains.</div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>
has no shortage of opportunities for the exploration of meditation practice and
I, despite having no real experience with meditation, thought I’d take
advantage of one of them. Chiang Mai,
the northern city where I started my trip, is surrounded by mountainous
national parks, one of them located just a few kilometers outside of the
tourist-filled city center. On top of
the closest mountain is a temple that receives a surprising number of visitors
every day, both Thai and foreign. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long staircase leading to the temple at the top</td></tr>
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This temple is also home to a meditation center which provides opportunities for the exploration of meditation for a
period of anywhere from 4 to 30 days.
They provide basic lodging and food for people coming to practice
meditation, with the fees being donation-based – you can provide a donation of
an amount of your choosing at the end of your time there. I chose the 4 day option, thinking that was a
fair amount of time for an introduction to meditation and not so long that I
wouldn’t be able to handle it. Each day
consisted of waking up for a Dhamma talk (teachings of the Buddha from a local
monk) at 5:30, breakfast at 7, meditation from 8-11:30 until lunch, afternoon
meditation from 12:30 until 6 with a brief individual check-in with the
resident monk/teacher in the afternoon, evening chanting at 6pm followed by
individual meditation until bedtime. The
experience was interesting and challenging.
I learned the basics of sitting and walking meditation and received some
interesting advice and insights from the monk leading the daily teachings. </div>
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After my brief introduction to meditation I was able to do
something I've been waiting to do ever since I arrived in <st1:place w:st="on">Thailand</st1:place>; spend time with
elephants. I spent a day at Patara
Elephant Farm, which provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about and
take care of an elephant for a day. They have an amazing program of rescue, recovery and recuperation for elephants and people visiting their farm help take care of all the elephants. I
learned everything from how to approach them, how to tell if they’re in a good
mood, how they sweat, how to feed them, and more about their poop than I’d ever
wanted to know. I spent the day with
Boonpak, a big male elephant that was fantastic. I fed him, brushed him, bathed him, and then went
on a trek through the jungle on his head.
It was a fantastic day and one of the coolest things I’ve done. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking for sweat on their toes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brushing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9r4mt39QBMZ24abPkXKSWFQX-FmMJyr3X5-LNqdyRn5BefupKmPaLoU2uAU0Jc-PAhf16ddUz3gHcn3tp7SININhk5As7ItldLorpmjYlNrScX9eThYNBWIQTxS6EaqkJe_wzpiwJpnY/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9r4mt39QBMZ24abPkXKSWFQX-FmMJyr3X5-LNqdyRn5BefupKmPaLoU2uAU0Jc-PAhf16ddUz3gHcn3tp7SININhk5As7ItldLorpmjYlNrScX9eThYNBWIQTxS6EaqkJe_wzpiwJpnY/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scrubbing tusks</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv8kBZI_rVYfEKCwkKDiUtgviAWfIo0KLEsfbWa8T37eMkoKTQWwaSiljxDcFMhKcPBWyWmjUFLPabvEiiGRPir5-A-yxwPtv9bRy9DJnmn253-4ToChyphenhyphenyX5noNwudAmVElRCOcJxUZM/s1600/IMG_0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv8kBZI_rVYfEKCwkKDiUtgviAWfIo0KLEsfbWa8T37eMkoKTQWwaSiljxDcFMhKcPBWyWmjUFLPabvEiiGRPir5-A-yxwPtv9bRy9DJnmn253-4ToChyphenhyphenyX5noNwudAmVElRCOcJxUZM/s1600/IMG_0390.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last of my northern travels took me to Mae Hong Son, a
beautifully mountainous province that runs along the western border of the
north of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>. I spent a few days hiking, kayaking, and
being a spectator to a crazy 100km trail run that by chance was happening one
of the days I was there in the surrounding area. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYIF2UyuYy8uIypdS6QCyXJnVQh815HjXTLjqlgaCdvpXYw8Ie8Ivi9Fe4aeUAXq5Eji_9qhRfSolN8XDY01qmexi4tdbf4R-VHVamQrzg5AYQYPuDJkBNAv1caFnY5KsPTxNvDiS6BM/s1600/IMG_9581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYIF2UyuYy8uIypdS6QCyXJnVQh815HjXTLjqlgaCdvpXYw8Ie8Ivi9Fe4aeUAXq5Eji_9qhRfSolN8XDY01qmexi4tdbf4R-VHVamQrzg5AYQYPuDJkBNAv1caFnY5KsPTxNvDiS6BM/s1600/IMG_9581.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountains in Mae Hong Son</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain top sunrise on a sea of fog</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kayaking through a giant cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMBvtQqJc-gFIQUvX1KdAI9s3_TqTimrd7z1NDUOlLD7rgH6O02P4WHlb6Qf3h7gu1wX42BO0b04rlPwhAWeTvWOYzTnAaIPC7CHHDRm5KHvjKaSrvzXBYpFfDThyZlaQJ33JI_tSg7s/s1600/IMG_7815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMBvtQqJc-gFIQUvX1KdAI9s3_TqTimrd7z1NDUOlLD7rgH6O02P4WHlb6Qf3h7gu1wX42BO0b04rlPwhAWeTvWOYzTnAaIPC7CHHDRm5KHvjKaSrvzXBYpFfDThyZlaQJ33JI_tSg7s/s1600/IMG_7815.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start/finish of the Ultramarathon happening while I was here</td></tr>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-19780598265443357762014-10-02T16:01:00.000+07:002014-10-02T16:01:22.701+07:00The Bridge on the River Kwai and my second half marathon I recently made a trip to Kanchanaburi, a province in central Thailand that shares a western border with Myanmar, for some historical sightseeing and another half marathon. Kanchanaburi is filled with historically significant places and sights from World War II - most notably the River Kwai Bridge and the Death Railway, along with Hellfire Pass, several museums, and a few war cemeteries. I was interested in seeing as much as I could in a short amount of time and looking forward to learning a few things. I set out from Bangkok, along with two friends and fellow PCV's, and we took a train along 'Death Railway' well into Kanchanaburi. This line was commissioned by the Japanese during WWII to create a land connection between Bangkok and Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar). Using POW's for labor they were able to construct a complicated railway through the mountainous jungle that existed on their proposed path. It earned the name 'Death Railway' from the significant number of POW's and local laborers that died while building it under extremely inhumane conditions (very little food, working through sickness and overall mistreatment while malnourished). The line ran through Kanchanaburi into Burma (Myanmar) and was used briefly during the war until it was eventually destroyed and torn up in large segments. The remaining track was eventually taken over by the Thai Railway Authority and this is the section that's still in use today, used by a few locals and many, many tourists.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4phM5vvhWm8CpK3vNEokhUFXAiDc36eHL1HyudLKewBeLmi0DC-MfK2CB6Evzon4SwY3RmPSMLhCtn49J63X4LSAkqAeRta6S5zGWcfffrfH-E1B2j0-fxPn4rJuecSusjeQjlsOSNE8/s1600/IMG_9059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4phM5vvhWm8CpK3vNEokhUFXAiDc36eHL1HyudLKewBeLmi0DC-MfK2CB6Evzon4SwY3RmPSMLhCtn49J63X4LSAkqAeRta6S5zGWcfffrfH-E1B2j0-fxPn4rJuecSusjeQjlsOSNE8/s1600/IMG_9059.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed out from Bangkok</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7dcdVe8o0pxk2bEkUfjsUH2yPYKVseTd-I9W5jaEAQq_zDYbLAYEFaWh0lkKRHvH50AYHyPrbY6tdwfk0AWSJn1rTek2nX7XLJSve4J45KDau0LjGilQRMMupyRcTGPAKpGLSlMf6NE/s1600/IMG_9072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7dcdVe8o0pxk2bEkUfjsUH2yPYKVseTd-I9W5jaEAQq_zDYbLAYEFaWh0lkKRHvH50AYHyPrbY6tdwfk0AWSJn1rTek2nX7XLJSve4J45KDau0LjGilQRMMupyRcTGPAKpGLSlMf6NE/s1600/IMG_9072.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the infamous River Kwai Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-CB4Lmf5wHUCTZr3lSSOAmSi_ewvPTVZG082FL7utDUVK89I3OGEeEm1L4HbHb4cFVPRJh7u7Mo0Y5eW0j125Hu93O0_Za8qa2AxldJYRruMdSt-o9MDjwQ4bpeBdV61U-HvFMOyr04/s1600/IMG_9082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-CB4Lmf5wHUCTZr3lSSOAmSi_ewvPTVZG082FL7utDUVK89I3OGEeEm1L4HbHb4cFVPRJh7u7Mo0Y5eW0j125Hu93O0_Za8qa2AxldJYRruMdSt-o9MDjwQ4bpeBdV61U-HvFMOyr04/s1600/IMG_9082.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenery from the train: can you spot the Buddha head?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS1hlum8UEPItb4ImfvnCOgS4U3Qva1ZZumvgCLcLrEl-g3b7CYuav3alwFrR862Pi37KKkw6RDDVIaOIwWjEG1ONGayE3C8lb-lhsZaoft4wuVeHyC2xZWw6h-uVapfG7Jk4Rex2eBs/s1600/IMG_9090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS1hlum8UEPItb4ImfvnCOgS4U3Qva1ZZumvgCLcLrEl-g3b7CYuav3alwFrR862Pi37KKkw6RDDVIaOIwWjEG1ONGayE3C8lb-lhsZaoft4wuVeHyC2xZWw6h-uVapfG7Jk4Rex2eBs/s1600/IMG_9090.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before the river Kwai bridge the previously near-empty train got pretty crowded, with people feeling more than free to roam about wherever they pleased</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqirYPh634O0eY7izWgQrbGG7YYoznTmUd_HNdSaGBmrhUgwOoR_cJlQHCyPQtuAQTf2hLpAmXPI1ehMZtLgtrIrG9fCGNukVQqRfGZKGhBMxSAz0VgRBvCwxVkhXBCbKmZYNiKg6_YpE/s1600/IMG_9099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqirYPh634O0eY7izWgQrbGG7YYoznTmUd_HNdSaGBmrhUgwOoR_cJlQHCyPQtuAQTf2hLpAmXPI1ehMZtLgtrIrG9fCGNukVQqRfGZKGhBMxSAz0VgRBvCwxVkhXBCbKmZYNiKg6_YpE/s1600/IMG_9099.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A train stop no longer in use; it actually leads to a small, but often visited, waterfall </td></tr>
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During my time in Kanchanaburi I was also able to visit several historical sites and museums dedicated to WWII. My first stop was the Hellfire Pass Memorial, located just down the road from the site of the impending half marathon. It's a very moving and informative memorial that includes an audio-guided tour along part of the Death Railway that's no longer in use, with commentary from some of the POW's that lived through the experience. Hellfire pass is a particular location along the Death Railway where POW's had to dig through a mountain by hand to create a route for the railway. During the latter part of the railway construction they were forced to work through the night, and the scene, in the middle of the night, was said to look like hell. It was an interesting experience to walk along the old railway, see remnants of the construction and World War II and hear personal accounts of experiences at that time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoE_NnemjrC5F_nF7ODirD95wEVCj0oX_cqGP65K4I1l7ytt6dQAJzvHxxuCTYrINH_qFtL8W2ZssPTUY5h556Lepk6Wnd0whQS38RAhJ9YZMN2sJx4pafmzqlY9SV_zvnq7mUM1jplt4/s1600/IMG_9133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoE_NnemjrC5F_nF7ODirD95wEVCj0oX_cqGP65K4I1l7ytt6dQAJzvHxxuCTYrINH_qFtL8W2ZssPTUY5h556Lepk6Wnd0whQS38RAhJ9YZMN2sJx4pafmzqlY9SV_zvnq7mUM1jplt4/s1600/IMG_9133.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hellfire Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzku-oHO0AUGRH7iPonQse_Fs5GvV5dD5tX0J2HE75GFqvPSDpMMV2t3tgeeqeuV6xVDGzLVXuXS1QEywTIsUXh_xsf9Zw8iCkJH8f44IQvv0EPoHdXKNbKuDcHt4-2MX-Kxqombxix-s/s1600/IMG_9146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzku-oHO0AUGRH7iPonQse_Fs5GvV5dD5tX0J2HE75GFqvPSDpMMV2t3tgeeqeuV6xVDGzLVXuXS1QEywTIsUXh_xsf9Zw8iCkJH8f44IQvv0EPoHdXKNbKuDcHt4-2MX-Kxqombxix-s/s1600/IMG_9146.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view: all of this used to be solid rock and was cleared by hand by POW's during the war</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ztGWg4Sfqwp_kpK4b6TTqvhaDXjVJG82lwWKDntTpkusYUMtYQ7UDwQrVeO8Xpe-qcCKDvd6wuQ9hvDqUp9YajdiB5OyCPwIVbepPtMXNwPKw7Z9x1RhUnXsZP-XY-N5AIsKEVdZ6iQ/s1600/IMG_9153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ztGWg4Sfqwp_kpK4b6TTqvhaDXjVJG82lwWKDntTpkusYUMtYQ7UDwQrVeO8Xpe-qcCKDvd6wuQ9hvDqUp9YajdiB5OyCPwIVbepPtMXNwPKw7Z9x1RhUnXsZP-XY-N5AIsKEVdZ6iQ/s1600/IMG_9153.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the top: looking down on the path cut through the rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VvymumQ5VeRg_vjWf3pQ48ZcpWA12mB-Om0YCkgJx5kWQizhixUSjzl7EulbARsXrK-BEDirgDWyID6tpeG0QXEZFIPjVt5xX4alZMoXNQ8MhgtndMhwMVpAjxS5CDrDXMPFC8zewEU/s1600/IMG_9159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VvymumQ5VeRg_vjWf3pQ48ZcpWA12mB-Om0YCkgJx5kWQizhixUSjzl7EulbARsXrK-BEDirgDWyID6tpeG0QXEZFIPjVt5xX4alZMoXNQ8MhgtndMhwMVpAjxS5CDrDXMPFC8zewEU/s1600/IMG_9159.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants of the railway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZvk7ArbVKJ6YF36ihDVT_myM4g3UaZTIgCdZDoJqULkhMsj4e1t2ux-bH9jB3PBHAxn5YSvsk2Y2TnMzmluIOt_o30ZMU0Bm2-HwIdo2CJ2g-TPYWVJLr5-2GiJjhAp6XIC_OQIFSjQ/s1600/IMG_9165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZvk7ArbVKJ6YF36ihDVT_myM4g3UaZTIgCdZDoJqULkhMsj4e1t2ux-bH9jB3PBHAxn5YSvsk2Y2TnMzmluIOt_o30ZMU0Bm2-HwIdo2CJ2g-TPYWVJLr5-2GiJjhAp6XIC_OQIFSjQ/s1600/IMG_9165.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the railway, looking out toward locations of old POW camps</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY5Sxy9WDKlHIlylstfZgswJYcmjF-r32dKclDN189PGqocqquwG8F6rKXRhfXFYcJ5m4ZVkG863-tOkoXxWF_hizmAhtCPwvSLdy72c5iplOcrlqu7G7cBJQFyYTszC93IHmXO9MRJI/s1600/IMG_9192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY5Sxy9WDKlHIlylstfZgswJYcmjF-r32dKclDN189PGqocqquwG8F6rKXRhfXFYcJ5m4ZVkG863-tOkoXxWF_hizmAhtCPwvSLdy72c5iplOcrlqu7G7cBJQFyYTszC93IHmXO9MRJI/s1600/IMG_9192.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relative size: can you find me?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KhE6dBMNs4JPBKxGsTs9qtH-ISG17e7JMcd7-oh2c3Xwi_VtTvFYdpFUT-HBoGASIWELwqGaCm8lFUXQglUMk0duGeCIzOtYsP5OLDXQAhAR0Cau29drPji-CcIPW5mlG84uOPqyCbw/s1600/IMG_9174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KhE6dBMNs4JPBKxGsTs9qtH-ISG17e7JMcd7-oh2c3Xwi_VtTvFYdpFUT-HBoGASIWELwqGaCm8lFUXQglUMk0duGeCIzOtYsP5OLDXQAhAR0Cau29drPji-CcIPW5mlG84uOPqyCbw/s1600/IMG_9174.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Further along the track: several kilometers of the old railway track are open to walk as part of the museum/memorial</td></tr>
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I was also able to visit several other historical sites and landmarks related to World War II and the events that occurred in this area during that time, including the infamous 'River Kwai Bridge', still functioning as part of the railway and also open for people to walk across. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFwfTlLWNOoY4iJr7ncV_f9nw-oeWKtnKGh_by9aA8oITjX0CJXD8dT9jFxLYW62H4_s74gRxbLrAbOrQGXQmANrmFtAy7SuZUfzL9W6ZnxyD6gkDoEFN0YieCUNGCa5QBpbx4tDzcts/s1600/IMG_9389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFwfTlLWNOoY4iJr7ncV_f9nw-oeWKtnKGh_by9aA8oITjX0CJXD8dT9jFxLYW62H4_s74gRxbLrAbOrQGXQmANrmFtAy7SuZUfzL9W6ZnxyD6gkDoEFN0YieCUNGCa5QBpbx4tDzcts/s1600/IMG_9389.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIjXdd8Wt5dtYSjXxy3kXNwfYkDkwdgQHuCoqcuHsf9pnbU4cJ7crPl24CLOjGOj-yLr750FsMB7QmfkmQoCkMf_tOQwogJPmBEWxN16_c8kIfQ5kfzG8eBdWoVOE7gyik33jqm4nmpg/s1600/IMG_9375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIjXdd8Wt5dtYSjXxy3kXNwfYkDkwdgQHuCoqcuHsf9pnbU4cJ7crPl24CLOjGOj-yLr750FsMB7QmfkmQoCkMf_tOQwogJPmBEWxN16_c8kIfQ5kfzG8eBdWoVOE7gyik33jqm4nmpg/s1600/IMG_9375.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwjIb0a6o_AUkX5wkE9-Gzv2_vkz3ZvMAy5fSyndph-Ln_Lw8I6HIa1p5K1DjwoIDFSOiYopxddT4y-VUQJxAgn-EqmELQVDv8JjfhVgH_O1A1TRJrj_Siuz7_JfaHMbHzi2fk4N-Yhc/s1600/IMG_9396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwjIb0a6o_AUkX5wkE9-Gzv2_vkz3ZvMAy5fSyndph-Ln_Lw8I6HIa1p5K1DjwoIDFSOiYopxddT4y-VUQJxAgn-EqmELQVDv8JjfhVgH_O1A1TRJrj_Siuz7_JfaHMbHzi2fk4N-Yhc/s1600/IMG_9396.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgPCPnQnEiEyf2Ci95dRqvRHJ6PCjERsrjb5isdTzeKcj5-wUO_kj8RL-2qm0XG84VsbCL05tLvwxPqncjQWW1uPNBRvCnGF_6VL2GGnx2jv8OeiWfuk4Ov5nYsAP7H70KvZ5AYC0Ik8/s1600/IMG_9387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgPCPnQnEiEyf2Ci95dRqvRHJ6PCjERsrjb5isdTzeKcj5-wUO_kj8RL-2qm0XG84VsbCL05tLvwxPqncjQWW1uPNBRvCnGF_6VL2GGnx2jv8OeiWfuk4Ov5nYsAP7H70KvZ5AYC0Ik8/s1600/IMG_9387.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JEATH (Japan, England, Australia/America, Thailand, Holland) War Museum</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ccr7Kai07OTn0s_AarRuSNPnqeY-AnBzxOHUClsVBuP-VXqGy1cVZf1-Qf2wFyOyGuOe814JJ6r9ydxNt-Wzlebq9rMSj0qVhpyEXJze0spZl8VWtz49fhmanxAnuDNkoA7R5IuAQdM/s1600/IMG_9427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ccr7Kai07OTn0s_AarRuSNPnqeY-AnBzxOHUClsVBuP-VXqGy1cVZf1-Qf2wFyOyGuOe814JJ6r9ydxNt-Wzlebq9rMSj0qVhpyEXJze0spZl8VWtz49fhmanxAnuDNkoA7R5IuAQdM/s1600/IMG_9427.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjOlYrEa3Tvya29E6A_zDOFiX7bSL3ASuqtys96ErOOCQsMTSTvs9uZbVyP0LuBSwjUDWEJ-G8X3OqDWYSPEqLj9_6cZKzp1jidE-1Y0q3X5vOsE5tdtJxorB8irpyZdHhw38qP7Go_w/s1600/IMG_9466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjOlYrEa3Tvya29E6A_zDOFiX7bSL3ASuqtys96ErOOCQsMTSTvs9uZbVyP0LuBSwjUDWEJ-G8X3OqDWYSPEqLj9_6cZKzp1jidE-1Y0q3X5vOsE5tdtJxorB8irpyZdHhw38qP7Go_w/s1600/IMG_9466.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the bridge</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Along with several other PCVs, I went to participate in the River Kwai International Half Marathon, held next to a branch of the Kwai river on a road with enough curves and hills to keep it interesting. It was an out and back course, more uphill on the way out with more downhill on the way back. I felt great and finished more than 15 minutes faster than my first half marathon, 10 minutes under my goal time.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOg9V9KH81lStkwUA__yE6uplLLxED2h5kCX44OlzqVicisM61_pOKGrPoxA8pIOrQyZljDgaL4FupwjfKcVUGm9JpgyNAv3KANaemRH8a3BBcQ-4Ge9LHqPgwVE21tlTcVEOUP4pxNs/s1600/IMG_7522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOg9V9KH81lStkwUA__yE6uplLLxED2h5kCX44OlzqVicisM61_pOKGrPoxA8pIOrQyZljDgaL4FupwjfKcVUGm9JpgyNAv3KANaemRH8a3BBcQ-4Ge9LHqPgwVE21tlTcVEOUP4pxNs/s1600/IMG_7522.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very warm welcome: all runner to participate in a challenge</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKTBO6KY1aor2FjauN1mYI-5Rx-4BpWn47wBSEZaB6PySSzESPl4iyXCU5uyFiUcxtgVGW1oYSjYA_REO1YaMxbwoe9Nu2xlxSAvrMmm8sC7sh_XZsMs1v_5T9tURNfV2gPdcAP9lXcA/s1600/IMG_7526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKTBO6KY1aor2FjauN1mYI-5Rx-4BpWn47wBSEZaB6PySSzESPl4iyXCU5uyFiUcxtgVGW1oYSjYA_REO1YaMxbwoe9Nu2xlxSAvrMmm8sC7sh_XZsMs1v_5T9tURNfV2gPdcAP9lXcA/s1600/IMG_7526.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-race</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Hdf0RpK-QT4W1HZCsfpq7Rk6FeIfePHR4UkZueWbB0kdGr7TgYVKQCVMHLEkrWTdDcHcXptvfhJouULzSPDXt7vONcqeaRLo_lIjc-ZQ9c2ZK6Wfl4IQIDwTpOeRwqAlmPzEzivLpw/s1600/IMG_7530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4Hdf0RpK-QT4W1HZCsfpq7Rk6FeIfePHR4UkZueWbB0kdGr7TgYVKQCVMHLEkrWTdDcHcXptvfhJouULzSPDXt7vONcqeaRLo_lIjc-ZQ9c2ZK6Wfl4IQIDwTpOeRwqAlmPzEzivLpw/s1600/IMG_7530.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-race (and shower) with the ladies running the guest house I stayed at</td></tr>
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One of the highly-visited, and also highly-controversial, sites in Kanchanaburi is the Tiger Temple. Tourists can pay 600 Baht (about $20) to enter the temple and take photos with tigers - real ones. The temple also offers several (more expensive) options for temple activities, such as feeding tiger cubs or watching morning and/or evening feedings and daily tiger routines. The decision of whether or not to go was one that I considered quite a bit before this trip, for reasons that have to do with the fact that a bunch of tigers are being held at a temple to be used for tourist photo ops. I'd done some looking online, reading a few stories about how the tigers are drugged or mistreated in order to get them to act docile enough for people to touch them and take photographs with them. After reading many mixed reviews/opinions and a lot of my own consideration, I joined a few friends and decided to go to the temple to see for myself. The first 20 minutes were sort of exciting (tigers!) but mostly depressing (they're all chained up on really short chains). People walked around and took photos with the tiger of their choice, while temple staff watched closely (at least 2 people per tiger) and were quick to reprimand anyone acting in a way not appropriate for being around a bunch of tigers. A short time later everyone was instructed to move to a sheltered area as they prepared for moving the tigers and, of course, another photo opportunity for us. Before I knew it I was in a line of people, waiting my turn to get a picture of me leading a tiger with a monk on the other side. Everyone got their turn as we waited in another area of the temple for all the tigers to be brought down to another area. During this time we received a lot of information about the temple and how the tigers are treated just fine, including an explanation that they're basically just huge cats, and they're nocturnal, so in the middle of the day after they've just eaten, of course they're going to be docile. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGqmhSJNiimUCSRSIPvhRSMiQ1a0Muja7XSeD22rz8aUMfj5-G7FLdRr3H1f5qastinW_ef0KbybDQGDPbqhVxX_43sP5gQ49qKcsppPCPEf_Y5nHRuSrobOK6Ur2LmvyFXWkLNi_YIw/s1600/IMG_9242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGqmhSJNiimUCSRSIPvhRSMiQ1a0Muja7XSeD22rz8aUMfj5-G7FLdRr3H1f5qastinW_ef0KbybDQGDPbqhVxX_43sP5gQ49qKcsppPCPEf_Y5nHRuSrobOK6Ur2LmvyFXWkLNi_YIw/s1600/IMG_9242.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man and beast</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W0IXF6sNRt_enOTRlwyRe-kp2pfA_VKAprJm9abzu7Xs5IgKqaO_lDpk0xoSC-FOcs8ad7A2KYHk4bGp7Z22eaJc4nd6E_lccQ0KVLIswwT8B4bsahYteI8ZVH-aA5esXJgDB9wz69A/s1600/IMG_9232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W0IXF6sNRt_enOTRlwyRe-kp2pfA_VKAprJm9abzu7Xs5IgKqaO_lDpk0xoSC-FOcs8ad7A2KYHk4bGp7Z22eaJc4nd6E_lccQ0KVLIswwT8B4bsahYteI8ZVH-aA5esXJgDB9wz69A/s1600/IMG_9232.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, leading a tiger</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvfzEx-ZIrHVN610rfjBKqhFDtsvmOzL-tRZYEgbARwNgcHGm2A8qX_eCxlSjbv-kJzegYZdcumhTIN_q31-BNTNWsEJPOO2YTSF2-sTH7p08ZUeQS8fABoqMMAUGeSiSZwJLuvmv-mE/s1600/IMG_9205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvfzEx-ZIrHVN610rfjBKqhFDtsvmOzL-tRZYEgbARwNgcHGm2A8qX_eCxlSjbv-kJzegYZdcumhTIN_q31-BNTNWsEJPOO2YTSF2-sTH7p08ZUeQS8fABoqMMAUGeSiSZwJLuvmv-mE/s1600/IMG_9205.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spoon feeding a giant cat</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAxBr_rMotIcKqMQ7cu621gNEfJQJTVmBaiabu-g9QbbkjllPjCGghr2gEQ6pP2EK2XNCUwk3OdXCPKwK-oT-hXoMcAG-Vqyu0sJ-SHznHAHWwsGlfI7TAff7jIOwkkN8LqoiTEW98LE/s1600/IMG_9252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAxBr_rMotIcKqMQ7cu621gNEfJQJTVmBaiabu-g9QbbkjllPjCGghr2gEQ6pP2EK2XNCUwk3OdXCPKwK-oT-hXoMcAG-Vqyu0sJ-SHznHAHWwsGlfI7TAff7jIOwkkN8LqoiTEW98LE/s1600/IMG_9252.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many photos</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS4Jj0n5uqOJRYxlZZbuqsDkukn0VTf8GfMzIjjNLCWf8lQXGxasL75GVVL7RIPGZVUczNyN2L7ovAmvtQY4DyidJoe7MaIuvcGJKmdYi9vpN06ts1O9Ho5hOZAXb1zQVBYK3FjiQC-E/s1600/IMG_9260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS4Jj0n5uqOJRYxlZZbuqsDkukn0VTf8GfMzIjjNLCWf8lQXGxasL75GVVL7RIPGZVUczNyN2L7ovAmvtQY4DyidJoe7MaIuvcGJKmdYi9vpN06ts1O9Ho5hOZAXb1zQVBYK3FjiQC-E/s1600/IMG_9260.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another</td></tr>
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I've still got mixed reviews about this place after a visit - of course it was awesome to see a tiger so close, and to touch them, but the thought of them doing that day after day with a whole bunch of tourists who just want some really cool pictures? It just makes me wonder how good this place really is, especially for the tigers.<br /><br />Kanchanaburi is home to several National Parks and I had brought my tent along with the intention of visiting one or two while I was there. I did just that, and I was able to see a lot of the province's beautifully mountainous scenery and enjoy some quality time outdoors. The pictures below show this, along with a few other sights I visited:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-tokDGuI4pvbJUIft4EDn_ewYL5hXLqhR-6xsXwhPni-gslP4y7YO3oKrk95cG25kG6C__4uFwkwoYf8i9NfuPSc24Wk3OKf5zKytn8v9Q76C9d9TMOxHsPeaO8o11KpPIHLczcFpeA/s1600/IMG_9262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-tokDGuI4pvbJUIft4EDn_ewYL5hXLqhR-6xsXwhPni-gslP4y7YO3oKrk95cG25kG6C__4uFwkwoYf8i9NfuPSc24Wk3OKf5zKytn8v9Q76C9d9TMOxHsPeaO8o11KpPIHLczcFpeA/s1600/IMG_9262.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping near a reservoir </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA6NyqDWLCEtZ0PtmhfdblqYSgMvLzB9ChY2Gc1k_wGLJsL590RTw7oQPo_gpq6Cu7JGm7CebxTYA3bWB5IZoq_xX2WbBhazzobpuWUqc2_4UAd_DgRJwGxlMeQMSjwqdac-xynGp_CI/s1600/IMG_9284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA6NyqDWLCEtZ0PtmhfdblqYSgMvLzB9ChY2Gc1k_wGLJsL590RTw7oQPo_gpq6Cu7JGm7CebxTYA3bWB5IZoq_xX2WbBhazzobpuWUqc2_4UAd_DgRJwGxlMeQMSjwqdac-xynGp_CI/s1600/IMG_9284.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Mon (a Thai hilltribe) bridge, currently under construction</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGovyRfBHcg7zalv-aN4NI9IeTwsOsKLIeBgNltdFmRNuLjqpW6px5yOG9F_jdKKkS79A5_N_sGGYUU96pxkJw_GDJP2GwzNPUV7npMwfOhpTnHOkGran7hnspqF_tScpCcxLqCPzFeA/s1600/IMG_9287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGovyRfBHcg7zalv-aN4NI9IeTwsOsKLIeBgNltdFmRNuLjqpW6px5yOG9F_jdKKkS79A5_N_sGGYUU96pxkJw_GDJP2GwzNPUV7npMwfOhpTnHOkGran7hnspqF_tScpCcxLqCPzFeA/s1600/IMG_9287.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking on a bunch of bamboo: the working bridge (you can see part of the other one off to the right)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-poh-V2UkgzsIu6ytgTWDLF3PjdM0-LpdqUSmjfx33Cy2BwxiDf_kjU4uUZU26zWxloCrTFHs5PwO-ZIE9yh1HKvoF7fGNIeDQVBjt8HXpiJ6Tm5-qoxYJuqP56GjDjhjmsQMsz8qZFw/s1600/IMG_9323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-poh-V2UkgzsIu6ytgTWDLF3PjdM0-LpdqUSmjfx33Cy2BwxiDf_kjU4uUZU26zWxloCrTFHs5PwO-ZIE9yh1HKvoF7fGNIeDQVBjt8HXpiJ6Tm5-qoxYJuqP56GjDjhjmsQMsz8qZFw/s1600/IMG_9323.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erawan waterfall: 1 of 7 levels</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiEKv4POJ4mlP_8AHGL_Y4ZtoHS_vLOJo1YkcMDeVNoNF-CUjgjJG_HbzDQw_48yAUQNHLJwsvnzR96Hm3zoPrPwcdB3K8wQ8fJY2NkeFVm7vB-XjO_gsoioG7oPIILUh_g8OZMc_0a0/s1600/IMG_9349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiEKv4POJ4mlP_8AHGL_Y4ZtoHS_vLOJo1YkcMDeVNoNF-CUjgjJG_HbzDQw_48yAUQNHLJwsvnzR96Hm3zoPrPwcdB3K8wQ8fJY2NkeFVm7vB-XjO_gsoioG7oPIILUh_g8OZMc_0a0/s1600/IMG_9349.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top: last level waterfall </td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8hs41-nLLUqROsESDF8r90MjVb-00tzEzM6M7tRYutjJFk_ehvblRr4xnVrUr-uZgoLSTwoswe5OsMbu7rrJouS79Zb63NOVAs2YTfAnfVIbClvRi5l3EehxxwSoYl0iDJberxwDApY/s1600/IMG_9308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8hs41-nLLUqROsESDF8r90MjVb-00tzEzM6M7tRYutjJFk_ehvblRr4xnVrUr-uZgoLSTwoswe5OsMbu7rrJouS79Zb63NOVAs2YTfAnfVIbClvRi5l3EehxxwSoYl0iDJberxwDApY/s1600/IMG_9308.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">3 pagodas pass: at the border of Burma (Myanmar)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhe5s9z3iNpiRra_g3qGaI_1yicKKWe2cIdMbg5prKZL01sYNNRHwVQYUkWIP5UfDMHDdhbSdm8WPVex5_OdbyGD5C0Bpnh_8f5p_OlSKRXXVqXZNsgzYn3bdVeDe8zMOa2q8bXfLU24/s1600/IMG_9305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhe5s9z3iNpiRra_g3qGaI_1yicKKWe2cIdMbg5prKZL01sYNNRHwVQYUkWIP5UfDMHDdhbSdm8WPVex5_OdbyGD5C0Bpnh_8f5p_OlSKRXXVqXZNsgzYn3bdVeDe8zMOa2q8bXfLU24/s1600/IMG_9305.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relatively new Peace Temple at the border of Thailand/Burma. You can see part of the old 'Death Railway' bottom left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-77635390362647808562014-08-06T10:38:00.001+07:002014-08-06T10:38:10.408+07:00Buddhist Lent and the Candle Festival <div class="MsoNormal">
Buddhist Lent begins every year in July and is a
period of time where monks spend most of their time at the temples and Thai
people visit often to make merit and listen to their teachings. Monks used to inadvertently cause damage to
newly planted rice fields as they made their way throughout the country on foot
doing their teachings. Farmers were naturally unhappy about this, and so the Buddha gathered the monks and called for them to stay in the temples during the rainy season. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every year in Ubon Ratchathani, the easternmost province in
northeast <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region> that
shares a border with <st1:country-region w:st="on">Laos</st1:country-region>
and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Cambodia</st1:country-region>,
a Candle Festival is held to celebrate the beginning of Buddhist Lent. In the past, candles used to be used for lighting in the temples, and prior to Buddhist Lent many people make offerings of candles (among other things) to the monks. During the Candle Festival giant candle sculptures are created,
displayed, and then driven through town during a parade. The candle designs are pretty spectacular and
incredibly detailed. Many of them are
built around cardboard structures that have the wax carved over top of them –
they’re not exactly solid wax. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvZyp_UFbxUBVPtafkZgUjoLt45pfiB-1b1VXGVQawtXT8Bq8rnM6h-KYejMnzshTWagqZw5k2aJZbckwzHcZGHIfd1tVBRS7vl3pXdVbxNgFdpzuRAdyeCkdzUlGug0yHDQf7wwszsQ/s1600/IMG_8767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvZyp_UFbxUBVPtafkZgUjoLt45pfiB-1b1VXGVQawtXT8Bq8rnM6h-KYejMnzshTWagqZw5k2aJZbckwzHcZGHIfd1tVBRS7vl3pXdVbxNgFdpzuRAdyeCkdzUlGug0yHDQf7wwszsQ/s1600/IMG_8767.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night display of the giant sculptures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5RHKx-7yrUO6ZEnQpE5sEIwSV60HwhhTRg-TAhCqSAUJYGLIjE0bqyTaZgmsDNoIw09w8OYdTx-Ancf55Gom-z9zQIz-hSTGxunfv65MAhVyz3zQxr89N6axjznf1t6PpAhWW8pE5zo/s1600/IMG_8795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5RHKx-7yrUO6ZEnQpE5sEIwSV60HwhhTRg-TAhCqSAUJYGLIjE0bqyTaZgmsDNoIw09w8OYdTx-Ancf55Gom-z9zQIz-hSTGxunfv65MAhVyz3zQxr89N6axjznf1t6PpAhWW8pE5zo/s1600/IMG_8795.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much detail - that's the 'candle' part in the middle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZM5Cj6eLZPkFwpcremeszDLzQIn3ZtvOwk-8JVFcyEI_7Ax6z7Mi1HVT_F4TWlDMYtr5ugtUiXv5pIjKyfoQHmaDkPheCA5HIsowxLH9pcEnvtFpeSR3TqGoI6EIw62hrl3sGN0udI8/s1600/IMG_8805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZM5Cj6eLZPkFwpcremeszDLzQIn3ZtvOwk-8JVFcyEI_7Ax6z7Mi1HVT_F4TWlDMYtr5ugtUiXv5pIjKyfoQHmaDkPheCA5HIsowxLH9pcEnvtFpeSR3TqGoI6EIw62hrl3sGN0udI8/s1600/IMG_8805.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade of candles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnr1XgjuUJW1AxX4yWMyf06Vrd0_0pZiyG16yAcTHCmy4bC8h5wcgK9MBshzPcHsPBFS8Hn7XMIdkqbodhbSWGRfS7gxSlD7vQAEGOhRnWJKz5c2tayVTinZal9Wwg4xIZpI47XoaF8M/s1600/IMG_8759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnr1XgjuUJW1AxX4yWMyf06Vrd0_0pZiyG16yAcTHCmy4bC8h5wcgK9MBshzPcHsPBFS8Hn7XMIdkqbodhbSWGRfS7gxSlD7vQAEGOhRnWJKz5c2tayVTinZal9Wwg4xIZpI47XoaF8M/s1600/IMG_8759.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the monks are amazed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00Jhc34aHWMWew7qICqe7pQfsGA5IxAAocpYLjqPcVN2nBLJP-uZE0N1gl7T6KQlu3kme25ZgYEt7UJGDXQ9zHuVQVwNGck59IXQmpqaUcy0GxItSjxvyBVpOb4DySSpx0skBAeuqW2E/s1600/IMG_8755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00Jhc34aHWMWew7qICqe7pQfsGA5IxAAocpYLjqPcVN2nBLJP-uZE0N1gl7T6KQlu3kme25ZgYEt7UJGDXQ9zHuVQVwNGck59IXQmpqaUcy0GxItSjxvyBVpOb4DySSpx0skBAeuqW2E/s1600/IMG_8755.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An idea of the size of these things: me in the corner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BYspHrjOfMlslu72tJ60auwsotfKlwltSgoqttah5s0cHqFMoCZlxHDDOveomYwA3DCfC6UX0TqqET_wxN3gcfCgVN6_J5anQda3uGoeu0Rmqb3ObHUvnOuVX2Suuyrvt4-YQ4EGlQc/s1600/IMG_8746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BYspHrjOfMlslu72tJ60auwsotfKlwltSgoqttah5s0cHqFMoCZlxHDDOveomYwA3DCfC6UX0TqqET_wxN3gcfCgVN6_J5anQda3uGoeu0Rmqb3ObHUvnOuVX2Suuyrvt4-YQ4EGlQc/s1600/IMG_8746.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streets full of giant candle structures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">The evening before the parade I was able to participate in a candle ceremony in front of one of the local temples. Small yellow candles were passed out to people seated in the stands and then lit while people participate in Buddhist recitations/chants. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49bjsZBJ_DyKc67PBqE5mZf94gifFI_U0wIR-1rQgZs-y4Pw0wcdVLytObWthD6YHh1bqx9zFHydCdQxfGoTi9LOmhDJJeEryWW4k5YgRXIaXEmeUcz88Ri9zXS_rUDQeBe4vAjeWiGU/s1600/IMG_8705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49bjsZBJ_DyKc67PBqE5mZf94gifFI_U0wIR-1rQgZs-y4Pw0wcdVLytObWthD6YHh1bqx9zFHydCdQxfGoTi9LOmhDJJeEryWW4k5YgRXIaXEmeUcz88Ri9zXS_rUDQeBe4vAjeWiGU/s1600/IMG_8705.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing out candles for the evening ceremony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYBt7FWECCmD6xzikzCRZlx8jKxEKEJCdmfCVFvY9TnheHmm7xNzS3FkTcWDfTv_4s7UbOBnlMnCJcw4hfxjiRn4uz0XY6ZEzC46Tc6fjCPwjQQwyQjmK9WPmTbeoi_0SI8CoaQ9oLDQ/s1600/IMG_8711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYBt7FWECCmD6xzikzCRZlx8jKxEKEJCdmfCVFvY9TnheHmm7xNzS3FkTcWDfTv_4s7UbOBnlMnCJcw4hfxjiRn4uz0XY6ZEzC46Tc6fjCPwjQQwyQjmK9WPmTbeoi_0SI8CoaQ9oLDQ/s1600/IMG_8711.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighting the candles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mEl3-y4Xa2VS8fPiGk_Tz9z7RXT8T-t-vMasCI-QcicFIO0pQcM-ewYqX-6ZN4vKmPBCFIjJT_XOebxpz-klYLBdMkd-_Wle-gg-TdQbEfIHeUR_Rn6Rfl-5VxcBhQaORloz-W8UbRM/s1600/IMG_8724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mEl3-y4Xa2VS8fPiGk_Tz9z7RXT8T-t-vMasCI-QcicFIO0pQcM-ewYqX-6ZN4vKmPBCFIjJT_XOebxpz-klYLBdMkd-_Wle-gg-TdQbEfIHeUR_Rn6Rfl-5VxcBhQaORloz-W8UbRM/s1600/IMG_8724.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candles for everybody</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was a great festival to be a part of, and definitely one of the experiences that is a significant part of Thai culture and tied strongly to their Buddhist beliefs. </div>
mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-85548803690481766362014-07-31T12:17:00.003+07:002014-07-31T12:17:57.263+07:00Festival season: Buun Bung Fai and Phi Ta Khon It's festival season in northeast Thailand and I've been traveling locally to take advantage of the cultural celebrations. A few weeks ago was Buun Bung Fai, or Rocket Festival, just a few kilometers down the road at my friend and fellow PCV Keith's site. This festival is celebrated every year in many locations throughout northeast Thailand prior to the beginning of the rainy season. Northeast Thailand receives the least amount of rain compared to other regions of Thailand, even throughout the rainy season (July - October). Rockets of all sizes are shot up in the air as a symbolic way of inviting the rains to come. This celebration included a parade and plenty of local morlam dancing. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp3k4mtZ8KQdpigLlxMi_KOKfTKTogJ5OjIMrdqIAl7XzuEUqmFtYqHLXZF9gQhqUCdDZ4lRl9PUGyUZt73aOeFjHl0AM_mPsXv2PNSDEhsAKCSxEQqIJYuuh5sD3-LFmJRD1BJDHc2E/s1600/IMG_8508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp3k4mtZ8KQdpigLlxMi_KOKfTKTogJ5OjIMrdqIAl7XzuEUqmFtYqHLXZF9gQhqUCdDZ4lRl9PUGyUZt73aOeFjHl0AM_mPsXv2PNSDEhsAKCSxEQqIJYuuh5sD3-LFmJRD1BJDHc2E/s1600/IMG_8508.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade floats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMnRn4iOJk3wBW2ORcU-GWEj8lxcYSmGrST0hlYbFc6iWqWjenJ5YPG5LSltWtbevc_AAiRLcYvYyANEXHfjYLal9Anplqrbf2VQWsU8kmIKCSx6fn4ExVDF83VcGEGbwxDabcSfH4lY/s1600/IMG_8531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMnRn4iOJk3wBW2ORcU-GWEj8lxcYSmGrST0hlYbFc6iWqWjenJ5YPG5LSltWtbevc_AAiRLcYvYyANEXHfjYLal9Anplqrbf2VQWsU8kmIKCSx6fn4ExVDF83VcGEGbwxDabcSfH4lY/s1600/IMG_8531.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance performances</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEmhAbZPmtRjL6SiBEezbpPlivg6Pb8gjq7hZVaKyMdICpb4SCDbdig6IqAOil8ZsalcH62fR_zRjyXl4YIHTvnpYiBamRamIJiglyvuBjwrnlzvYwj3tHf2i2P7iVkscP6D457a23iY/s1600/IMG_8527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEmhAbZPmtRjL6SiBEezbpPlivg6Pb8gjq7hZVaKyMdICpb4SCDbdig6IqAOil8ZsalcH62fR_zRjyXl4YIHTvnpYiBamRamIJiglyvuBjwrnlzvYwj3tHf2i2P7iVkscP6D457a23iY/s1600/IMG_8527.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockets for sale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The following weekend I traveled to Dan Sai, Loei to see the Phi Ta Khon Festival, a celebration of spirits that includes a vast array of elaborately decorated, homemade masks worn throughout the weekend. Ghosts and spirits are big in Thailand and many Thais have strong beliefs related to them. A long time ago in Dan Sai people believed that ghosts came out of the forests to follow the Lord Buddha. The weekend was full of a whole lot of masks, a parade, and of course food and dancing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OjUv98Rn3xzj1ewBr5QxgWmeZW960EAV5NEonlSNUt1ljzSvyI76G-hzF-DQ5jC9UTU7WdGNexjSGa2ZKzon0nORazsi6uX2p6tKJcly7dzkztzrk2hJES752By8LekKnxJFS27-lkM/s1600/IMG_8557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OjUv98Rn3xzj1ewBr5QxgWmeZW960EAV5NEonlSNUt1ljzSvyI76G-hzF-DQ5jC9UTU7WdGNexjSGa2ZKzon0nORazsi6uX2p6tKJcly7dzkztzrk2hJES752By8LekKnxJFS27-lkM/s1600/IMG_8557.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini ghosts - the kids were the cutest!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DVEnghZxGJE3AssmkRlgno3F_4yKK63zkp7NtOm9vnAcwv_hjDPBws4YRq3wpv-_pQgPJaAu_VN-cSYLJ5aJUhkTBf8JsAvBmhHsLABMjbzfhoFPmnDCDTxBm_UWjozMoqMiSl7Htz8/s1600/IMG_8608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DVEnghZxGJE3AssmkRlgno3F_4yKK63zkp7NtOm9vnAcwv_hjDPBws4YRq3wpv-_pQgPJaAu_VN-cSYLJ5aJUhkTBf8JsAvBmhHsLABMjbzfhoFPmnDCDTxBm_UWjozMoqMiSl7Htz8/s1600/IMG_8608.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The masks are really incredible - fantastic designs and colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSxIJlONeoEf92DKndeBM8dsh_E7acXGOTeFQamXwdJlobAkJVnNISdk4KyoEOTq75Skwd7dq8hVoLFxUj2_0LITnBZCn102VoxKU_7mdx-g138Ncv13_d1NQWLxAHPQ2jo2j2AZIYx0/s1600/IMG_8621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSxIJlONeoEf92DKndeBM8dsh_E7acXGOTeFQamXwdJlobAkJVnNISdk4KyoEOTq75Skwd7dq8hVoLFxUj2_0LITnBZCn102VoxKU_7mdx-g138Ncv13_d1NQWLxAHPQ2jo2j2AZIYx0/s1600/IMG_8621.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many ghosts, so many colors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqkspoIpUcq_1S9jp0bJiq1BtJDz1R4X3yRSH6LX4nmnyQ_scyNtYjN_8iZXKxo2Eai_qGt91x2lR0hMSnda3J8oXFqwJqbjXB4LQL_ECI7ChMko7_bNmPoiAvKPjsc9-66pO1c4-rbc/s1600/IMG_8555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqkspoIpUcq_1S9jp0bJiq1BtJDz1R4X3yRSH6LX4nmnyQ_scyNtYjN_8iZXKxo2Eai_qGt91x2lR0hMSnda3J8oXFqwJqbjXB4LQL_ECI7ChMko7_bNmPoiAvKPjsc9-66pO1c4-rbc/s1600/IMG_8555.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roaming the streets all weekend</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYX3Cn0xCv3gMdVG9hW-AlRls_N_L0USt2qK8RkgzG9W1d_wNvOi4JyYv6BIKPwzPCjUuSknoj5_Szn2elPbyvvKYZExvp5NHfEaQD94QmK4MgiD7jjE1ZEUf98S3vAA2eREl9hK6Uko/s1600/IMG_8606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYX3Cn0xCv3gMdVG9hW-AlRls_N_L0USt2qK8RkgzG9W1d_wNvOi4JyYv6BIKPwzPCjUuSknoj5_Szn2elPbyvvKYZExvp5NHfEaQD94QmK4MgiD7jjE1ZEUf98S3vAA2eREl9hK6Uko/s1600/IMG_8606.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghosts on bicycles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJ0A80VA-DjCBg8V6AWedkxATW5qi03CLFppynCdhnubzC0KReAbVeqTGIsE8cTLacjSDtdWS-CcwEizuQ8678u1K6AhDFtT21SGrtLmxw6XewJdelvAlgoTojus__K864kMqJ-kUFmc/s1600/IMG_8617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJ0A80VA-DjCBg8V6AWedkxATW5qi03CLFppynCdhnubzC0KReAbVeqTGIsE8cTLacjSDtdWS-CcwEizuQ8678u1K6AhDFtT21SGrtLmxw6XewJdelvAlgoTojus__K864kMqJ-kUFmc/s1600/IMG_8617.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One giant mask in the parade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEn14vt10VxO83GYkIiLnnL6TQjuYX_hJcfyjtBhDBCUgt8KySyE6b4f0HQCN7XlI-EknyxNSHJygJOQNm8S1TfHae4bYJNUaIO0ch4H5R6qNV_MELDTn5i29DIX5vrX8Jsnwci_zz40g/s1600/IMG_8633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEn14vt10VxO83GYkIiLnnL6TQjuYX_hJcfyjtBhDBCUgt8KySyE6b4f0HQCN7XlI-EknyxNSHJygJOQNm8S1TfHae4bYJNUaIO0ch4H5R6qNV_MELDTn5i29DIX5vrX8Jsnwci_zz40g/s1600/IMG_8633.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These men represent villagers that used to live in the nearby forests</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabxBffi5hTXqXxH5sfkwUnAr0HR2kKiT8B3xeh7ui6RiBc2smz2-c3CEgidup_bB5mmTMF3NULj5snZvsJKos4CytPrKncGhrWLo2hw0BfxRxbA2bUhQNt7Kj0fzo1EInf4uIhlU9RgU/s1600/IMG_8561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabxBffi5hTXqXxH5sfkwUnAr0HR2kKiT8B3xeh7ui6RiBc2smz2-c3CEgidup_bB5mmTMF3NULj5snZvsJKos4CytPrKncGhrWLo2hw0BfxRxbA2bUhQNt7Kj0fzo1EInf4uIhlU9RgU/s1600/IMG_8561.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yaai (grandmother) overlooking the ghosts below</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dan Sai is a relatively small town and the festival doesn't usually see a lot of tourists, so sometimes it felt like we were as much of an attraction as all of the masks. We spent a lot of time getting pictures taken of us and having people sneak into our pictures - such as the one below, that even the police wanted in on. If only you could see the view from our angle, where a whole lot of cameras and phones were snapping pictures of all the farangs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VIqBWkw2BnipCrfWoAxK2ak4-EpaWRSmUqLgoJdFGSVRMtRGEc0AzRVG-4jc8pyN-t5VhvUqrZcVuyiiigyYJz6ctVY4Kdi1bHlJyOVipWzBxyr3Y8U7k39Pd70XlwLnjExFuHxef3E/s1600/Phi+Tha+Khon+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VIqBWkw2BnipCrfWoAxK2ak4-EpaWRSmUqLgoJdFGSVRMtRGEc0AzRVG-4jc8pyN-t5VhvUqrZcVuyiiigyYJz6ctVY4Kdi1bHlJyOVipWzBxyr3Y8U7k39Pd70XlwLnjExFuHxef3E/s1600/Phi+Tha+Khon+028.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-47423346747890697732014-06-25T09:46:00.000+07:002014-06-25T10:01:10.922+07:00Temple in a Mountain: Wat Phu TokBuddhism is a big part of Thai culture; over 90% of Thai people are Buddhist. I've learned a lot about Buddhism during my time in Thailand and have been able to see the many ways it is weaved into the culture and daily life of people throughout Thailand. It's really interesting to be able to learn about it while also living in a country in which it is so ingrained. I read about things that I see played out in my day to day life in rural Thailand. The number of Buddhist temples in Thailand is remarkable, especially given their often ornately intricate designs and colorful exteriors. I've long since lost track of the number of wats (temples) I've been to and yet I still find myself consistently fascinated by them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="200" 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KjlPiAnwyxaCdgdueetVaLoDTGyY8MmWIn/SOvyntT4m52UY/wBTTnzAH/WaDg+0ittzftCELKl8FSsEsFFwTHiGsajEFQDPhAOyuhftKYQAQTLCMQM55ZMDPfpXD9s+zUsm1csoyIH/AGgshjggx+ySQVLQDCk+IERmrMcvSK2U2s9i+rqGQhlPMdjBHmCCI7VorsVpJ+PfcHlsBpgfXUfXtTqTd+JT5j7idvStWf41h4/yizMAJJAHU7Vn9n3td8m1qMW94ZVOl8AEiGDS4nMacVN62rXbAcakLERONQRmUsNmA0nB5lTyrvWLKooVFCqMBVEADoANqxZ303s6OGKRtJJHdcR6ExHXyimtwwkwSs7hcT32we4g/QQprehy4UtqgGIkHrkgZEA8/Cu/KycXvqVgJIwCTjqAMdfI1WKXLIBBtxqXOnUQDIIyMgeccqn2ddV1DAQ0DcQ2k5BPmPvnpSfepD6gAMkB1gmR4oDDIn8fKlXOJ0mbUFUWDPKR4UiN8DBg5UfNIIbeJLMQqgGCGaTAxkAETmQDttUXOMGkwQHgwp+LVyGnc56b8qdZtaR1JyT1PM0Xb6r8TAduZ8hufSoSRwvEKFiSxBYGAWMhiJbSME78qLie8xoIU/ETgkdAN84kHkT5VfgT4SIIIY4O+TqE94IrRUiGUHesHHBQDcAmFJKwYbEb7TEiTODWt2GWbCifu3J7YpbftCQCQkQSPmJmRnkB05nfBoMN7itI03IVkMqWK5ABAJ1EAiDEg75MbVsTiyVBCapEjSwIPfB+HvWus/s//hIeZUE9yRJM8yTzoMl+4zEBl0FIbBDFiMShGQOxALZERNWthbrtqYEAqNI2bSA4kneGJ2jaDNarKgtc5gsM99IBHpH1JHKqcTwasGxkj12xkQfLOKbF7fD6WLajEQAdhkk53PrMZiJq1/iFRC7GFUEk74GTgZPpVeEUFFOovgSSZkgAE9AfICq8fYZrbhCFciA3fzGR5jbflQcL2VdDq90bXbjuMR4Z0IY5Eqqkg5kmYrpVzuAuqbaug0o0eHp8sqeY77EQRvno1e5VpPFqSpgwRkGJ5EGB1gmO8U6qM0Fe8jn0n8q2sG9M72mZF8QDqQwaJGpdiRjB5joTnnXX9ncaLqkxpZTpdZnSwg78wQQQeYI22rl8PgaYjRCjoRAII9D9xqDrR/eW4JjS6HAcAyIb5WEtB2OqDyIw8mLfjdzbuPuvr9Y/vSm4cz4WKgmSIBySCSJ2nPUZNV4TjEvA6TkfEpw6H95eW3kRtIrQjTvvzH65VS6KsEhmUmQIIPODIg9SCpz0I3Mk4OKUEXFNzQSsCSM4K4U7jbIzM5xW33oDtPRV6mfE2AMnBFZ2uozFX8IZWXxCA0kyDPQRv9oxzpCoscUXKh9SSBp0zpJKl51RuADg46zMB15NHi1kFiAztGwDEfujJ7b9aq7l1T3YypBnZNoImM4JGAYNTaQsouXDyDaRlRA1DHMg5kRJAxig1WrQUY55J5k9T3q9YeG4T4jGiYKwZIic7RtHhyNxzq10FCCzMynDYB8RI0wANpxjrtuRArxZEW9QOiZZpAUSNIDZnJYcowZrcDWO/wAWCsabhLCCAhkSDkmMff2mlv7RFu2C4YkQIVCJJOlVGqBkkDJA8qkaeIXUyodjLHoQIGk9pYH0in1wne85DNc92YIAthTAMGCzhtRxuAKV/umQwuXQ4mG94Sc4PhaU/wCnkOldfSm3btCHYDYjV5Ekz9d/Q9afXn3tXDvxF3pgIvOdwk/Q/wAqHsuRBvXtP2dQGP8AWqh/XVP1MvpTbs2Z1vtGD3mI2+zAGeoaq+0mizcM6fA2ZiPCczyri2+H90we1rJBGpTcY61EiPGxEiSQTGREiazNxJLf+bcgzqRZi3uCAAANbqcQZyAQOj6XZtrVQttVA0iFUCIjaMco/Kttc3/frbkKrAtIJU+F1AI+JDDDcbiulVzn2rVbs6Tp3gx5xirUVsee5914vKB1M+RRQOfNgAPI9K21DWAW1HJ06e0TP68qpYbEHcGD6c/UQfWqOXH208GXou/dNpheBgCFuYwberJPdJLA9NWM12Wvg/K5/hIg+sfy61xvaCarVwEwCjCekqc13eGcsisdyAfqJrLm0sTsyuHIMAQ2xOk8/CNgYPL5t8VHEX0N0KDqbPhVhqEidW4gDRH8VTx/GAYVoJB+U5iBCbS3imQYxnqM9zUV0qEt+EAaROmNipxEScRTHDLLxHGWcx8m2L8WyxvZ8RjwYzOkwu4kA75NOXgyQmZAWCr+IfLGBAJEH61kshkDaCoLc9MxiMZnvmck1s4O2WQGSv2AJAC7AwfiJGfF1+rPC4+TDOZeDvflcMh7FQWHlgSPpHeqWWDvq3AUFZ+Uy4bybkfKKsl1gQHCidmBwT0g7HtJ2NK1rbuOSQNS6vLTyPLPiI5mG3iuHbYzQJOAK4XGXxeaQSbSQU3AZ8nV+8oGmDsSScwDU+0LguXWQXGKe7WVVvD4i+8dQB9B1zZLYACjYCAN8bc67wx9lWoqhMeX1j+lXmrECiiigKmoooE8XwwcCSVIyGUwR/TsfxANZ4v/AGj/AMorVxDEKSNwKPep9pvvrqOafRRS7/LEyw5xzmfSJjtWtgU4yYGnBDA9okAz6H7qr7uLpIJ8SiRylTgjuQc/6RU8Y8LjywJInnjoJrMzi4UnUrI5kAndQQZA5ZG+M+U85d413huZSr+1/wDhMdwsOwBILKhDsoIzlQR6127XBoAIBH8R2iADnMDaufVfZnEvb/YaTcCoShBAYKpChHmM5gMNwDIkS2HON8dXiLaBDqA0quw5AZx02G3QVzbQMDVvAnz51o413KeJQuVnxSfiXYRkeo50mr/jTq1l+Re5Cr7wDkiBMgTtn8q3ozgKiKo0opOpj0YBRA6rv9xrDeQkQDpPX9EH6EHyq/C33A2QZOIJ2wMztAHKp58MstaRw544722X7Vx1IJC4PwmZPKSR4R5Z74zfhUQqCqgSZMjOoYMk5LCIntWU8c5kaQvedU7bCB9/Tar8FxQHhcwSxgnZtRnfYGSRH03is14s5N2NE5MbdSk+3bekJdXdWCEdVuuinyIOlpzsRzkLrT7Tstdm0p0iAxJAI+IQpEzBhsiNt6w2bpJZWGm4vxLM77MDzU8j5gwQQJwvTum0q6g3gGDJxy2P8/Sm0VZLq7c5Tc0TduKgDfIYGNhJAB6AZzTqTesA8vMdQd+07H0FUPEhXCnUNQxIwWEyJ2mM4xirMpMu4qxtwv1rTRRRVS4Gsvg/yj9K1EUv/cl7/WusbHOUp9KZ5MAiRv8Adjtg/eKvdJAJABPIEwPrBioVcmYztjlAmTzyPwrWwOV7L4GCxBcowBDlpLfHMgjOSDnrzpXCcJpe243ZiCJ5mS2shcnw7SBPXetgvGIA06boSMyRIPX7JJgyNqzC2SQ5GCdZCiNyWXUcEmc5JGKZXqmE7ldes16/7u7ZuQSCTaaBMC5EHf8AzFtj+I06y+pQYieUEZ9c0j2pp904dgoIIkic7iBuTIkAZxisVnp6Mdn2m37M9SRA6mQY+7flk8qx1QXmcguACEUEAyBcMm4oPMAhRPar1dwY6xZObLeQoooq9SKhhIg7VNFAmxxvuzcZ9bQIBMQFQE+e7ZOTlSYFLTiNd64ThgEGknIWJ+hbWO+melHE29J94ASRyk9gYUbkgDoMCs3tK6LRXiN0gI/LwEgq47qTt0Y+ua8Mnc8tOHN6vh0KKhGkAjY1NVtAqtxAwg/rpVqKCFNDNAk7Cl7GBuTz6RUmzMSTyJzvGfp2FSgJqIBkZHT+Rp8HqPp/Wk376oJdgo6kwKj/AMQtf5tv/nH86g0fRRVbjwCTOBOMn0FbXnsXEltSayApYLAmS0kjPIQo855c2XbcB4xs3PAnPmcMYHbrkPGKWCxk7EgxqGYE9ufcb1nv8Q5uaMfGPCAT4MSxOAMEdeVL4J5dCs9iWZ7sStrwW9oa6SAzf6VOlfMPjAqLtxmf3VrTrKlixMhBiCV3kzgeuQDWnibYRbNnTABxJ1E6FJk4zmCSYyRzrD5sxehldS1ZVgRU0UVueeKKKKAooooIZQRBEg8qVxFoG2yxjSRAxiORG1OooMPsoMLYDNqjAOmMAAevn51rpCXo1eFpBJiD1Mehjl371dE06RJMiDPNomfWDWbLC7ta8OSSSGUUUVWuKvrseYMejEA/l9Kuh3B5fh+p+lJ9oXwltmIJgbDeTgb4GSMnApFvj+Qt3C5JJUiIAxOo+A7AYJyfM1PpHtf2rAQNzR0YHPhGsBjjloLT2Jrpwa5V/imQarqqLWzZ1MAebYiORAneZq8Wf8k/+3b/AOlQluql66FUsdlBJ8gJNXqGFbXnMrnX7vUI8WoQdQhQSJMCJxUe7AN1p0n7RyBAkGDsBP8A0iobi9Puxpw3Q5GVUDMfaH051N237xjaEHUwDdrYClpHcSv8dccv4rOH8m3/AA9bAtjSpUMqOwPxe8ZAXDHcn4SScyT6LS9rlzOdgflAJgRyPXuT0AGniCDbvHuR5aQBmRtOeePpWa0kADHeBAnmYrP8ebtq7ny6kXoqNWYz58v71Na2UUUUUBRRRQFFFBFAm7aOpWXcYOcaYP5x0pF26VYkqxzE/LDRG+NwJ+vatgG/f+2Kkiosl6qccrjdxnQtthmESZj1IjB50q7xyghQCznZBGuOZIYgBR1JiYG5AptgQxUfKPubP5GrXlyCN9sncbx+J9KrvHLOl2PNZe/DJeVroKMrW7ZBDTpLNONK6WYARMnfaOoeBpIxOCB1O2PPH0pmoj4vqBj+lWZZwapsuPlolmU3Ajg5H67HvTqy6cwSQeRHMfhP9SKd7n95vrUJWoopHGcPrXTMZB2nAIJGeoketbHnq2k1PrORHhjaMme5gjNK4BP2ly6+IhGI+UQbjAEbYFtSR06nD7zpbtksdCKMnoPOncDwmNOhRqg3mmS8qTAMbZG52nqCaPkZax1/q/gx3lto4y5FsqLbKIgYBgDJ+EmMAmT254pFdauDwt3AXdvsjLAbgEbyFiTz9ar+PlJvbvnx3oz3krK84/GD0+lWttIBiJAMVm0t4V0aSp+bSQcQ0AMcgPz6881ptoFAA2AAHkMVpl33PDPZrq+VqKKK6ciiiigKhhP9/wCVTRQFFFQpkbEdj/SgI51GqZjBmMj9Yq1FAm4skjlz7noT5RV6qu7ef/atWrLyXeTbxSTFDLODV9B+0fu/lS2cDHPoN6bJ+yfu/nUSV1csZ5FQamqrOZ648oFa2Bl9q8Kbqe7HzMB9cTuNt8ZxiuxwQ0llMzMickqAqAz806ZPn9cVufeWoiNRmd/gfbvP51s4xfGkOVLeHEbQWaJEzgDHbpWL5F/tps4PxamMDrSVYIgPxTG27EwJz+JqEvaSVdh+6TAkH6AkHp1FU4UFoJwoLaRO+SA22BGwzuOlULvbPxVojSxwWuEwOQ0HHrpBPeqV0OMsllgbggie3L1Ej1rlcPfDTgggxB/XmPMGtfx8p9dMvPjd7NooorSziiiigKKKKAooooCiiigQjDUwkTMx2hR+NWbJA9T5fr86olsycieZ0noMDMR5TmnIgG3qeZ86q/j/ALbX/wAusNRKqBsAPKm0umV3VWJdFFFdOSuI1QNBAbUsSJElgM7GM8jXJF57lySpVxNyQ0gkMNKiMsuxGOZEV176kjBggggxMEGdqVa4fQnhguFIBPMnOfNs1XcN5b/SyZ6x1+3ZscSrzpO2CCCDnsR+oNK4NQmtYCgHUAPhCmR6fCSf9VcPiQEvpdgs0aVX5QZgnHMq7gE7T0muxwVpLg94VILGckhsHAcAwYMgDNY+TD6X9NeGf2jbbuBsqQR2M1i9or4lPUFfXBH3BqYtkG44lpOlsMQMjTsDHyffWbirETuxUqwJyQGLKRPQCajjus5U8k3jVaKKK9F54ooooCiiigKKKKAooooCiiigKZS6ZXNdYl0UUV05QRNTRRQUuIDEjYyMbGDn+9Z+GvXLUIoXTILOwhYIKEQOYYK5PPxbSDWuq3FBEESOlcZ4TKarvDO43cdB2Eq4IIPhJBxDQVP1j/mNZ+OtrcgKCx2MfDEiZbaQJAAz4jis/siyjW9FxF1jVIjddRhpnxEjJPVjgTFdHhJA0n5IWeuB99efZq6bpdzbnrIw3xDf+Y7H9bGprdxfC6oIMMMTEgjoRI/p6msHu7h1BU8QxJI0zAPIyRB6c62Yc2Nnflkz4bL0mioKusa1Ck9DImJiYBnB5cqmrplLNxVZZ1RRRRUoFFFFAUUUUBRRRQFMpdMrmusS6KKK6ciiiigrcmDpgHkSJE9xImlKH0nUQWzGnH+nc4P86fRUJcjhrlzVa/ZokHwlWnSBJ0/DtAgjpznFO4W0/vGvwq3SxDYwyhVt6SRnTKBh6Y6arfCKrlx8R+7JOPrVmEHz384wfoPuFVcnHLNruLk70avtdwVD2SASFLK4KgsQqwDDESc4EYicxqFk3JbUyKwAAU5I6k8jnlnv053EWFdWRhKsIIkjHmMj0qPY9vTxDKrMV92CVLs2li251E5bPTZjmcZMsddxrbr9h7h06yFB8RCgCRtpkk4OTPSkZB0sIYfQ9x2rdZuhWNssNRJZROSGJY47GfSKx+2buoraX45Vy32EDfWX0ssdNU7QeuLkuN0r5OOZRFFZ+HY4kkzMTE9QMDp+FPBrdLtjyxsuqmiiipciiiigKKKKAplLplRXWJdFFFS5FFRRRKaKiigmlXxlfP6YP9vWmVjvDxA9XA9NIMfWucr06wncaqy6ria0tjFw6veCAU2Daju3hwsDEQY3rVRWOzbcyN7PSPD4XkN7zBfUp1BizAyZneZkjnV7Vll1MzG5cPzGASBOlYGABPICSSedaKpePhbyP4VIFUFQNxAj8jUAxM4n5sZ6Sev67UxRiiu8c7irz45lFkGM/fz74qaXw/w+pHoGIFMrSx3oUUUVKBRRRQFMpdMqK6xf/9k=" 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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bueng Kan: Thailands newest province</td></tr>
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I recently visited Wat Phu Tok in Bueng Kan province (the red part of the map on the left), a temple constructed on a mountain that requires a hike and no more than a manageable fear of heights for a complete visit. It has 7 levels, each reached by various staircases and rickety wooden planks. The different levels are related to the path to enlightenment in Buddhism and the different stages along that path. </div>
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I started at the bottom and at the second level I had the option of two different staircases: one looked more direct and a little more reliable while the other looked a bit more roundabout and challenging. I chose the latter, and was rewarded with the more challenging (and significantly more terrifying) ways around and up the mountain. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FM5AlFzwP5Wa6TZ5Y82ec2Riq0pg41XROooP_D0F64cQ0qnuXUHjok269dZEqIv1YXQpzHuTyFqj9uFMiWvbj4AFNPGY1_1QKenTCF9TZw7ep1FIBAfy9AuEfjEwFFP1NK19b-OtIsE/s1600/IMG_8197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FM5AlFzwP5Wa6TZ5Y82ec2Riq0pg41XROooP_D0F64cQ0qnuXUHjok269dZEqIv1YXQpzHuTyFqj9uFMiWvbj4AFNPGY1_1QKenTCF9TZw7ep1FIBAfy9AuEfjEwFFP1NK19b-OtIsE/s1600/IMG_8197.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the climb </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEuMEKjoNms-RE0Ivfnc4zru9ZlfzerpI4525bqavEwk6d8-civoMn947Xq_XckWjU6hSpQZ9Xhh2xrFcQJ4hNLQioOCE_OaDV9CStoJeryLVsLHo0gjKpPLeu-e0KkLphyphenhyphenqvztGNzp8/s1600/IMG_8144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEuMEKjoNms-RE0Ivfnc4zru9ZlfzerpI4525bqavEwk6d8-civoMn947Xq_XckWjU6hSpQZ9Xhh2xrFcQJ4hNLQioOCE_OaDV9CStoJeryLVsLHo0gjKpPLeu-e0KkLphyphenhyphenqvztGNzp8/s1600/IMG_8144.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Phu Tok from the ground</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnan0lLnyRLO5LMuAvXJm-Fqt-qZ0ySsRidM0_YWsdsBP50HumjezhkIzo4LqnYy6A_Nglh-M2WdelJHgjqiN3yoh2O9Ug9brIpsM9QABEzsXPhQP2QCSPr2SFH3XrbXXHNblbt6tIgTs/s1600/IMG_8146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnan0lLnyRLO5LMuAvXJm-Fqt-qZ0ySsRidM0_YWsdsBP50HumjezhkIzo4LqnYy6A_Nglh-M2WdelJHgjqiN3yoh2O9Ug9brIpsM9QABEzsXPhQP2QCSPr2SFH3XrbXXHNblbt6tIgTs/s1600/IMG_8146.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting up the many stairs </td></tr>
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Each level became slightly more challenging as I continued further up the mountain. A couple of the levels had walkways around the mountain that were simply a bunch of pieces of wood constructed into a walkway built on the side of the mountain. If I looked down I could see just how far I'd go if one of these things gave out, which was not a very comforting thought. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrANL4Qq8GrkIS_EqmktpFh8zceQIwQY_rVmMmc_Haw8zAQYE4ZH0qEaG76ZNCxfQwh6P2FPbgCLZckolFZe5GLjTwOlrZsPfGi40CdELy9FtikcqxmDlJa_fQfYLOAIdD3tD2cAhuuE/s1600/IMG_8151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrANL4Qq8GrkIS_EqmktpFh8zceQIwQY_rVmMmc_Haw8zAQYE4ZH0qEaG76ZNCxfQwh6P2FPbgCLZckolFZe5GLjTwOlrZsPfGi40CdELy9FtikcqxmDlJa_fQfYLOAIdD3tD2cAhuuE/s1600/IMG_8151.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walkways and staircases weaving around the mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikINXXC6pjxgy94Qxu-SXgRsjYZfkZg8aiQb1Srk5qTV22-1NwPrRjVJzFzECPstsBbMx9VqGQSPjbaCz8IA-t3acUbh0z-qna5snnY_pKTa8L49zwmkRg9nVoH32ePF61jekd9Z0Oil8/s1600/IMG_8155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikINXXC6pjxgy94Qxu-SXgRsjYZfkZg8aiQb1Srk5qTV22-1NwPrRjVJzFzECPstsBbMx9VqGQSPjbaCz8IA-t3acUbh0z-qna5snnY_pKTa8L49zwmkRg9nVoH32ePF61jekd9Z0Oil8/s1600/IMG_8155.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking on the side of the mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVT23iAT5vuRJPv5LlEEAJgyUuE_3e_PTYg_od6IvPp76POVxL5QX1gEkz9MaXRbmmvOjAoZ4LoBocasXNGSfif5qMcl3DR0290sXA1QsliquEXr5UsxkwFZgxG_1YbnegWyx7N-sqex0/s1600/IMG_8149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVT23iAT5vuRJPv5LlEEAJgyUuE_3e_PTYg_od6IvPp76POVxL5QX1gEkz9MaXRbmmvOjAoZ4LoBocasXNGSfif5qMcl3DR0290sXA1QsliquEXr5UsxkwFZgxG_1YbnegWyx7N-sqex0/s1600/IMG_8149.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Told myself not to look down, which didn't help me to not look down</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Level 6 included a path that led out to a separate, small mountain peak that was detached from the main part of the mountain and included a walkway to a small covered pavilion with a few Buddha images inside. The views and the feeling of tranquility on the top levels were pretty spectacular. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_d4cjU8cP-jd2c5zaufPT6op0LqqXKLjzOK1K0RYmq6AqX2-kS6WoXpM2j1q55mxRRk6H_V0-ovadTwWd-hO4AdlO47qYcmjhH1A-ojRdd4v4t7d1UCashsUX9ne-n9O_4AfyGk2PUc/s1600/IMG_8172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_d4cjU8cP-jd2c5zaufPT6op0LqqXKLjzOK1K0RYmq6AqX2-kS6WoXpM2j1q55mxRRk6H_V0-ovadTwWd-hO4AdlO47qYcmjhH1A-ojRdd4v4t7d1UCashsUX9ne-n9O_4AfyGk2PUc/s1600/IMG_8172.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small detached peak off of level 6</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOpzzr1EW1Pj7HpAJyr207bL_93XQDvVMcXykAhOhxOmQGMGBZGjEqNzv5monLZO0c0DdVZ3_ndGXmkWPBK_igtzf157yVzyR3bYHqj8GNiunjX4Iy2-84VrWhiH6-3FJDoAOrDd9nBg/s1600/IMG_8176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOpzzr1EW1Pj7HpAJyr207bL_93XQDvVMcXykAhOhxOmQGMGBZGjEqNzv5monLZO0c0DdVZ3_ndGXmkWPBK_igtzf157yVzyR3bYHqj8GNiunjX4Iy2-84VrWhiH6-3FJDoAOrDd9nBg/s1600/IMG_8176.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking on air - almost </td></tr>
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The ascent to level 7 was the least developed and most challenging - less stairs and more climbing over trees. I couldn't help but think about the symbolic values of each level as I climbed all the way to the top (choices about the path we take and the effort required to achieve 'success'). The final paths would through the trees and vines and eventually came to a small clearing at the top. I made it to the top, soaked in sweat, and enjoyed the views for a few minutes before making my way back down.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top</td></tr>
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On the way back down I discovered a few paths I had not yet explored, as well as the easy route up and down the mountain. My anxieties about experiencing the 'side of the mountain terror walks' were eased as I made my way back down via the slightly easier route of solid walkways and mostly solid staircases. </div>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-74711262909786034422014-06-18T10:09:00.004+07:002014-06-18T10:10:48.389+07:00365 Pictures of Peace Corps lifeI've just finished a 365 Project documenting a year of my life in Peace Corps Thailand through one photo every day. Check it out here: <a href="http://365project.org/mamietisue/365">365 days of Peace Corps Thailand</a>mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-29713493632871708422014-06-10T15:34:00.003+07:002014-06-10T15:34:32.564+07:00Personality and culture: sometimes opposites are just opposite<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace Corps is a two year experience of living, working, and integrating into communities of other countries and cultures, but it's also a long-term introspective study into our own personal beliefs, behaviors and perspective. I've been living in Thailand for a year and a half now with most of that time spent on my own, attempting to get to know and integrate into a community that was completely foreign to me. I've met a lot of people and integrated myself into a community that I now consider home. I've also gotten to know myself in a much different way than I've ever been able to as I'm faced with new situations, environments and challenges. I've had my fair share of down time, which more often than not means some quality time to get lost in my own head and ruminate on all sorts of things that I might not otherwise spend much time thinking about - like my own personal nuances and strengths and flaws and all things in between. <br />
<br />
I've known for a long time that I'm more of an introvert than an extrovert. I don't talk just to say things and I spend more time taking things in than I do talking about them. There's a whole lot more going on in my head than ever comes out of my mouth. I
process things internally before ever beginning to verbalize them. My mind is constantly on the go, processing,
analyzing, interpreting, assessing, and asking questions. I not only relish alone
time, I need it for my own personal mental health. I’m not good at small talk and would rather
have in-depth conversations. I hate
being the center of attention and try to sneak toward the outer edges of big
groups. When faced with the prospect of
public speaking, my mind immediately goes blank and I’m incapable of forming
thoughts, let alone verbalizing them. I
need to be able to think through things before talking about them; I need to
process things in my brain to come up with a well thought out response that
might actually come out of my mouth. I
don’t prefer big groups and I’m totally comfortable doing just about anything on
my own. While these parts of my
personality have certainly contributed to challenges and difficulties
throughout my life, I’ve learned to appreciate and embrace them. </div>
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My time spent in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region> has proved to be a constant challenge to all of my introverted tendencies. Small talk
is an integral part of my daily life and rarely do I engage in deep
discussions. I’m usually the center of
attention no matter where I go because I’m the only non-Thai person around. I’m often forced into the center of large
group gatherings, put in a position for plenty of people to stare at me. I’ve been handed a microphone too many times
to count while being put on the spot to introduce myself, talk about something
or answer questions. People accompany me
as often as possible, sometimes just because they don’t want me to be alone
(people ask me ‘are you scared?’ on a regular basis – regarding anything from
running alone in broad daylight to taking a bus by myself). While I’ve adapted and learned to deal with
these things with a decreased amount of inner anxiety and loathing than usual,
the idea that these things are all directly contradictory to the core being of who I am never escapes my mind. <br />
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Peace Corps is a myriad of challenges: physical, mental,
emotional, spiritual, personal, and everything in between. I knew coming in that it would be hard in any
number of ways, and I expected to be challenged. But facing challenges that go against my
personality and the very essence of who I am?
I’m not sure I knew what I was getting myself into. Sure, I knew I’d be thrown well out of my
comfort zone in a country that's much different than the one I was coming from and I was willing to deal with that. I didn’t realize how hard it would be
sometimes to force myself, against all my natural instincts, to do the things I
usually shy away from – the things that generally terrify me. Introducing myself to strangers in a foreign
language on a daily basis? It
happens. Engaging in small talk about what I ate, what I will eat, or what I will buy at the market to eat later? It's part of my daily routine. Having a microphone shoved in my face and being told to talk about myself? I can't say I enjoy it, but I've learned to become a little more comfortable with it. Dealing with my daily language
struggles and mistakes, often getting laughed at for some error in tone
pronunciation that turns an everyday word into a dirty one? It's happened, probably more than I even realize. </div>
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Living in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>
hasn’t transformed my personality, nor did I expect or want it to. If anything I often speak less, either due to
inefficient language skills to contribute to a conversation or because the
people around me are speaking the local dialect in a way that makes my head
spin if I listen to it long enough. I’ve
realized, through conversations with and side comments from Thai people, that
they often misconstrue my silence as lack of understanding or lack of
interest. My mind here works in many of
the same ways it did in <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>,
only now I do it in two languages instead of one. If I’m not running through a list of
questions that constantly badger my brain here, I’m mentally repeating the sentence
structure of someone speaking because I notice I’ve been saying something wrong
– or I’m formulating my own response in my head to a question in the local
language. I’m not totally sure how this
comes across to Thai people all the time, and I’ve questioned it internally many times. I often explain to people that my understanding of
spoken Thai language is more developed than my verbal abilities and that
sometimes it takes me a little longer to formulate a complete, verbal response
to something, meaning that keeping up with a group conversation while also being able to actively contribute to it can be seriously challenging. I've explained a few times that even in <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>
I’m a generally quiet person; I’m ok with silence and I don’t feel
the need to talk just so something is being said. I'm not sure they really understand this, but it's important to me for them to see these parts of me and accept them while potentially altering their preconceived notions of farangs or Americans - so I try to explain anyway. With all the cultural and language
differences and challenges I’ve faced in the last year, this often just adds an
extra struggle to this already challenging experience. Despite that, it's important to me. While I want to integrate and get to know people and be respectful of cultural norms, I also want to be free to be myself in a way that allows my community to get to know me for who I am, not for who they think I might or should be. </div>
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I’ve tried to adapt to these unique challenges like I’ve had to adapt to so
many other things here, both physical and mental. I push myself to engage in the small talk that's always been challenging for me. I try to remember my name when a microphone
is shoved in my face. I smile when
there’s hundreds of faces staring at me and try not to let my entire face show my internal anxieties. I try to say things out loud
sometimes instead of keeping everything in my head, at least so people will
know I’m always interested. Even with all the
effort, it’s still hard. Like any self-proclaimed introvert, I take plenty of time to myself. I relish the weekend days I can spend at home with nothing to do. I've often wondered if I feel a more pressing need for 'alone time' here because of the added mental efforts of hearing and speaking another language every day and constantly feeling like the center of attention and have often taken a bit more time to myself on the days I feel like I need it. </div>
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<br />
I know I've changed in the 17 months that I've been in Thailand, in many small ways and probably some bigger ones that I won't truly realize until I'm far removed from this environment and experience. Even considering that, I'm still going to go back to America as fundamentally the same person (with a lot of great/awful/gross/inspiring/heartwarming/terrifying stories). Thailand won't make me an extrovert, no matter how many times they put me on stage or make me the center of attention; but it has made me more aware of my introverted nature as it affects other people, and I think that's something valuable that I can take with me from this experience. </div>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-45560212659306155672014-05-24T14:05:00.001+07:002014-05-24T14:05:21.906+07:00Summer Break<div class="MsoNormal">
When the Songkran celebrations (Thai New Year) were over I had about a month left until school resumed for another year. That month was mostly full of various activities away from
site – a regional consolidation event, a weekend beach getaway with many other
PCVs, helping out at another BTF (Brighter Thailand Foundation) camp and a quick
island bpai tiao. </div>
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The regional consolidation event was a gathering of volunteers by region to practice and discuss the details of our 'Emergency Action Plan', a plan in place for when natural or political disasters occur in our country of service. Thailand has been experiencing some political unrest since November of last year, so the possibility of us having to consolidate or possibly evacuate the country in the event of a crisis is something that's been on all of our minds recently. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqk7A9H6dxu979aPj6h1MuiyZms8aUfqzRTYCDQSFp4EpKJgbEPOS3uA9sqQkSo91wcQDTrU9LU1-TffufxouPha1U_K1hYaIR0haE689jSFp0ctGp6PA2ovwb3PzyxhvSKuKTTtjZGE/s1600/IMG_6766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqk7A9H6dxu979aPj6h1MuiyZms8aUfqzRTYCDQSFp4EpKJgbEPOS3uA9sqQkSo91wcQDTrU9LU1-TffufxouPha1U_K1hYaIR0haE689jSFp0ctGp6PA2ovwb3PzyxhvSKuKTTtjZGE/s1600/IMG_6766.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group discussions on consolidation topics: what we do in an emergency</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Next up was a weekend gathering of PCVs throughout Thailand in Hua Hin, a beach-side town a few hours from Bangkok and the home of the King's summer palace. One of my fellow volunteers organized things and rented a house for us to use for the weekend that was so nice and amenity-filled it made me think I was back in America - real couches (not just wooden benches), cable tv (in English), air conditioning, a modern kitchen (inside, with sinks and a real oven and a dishwasher even!), and a pool just outside in the backyard. The weekend was organized in an effort to spend more time with the new group of volunteers and get to know them as they were just a month into their service at site. All in all it was a successful weekend, complete with pool time, beach time, small group activities and a Cinco de Mayo Mexican fiesta (with homemade tacos and margaritas made by yours truly - I'll always be a bartender).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxYCjgrR8euwbxzOkHwfQwV_nLnHN_EFBGq_E72lWwyL3524rk2RIPRmK-16GSiQvis3klwGBxK7UqQU_k_E0g5dmWxvmmMmrwXQvob3wsLc8hLbjsgn5bbdPYnrG-wN2BMpV0VMqECg/s1600/IMG_6799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxYCjgrR8euwbxzOkHwfQwV_nLnHN_EFBGq_E72lWwyL3524rk2RIPRmK-16GSiQvis3klwGBxK7UqQU_k_E0g5dmWxvmmMmrwXQvob3wsLc8hLbjsgn5bbdPYnrG-wN2BMpV0VMqECg/s1600/IMG_6799.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach time at Hua Hin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRCFXk2PLXck0K7K2Vre8IPz-jSd-ljOtMsfGwGMbWnUDt-wyI7_IPk6OVmY91JMI28zO567xMeDgaJw0sDKJjXt_hUtVeDEq3goNuCj_nDCcrYRieNjleXQJnItlR1Y_iPAvMbs0c-Y/s1600/IMG_7385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRCFXk2PLXck0K7K2Vre8IPz-jSd-ljOtMsfGwGMbWnUDt-wyI7_IPk6OVmY91JMI28zO567xMeDgaJw0sDKJjXt_hUtVeDEq3goNuCj_nDCcrYRieNjleXQJnItlR1Y_iPAvMbs0c-Y/s1600/IMG_7385.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teamwork: making tortillas </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1TERBWuoNhENUCeWDMZTqiGUFqBru3QPVF7kdcHbW7fRG-H3lYSFnJrhfESmey5Dm55HpWzKx-6lU2nSQmssOSOv4S6TZqQ3VUjsY8unK1WOyp4gnlK8wyhOPwjh8ZWbkZMEDTypeOo/s1600/IMG_6807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1TERBWuoNhENUCeWDMZTqiGUFqBru3QPVF7kdcHbW7fRG-H3lYSFnJrhfESmey5Dm55HpWzKx-6lU2nSQmssOSOv4S6TZqQ3VUjsY8unK1WOyp4gnlK8wyhOPwjh8ZWbkZMEDTypeOo/s1600/IMG_6807.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun and games</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> After the weekend in Hua Hin I was headed to Trat, the eastern-most coastal province in Thailand to help with another BTF (Brighter Thailand Foundation) camp. I'd previously helped with one of these camps in Nong Khai (the northernmost province in northeastern Thailand) and was looking forward to doing another one. It's a leadership camp aimed at developing personal and leadership skills with a group of about 15 matayom (high school) students over a period of 6 days, the last 3 days of which give them the opportunity to practice their leadership skills with a group of bratom (elementary) students. Each camp has Thai and Global ambassadors that come to help - Thai university students and usually a small group of PCVs. The camp was successful and fun and a good reminder of why I enjoy working with Thai youth. </o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja111l5YAHDIc5uV-IabgsmOehRp8nCktAujN4lPPvtojsTiOyuzZ9wnRTQbZSoOaJ5lShdwrlEVd6Y6Tfu5ctKMXFXL38HsehelJIZS-NtQ0X_vsQjupNFiqcOKO3_8s991QDyjL5B6s/s1600/IMG_7675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja111l5YAHDIc5uV-IabgsmOehRp8nCktAujN4lPPvtojsTiOyuzZ9wnRTQbZSoOaJ5lShdwrlEVd6Y6Tfu5ctKMXFXL38HsehelJIZS-NtQ0X_vsQjupNFiqcOKO3_8s991QDyjL5B6s/s1600/IMG_7675.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My group for the week</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6WUH62LKqgwEt3PCovGGfnAge7Sf7Am6pF7fhN9jkwOiMjZ08Hupx57jAwJ62ZkBDzpJHPwoqZxIVDsj9ZlebTQSlbS7w1gVgNuWKPRZuC6OBN5PNkWa54y5VcDPlGTAclE-DjkYRhY/s1600/IMG_7693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6WUH62LKqgwEt3PCovGGfnAge7Sf7Am6pF7fhN9jkwOiMjZ08Hupx57jAwJ62ZkBDzpJHPwoqZxIVDsj9ZlebTQSlbS7w1gVgNuWKPRZuC6OBN5PNkWa54y5VcDPlGTAclE-DjkYRhY/s1600/IMG_7693.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Counselors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx6VlNIWDTXeOg9PNPbSzEhXAJnim9QOENqPzvZMYfMLAy4qPwzbGOL9OnNHSmOmSknTeUlZPb1vx__0NKWwMf_1LiGclWE1wgl5i8r8OgxlIPEiRFES_UOFf0wUiAkszVMoTmEUCyjA/s1600/IMG_7700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx6VlNIWDTXeOg9PNPbSzEhXAJnim9QOENqPzvZMYfMLAy4qPwzbGOL9OnNHSmOmSknTeUlZPb1vx__0NKWwMf_1LiGclWE1wgl5i8r8OgxlIPEiRFES_UOFf0wUiAkszVMoTmEUCyjA/s1600/IMG_7700.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group picture on the last day<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">The camp was 6 days of non-stop activities from wake-up until bedtime, so needless to say we were ready for a few relaxing days before heading back to site. We hopped on a short ferry to Koh Chang, a large, nearby island for a few days of not doing much besides lounging, swimming, eating, or getting massages. I'd been to Koh Chang almost exactly a year ago, on my first big trip out of site for the first time, and it was nice to be back and be able to reflect on how much has happened and changed in a year. <br /> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV0HrqhMyz_onAD0z_6f7W5_5xJGvLEOmaAZRY2oIdex8E4wS0hpbvjipecaW6h-psS9mCjX0bEyQ1YcOEqLgyIcNqvuU-x1VzyzbxSHiPT4vMy9rVjhFwet72KgPqQsmj1r5NDiJJng/s1600/IMG_6816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV0HrqhMyz_onAD0z_6f7W5_5xJGvLEOmaAZRY2oIdex8E4wS0hpbvjipecaW6h-psS9mCjX0bEyQ1YcOEqLgyIcNqvuU-x1VzyzbxSHiPT4vMy9rVjhFwet72KgPqQsmj1r5NDiJJng/s1600/IMG_6816.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I can never get enough of the island sunsets</td></tr>
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</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYhPkBBTESSvxappwv9jmEwLyedfZGh42tZeCgPEwV2_nNlKM-dWiLOj5CY6ZbFmdhiCkw0kAr8MyUlLII6pquRDnI32VEhSkDJhQI9EE6zvN4hub7yfxfsHNw7ZrYN53Nk8sRBO4T6Q/s1600/IMG_6824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYhPkBBTESSvxappwv9jmEwLyedfZGh42tZeCgPEwV2_nNlKM-dWiLOj5CY6ZbFmdhiCkw0kAr8MyUlLII6pquRDnI32VEhSkDJhQI9EE6zvN4hub7yfxfsHNw7ZrYN53Nk8sRBO4T6Q/s1600/IMG_6824.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching showers from the ferry on the way back to the mainland</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually it was time to head back to site - the new school year was beginning in a few days and I was eager to get started on the second and last year of my Peace Corps service. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHLgpUmmeHg4N16DOzdebupS16p_YXvoGxOAX5deLLjgfTx31_CnOzfudpk5fQsziLYpgr5gu1qQPkPWwQLW6I6yZOm-KLj904ZQhQfaJaQ4-hMAEGqO2qHOD3HodM8Lw5bCaESys96s/s1600/IMG_6776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHLgpUmmeHg4N16DOzdebupS16p_YXvoGxOAX5deLLjgfTx31_CnOzfudpk5fQsziLYpgr5gu1qQPkPWwQLW6I6yZOm-KLj904ZQhQfaJaQ4-hMAEGqO2qHOD3HodM8Lw5bCaESys96s/s1600/IMG_6776.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign in one of the many buses I took: No boob grabbing, no farting, and no dancing on the toilet</td></tr>
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</div>
mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-25904960000500511312014-04-25T13:32:00.003+07:002014-04-25T13:41:06.522+07:00Songkran Festival: Thai New Year<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
After a few quiet days back at site it was time for the beginning
of Songkran Festival – Thai New Year. Every year Songkran is celebrated
throughout<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region></st1:place><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>with trips to the wats to make merit,
spending time with family and ‘playing water’. People pour water on each
other as a way of cleansing off the old in order to bring in the new year and offer
blessings and good wishes. It’s the biggest holiday celebration in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region> and
lasts for at least several days – we officially had 3 days off work and a really
long weekend. In my community this celebration is kicked off every year
with a day of parades, ceremonies, some water throwing and a beauty pageant
near one of the local temples. I went early dressed in the designated
Songkran attire (a brightly colored, flowered shirt) and enjoyed the
festivities throughout the day. Events like these allow me the
opportunity to see a lot of people I know from around the community in one
place, including many students that were in the middle of their summer break from
school. That night I was headed to
Chiang Mai in northern<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to
participate in one of the biggest Songkran celebrations in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region>. </div>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Is5hfYctOAKGcTq9EPWdc8G04jHNN469ydSzeE0Zd3i9STNDysV5YwM1Q1SopTkexXTv1h_IExIAMj6htrFAnssyAzhSNsp0jTo8ou-md-WGM_4OrbuzRVT8zlHXJY_foeSjVxtW3ow/s1600/IMG_6998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Is5hfYctOAKGcTq9EPWdc8G04jHNN469ydSzeE0Zd3i9STNDysV5YwM1Q1SopTkexXTv1h_IExIAMj6htrFAnssyAzhSNsp0jTo8ou-md-WGM_4OrbuzRVT8zlHXJY_foeSjVxtW3ow/s1600/IMG_6998.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with some of the local health station staff</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_25XFngjnMpuMmoCnXju6nI1yKwEnr5DPbkBT1mn7VQmhOcZfANImJPNw3fsgOVZAxWpb_mEQe7vWn-SYZGIrDjQTO7T0eEAXoyRZhdTs9jYkXhitqyx77jWP0AmtdyyYE-hB0ApREQ/s1600/IMG_7011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_25XFngjnMpuMmoCnXju6nI1yKwEnr5DPbkBT1mn7VQmhOcZfANImJPNw3fsgOVZAxWpb_mEQe7vWn-SYZGIrDjQTO7T0eEAXoyRZhdTs9jYkXhitqyx77jWP0AmtdyyYE-hB0ApREQ/s1600/IMG_7011.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They love pictures!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmr-VZ-5C1tZvYKYcA8TctciqhlScrYmh3eItmBRg4LeT-imYRKjjr6_leYKfGAmqo3esQDooPyzIEvxqG9pH89ZWn4Ffu4gp4G9CpJkvMqClzXVbyOxLM-AWOxNaP-UGhPRi0SIJDnM/s1600/IMG_7000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmr-VZ-5C1tZvYKYcA8TctciqhlScrYmh3eItmBRg4LeT-imYRKjjr6_leYKfGAmqo3esQDooPyzIEvxqG9pH89ZWn4Ffu4gp4G9CpJkvMqClzXVbyOxLM-AWOxNaP-UGhPRi0SIJDnM/s1600/IMG_7000.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty pageant. No one's sitting/standing in the space near the stage because it's sunny - everyone's in the shade</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TqMlKS8gpPa-nc1DPkLhmA5SxnmkIK6P45JegzEFIvm4WcP5GkLvk-KEE4ovzyAkcGoTNIhPFVBFzdlSbyXaPRrp1WlZGSnQEhFqSzfGEMOrFsjFK0IDvh_3sQeOLu4K1n7uB2whGIs/s1600/IMG_7020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TqMlKS8gpPa-nc1DPkLhmA5SxnmkIK6P45JegzEFIvm4WcP5GkLvk-KEE4ovzyAkcGoTNIhPFVBFzdlSbyXaPRrp1WlZGSnQEhFqSzfGEMOrFsjFK0IDvh_3sQeOLu4K1n7uB2whGIs/s1600/IMG_7020.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8d7a61s-0y8EslYiDk3G2ntFGWH2i4cGQddbrI7a5KTkR6zshHfcVxykbISak5vkecbuZLJzrR6v3ymXAx7uTYGEBoJNJVh9vad0C-csAY4N7UPZn-mI8bL864-gJAIRtmqtAGYto2g/s1600/IMG_7049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8d7a61s-0y8EslYiDk3G2ntFGWH2i4cGQddbrI7a5KTkR6zshHfcVxykbISak5vkecbuZLJzrR6v3ymXAx7uTYGEBoJNJVh9vad0C-csAY4N7UPZn-mI8bL864-gJAIRtmqtAGYto2g/s1600/IMG_7049.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Dancers'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonleYh-9Ck7M7PpLl5M1GVE4T8lBLZB4qPwIx0EDcYa2TPS6Is5iFj5yYTpzwqP3-cNfoqJKGclqJL1gd6NCf95n7dtohsfkFo4Pm668ZOH0t3D3kmH0MFetGL1oW3Rz7Uuc-mTzfTNQ/s1600/IMG_7078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonleYh-9Ck7M7PpLl5M1GVE4T8lBLZB4qPwIx0EDcYa2TPS6Is5iFj5yYTpzwqP3-cNfoqJKGclqJL1gd6NCf95n7dtohsfkFo4Pm668ZOH0t3D3kmH0MFetGL1oW3Rz7Uuc-mTzfTNQ/s1600/IMG_7078.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pouring water on the elderly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9oQOzsHDXYdKxnymd8Vz9el8IwIXspRLCcQG2vvDSreW6FhVpx1_t8RtbIsVl6ozwe2pz54Ci_snoez2omVbkviT1w5UQfwa6Onrt7m-LTCtI8Ca4Z8zUDh8yqsnUkOOpfYsSk4Bpws/s1600/IMG_7054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9oQOzsHDXYdKxnymd8Vz9el8IwIXspRLCcQG2vvDSreW6FhVpx1_t8RtbIsVl6ozwe2pz54Ci_snoez2omVbkviT1w5UQfwa6Onrt7m-LTCtI8Ca4Z8zUDh8yqsnUkOOpfYsSk4Bpws/s1600/IMG_7054.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to perform</td></tr>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Chiang Mai is famous for their Songkran celebration and I was excited to participate along with a few fellow PCVs. Chiang Mai’s old city is surrounded by a moat and much of the ‘water playing’ occurs on the main street running parallel around it. April is the hottest month of the year in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region> so participating in an all day water fight provides a welcome relief from the heat. A word to the wise: if in Chiang Mai during the days of Songkran, prepare to get wet – it’s inevitable. Everyone involved arms themselves with water guns while people pile in the backs of pickup trucks to drive through the streets and douse people around the city with buckets of sometimes ice-cold water. There’s not really a way to escape it, except to avoid the area entirely. The first day I got there I left my guesthouse, fairly unprepared except for putting my phone in a ziploc bag. I went in search of some local noodles and came back half-soaked with a ham and cheese sandwich from 7-11 (after the first couple bucket-splashes I decided not to walk much farther and instead peruse the seven for something delicious). <o:p></o:p></div>
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After I’d fully prepared myself and met up with a few friends, we donned our flowered shirts, waterproof bags and newly purchased water guns and took to the streets. Within minutes of hitting the main street, we were full participants in the all out water fight. The street was full of people, Thais and farangs, everyone throwing water at everyone else. It was complete madness in places, and it was awesome. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YTJRf9IbdwPfYSVJDeKCmECIzeflTpx0ktCgdsuRcXlbxzAh_ec5KdzCh5Td9CTt_x8qufbGVz_uxcN5G_8mZ4ZOGZkmBuKDAjTvpvBXj8CPE0dn5cNPU67WhC0PkLbgHLN4kVh2uEc/s1600/IMG_6615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YTJRf9IbdwPfYSVJDeKCmECIzeflTpx0ktCgdsuRcXlbxzAh_ec5KdzCh5Td9CTt_x8qufbGVz_uxcN5G_8mZ4ZOGZkmBuKDAjTvpvBXj8CPE0dn5cNPU67WhC0PkLbgHLN4kVh2uEc/s1600/IMG_6615.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">We took part in the water fight every day, walking up and down the streets shooting water at everyone and maintaining our soaking wet status. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9ONXD26PYM6n4MAJ7L0nD2NLataKTzu03X74uqsTv4x5E1uJ_ZWqIYnA9ovbZCUYE_O3USG-Y52cGbPk2Lwj4m8BDL480yaDcaB6O1_VkIkW8Mcd5ikawxbTLPWsPWdJutc0v_PZ1nM/s1600/IMG_6644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9ONXD26PYM6n4MAJ7L0nD2NLataKTzu03X74uqsTv4x5E1uJ_ZWqIYnA9ovbZCUYE_O3USG-Y52cGbPk2Lwj4m8BDL480yaDcaB6O1_VkIkW8Mcd5ikawxbTLPWsPWdJutc0v_PZ1nM/s1600/IMG_6644.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the local police joined in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAhCThOdTWqX6CRdRtFXeAUTNeIvxvDbBBpNKHhSfOPrD4WrCq1rFbiwOmFSEMbRmBw8BlqJ9ATVBReVFpUIhEabx-nOR21PmyNiS3bctNIay4T8wGa8p2bA5Kun0wpm9i5wIpfBGHEY/s1600/IMG_6648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAhCThOdTWqX6CRdRtFXeAUTNeIvxvDbBBpNKHhSfOPrD4WrCq1rFbiwOmFSEMbRmBw8BlqJ9ATVBReVFpUIhEabx-nOR21PmyNiS3bctNIay4T8wGa8p2bA5Kun0wpm9i5wIpfBGHEY/s1600/IMG_6648.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuI2MKsRhw1Yoe7LzOOYloN1Aj6XqlmLj-YlKO6siewrLHNJzwng4Hos1wEpagZ8M539BWpwffLEb2Eho_gTzRR0HK5SmkfyHQ1DTn07P3q9tHi8X42gK8dxqsKT4xP_hjEW6hSEv_rqE/s1600/IMG_7212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuI2MKsRhw1Yoe7LzOOYloN1Aj6XqlmLj-YlKO6siewrLHNJzwng4Hos1wEpagZ8M539BWpwffLEb2Eho_gTzRR0HK5SmkfyHQ1DTn07P3q9tHi8X42gK8dxqsKT4xP_hjEW6hSEv_rqE/s1600/IMG_7212.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting water from (but mostly playing in) the moat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMubXL4KdvC3qyG4uoP5wjDRUNMQ6YL4lRvhqV8eLBBvMPVe8tv4R-ZbpmlS99HN8ON0PpMHtSAcil7T6cVY78_ChthmrlN10xzxvU0CPU4-ZlJyb1vkounlN0HGdoiBndcQBVQTEh3E/s1600/IMG_7220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMubXL4KdvC3qyG4uoP5wjDRUNMQ6YL4lRvhqV8eLBBvMPVe8tv4R-ZbpmlS99HN8ON0PpMHtSAcil7T6cVY78_ChthmrlN10xzxvU0CPU4-ZlJyb1vkounlN0HGdoiBndcQBVQTEh3E/s1600/IMG_7220.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armed and ready: the gun on the left broke the first day, so I got the one on the right - a dinosaur attached to a water bottle. I named him Charles and he was so awesome I kept him and took him home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2UQvg3taTEo5eu7kNalccoxpXi1rXiJXX8uRjSuY0NsTSdhABNAjC69qhm6pWvqCg-bAtEbhuqq4aZwL7nrVLN_9Tcfp_cTWPqzpaexxUWL7M_hmYFw2DJaVZPHxnOr72SV1N3T2WJQ/s1600/IMG_7227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2UQvg3taTEo5eu7kNalccoxpXi1rXiJXX8uRjSuY0NsTSdhABNAjC69qhm6pWvqCg-bAtEbhuqq4aZwL7nrVLN_9Tcfp_cTWPqzpaexxUWL7M_hmYFw2DJaVZPHxnOr72SV1N3T2WJQ/s1600/IMG_7227.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We camped out and took refuge in a bar for awhile, then splashed everyone coming down the street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SCLHsDyLzxuZ-6xkzbu90usceRERdPMq_tZXn_dtxtPp6x5aIM5U6qipM_3IyKMWJhk5Ygy2QQb43poPx4ouUZb7KL2P7cdc8usohlx8EkxQcofpkQ9eovHU0IqSbjw2VPChJTnlkIo/s1600/IMG_7223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9SCLHsDyLzxuZ-6xkzbu90usceRERdPMq_tZXn_dtxtPp6x5aIM5U6qipM_3IyKMWJhk5Ygy2QQb43poPx4ouUZb7KL2P7cdc8usohlx8EkxQcofpkQ9eovHU0IqSbjw2VPChJTnlkIo/s1600/IMG_7223.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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One day I decided to go do a little temple sight-seeing before engaging in the daily water fight. I did it all on foot and on my way down one street I noticed a small crowd of Thai people gathered in front of a restaurant and a few policemen up and down the street. I stopped for a bit to see what was happening, and a few moments later everyone got out their cell phones, iPads and cameras and started taking pictures of someone I couldn’t quite see. Soon enough I noticed the person being photographed – the Prime Minister of Thailand. I stood around for a few minutes watching with the other Thais around before making my way to a nearby temple. On my way back I decided to retrace my steps and see if she was still there. Sure enough she was, and was getting ready to leave with her family. Several people were taking the opportunity to get pictures with her, and wanting one myself I decided to make my way to the front. Eventually I jumped in there and politely asked for a picture. She asked where I was from, I told her and briefly explained that I was a volunteer in Isan. She was very gracious and I thanked her for the picture – so unexpected and pretty awesome!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fJ_D4O7muH2WkR9-gNj77P7W9f7fDkgr2cw9ij0pGDRj3wd3QHOdRsG2yzMCcXHu9zKTsoPc7GmMWV3sKGFaRcylOzgIorXk0_t_z3Z8HqjqWALXdiqvo2CKv0pQIC8YLLpKNwFHMZc/s1600/prime+minister.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fJ_D4O7muH2WkR9-gNj77P7W9f7fDkgr2cw9ij0pGDRj3wd3QHOdRsG2yzMCcXHu9zKTsoPc7GmMWV3sKGFaRcylOzgIorXk0_t_z3Z8HqjqWALXdiqvo2CKv0pQIC8YLLpKNwFHMZc/s1600/prime+minister.png" height="320" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with the Prime Minister of Thailand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczvTGjqV-t2eqJNo2QknDz3zqPSodc_4oz2dzu9P0KKbmDVitnICntEj5gbmJG_1gGx2MoV9P-gX3YREMw7stUkM8suffWgaZ-RgbERfhunce4UTsdC4f9c272pu4OwViJjVsy-qQH4E/s1600/IMG_6530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczvTGjqV-t2eqJNo2QknDz3zqPSodc_4oz2dzu9P0KKbmDVitnICntEj5gbmJG_1gGx2MoV9P-gX3YREMw7stUkM8suffWgaZ-RgbERfhunce4UTsdC4f9c272pu4OwViJjVsy-qQH4E/s1600/IMG_6530.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monks working at one of the temples</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5Bgs1fepPWbQK5aHtQnt0gGI2qMrLuwfRqW9v5okLVhyphenhyphenEmiZUgpdhirxNa9E95semKzFSOLChe07SyGLadCO7vXV_Gxp_-2H3yRKN402xZPx_0y9ZgHAJNDbjPaEQDq9k4hBmZ76CJc/s1600/IMG_7104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5Bgs1fepPWbQK5aHtQnt0gGI2qMrLuwfRqW9v5okLVhyphenhyphenEmiZUgpdhirxNa9E95semKzFSOLChe07SyGLadCO7vXV_Gxp_-2H3yRKN402xZPx_0y9ZgHAJNDbjPaEQDq9k4hBmZ76CJc/s1600/IMG_7104.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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A few pictures from the temples I went to</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNG8PsKgrZEAS8mpk4NiGNR7eYdDGu-uxvjFL0QunUDuvGFsNz6JidNuAx0pGhrLEp3dYC8saBDK53c52bv8KTntAtdE96v-Upi1NXKFeOwG2iIgLRUMjPc4uxjAq2QJlToTgjXu3SWo/s1600/IMG_7133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNG8PsKgrZEAS8mpk4NiGNR7eYdDGu-uxvjFL0QunUDuvGFsNz6JidNuAx0pGhrLEp3dYC8saBDK53c52bv8KTntAtdE96v-Upi1NXKFeOwG2iIgLRUMjPc4uxjAq2QJlToTgjXu3SWo/s1600/IMG_7133.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqS6i3JgfsMFxPnM1T5VIKigeCsf6QOSPlgTAj602IuN83meyM-cuOd1qKEw42PTeC9hMOludvnfUgeQNVZN8WxEZ7EeXkIZL-1FpaIG1Pl3maYo07bsxH2TfbNb1CKHf1fS5kruolqo/s1600/IMG_7201.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhihirrKCvbv4uRZgeqZs7PaF_H0NXAHe9jb1_zhyksqtJ4-JNhUe7_uvPivxrxzezgKWlZ6jduaTit6MtZOSnBdxkjUcTEFGNeKK3LpHnU76T2rOGFfqsqCclfU_Q2sUyYTA0dqo1wo/s1600/IMG_7181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhihirrKCvbv4uRZgeqZs7PaF_H0NXAHe9jb1_zhyksqtJ4-JNhUe7_uvPivxrxzezgKWlZ6jduaTit6MtZOSnBdxkjUcTEFGNeKK3LpHnU76T2rOGFfqsqCclfU_Q2sUyYTA0dqo1wo/s1600/IMG_7181.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-32469942458475067242014-04-24T10:50:00.001+07:002014-04-24T10:50:28.131+07:00Mid-service<div class="MsoNormal">
Mid-Service Conference (MSC) is exactly what it sounds like
– a time halfway through our Peace Corps service when we all gather together in Bangkok for
reflections, a look at the year ahead and some medical check-ups. While it was great to see everyone and have
our group back together for the first time in many months, things felt
different this time. We were back from
the front lines of PCV service – we’d seen it all, done less than we’d
expected, overcome challenges of all varieties and now things were
different. We were able to share stories
of failed attempts at projects, small (albeit significant) successes, or the all too graphic poop story with which
every PCV has an unfortunately intimate familiarity. I couldn’t help but think we all felt a
little beaten down from the last year while also feeling a bit overwhelmed at
the fact that we were in for another year of this. This mid-service crisis business is for real,
and it’s not easy to get through. We had
some good times together during the week: lots of laughs, heartfelt
conversations, dirty jokes, and shenanigans that naturally develop as a result
of a night out in <st1:place w:st="on">Bangkok</st1:place>. Unfortunately two volunteers from our group were returning
back to <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>
the following week – two people that I considered good friends. This experience is like nothing else, and the
people here with me are people I’ll share a special bond with for the rest of
my life. They’re my Peace Corps family,
and as cheesy as that sounds I realized just how true it was when I had to say
goodbye to two of them. </div>
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During our few days together we had a night designated for
us, which included dinner and a ‘Creative Art’ night that invited anyone and
everyone to share anything from a song to a skit to an interpretive dance. We enjoyed performances from the Peace Corps
staff and several volunteers. I also
decided to share something I’d written.
It started as a somewhat therapeutic task for myself and turned into
something that I thought could be helpful if shared – a way to commiserate and
verbalize some of the small but significant challenges we face every day as
volunteers in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>. I was surprised at the positive response I
got as a result of sharing it and was happy I did. It’s included at the end of this blog, and
while you might not understand much of it unless you’ve been a PCV in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>, it
presents an honest perspective from a seasoned one year volunteer.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy8gOyKY1gd5iCG0cy7OvG0AJ0i__6XoFqJFjx5eKBvLNZPdcnQIaIDJVTF4azFlYJRfIQk5QXf3lMsfgrtvchBYXKiyglwTEQY2fCkBFTR9uiEE7N0tDXcXmA-n9inWQPjcqeeYSNwc/s1600/IMG_6864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy8gOyKY1gd5iCG0cy7OvG0AJ0i__6XoFqJFjx5eKBvLNZPdcnQIaIDJVTF4azFlYJRfIQk5QXf3lMsfgrtvchBYXKiyglwTEQY2fCkBFTR9uiEE7N0tDXcXmA-n9inWQPjcqeeYSNwc/s1600/IMG_6864.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC staff original performance</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Our last couple days in </span><st1:city style="text-align: start;" w:st="on">Bangkok</st1:city><span style="text-align: start;"> included our medical and dental appointments as well as plenty of time to hang out and spend time with other volunteers.</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;">We splurged on American food and enjoyed pizza and burgers and bagels and the small joys of being a part of a westernized society.</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;">Instead of the usual hostel or small, basic, cheap room lodging, several of us joined funds and rented a condo in a high-rise, complete with air conditioning, skyline views and a private pool.</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rIxD4FQVMWJtIik-ktV1_9A9r-ehkTAOdsh7GV1f2HL-p8aSORNHwhRVZuJQjRF1K7PGeNZMNvh8Er7_a_GEY0rSOlRBvXNE36fFTIynZByH6DV17zC4smkPUDA_WR-YN5LQhRekxl4/s1600/IMG_6465+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rIxD4FQVMWJtIik-ktV1_9A9r-ehkTAOdsh7GV1f2HL-p8aSORNHwhRVZuJQjRF1K7PGeNZMNvh8Er7_a_GEY0rSOlRBvXNE36fFTIynZByH6DV17zC4smkPUDA_WR-YN5LQhRekxl4/s1600/IMG_6465+(2).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Condo with a view: Bangkok sunset</td></tr>
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From pizza and burgers in a high-rise condo in the middle of
Bangkok to cheap noodles in the middle of the mountains in Petchabun, a group
of us took a few days after our time in the city to decompress at my friend
Brandon’s site in the province that divides the northern and northeastern
regions of Thailand. We make these
crazily drastic transitions somewhat frequently in our Peace Corps experience –
it’s never easy and it requires the flexibility that all PCVs must possess in
order to make it through our 2+ years of experience. Luckily this time we had cooler weather and
some beautiful mountainous scenery to help us with the transition this time – and
the company of a few fellow PCVs. We all
had mixed feelings about our conference and our time left as volunteers, and we
were all affected by the fact that two of our people were headed back to <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>. It was great to be in the company of friends
as we gradually transitioned back to our small-town, rural <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region> lives.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in the country</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2WCri2cE5qJXRs0e61FQBSbKxs9f7aA789tcIiO8mzMptrObv3oEBHrTaZbTMPVOMyLKrb2ijYHsFz2XMyacS-iF06ysxpDS2bLOqUaRqni6LxJKXv1yo3rvV9uLHktui4sJ5W3216Y/s1600/IMG_6494+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2WCri2cE5qJXRs0e61FQBSbKxs9f7aA789tcIiO8mzMptrObv3oEBHrTaZbTMPVOMyLKrb2ijYHsFz2XMyacS-iF06ysxpDS2bLOqUaRqni6LxJKXv1yo3rvV9uLHktui4sJ5W3216Y/s1600/IMG_6494+(2).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boating</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4NUiX8h4xnpspE6CIry2Bq8WoW25rrkWbGkBInKecvAWxDSVUDEG8rIiJPwBfWM3CiN98ocBHBF6NAskktdCakhPxXV8E4T33r6crxZz25iej-h0vBeqON3AKOF-NhxbLltqVF-54yU/s1600/IMG_6488+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4NUiX8h4xnpspE6CIry2Bq8WoW25rrkWbGkBInKecvAWxDSVUDEG8rIiJPwBfWM3CiN98ocBHBF6NAskktdCakhPxXV8E4T33r6crxZz25iej-h0vBeqON3AKOF-NhxbLltqVF-54yU/s1600/IMG_6488+(2).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the low river</td></tr>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><br /></st1:city></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><br /></st1:city></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on">Brandon</st1:city> showed us around and took us on a boat trip on the river by his house where we got to see lots and lots of different butterflies. This is also the only place in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region> that has small freshwater jellyfish, but unfortunately it had rained the days before, making the water cloudy enough that the jellyfish weren’t out. The boat trip was quiet, relaxing and beautiful. </div>
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The rest of the trip included a lot of lounging and relaxing as well as a trip to a local wat (temple) that was very unique and very different from all other temples in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>. </div>
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So much detail everywhere, including the floors<br />
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We used self-timers on our cameras to get these jumping shots. Between a few different cameras we've got a bunch of differently timed jumping shots. We spent quite a bit of time trying to get it just right, because in Thailand, the photos are always important.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped at a waterfall on the way home</td></tr>
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We enjoyed delicious dinners at <st1:place w:st="on">Brandon</st1:place>’s host family’s house and lunches at
the local restaurant/convenience store.
We also got to make s’mores and have a small fire outside, which was
really awesome – and they were delicious.
Feeling rested, relaxed and somewhat ready to head back to site, I made
my way back to my home in northeast <st1:place w:st="on">Thailand</st1:place> a couple days later. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>An open letter to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand and my </st1:country-region></st1:place>Peace Corps Thailand experience<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s hard to quantify our relationship with words, but I
have to attempt to verbally express certain aspects of it in order to come to
terms with where I stand. It’s been a
rough road and I’ve arrived at a time to consider the good and the bad and
decide whether to stick it out or cut my losses. It’s been a year, after all, and I think
we’ve had sufficient time to really try to get to know each other. </div>
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I hate to use the term ‘love at first site’, but suffice it
to say you’ve appealed to me since the day I met you. From your aesthetic beauty to the
never-ending list of delicious things to eat to the warm welcomes from
strangers, you’ve effortlessly shown me your natural strengths and beauty for
which my appreciation has yet to wane.
With this being said, I’d be remiss to say our relationship is anything
close to perfect. We’ve certainly had
our fair share of disagreements – but that’s part of any relationship. You throw me curve balls consistently which,
if nothing else, always keep me on my toes.
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I think you still just don’t understand me,
despite how long we’ve been together.
I’m the definition of an introvert and yet every day you push me to act
otherwise. Sometimes I appreciate it and
sometimes it makes me want to strangle you.
Either way, it’s exhausting. I
wish you could appreciate me for who I truly am sometimes instead of always
pushing me to be something I’m not. It’s
not you, it’s me – but I’ve tried to help you understand as best I can. I appreciate your efforts, and I’ve learned
and grown from the experience, but I need time to myself – no people, no
talking. It’s not you, it’s me. I hope you can understand. We’re fundamentally different, and while
opposites often attract in the most beautiful, complementary ways, we might
have to agree to disagree on this as I don’t see either of us changing much in
this area anytime soon. </div>
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Communication is an integral part of any relationship and,
let’s face it, we’ve had our fair share of breakdowns. I can take the blame for some of this of
course, and I have no doubt that language differences or misunderstandings will
likely continue through the end of my time here. But I have to ask: why, when I spent our first few months
together learning how to speak, do you now speak to me mostly in a language
that is so much different and harder to understand? I feel like I spent the first 3 months
getting to know you and then I moved to site and saw a completely new and different
side of you that only confused me. I
just wish sometimes you could empathize with me and understand how hard it can be. I can say that our discourse from the
beginning up until this point has improved dramatically, and it’s nice to look
back and see how far we’ve come. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Our fundamental differences, coupled with countless
miscommunications and misunderstandings have consumed my thoughts at many
points throughout the last year, and as much as I hate to admit this, it’s an
important part of my experience and our time together. I came here with so much to offer and often
fear that my knowledge, experience and education are severely under-utilized in
my time here, which has caused numerous bouts of extreme frustration and
disappointment. I’m so much more than
just another farang here to teach English and yet many times I think that’s the
only way you see me. I overhear
explanations that I’m here to teach English and it breaks my heart a little
bit. I know you don’t mean it, but that
doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt just the same.
I say this from a place that cares so deeply about youth development
that I just want to be able to cultivate the things we call ‘life skills’ that
I know from experience can provide support and understanding to the already challenging
course of youth and adolescence. I just
wish you would try to understand. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I’ve realized, at many points
throughout our time together, that we might want different things – a common
theme in many failed relationships and separated partners. <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Certain things about you are still confusing to me – I’m
quite certain you feel the same way. Why
can’t I buy beer between 2pm and 5pm, but I can buy it before noon? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I’ve realized at many points throughout our time together
that we might want different things.
It’s a common theme in many failed relationships and separated partners,
but in just a year you’ve managed to make me a better person, and I think
that’s a critical component to any successful relationship and something for
which I’m continually grateful. You’ve
helped me pursue things I otherwise disliked or was afraid to try. The fact that you could help me become a
runner is still amazing to me, and I truly appreciate it. You’ve introduced me to so many new things,
people and ideas that have given me a multitude of experiences, memories, and
thoughts to take with me no matter where I go.
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
All things considered, sometimes a relationship is wrapped
up in all the little things that make it great:
an over the top enthusiastic greeting from the kids, the smiles you
never hold back, a bag of fruit from a neighbor, a short but meaningful Thai conversation
with a stranger while traveling, a well-timed compliment about my language
skills, thumbs up from a car full of monks or a cheer from a yai while I’m out
for a run, a really good mango, an impromptu game or activity with the kids that
turns into something special – this list could go on for days, and for this I
am always grateful. The little things
are what bring a smile to my face or pick me up from a bad day. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
As long as you continue pushing me to be a better person,
I’m here for you. I’m not sure what the
future holds for us but I’m looking forward to making new and different strides
forward and seeing how our relationship progresses in the next year. </div>
mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-21155177306819443272014-04-23T22:05:00.002+07:002014-04-23T22:08:16.515+07:00Island hopping and turning 30 <div class="MsoNormal">
A month ago I turned 30.
Age has never been a big thing for me – age to me is more of a state of mind, and I’ve
got no qualms about a number. But
something about the big 3-0 seemed special and different; leaving my 20’s meant
taking on the role of being a real, experienced adult. I’m no longer a ‘twenty-something’, a phrase
that lately seems to invoke ideas of nothing but a free-spirited traveler, exploring the
endless possibilities ahead, living with sometimes reckless abandon, figuring out life and making plenty of mistakes along
the way that will serve to form the basis of the responsible choices that will
eventually follow. I suppose, reflecting
back, that sort of described the last decade of my life – although my travel was more
in the form of roadtrips around <st1:country-region w:st="on">America than travel around the world</st1:country-region>. I certainly learned a lot in my
twenties, about just about everything – education, relationships, friendships,
bartending, hangovers, late nights, city living, adult responsibilities,
choices, irresponsible choices, priorities, making mistakes, pursuing dreams,
and all of the life lessons in between – but I’m happy to turn the next page
and see what my thirties are all about. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In honor of this special birthday, and to celebrate a year of Peace Corps service, I decided to do some
island hopping in southern <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>.
With no real plan in mind except an idea of where I wanted to go, I took the overnight bus to <st1:city w:st="on">Bangkok</st1:city>
and left the next evening on the train to the southern <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">province</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Trang</st1:placename></st1:place>. I wanted beautiful beaches and sparsely
populated islands that were small enough to walk around. I had packed my tent and planned to go with the
cheapest of all possible accommodations: camping. Lodging can get expensive, especially on the
islands, and I wanted to use my money for other things. I arrived in Trang in the morning, found a
minivan to a pier, got on a boat full of Thais and was on the beach in no time
at all. The first stop was Koh Mook –
the largest of the three islands I visited, and the only one inhabited by
locals. It was a little challenging to
find a place to camp – the beach areas were dominated by resorts and everyone I
asked just told me no. I finally found a
place that had a covered area where I could set up my tent for 100baht/night (about
$3). I set my tent up and went out to explore
and enjoy the first of many beautiful island sunsets.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Tqw7IyCWUPzFVocUy7HzilI4qamNJ2D1kmcRU5Jj6ptsB5_LMzLCoovwm5YpfRvQ_ySVO0qxIlfz6w1F83yzdPzOmNWTtd9XDgEJo6svYuFFp_aBEqV0n78yYhsBXo7CFalNs84Kr0E/s1600/IMG_6358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Tqw7IyCWUPzFVocUy7HzilI4qamNJ2D1kmcRU5Jj6ptsB5_LMzLCoovwm5YpfRvQ_ySVO0qxIlfz6w1F83yzdPzOmNWTtd9XDgEJo6svYuFFp_aBEqV0n78yYhsBXo7CFalNs84Kr0E/s1600/IMG_6358.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pier to Koh Mook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh1acYjfthGd4NmDrQ07WfY5_OV66zincgFmfaUyK_MVd4bY862rpgJB5Qf79k92wAm3MVCybPmK9-IX5gcja76M1AlFE3RNBM7L7P3t6Z4lGhrCtJtJ-HrcoHg1D2bzXpKo2Jzrh_YQ/s1600/IMG_6379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh1acYjfthGd4NmDrQ07WfY5_OV66zincgFmfaUyK_MVd4bY862rpgJB5Qf79k92wAm3MVCybPmK9-IX5gcja76M1AlFE3RNBM7L7P3t6Z4lGhrCtJtJ-HrcoHg1D2bzXpKo2Jzrh_YQ/s1600/IMG_6379.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First camp site</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LaRdMFwyqKTnR93AxswMvnYtIAbcKeZ-u8OVeyql7cgYJKPZk65VUMHnFskP7f0SnmDKGQ6XNc7IyUZznrVxyxPUUNOQGQhDMlpdDrVBWU3e88sT5_qQO-uUFG1DphAo22dP74Wm8xA/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LaRdMFwyqKTnR93AxswMvnYtIAbcKeZ-u8OVeyql7cgYJKPZk65VUMHnFskP7f0SnmDKGQ6XNc7IyUZznrVxyxPUUNOQGQhDMlpdDrVBWU3e88sT5_qQO-uUFG1DphAo22dP74Wm8xA/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Koh Mook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I woke up early the next day to go for a run to the sunrise
side of the island. I finished on the
beach and walked around exploring all the critters and water creatures that
were left after the tide went out. I saw
an incredible number of starfish of all sizes, and I even threw one back in the
water and watched it come back to life – super awesome (it was white, the color
of dead starfish that people collect sometimes, and when I threw it back it
started to turn brown as it generated all these clear little tubes that it
wrapped around itself, then turned itself over as it sunk back into the wet
sand and water).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThnV1SPtbDEg2DVar7gr1kdUzgm8ked9Hbux8znu0FzJ3R4UJQa5hN2i9ENw40c5S4_KPcrt9ytYyYxUD9UlMDXg662bvyn7u0S-2CA5EYHi20dzmQPSDdx9fyWYweAgCbyQaa_cDx4k/s1600/IMG_6360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThnV1SPtbDEg2DVar7gr1kdUzgm8ked9Hbux8znu0FzJ3R4UJQa5hN2i9ENw40c5S4_KPcrt9ytYyYxUD9UlMDXg662bvyn7u0S-2CA5EYHi20dzmQPSDdx9fyWYweAgCbyQaa_cDx4k/s1600/IMG_6360.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH7Tc5kI1vtdeIkUSDryOoZC_wseKOT3i2jJcNgLr1384KAYyNAeeBcmMhfxzBzfDCOni2ERZf0IQcWhjAyI6OKk7vIPWsxUKp-4SiVhsoMnBYg_isVukhCVm_q9OdNRY-jlrt16PwfA/s1600/IMG_6363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzH7Tc5kI1vtdeIkUSDryOoZC_wseKOT3i2jJcNgLr1384KAYyNAeeBcmMhfxzBzfDCOni2ERZf0IQcWhjAyI6OKk7vIPWsxUKp-4SiVhsoMnBYg_isVukhCVm_q9OdNRY-jlrt16PwfA/s1600/IMG_6363.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starfish!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aVegEsQ_f825eLmS93UeT8sqXy7V2ZewcZUowrzFw2fAt4Xv9cMy3R5V0m0WFvBamThrWK3sTTf7Zlu9NVys49T49FN-tUJpvHGbI1vp56DLGTHda9UNVWWxA1nEGv-zNrdm0sa3tb8/s1600/IMG_6366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aVegEsQ_f825eLmS93UeT8sqXy7V2ZewcZUowrzFw2fAt4Xv9cMy3R5V0m0WFvBamThrWK3sTTf7Zlu9NVys49T49FN-tUJpvHGbI1vp56DLGTHda9UNVWWxA1nEGv-zNrdm0sa3tb8/s1600/IMG_6366.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming back to life: the starfish I threw back in the water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAhRLqfL_-G5v55z-gOBF1jsoNvxwKL5ZInN85WuOZPtI7gYgQUxaCmYigf03Z5KF4sW2iTxPiy71lBrdxqQmTPBTuDna7IVMmfRYhLtnJdvNhvH5F2WHcYsgxO3XpTSakV9ImKAuRIc/s1600/IMG_6370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAhRLqfL_-G5v55z-gOBF1jsoNvxwKL5ZInN85WuOZPtI7gYgQUxaCmYigf03Z5KF4sW2iTxPiy71lBrdxqQmTPBTuDna7IVMmfRYhLtnJdvNhvH5F2WHcYsgxO3XpTSakV9ImKAuRIc/s1600/IMG_6370.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The edge of the island: much more beach when the tide is out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Koh Mook is known for the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Emerald</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Cave</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
a cave that requires you to swim through an enclosed tunnel of water to get to
a small, open air beach area on the inside.
I found a place that rented kayaks for the day instead of the hour and
was told I could kayak around the island to the cave. I spent most of the day in the kayak,
reveling in the incredible scenery and stopping at a small beach on the
way. A few locals had suggested going to
the cave in the late afternoon after all the tourist ferries had left for the
day. I heeded their advice and got there
to find just a couple small boats anchored outside. I kayaked in through the tunnel all the way
to the opening that ended at a small beach area. It was pretty cool, and I actually had it all
to myself as I was the last one to leave late in the afternoon (although it was
a little creepy kayaking through the dark tunnel with no one else around). <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFE8rH9s0ZiYYiRYNqhFlALYfXUz9jNCku8kTKIdhgDJvkC3CF6WvJg7REvnTDJmxu38YAypFrgzmipv4RIkzFpQvo7moWaSI83BDMM4gDyK9EmeVUNE0N5bwssirJKmvAiBN2_f7ZFh4/s1600/IMG_6398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFE8rH9s0ZiYYiRYNqhFlALYfXUz9jNCku8kTKIdhgDJvkC3CF6WvJg7REvnTDJmxu38YAypFrgzmipv4RIkzFpQvo7moWaSI83BDMM4gDyK9EmeVUNE0N5bwssirJKmvAiBN2_f7ZFh4/s1600/IMG_6398.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbcL7wsA0YbDt3HB1hE2w_lEOb70UhqEYt5SArnJO4j4tIHVyPL_3pGK3bL_zOvkjOm6Mf3YzWbzp1iEkJxFfrSRYBK7rB-RaogEbLDeeeVfgkTtLx9GSdH4xOaPOEvKk6QMTm8NtIcc/s1600/IMG_6415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbcL7wsA0YbDt3HB1hE2w_lEOb70UhqEYt5SArnJO4j4tIHVyPL_3pGK3bL_zOvkjOm6Mf3YzWbzp1iEkJxFfrSRYBK7rB-RaogEbLDeeeVfgkTtLx9GSdH4xOaPOEvKk6QMTm8NtIcc/s1600/IMG_6415.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj016V95HzdUt1uiXRHO5zrIgLh6LPq-B06gUK9GMLAn759-JqVkF4rlI-DAsoLDU1nEHg1vv_39HBT5Thns28M41EJ0txaS_4_wFXa5Mqcnl65cbq3HyH-rUj_yiMHll3Jk78t6LrVzUw/s1600/IMG_6458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj016V95HzdUt1uiXRHO5zrIgLh6LPq-B06gUK9GMLAn759-JqVkF4rlI-DAsoLDU1nEHg1vv_39HBT5Thns28M41EJ0txaS_4_wFXa5Mqcnl65cbq3HyH-rUj_yiMHll3Jk78t6LrVzUw/s1600/IMG_6458.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave entrance - the water really is that beautiful!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsveJUJGSgoe5Apf7M6WitwjClg6YZqoejAzFPx4nK5SMdvOQtbWO-FKhMb4bivioyD8ZzRWK_g1ve3FJlqXSXRz36WkbWC5HqFgSBRQ4jaTJkNfq-g27sona3NL840fXyDOPmUaBXIVI/s1600/IMG_6427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsveJUJGSgoe5Apf7M6WitwjClg6YZqoejAzFPx4nK5SMdvOQtbWO-FKhMb4bivioyD8ZzRWK_g1ve3FJlqXSXRz36WkbWC5HqFgSBRQ4jaTJkNfq-g27sona3NL840fXyDOPmUaBXIVI/s1600/IMG_6427.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through the cave! The hole is where I came out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRBjmzwNAofSmrfyEDQ7UH6YnVrVhqGTIAeKVSBuK4qHflKiTRLMYbVD9prdrA97PYwMg3esSvcRYHReHOBtPMaOy8EeJ8F6983Khj1XZpbw7cGgy7IyMsurU1G22XRyc7gBPm1v5IFE/s1600/IMG_6439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRBjmzwNAofSmrfyEDQ7UH6YnVrVhqGTIAeKVSBuK4qHflKiTRLMYbVD9prdrA97PYwMg3esSvcRYHReHOBtPMaOy8EeJ8F6983Khj1XZpbw7cGgy7IyMsurU1G22XRyc7gBPm1v5IFE/s1600/IMG_6439.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC_mtoKBrrjvTfcJN0mAo-a6xf6i8ZYKybwwvJ_-Eu13MU6Ygldce_hbPyYnrbPoul7dj_5A59lJWFxpS5dZmz1Rw_7v9oYiUj3KYBIa2zV4xejohLlW2ATO0PMw5z8gfGb0ooccv-_8/s1600/IMG_6457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC_mtoKBrrjvTfcJN0mAo-a6xf6i8ZYKybwwvJ_-Eu13MU6Ygldce_hbPyYnrbPoul7dj_5A59lJWFxpS5dZmz1Rw_7v9oYiUj3KYBIa2zV4xejohLlW2ATO0PMw5z8gfGb0ooccv-_8/s1600/IMG_6457.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming back out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8FOYyImlOmjeiWHpKylqfqOJ1QQFRRBzvqYbKyxtnTnO1rBPW57tg83NJFGzyv2A9-TQBHGP4fXup6ITVgpjgWsYYQnvnegvsppd409vzvehtCKbyPJ7JAnWG_c6B9-fMeSBXN7iL14/s1600/IMG_6405+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8FOYyImlOmjeiWHpKylqfqOJ1QQFRRBzvqYbKyxtnTnO1rBPW57tg83NJFGzyv2A9-TQBHGP4fXup6ITVgpjgWsYYQnvnegvsppd409vzvehtCKbyPJ7JAnWG_c6B9-fMeSBXN7iL14/s1600/IMG_6405+(2).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach day at Koh Mook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5l_KBbnYFk6Dzcd0Yzv_J_qYIdHk49MfWgLV5iU56B84EWdNC6OdEtNW3PmsjjNqV6t783Umciy2CPT1oSajP16kZNOQu6CJ-lsFeRN_0t0oCsh9kT9Phz8dPwEYoQYioQHN3zG6C44/s1600/IMG_6481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5l_KBbnYFk6Dzcd0Yzv_J_qYIdHk49MfWgLV5iU56B84EWdNC6OdEtNW3PmsjjNqV6t783Umciy2CPT1oSajP16kZNOQu6CJ-lsFeRN_0t0oCsh9kT9Phz8dPwEYoQYioQHN3zG6C44/s1600/IMG_6481.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsUiDARtmx28AQgmGgw9MeUUt4ywzputGQ2Z25sfVP56iuUrlAyQrPlhSUl12AmffbzzVwWpTY5jFd2QdoY4SLThE5qYbtd9ocVg1RoC1DFxfx9Ya5YqGbFPZ-WYCIkn8RIyRrtmylGM/s1600/IMG_6483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsUiDARtmx28AQgmGgw9MeUUt4ywzputGQ2Z25sfVP56iuUrlAyQrPlhSUl12AmffbzzVwWpTY5jFd2QdoY4SLThE5qYbtd9ocVg1RoC1DFxfx9Ya5YqGbFPZ-WYCIkn8RIyRrtmylGM/s1600/IMG_6483.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping on the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">A couple days later I was headed to Koh Kradan, a nearby island that I’d heard great things about. I was put on a long-tail boat and taken to the entrance of the </span><st1:place style="text-align: start;" w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Emerald</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Cave</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="text-align: start;"> where I was put on one of the tourist ferries that was headed where I wanted to go. As we approached the next island I started to notice the clear emerald water I’d heard so much about here. I asked one of the boat tour guides about where I could camp and he pointed to the end of the island that included the national park area. We got to Koh Kradan and I was in awe of just how gorgeous it was. I got off the boat and after just a few minutes of walking I found the park area. I asked one of the park rangers where I could camp if I had my own tent, and he said wherever. Since there wasn't really anyone around, I picked a spot that looked like it had been previously set-up for a tent space just off the beach. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mt2gteXFa1AIKRI0oO5TIVKei5ciPMBCVvQo46Pv9RsorIZ-hCHHFu3dGiOLBwwlRbtCwwMIOgTlG-TdKD80j5kOcr4OcM2Wh7Y2G7wpByb1Zors1oA31QR8B1bxcnkJZ-QORBmixSI/s1600/IMG_6535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mt2gteXFa1AIKRI0oO5TIVKei5ciPMBCVvQo46Pv9RsorIZ-hCHHFu3dGiOLBwwlRbtCwwMIOgTlG-TdKD80j5kOcr4OcM2Wh7Y2G7wpByb1Zors1oA31QR8B1bxcnkJZ-QORBmixSI/s1600/IMG_6535.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the ferry to Koh Kradan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DLdOHIZ25uwKfh0ggQlNRUI8he_rS1KDJrxCMPZaOpaUMNf6M8asiAThMYdD6bhmn9clAxfkkkbKUsHPSuQrDGQzXOAdGoP0PufOcy0AvbqMlNsAjUm1WCu_B0_uj-eVXBtynR-BL8s/s1600/IMG_6704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DLdOHIZ25uwKfh0ggQlNRUI8he_rS1KDJrxCMPZaOpaUMNf6M8asiAThMYdD6bhmn9clAxfkkkbKUsHPSuQrDGQzXOAdGoP0PufOcy0AvbqMlNsAjUm1WCu_B0_uj-eVXBtynR-BL8s/s1600/IMG_6704.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secluded beach front camping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHMIO4JiWAyPnFnwajSpv68ZirvH1aK5-llAvdGLNU4pmJN2m2MVzS4-A8aF0TpsdIPjrAo6qdNeqNnEBZmZVZ985_cZzfwn6-wSlYoZ7yijUuEd0IufOmxGG46vSz4mXxYSnhqqzdX4/s1600/IMG_6638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHMIO4JiWAyPnFnwajSpv68ZirvH1aK5-llAvdGLNU4pmJN2m2MVzS4-A8aF0TpsdIPjrAo6qdNeqNnEBZmZVZ985_cZzfwn6-wSlYoZ7yijUuEd0IufOmxGG46vSz4mXxYSnhqqzdX4/s1600/IMG_6638.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing on the beach at Koh Kradan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After soaking up the gorgeous views for awhile I set out to
explore on the one path through the island.
The island had no roads and no motor vehicles – it was quiet and
incredible. The path made it’s way to a
small, rocky ‘sunset beach’ and then continued on through the jungle until it
came out through one of the resorts. Koh Kradan was exactly what I’d been looking for. I had secluded beach front camping for 50 baht per night (less than $2) on the most gorgeous beach I'd ever seen in my life. The island was amazing and I spent my time just soaking it all in – in the water, on the beach, on the driftwood swings attached to trees and in a beachside hammock.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsaKRRTA5zECKJnYIpxZX6r96Duy5hOcr5ffV3qVB2XLx8YwhPl1IL0W236TUUVtyinvRt83ZD4g3TfhGc0oOsK5iQjrmeDjTTShSBGxqKOcWv1fue9hzYlPgUzNOkJkfJd16sCIO8aw/s1600/IMG_6539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsaKRRTA5zECKJnYIpxZX6r96Duy5hOcr5ffV3qVB2XLx8YwhPl1IL0W236TUUVtyinvRt83ZD4g3TfhGc0oOsK5iQjrmeDjTTShSBGxqKOcWv1fue9hzYlPgUzNOkJkfJd16sCIO8aw/s1600/IMG_6539.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only path through across the island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJJerHhXLRBPMol_hfRaG1CabVactaBzFtDVCVn4UsMcVw9JtSOBu5MB_epNrO28RoOtgz_xitS2gZERt3T5vha_iWIVMtHQxokDaNhJAss5-LhJUEvJHuRaBt0udQRYj1UbR31aG7ww/s1600/IMG_6552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJJerHhXLRBPMol_hfRaG1CabVactaBzFtDVCVn4UsMcVw9JtSOBu5MB_epNrO28RoOtgz_xitS2gZERt3T5vha_iWIVMtHQxokDaNhJAss5-LhJUEvJHuRaBt0udQRYj1UbR31aG7ww/s1600/IMG_6552.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graveyard of driftwood and washed up debris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmjlTt-eGyr-bxGS5Udwma7cMdq5n6W63eEc5Ywc1kgAin6DmaMRwSpE2IM86lsdLP2HHhtwtKR5kBzUAYTyaNMu1vkIRIq87ZI48BJ-ZY7R4sM83QCllSn4QvcngBh7fBrPQEPSCg4o/s1600/IMG_6589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmjlTt-eGyr-bxGS5Udwma7cMdq5n6W63eEc5Ywc1kgAin6DmaMRwSpE2IM86lsdLP2HHhtwtKR5kBzUAYTyaNMu1vkIRIq87ZI48BJ-ZY7R4sM83QCllSn4QvcngBh7fBrPQEPSCg4o/s1600/IMG_6589.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnkc-lfGWh1i68Iz27JBC8R21bKPmcxgeOLeBt97vVfW5RFDin6ji0NIOuiGqxUvma2NGcHxwr0sJ5SKMXl1Wn8kZUDiitjK50et6sWdbyTfSb0mXvsDlo0MlPMyaJ4JQTKlIWQERIX8/s1600/IMG_6616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnkc-lfGWh1i68Iz27JBC8R21bKPmcxgeOLeBt97vVfW5RFDin6ji0NIOuiGqxUvma2NGcHxwr0sJ5SKMXl1Wn8kZUDiitjK50et6sWdbyTfSb0mXvsDlo0MlPMyaJ4JQTKlIWQERIX8/s1600/IMG_6616.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise, just outside my tent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpzK7bsklBHuUx_Bo6PcB3ggYRe1dP2cpy7_9reZkIiVq8IbkPBD7qNktw10bgeu4mfPjmort_auavP7vx1NfCYtHKU-5Bzxujq8ibdxXGxy_ki4JV7zLg5DVU0yFRqjZSNi2ADhNt4Y/s1600/IMG_6651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpzK7bsklBHuUx_Bo6PcB3ggYRe1dP2cpy7_9reZkIiVq8IbkPBD7qNktw10bgeu4mfPjmort_auavP7vx1NfCYtHKU-5Bzxujq8ibdxXGxy_ki4JV7zLg5DVU0yFRqjZSNi2ADhNt4Y/s1600/IMG_6651.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walked out into the water with my camera - this far out and only up to my knees!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnXwvvGMxPSVuiCyXjuqv8UgzDPyK_tICzuBTCbvtC6Dqksc-4ZSH8XEVPNiEDpBSurz1vaqB0V2Mk_N2W9zC0F2KOyabd0mnb96t3PYAtS8uIerFSyJ7fs-QnMGPmUc3l_BtX2OK3xw/s1600/IMG_6694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnXwvvGMxPSVuiCyXjuqv8UgzDPyK_tICzuBTCbvtC6Dqksc-4ZSH8XEVPNiEDpBSurz1vaqB0V2Mk_N2W9zC0F2KOyabd0mnb96t3PYAtS8uIerFSyJ7fs-QnMGPmUc3l_BtX2OK3xw/s1600/IMG_6694.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusk on the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple days later I somewhat reluctantly intended to make my way to
another island: Koh Ngai. I met the same
tour boat operator I had come to this island with, and he told me to join in
with them as they’d be making their way to Koh Ngai. He let me join in on the rest of their tour – lunch,
snorkeling, and two other small islands included for no extra charge than the
transportation to the next island. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBhhHtprsUKsIqzZfTwon_r2559eVzPoe3nUSTwnre9Y7nWBcKI3s4Smkhob_2pvNMU0D8-W35D1RsZ3_pw3FnK8qwh9LOY_ZjRCD_SDOaNfh6EKfLT7e39GeIytSF5WT5Ovt2VE63ko/s1600/IMG_6761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBhhHtprsUKsIqzZfTwon_r2559eVzPoe3nUSTwnre9Y7nWBcKI3s4Smkhob_2pvNMU0D8-W35D1RsZ3_pw3FnK8qwh9LOY_ZjRCD_SDOaNfh6EKfLT7e39GeIytSF5WT5Ovt2VE63ko/s1600/IMG_6761.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transportation between islands: tour ferry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzb3oq9DyFeHLJo_PXYi2kKexH9iP0C1ezdzw8crkBQ6h8yjfooxVjlY1GS9O0c_b25l0x-QSWqEwrgPr5soxcVzLzfuBmImiOTtdgviuIZAXDXbljgQuIDaYOKFTSB0tF-mFhNoFalOE/s1600/IMG_6737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzb3oq9DyFeHLJo_PXYi2kKexH9iP0C1ezdzw8crkBQ6h8yjfooxVjlY1GS9O0c_b25l0x-QSWqEwrgPr5soxcVzLzfuBmImiOTtdgviuIZAXDXbljgQuIDaYOKFTSB0tF-mFhNoFalOE/s1600/IMG_6737.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snorkeling stop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I got to Koh Ngai I got off and started to make my way
to the opposite end of the beach where I’d heard of a place I could set up my
tent. This island was also gorgeous, but
I couldn’t help but think it paled a little bit in comparison to the personal
paradise I found at Koh Kradan. I found
the place I was looking for: a locally owned area of beachfront property called
Light My Fire Society, run by a Thai man named Don and described as an easy
living freedom camp. Don gave me a spot to set up my tent and even let me borrow a small mattress and pillow as well. It was a great (and cheap) place to stay, and even included night time bonfires with a little live music around the fire.<br />
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I spent my time here in much the same way I had at the
previous island: exploring, relaxing and taking in the gorgeous views. The more I travel by myself the more I enjoy
it. Of course it’s a little bit lonely
sometimes, but to be able to pick up on a whim each and every day without
worrying about someone else’s plans, interests, hesitations or complaints is
pretty awesome. This was the first time
I’d spent my birthday alone with no friends or family around. It felt strange, but being able to celebrate
my 30<sup>th</sup> birthday on a few relatively secluded islands in southern <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region> is
something I might never do again in my life, and it was everything I wanted it
to be. A couple days later I reluctantly bought a ticket to the
ferry and made my way back to the mainland.
I was headed to <st1:city w:st="on">Bangkok</st1:city>
for a week for our Mid-Service Conference.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IwQm92SAc08NreCTX1DSDytbeswOUxmI8e0pdUMsDSDVxqk3EqgFCVdtxpMlNbdTcbOx5TZKPpM7H-2Dcd2iWMi1ak1wvrMk-wlYab9qDBb-EuWH_2Ii_oNd-LyPNy8gCbGW6e7EJ54/s1600/IMG_6432+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IwQm92SAc08NreCTX1DSDytbeswOUxmI8e0pdUMsDSDVxqk3EqgFCVdtxpMlNbdTcbOx5TZKPpM7H-2Dcd2iWMi1ak1wvrMk-wlYab9qDBb-EuWH_2Ii_oNd-LyPNy8gCbGW6e7EJ54/s1600/IMG_6432+(2).JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paradise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-67555899527397775042014-04-22T14:11:00.000+07:002014-04-22T14:11:08.684+07:00Scout Camp<div class="MsoNormal">
March in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>
signals the end of the school year and a long break until mid-May. Prior to the end of the year 5<sup>th</sup>
and 6<sup>th</sup> grade students participate in a Scout Camp, which in my
community was a 2 day overnight event at a military training site near my
community. All the students met at one
of the local schools, dressed in their scout uniforms. Some of the local military personnel were on
hand to escort the students to the camp site and set the tone for the
camp. After a few introductory chants
and role calls, the students marched off toward the camp site, separated into
lines of boys and girls. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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As the teachers headed to the camp site, the students went off on a hike of the surrounding area and arrived a couple hours later. They went through more of the call and response routines before lining up to participate in an introductory routine including some of the following:<br />
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After everyone was finished and the students were arranged
in their linear formations, the staff proceeded to talk through events of the
day and other scout-related business. A
few of the students became very affected by the heat and standing in the
sunshine and were brought over to a shaded area to sit down. I offered my bottle of water to one of them
and took out a collapsible fan I had in my bag to help cool the students down a
bit. Within a few minutes at least 20
other students had either fainted or been carried over to the shade by other
students or a teacher. The uniforms the
students were wearing were made of polyester, and standing in the sun after
hiking around for a few hours with no break and little water was wearing on
them. As I tried to help by grabbing
glasses of water for them, I couldn’t help but become frustrated at the
reaction (or lack thereof) of the teachers and nearby adults. Many of them laughed as they commented on how
hot it was that day as a few others pulled out their ‘sniffing oils’ (usually
used for a ‘pick me up’ in the same way that people use an afternoon cup of
coffee) and making the kids smell them. A
few nearby parents bought some pop or other sugar-filled beverages to offer to
their kids. I tried to lead by example,
taking ice cubes out of the water and showing the kids how to use them to cool
off, and passing out water to everyone I could.
I also tried explaining to the nearby adults why the kids were feeling
this way and what could be done to help them.
As kids were dropping like flies and headed to the shade, the camp
leaders kept on going as the rest of the students continued to stand in the
sun. </div>
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Finally it was break time, and all the students made a
beeline for the shade. I encouraged them
to drink water, almost positive that none of them would heed my advice. I still couldn’t believe the adults had acted
as they did, essentially not responding to the fact that so many students were
becoming so affected by the morning’s activities. This was the first time I had such a strong
internal reaction to something here and made me really think about our vastly
different cultural backgrounds and how they impacted our responses to this
situation. It was hard to make peace
with this at the time, give that the health and safety of the students was
potentially at-risk. However, part of
this whole experience is cultural immersion and exchange and, even though it’s
hard sometimes, I have to look at things from a much different perspective to
be able to even begin to understand them.
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The rest of the scout camp included an obstacle course full
of activities, giving the students a chance to test their strengths. <br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">The evening activities revolved around a bonfire and some ceremonial activities that I didn’t totally understand, but was entertained by nonetheless. Each school was represented by a group of students acting out skits or songs for the rest of the camp. </span></div>
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As the bonfire events wrapped up, the scout camp leader went over the list of activities for the next morning. The students then bough their last round of evening snacks (pop and meat sticks – healthy options everywhere!) and separated into their male and female sleeping areas for the night. The next morning the students were up early for exercise, breakfast, and camp clean-up. The students participated in their last scout lineup before making the rounds to give each other congratulations and a final camp farewell. </div>
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Salutes all around</div>
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Headed home: safety first. </div>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-1552848552029124742014-04-10T23:00:00.003+07:002014-04-10T23:00:36.463+07:00Adventures in Thainapping <div class="MsoNormal">
Thainap (v.) – to kidnap a farang (foreigner), with little
or no warning to join in on a bpai tiao (trip), usually of unknown length with
an undisclosed destination; may include a sizeable group of people from the
community, lots of pictures, many stops, naps in the car, and a constant sense
of confusion with no discernible return time</div>
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Thainapping is a common occurrence with PCVs in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>. It can include anything from a meal in a
nearby town to an all-day excursion in your pajamas (because you don’t know
what’s going on, let alone where you’re going/what you’ll be doing). The weekend after sports week I was looking forward to a
free schedule and time to relax and recover from the exhaustion of sitting
around in the first hot week in quite some time, talking to almost everyone I
know. At 7am my phone rang, and seeing
that it was an unknown number I just glanced at it, muted it, and went back to
sleep. I subsequently got phone call
after phone call until I picked up and was greeted with an enthusiastic voice
of a teacher I had just met earlier in the week
(the Thai approach to phone calls: if the person you’re calling
doesn’t pick up, keep calling until they do).
She asked what I was doing (sleeping because I'm so tired!) and if I wanted
to go bpai tiaoing with them to a nearby province (no, I want to sleep). I’m not any sort of a morning person and am
definitely not eager to engage in any sort of conversation immediately upon
waking, especially one in my non-native language. After being unable to go back to
sleep, I got up and shortly received another phone call from another teacher I
had just met, telling me they were picking me up in 20 minutes. Sleeping and relaxation were no longer an
option – I was bpai tiaoing. </div>
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I grabbed the few bpai tiao essentials I thought of –
camera, snacks, kindle, water – and headed out for a day full of unknown
activities with no idea when I’d be back.
I was told we were helping a teacher move to a new school, and then we
were going to bpai tiao after that. We
stopped to pick up some of the belongings of the teacher who was moving, and
were subsequently invited to eat breakfast.
I got to experience red ant larvae soup for the first time, and I can’t
say I really enjoyed it. I also ate
something that looked like dark green vomit and tasted kind of like salsa (I’ve
long since learned that a lot of things that might look terrible can actually
taste good, so everything is worth trying).
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We finally got on the road a couple hours after the
designated time of departure. We went to
the new residence of the teacher, but no one was there yet with the rest of her
belongings, so we bpai tiao’ed a little bit instead – a stop for lunch and a
quick visit to a school located in the middle of nowhere in the mountains. After getting back to the house, unloading
the teacher’s belongings, and some idle chatter, I think it’s time to head back
home. It’s getting late in the
afternoon, and it’s already been a full day.
At this point everyone loads up into two cars – apparently the bpai tiao
has just started. We stop for coffee and
hit the road for another hour, driving through winding roads to visit a temple
located on a mountain top, that was actually pretty amazing. We took plenty of time for photos and
exploring the temple before loading up in the cars again.</div>
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Mountain top temple</div>
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Part of the group - we rearranged this picture no less than 5 times so different people could stand next to me and swap in/out of the picture</div>
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Inside with the Buddha</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzZSkjrCVCL950Wkg21g5USyn6d7LMTCuvCzMlbGIMs3IdFrIpkq3T3enNLKIrxxlFvOQvtm5lA4TmKIRijeglNDglG6XOXgbwE-yLZEQsTV0PS0sucrcPn5kYOgw4O3zqoL1kWHSVW4/s1600/IMG_6059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzZSkjrCVCL950Wkg21g5USyn6d7LMTCuvCzMlbGIMs3IdFrIpkq3T3enNLKIrxxlFvOQvtm5lA4TmKIRijeglNDglG6XOXgbwE-yLZEQsTV0PS0sucrcPn5kYOgw4O3zqoL1kWHSVW4/s1600/IMG_6059.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dogs with pearl necklaces and cats in Santa hats are prohibited</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjA9o_R8ke5Da0nGfWe9mn8zrutGbKf_KuQC9Z8UkklqBRyzpR7qj2VJeDvuaTwTIj47_h8CApu_50gWrWsbqjXNvnqIv7e0laYdwZRmDL9SlMPxlgY-8TRP0CL8UTU72I86fdvwWhJ34/s1600/IMG_6072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjA9o_R8ke5Da0nGfWe9mn8zrutGbKf_KuQC9Z8UkklqBRyzpR7qj2VJeDvuaTwTIj47_h8CApu_50gWrWsbqjXNvnqIv7e0laYdwZRmDL9SlMPxlgY-8TRP0CL8UTU72I86fdvwWhJ34/s1600/IMG_6072.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Hike up to the Chedi</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgdc5U1B5p9CAXkS6IN9R8W1SUbOAsK38dbayeMIYOICLOGXBPglpDLDwMZVYMpFAdcGXzDF7QxwmMN9Nbw9HNAlOAaVJmlxPTKlDzMmSpU-xsbK86INtqJ9FvbHxxwLxbBadNelj3qA/s1600/IMG_6057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgdc5U1B5p9CAXkS6IN9R8W1SUbOAsK38dbayeMIYOICLOGXBPglpDLDwMZVYMpFAdcGXzDF7QxwmMN9Nbw9HNAlOAaVJmlxPTKlDzMmSpU-xsbK86INtqJ9FvbHxxwLxbBadNelj3qA/s1600/IMG_6057.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bpai tiao companions</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcgEmHDnIlVdQJnwrr32mP0rEpYczyH_TSnKuJOLOPW0gIZOaSgZ38VQ2gvKP9VWehFlJZbU0_AhQuWw4u2XE2BC_q6Mbm-knOXXY7NEUJXYnzAKxX6uLGDbeksMJCzhTaqgzpZAlz7E/s1600/IMG_6076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcgEmHDnIlVdQJnwrr32mP0rEpYczyH_TSnKuJOLOPW0gIZOaSgZ38VQ2gvKP9VWehFlJZbU0_AhQuWw4u2XE2BC_q6Mbm-knOXXY7NEUJXYnzAKxX6uLGDbeksMJCzhTaqgzpZAlz7E/s1600/IMG_6076.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Just when I think we’re finally headed home, we make a stop
for neua yang, a special occasion dinner of grilling meats and vegetables that
is usually at least a 2 hour event. I
was exhausted by this point and had long since given up on my day of relaxation
and nothingness. The meal was great, we
had some laughs, and I was finally returned home at 10:30pm. </div>
mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-27583610374676723082014-03-14T11:06:00.000+07:002014-03-14T11:07:40.096+07:00School Sports Week <div class="MsoNormal">
My community recently hosted their annual sports
competitions for students in the 7 schools in my district. I’ve seen teachers prepping and kids
practicing for these events ever since the start of the current term in
November. This seems to be one of the
highlights of the school year and the big event of the second school term. The week kicked off with a parade featuring
each school with a banner, the participating athletes, and kids of various ages
dressed up in costumes and a whole lot of make-up. After spending a few hours on parading and presentation and one last parade around the soccer
field for a final judging, it was time for food and a rest before the
competitions really started. First up: a
football (soccer) game between the area male teachers and the male SAO
staff. Why? Because I’ve stopped asking questions and
just take things as they come now, that’s why.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTgID6m8x-5B4EESh51VObybISBh68Wgr6CKo387G9N_JlNeWbu02TOyR9kem7yng92P5rbJaQILrukk2Uw4gSGaG2aqXyJ3RXa0ZaMVgbCkUy8wbrKTHZa6ILF3HOT5YVh7HWZE02UA/s1600/IMG_5806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTgID6m8x-5B4EESh51VObybISBh68Wgr6CKo387G9N_JlNeWbu02TOyR9kem7yng92P5rbJaQILrukk2Uw4gSGaG2aqXyJ3RXa0ZaMVgbCkUy8wbrKTHZa6ILF3HOT5YVh7HWZE02UA/s1600/IMG_5806.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pre-parade prep</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbit1ggZ4ndVpiN30mPBwSl6jwIUho8BM5fiKBbEtN-fwcAg5IuEJTYv5t-dqCyn41_80Weg8kvD72TocELJVr0tDbTWmZfg1155zYZCybRBM7e3KEilI68AO9k2ZyughSlecYw7o4Ps/s1600/IMG_5813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbit1ggZ4ndVpiN30mPBwSl6jwIUho8BM5fiKBbEtN-fwcAg5IuEJTYv5t-dqCyn41_80Weg8kvD72TocELJVr0tDbTWmZfg1155zYZCybRBM7e3KEilI68AO9k2ZyughSlecYw7o4Ps/s1600/IMG_5813.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Each school also had their own 'band': pictured here</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKIVVppPMggkJwC5axmAstU8ax1JO_slxE7gaL5O8Zc3oLlmV35ywnWda-Y9Bm9XJ4tGpCmJVNI8nfxyvoRrUJW90Lx4BUAxPkOCPxTfZtgvNf9u8Preg482gTsi3f94cfylWneHkEMQ/s1600/IMG_5847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKIVVppPMggkJwC5axmAstU8ax1JO_slxE7gaL5O8Zc3oLlmV35ywnWda-Y9Bm9XJ4tGpCmJVNI8nfxyvoRrUJW90Lx4BUAxPkOCPxTfZtgvNf9u8Preg482gTsi3f94cfylWneHkEMQ/s1600/IMG_5847.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kicking off the sports competitions</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The next several days included many, many competitions
between students in the main sports categories: football (soccer), volleyball,
dtagraw (like volleyball with a shorter net, smaller ball and played with your
feet/head), petanque (like bocce ball), and running events. I spent the week supporting the kids,
chatting with teachers and people I knew from around the community and eating –
always eating. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyn9W9VAhnghuth0bZuamA1pCaZn5m55i6zMO2vJAWUyI9SBkCLzBHyx0eNyyLP7pxMY5glJ_Xco3-A5gPFpB4IfPXskhwBoprLE91TftICZM63kDVnuAZgZzbHzMypP1ntQrP6xrJjg/s1600/IMG_5860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyn9W9VAhnghuth0bZuamA1pCaZn5m55i6zMO2vJAWUyI9SBkCLzBHyx0eNyyLP7pxMY5glJ_Xco3-A5gPFpB4IfPXskhwBoprLE91TftICZM63kDVnuAZgZzbHzMypP1ntQrP6xrJjg/s1600/IMG_5860.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dtagraw</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT07fE1SHgJJ32TKx96qnL3be7KEPG8rtU6FIKsCTcvFwJWhRb7USOgq0oMFxIYCmK4Ty3dDxIGsuknnKCj5Kuw_WpLThiqSyM4NkxJs2M-Mrvg8Uc2MZyuT1QzimnMocD5qIt56bz9vM/s1600/IMG_5941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT07fE1SHgJJ32TKx96qnL3be7KEPG8rtU6FIKsCTcvFwJWhRb7USOgq0oMFxIYCmK4Ty3dDxIGsuknnKCj5Kuw_WpLThiqSyM4NkxJs2M-Mrvg8Uc2MZyuT1QzimnMocD5qIt56bz9vM/s1600/IMG_5941.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Relay races</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6AdKk8NkUNP47BA0Vfr6bg61bDXGeG7U00GE9fx9KI13UiZUq1eFBruWtbvp0zESKrLqy6ik9Gq_Z24SkqxvH83aAfsu3DaM5G-1_JKwboZcu5OxC0gzEy8FpTSyCeYwwElz2A5Y7c/s1600/IMG_5999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-W6AdKk8NkUNP47BA0Vfr6bg61bDXGeG7U00GE9fx9KI13UiZUq1eFBruWtbvp0zESKrLqy6ik9Gq_Z24SkqxvH83aAfsu3DaM5G-1_JKwboZcu5OxC0gzEy8FpTSyCeYwwElz2A5Y7c/s1600/IMG_5999.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Volleyball</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3utoWsiDT3m4V_yySTn-2HAKdtvF5ucYxvdHvNvl-1xqCH-JuA55uIqnlqFzzSFz7yoJjR516VhwTap0-BGJvog_e1LwwtmltaR2YcnCcw7PsfkDNZln84RzLJ9X9AgA59AEV6Q2L2pg/s1600/IMG_5852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3utoWsiDT3m4V_yySTn-2HAKdtvF5ucYxvdHvNvl-1xqCH-JuA55uIqnlqFzzSFz7yoJjR516VhwTap0-BGJvog_e1LwwtmltaR2YcnCcw7PsfkDNZln84RzLJ9X9AgA59AEV6Q2L2pg/s1600/IMG_5852.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Spectators</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOV1Qr0OLFrh3t7VPj-UJkqLWUGFsVNDgiauUbQrG0IxUi2z78PH6tGAZdVxeBFk3U3sFKGT2ANAD7WZSa8mgJmU-yDHOyjvKN7aH7IcTp0wYKaYATGIqGUK4KkY0Dr3YHHLBJ1r2U-s/s1600/IMG_5890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOV1Qr0OLFrh3t7VPj-UJkqLWUGFsVNDgiauUbQrG0IxUi2z78PH6tGAZdVxeBFk3U3sFKGT2ANAD7WZSa8mgJmU-yDHOyjvKN7aH7IcTp0wYKaYATGIqGUK4KkY0Dr3YHHLBJ1r2U-s/s1600/IMG_5890.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Football (soccer)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqKCEQeBoHnEqwufBC7McqE97qhAgdq9pq7zQs6lYk5v7bQgoRJieYEnrH86XJUuAi8BEapBT2THiRqBc0SV3qrwNMMDNsCj_74zhiHiJDH8sYxJVP4FhsvRRV-sCsBpxwQmQlu4g2nM/s1600/IMG_5924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqKCEQeBoHnEqwufBC7McqE97qhAgdq9pq7zQs6lYk5v7bQgoRJieYEnrH86XJUuAi8BEapBT2THiRqBc0SV3qrwNMMDNsCj_74zhiHiJDH8sYxJVP4FhsvRRV-sCsBpxwQmQlu4g2nM/s1600/IMG_5924.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Petanque </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d2iWdFNPvjCmoSWgphxj2I1x8bRNVjED5wdOZQLCUnOS6cld91yREsBViNJEESzx95g8vwIHDGUoC6t5gMgWcdQR_99w0v9frix8YJJM8E5afAeQPhkdtVG9CR1Z4spraYzdNLo4Ak8/s1600/IMG_5928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-d2iWdFNPvjCmoSWgphxj2I1x8bRNVjED5wdOZQLCUnOS6cld91yREsBViNJEESzx95g8vwIHDGUoC6t5gMgWcdQR_99w0v9frix8YJJM8E5afAeQPhkdtVG9CR1Z4spraYzdNLo4Ak8/s1600/IMG_5928.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Measuring to find the closest ball</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Thai people aren’t what I would consider competitive by
nature, so I was surprised at just how much everyone got to be so invested in the
outcomes of various matches and competitions.
Each school is associated with a different village in the community, so
various community leaders and parents came out throughout the week to support
the kids and playfully chastise their rivals. In true Thai fashion, loudspeakers were set up around the
hosting school grounds for use by the ‘MC’ of the week. Not a minute was silent as he
enthusiastically played music during breaks, commented on the weather, discussed
what was for lunch with guest commentators, and described/discussed the
appearances and body shapes of various athletes as they competed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
On the second to last night of the competitions it was time
for ‘Sports Night’, an event for all the teachers and principals that included
dinner, drinks and of course, karaoke and dancing. It was great to be able to support the kids
throughout the week. It was nice to see
a lot of the people I know in the community throughout the week and see all the
schools come together for an event like this.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN4qWbKDCFwQcUYDXyLQjHlfhDu4u6r-0FHx0bPHL5LXlw3kAJniqz-kbLK2NdQPhJC8dqn_QBfKcDJlqiTFBGnZafs2N_QG7OmMzUk6s_fsJ2e8osoQFjCHyLr60YNT_dKzi4oHM0Ck/s1600/IMG_5959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN4qWbKDCFwQcUYDXyLQjHlfhDu4u6r-0FHx0bPHL5LXlw3kAJniqz-kbLK2NdQPhJC8dqn_QBfKcDJlqiTFBGnZafs2N_QG7OmMzUk6s_fsJ2e8osoQFjCHyLr60YNT_dKzi4oHM0Ck/s1600/IMG_5959.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The main MC of Sports Week</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaxuL4r4PQFxHoPT0ZkvVniNaByh0_3hNDW6-59RA2GjBuN5NvmvsVTj_lgT1gDpCvtlJH1oC3VXpzgAI1ttMv9Q-WgQQBLHk3Eri2gF9RwFuqPXvBM7GpGZ7Iujzc8eNYo6xljXpFTo/s1600/IMG_5966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaxuL4r4PQFxHoPT0ZkvVniNaByh0_3hNDW6-59RA2GjBuN5NvmvsVTj_lgT1gDpCvtlJH1oC3VXpzgAI1ttMv9Q-WgQQBLHk3Eri2gF9RwFuqPXvBM7GpGZ7Iujzc8eNYo6xljXpFTo/s1600/IMG_5966.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dancing and karaoke</div>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-57333969058730021692014-03-05T09:21:00.000+07:002014-03-05T09:21:07.173+07:00New kids: PST revisited <div class="MsoNormal">
I'm halfway done with my Peace Corps service. The group ahead of me is getting ready to finish, travel the world a little bit and return back to America. The group behind me is well into their pre-service training, on their way to becoming volunteers in a few weeks. I'm somewhere in the middle and struggling with what I hope is the end of what Peace Corps refers to as a 'midservice crisis': the time when you reevaluate, come to terms with what you've done so far (or more likely haven't done) and the fact that you've got another year of service ahead. During our two day staging event in America before leaving for Thailand, someone offered a bit of advice to the tune of, 'when you're up, blog about it; when you're down, journal about it.' My journal has seen a lot of love in the last month (thanks to my brother for giving me such an awesome one), but to be honest, Peace Corps is hard and everybody has their fair share of bad days. It's an experience full of ups and downs, a constant roller coaster that has an as-yet-to-be-determined course and destination.<br />
<br />
A couple weeks ago I got to travel back to the place it all began in central Thailand to help the new group of volunteers with their training for a week. A year later I’ve got perspective, experience
and more than enough stories to share as I quickly realized I’ve become part of
the group of ‘older kids’, the seasoned veterans of Peace Corps Thailand that
the new group has already started to look to for advice, support, and answers for all the weird
questions that are unique to the life of a PCV. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Spending a week with the new group of volunteers gave
me a lot of perspective and a good opportunity to see how far I’ve really come
since I was sitting in their shoes at this time last year. It also gave me a bit of renewed inspiration as I
was able to see their excitement, curiosity and anticipation of everything to
come in their experiences. I remember what it was like to be where they are and I appreciate my current perspective based on all of my experiences.</span><br />
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Flashbacks from my own PST last year - nice to be on the other side of things!</div>
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Observing Life Skills activities facilitated by the trainees </div>
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I couldn't help but reflect back on my own arrival in Thailand just over a year ago as I began this crazy journey. I remember the exhaustion from well over a full day spent in airports and airplanes and the few hours of sleep we were afforded before jumping right in to training. When I started PST, 27 months seemed like a daunting commitment - even the 10 weeks of training seemed overwhelming (and subsequently proved to be) and I looked at the training schedule thinking that the end of it seemed so far away. I remember all of the new things and 'firsts' and sometimes feeling like my head was going to explode for so many reasons and doing this all with a group of 50 strangers that were supposed to be my new friends. Now I'm halfway through my 27 months and have formed friendships with people that will last beyond our time together in Thailand. There's a new group of people sitting where I was a year ago and it makes me appreciate everything I've experienced in the last year (and realize that I wouldn't trade places with them for anything).<br />
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Prior to the week with the new volunteers, I stopped to visit my Thai host family from PST last year. I got to spend some time with the people who hosted me for my first few months in Thailand and taught me a lot about culture and family life. My host mom made my favorite Thai dishes and I enjoyed much richer conversations with my increased language skills. It was great to go back.<br />
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My original Thai host mom and sister</div>
<br />mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-44270620464522894532014-02-05T08:35:00.000+07:002014-02-21T15:19:25.367+07:00Live Like a PCV Challenge Inspired by a <a href="http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/2011/02/live-like-a-peace-corps-volunteer-challenge/">'Live Like a Peace Corps Volunteer'</a> challenge created by PCV's in Mongolia, I've adapted it to my Peace Corps experience to come up with 'Live like a PCV Challenge: Thailand Edition' as a way of sharing a some of my daily experiences here. If you're interested in completing the challenge, please do - and tell me about your experience!<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Live like a PCV Challenge: <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region>
Edition <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>*Peace Corps currently has volunteers serving in countries all over the
world. While every country is different,
every Peace Corps Volunteer makes sacrifices and adjustments from the country
and culture they come from in order to successfully integrate into their host
country and culture. All volunteers in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region> have
unique experiences with varying levels of difficulties and sacrifices. This challenge is based on some common
experiences of Peace Corps Volunteers serving in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Thailand, specifically the experience of a PCV living in the northeast region of Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Choose a week that you want to dedicate to the challenge and pick the level you think you can complete. Keep a journal, write a blog, or find a challenge buddy and share your experiences throughout the week. It’s
up to you to keep yourself honest (think about it: PCV’s live with a lot of
these situations for the majority of their 27 months of service – this is just
7 days)! <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Level 1 – Mosquito (choose two)</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">No
microwave </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">No
washing machine (hand wash clothes only) </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">No
credit/debit cards – all purchases must be made with cash </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">No hot
showers</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Level 2 – Monkey (choose two, plus one from level 1)</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">No use
of the oven. You can use a single
stove-top burner only</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">No
television </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">No
internet at home (internet at work or school only)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Buy
all food and produce locally </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">No
fast food</li>
</ul>
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Level 3 – Dog (choose two, plus one from level 2 or two from
level 1)</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">No
navigation systems – if you need directions somewhere you need to ask
someone how to get there</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">No
temperature adjustments at home or in the car (air conditioning, heat) </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Start
and finish a book </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Eat
all dinners at home with family </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Dress
code for work/school: females – no shorts/skirts above the knee, no
revealed shoulders. males –
collared shirt and long pants</li>
</ul>
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Level 4 – Tiger (choose two plus: one from level 3, or two
from level 2, or three from level 1)</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">No
running water for showers </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Greet
everyone you encounter with personal questions (without any small talk
introductions) such as: Where are you going? Where have you been? What are
you doing today? Have you eaten yet? What are you having for dinner? Where
are you going this weekend? What did you eat for breakfast (or lunch, or
dinner)?</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">No
driving. You can use a bicycle,
public transportation, or rely on rides from friends or family members </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Internet
access for only one day </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Listen
to the national anthem every day at 8am and 6pm, while standing respectfully
(times may be adjusted slightly for work/school schedules)</li>
</ul>
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Level 5 – Elephant (choose two plus one from each previous
level)</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">No
English, except at work/school </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Eat
rice with at least 2 meals per day </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">No
electricity two nights this week.
You can use only the battery life of electronic devices (this
includes no internet) </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">No
refrigerator use </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">No running
water for three evenings (can be consecutive or not)</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keep a journal during the week and make notes of your
experiences at the end of each day.
Write down any questions that come up during the week about your
personal sacrifices or cultural differences. Be honest! If you find one day particularly challenging or are unable to complete the full challenge, do what you can and tell me about it! See what happens and take a look at the questions below. </div>
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<br /></div>
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At the end of the week, take a few minutes to reflect on
your experience and consider the following questions: </div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Were
you able to complete the challenge at the level you chose? If so, do you think you could complete a
higher level? (Try it!) If not, what stood in
the way of completion? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">What
was the most difficult thing about this challenge?</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Did your personal challenge affect other people in your life? If so, how? How did they respond? </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">What
did you learn during this week?</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">What questions came up during this challenge or after completion? </li>
</ol>
<div>
I'd love to hear about any and all experiences you might have with the challenge, whether it's succeeding at level 5 for a week, doing level 1 for a month, or trying level 3 for 2 days and hating it. Feel free to e-mail your experiences, comments, or questions to <b>mamie.tisue@gmail.com. </b>Chok dii (good luck)!<br />
<br />
Want to learn more or share your experiences with more people? Check out/join this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/thailandtoamerica/">Facebook group</a> and share your thoughts!<br />
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These kids survive without internet...can you? </div>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-49532679883627857182014-01-29T11:17:00.000+07:002014-01-29T11:17:10.662+07:00BTF, Phu Kradung and the one year mark<div class="MsoNormal">
January has somehow flown by as I’ve now passed the one year
mark of arriving in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>. This month has included one of the most
memorable activities I’ve participated in so far during my Peace Corps service
– a BTF camp. BTF (Brighter Thailand
Foundation) is a non-profit organization based out of the <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Missouri</st1:placename> that supports leadership
camps for youth in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>. The six day camp includes local University
students, global ambassadors (such as PC volunteers and in the case of this
camp, a few University students from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Korea</st1:country-region>), and local high school and
primary school students. They’ve done
several camps throughout <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>,
and this one was held in Nong Khai, the northernmost province in northeast <st1:place w:st="on">Thailand</st1:place>. The first few days serve as a ‘train the
trainer’ model of working with 15 high school students on various games and
activities, preparing them to facilitate camp activities for the primary school
students who arrive on the 4<sup>th</sup> day of the camp. Each day includes activities, songs, and
games that run all day and through the evening.
Evenings provided opportunities for many games of mafia and a few open
question/answer sessions for the campers to get to know the University students
and global ambassadors. The students
were great, each day was full of smiles and laughs and by the end of the week
none of the kids wanted to leave (I didn’t really, either). It was a great experience for all and I was
really happy to be a part of it.</div>
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Group work: 5 most important things in life</div>
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Human knot </div>
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Act it out: each person acts out a word for the next person with no words; the person at the end has to try to guess the original word - usually wound up in laughs </div>
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Primary school campers arrive!</div>
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Blindfold obstacle course: practicing directions in English</div>
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Campfire night</div>
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Teamwork</div>
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Who can make the longest line?</div>
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Team Free Style </div>
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Capture the flag</div>
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Jumping pictures: always a must </div>
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Global Ambassadors and High School students </div>
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Me with a few of the campers</div>
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Korean University students </div>
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Last day goodbyes</div>
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Last weekend I took a couple buses a couple hours away to
climb a mountain and go camping. Four of
us (a fellow PCV friend, his sister and her fiancée) hiked up the winding paths
and after about 4 hours, reached the top where we walked almost another hour to
the campsite. After setting up my newly
purchased mini-tent for myself we all set out for another 9k hike to see some
cliffs and the sunset. A long walk and a
few short runs later, we made it to the sunset cliff just after sunset, but
just in time to see the beautiful view against the evening glow. After a brief rest, many pictures and a few
snacks, we headed out for another 9k hike back to the campsite. Being at the top of a mountain during cold
season proved to be pretty cold, though I’m trying to appreciate the chill as I
know the sweaty days of hot season are creeping closer. The next day we packed up and headed back
down the mountain and back to site. </div>
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Phu Kradung Conqueror: at the top</div>
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Made it to the sunset cliff just after sunset</div>
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Sunset cliff </div>
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View from the top</div>
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Sunrise </div>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-35293528456173863542014-01-09T09:39:00.000+07:002014-01-09T09:39:02.448+07:00Tisues in ThailandIt's h<span style="text-align: center;">ard to keep track of seasons and time of year when you live in a climate where the seasons are jokingly referred to as hot, hotter, and hottest. When December and 'holiday season' rolled around, it was hard to think about Christmas time, baking cookies, shopping, trees, lights, and everything else that goes with the holiday season when I could still walk around in a t-shirt during the day and had no visual signs of Christmas anywhere. Being primarily a Buddhist country, Thailand doesn't celebrate Christmas as a major holiday. The only reminders of the holiday season were in Bangkok, where Christmas displays showed up in all the shopping areas and holiday music played strangely in the background (I found it strangely annoying for some reason - maybe because I wasn't home? because it just didn't belong? because most of those songs are just inherently annoying?). I didn't mind being so separated from all the holiday stuff, surprisingly, and I was also looking forward to a visit from my family during Christmas time. </span><br />
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After being in Thailand for almost a year, I forgot just how much I've learned, adjusted, and adapted to everything here. My family arrived and I kept finding so many things to tell them about regarding culture, language, and every day nuances of my life here. We spent their first day in Bangkok - visited a couple temples, ate some street food and my family tried to deal with the exhaustion that comes after flying for a full day and now being 13 hours ahead of the time zone they're used to.<br />
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All of us at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok </div>
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Like the locals: dabbling in the smelling oils for a mid-morning boost - a must-have for many Thais (I think I got these two hooked, as my sister subsequently bought several more for 'gifts' to take back home)</div>
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After a full night of rest we headed to my site. I'd already told my family about the hospitality and generosity of Thai people and all the things they'd do for us/with us during their visit, although I think they had no idea what to really expect. Their first impression of my site was a visit to the local area sports competition between government organizations (such as my office, the local health stations, and other government offices in my area). It was an hour full of food, soccer, drinking, dancers, and the overall over-stimulation that comes with so many things in Thailand - in general, a great first experience and introduction to my life and community.<br />
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Lunch at the sports competition while the game goes on, largely unnoticed beside us</div>
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One of my favorite people in my community, my first host mom, had invited my family for breakfast on Christmas morning. She came and picked us all up, took us back to her house and offered us a meal full of all my favorite things and then some. When I asked if she was going to join us to eat, her response was that she was too happy and excited to sit and eat. After breakfast we walked with her through the orchards in her backyard as she talked about how much she enjoys working (she's a retired government officer but sells fruit at the markets every evening) and gathered some rose apples and pomelo to send home with us.<br />
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Post-breakfast blessings </div>
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Discussing fruits and labor with a walk through the orchards</div>
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The rest of the time at my site was full of meeting people, visiting schools, dabbling in some of the local sports and eating non-stop. My supervisor and his family prepared an amazing Thai meal for us on Christmas Eve, determined to make our holidays away from home warm and enjoyable. We enjoyed some local beer and a fantastic home-cooked Thai meal outside under the stars at his nephew's outdoor cafe.<br />
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Thai Christmas Eve Dinner</div>
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Christmas dinner was a mix of America and Thailand. My current host family had been convinced that we should eat pizza and french fries and had invited us out to the local pizza place 30km away. I explained my family's desire for Thai food and suggested neua yang (literally - grilled meat), a meal often reserved for special occasions and 2 hour lunches. Determined to give us a taste of home, we had an appetizer of french fries before dinner. My family had brought me a suitcase full of treats and things from America, one of which was ranch dressing mix. Reminded of my love of ranch dressing with french fries (with most things, really), I mixed some up for everyone to try, and consequently got my host family hooked on it at first taste. Of all the things I've made for them/introduced them to, this one received the best review by far.<br />
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Christmas Dinner: grilled meat and french fries </div>
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Our visits to the schools were short but fun and included games, sports and some surprise songs by the kids that had been prepared for us in advance (one of my favorites: an original, mostly improvised despite being practiced several times, 'merry christmas' song by a class of 1st graders). <br />
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The message that came with the Christmas song</div>
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Petanque (like bocce ball) with the kids</div>
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It was great to finally show my family the community and people I've gotten to know during the past year. I was able to appreciate how far I've come, despite my own critical views of my lack of perceived progress at site. I realized just how much my Thai language skills have progressed as I translated everything from Thai to English and then back again, which was great but exhausting. The experiences shared between my family and the people throughout my community were pretty amazing, and seeing them interact with each other was something for which I had a special appreciation. It's easy to doubt my success and question my impact on a daily basis when nothing really seems like it's happening; but with my family's visit I was able to see the connections made and slow but definitive progress made in more areas than just my designated project assignment.<br />
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After my site we headed south, at which time I greatly appreciated the pampering of a short airplane flight (all the free things!) as opposed to many long hours on a bus next to a stranger that will inevitably spend the better part of the ride asleep on me. Phuket is Thailand's biggest island, and I'm not really sure it can be considered an 'island'. We drove over an hour from the airport to our hotel, through a maze of busy Thai communities alongside many, many minivans and buses full of farangs. We spent a day on the beach - the water was beautiful and the perfect temperature. We also spent a day on a guided tour of a few neighboring islands via speed boat. The islands were beautiful, the snorkeling we did was absolutely incredible, and we ended the day at the island where "The Beach" was filmed, along with too many other tourists and their accompanying tour boats. It really was beautiful and makes me anxious to explore the many islands in the south. The 'speed boat' ride was no joke: my sister and I ended up sitting at the very back of the boat, the prime spot for getting mauled in the face with salt water every 10-15 seconds. Luckily we were able to make good use of our snorkeling equipment and used it to block the non-stop barrages of water from our eyes.<br />
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Hazy view from the top of Phuket</div>
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Beach.</div>
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Thai style: me and my siblings </div>
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With my parents at Maya Bay</div>
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No filter - it really looks like this</div>
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It was great to be able to do so much with my family in a short amount of time, and I think we were all able to take some things away from the trip. It was amazing to me to see how my community made such an attempt to make Christmas special for me and my family in so many different ways. Despite being a very non-traditional celebration, I think it was rather enjoyable for everyone involved and I was happy to be able to celebrate Christmas, in a very Thai way, with my family.<br />
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-17468772723177740562013-12-16T14:52:00.001+07:002013-12-16T14:52:14.961+07:00The one where I got cold in Thailand <div class="MsoNormal">
It’s cold season in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>. At least once a day someone asks me ‘nao
mai?’ (are you cold?) and my answer is always no, with a smile. I explain that ‘cold season’ in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region> is like my summers in <st1:country-region w:st="on">America - t</st1:country-region>he weather is perfect and I love
cold season. Students come to
school with jackets and long sleeves under their school uniforms. I see people in the community putting on scarves
and hats and wearing what look like winter coats. They think it’s funny that I still walk
around in short sleeves with no coat on.
They laugh at me and discuss the fact that the farang isn’t cold
yet. My office building, the local
government administration building, recently held a meeting to pass out bundles
of blankets to village representatives to distribute to people in their
communities to keep warm. It was a lot of blankets, and most people receiving them were dressed in coats and hats. It's funny to think about Thai people getting cold when it's 75 degrees outside. </div>
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Then today it got cold. It
hasn’t rained in quite a while here, and last night I heard sounds of
torrential downpours outside my open windows.
I’ve been wanting rain and appreciated the sound. This morning I put on pants and my one long
sleeve shirt, thinking it’d be a little cooler with the continuous drizzle I
noticed outside. I grabbed my rain coat
as I headed out on my bike, mostly so I wouldn’t get wet on the short ride to
my Monday school (not because of the cold).
I still haven’t taken my coat off.
When the teachers commented on the weather I finally agreed with them
that yes, it was cold. I checked the
temperature and it was 63 degrees. I
looked at temperatures around <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>,
expecting I might see similar numbers, but <st1:city w:st="on">Bangkok</st1:city> was at least 20 degrees warmer. My barefoot toes have been cold all day. I’ve blown on my hands a few times to warm
them up. At lunch time I was told we
were going home to eat. We usually eat
lunch under a little pavilion outside at the school, but today they said it was
too cold for that. I went home with the
teacher I live with and we ate hot soup with rice and then had hot coffee
afterwards. On the drive back to school
I noticed people bundled up outside and a few fires lit under roofs to keep
warm. I got a little concerned about my
own wardrobe, as it’s not really suitable to keep me very warm (I never thought
that’d be much of a concern here, but living further north is teaching me
otherwise). I’ve had thoughts all day of
going home and getting under the covers in my bed and keeping warm the rest of
the day. I haven’t felt like that in
almost a year, and it’s a welcomed experience.
It might not last long and before I know it I’ll be sweating
uncontrollably again as hot season approaches, but for right now I’m enjoying
being cold in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>. </div>
mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-38268106033772556002013-12-11T10:14:00.003+07:002013-12-11T10:51:37.756+07:00Angkor Wat and my first half marathon <div class="MsoNormal">
Peace Corps has a way of challenging me in all sorts of ways
and pushing me to try things I’ve never liked or always found a little
scary - like running. I’ve never really been a runner (mostly because it's hard and not fun for me) and yet I found
myself starting to run out of necessity several months ago. I don’t have many options for exercise and
biking everyday only does so much for me.
I didn’t make it far the first time, nor did I really like it very much.
But it was something, and it helped relieve some of the daily
frustrations and clear my head at the end of the day, so I kept at it. It got easier and more enjoyable. I got smiles and thumbs up from the monks I
would pass on the small dirt paths behind my house and I loved it. People from a neighboring village would give
me high fives as they rode past on their motorbikes and kids would stare and laugh
at me. There's an older woman that I've never really met and yet somehow
manage to see almost every time I run, riding one way or another past me on her
motorbike, and she gives me the biggest smile, waves her hand in the air and
tells me how great I’m doing. I found
myself running more days than not, and actually enjoying it every once in a
while.</div>
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A couple months ago I decided to sign up for the Angkor Wat International Half
Marathon along with several of my fellow PCV’s and I started a training program
to prepare, not feeling totally secure in the fact that this was actually
something I could attempt and accomplish.
At the end of November I traveled to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Siem Reap</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Cambodia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
for the December 1<sup>st</sup> race and a couple days of sightseeing around
the temples of Angkor Wat. We headed
to the starting line at 5:30 am on race day in time to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat as
we waited for the race to start. The
course was easy and beautiful, full of groups of Cambodian kids eager to
give water, waves and high fives (one of my favorite parts). The
race was great for the most part – I developed some knee and hip pains during
the last few miles, which were discouraging (and pretty painful) but only
slowed me down a little bit. I finished and I'm incredibly proud of myself.<br />
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Sunrise at the starting line </div>
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Along the race route </div>
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After the finish: Thailand PCVs</div>
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The rest of the time in Siem Reap was spent exploring the incredible temples of Angkor Wat, which were massive and beautiful. At the entrances/exits to each temple stood a mix of women and children, each holding a basket of various souvenirs and handmade gifts. They're relentless and won't stop asking you to buy their goods, even after you've said 'no, thank you' for the fifth time. The kids are adorable and it's hard to say no, especially when they keep after you with their guilt-inducing pleas and everything is just "one dollar." </div>
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Angkor Wat</div>
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Monks inside the temple grounds</div>
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Another view inside Angkor Wat...it's massive</div>
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Another temple - can you see the faces?</div>
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Another temple</div>
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The temple that was apparently in Tomb Raider...it has trees growing through it everywhere</div>
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These kids were everywhere...it's hard to say no</div>
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On top of another temple for the sunset</div>
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Watch them work </div>
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Sunset on the train from the border back through Thailand</div>
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Siem Reap was great and Angkor Wat was incredible, but I've found myself anxious to go back for more exploration of many more parts of Cambodia. </div>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-83567978172822997922013-11-10T15:25:00.002+07:002013-11-10T15:25:54.191+07:00Bpai Tiao Laos! October in Thailand brought the first school break of the year as well as my first real vacation since arriving in Thailand so many months ago. I live a couple hours from the border of Laos in the northeast of Thailand, and I decided I wanted to explore a little bit and make my way through Laos for a couple weeks. This post will likely be long because of how amazing I think my trip was and just how much I loved Laos, so if you want the short version it goes like this: started in Chiang Rai with my friend and fellow PCV Joel where we took a slow boat for two days to Luang Prabang; spent 4 days in LP, after which Joel headed back to Thailand and I headed out on my own; took a gorgeous, yet slightly nausea-inducing minivan ride to Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars and learned a lot about the Secret War; took another similar minivan ride to Vang Vieng for a couple days for tubing before heading back to Thailand through Vientiane. But that just doesn't do it justice.<br />
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I started the trip in Chiang Rai (Thailand's northernmost province) where I met my friend Joel and we went to visit another PCV's site and celebrate Ork Pansaa, or the end of Buddhist Lent. The PCV we visited lives in a community of hilltribes that have a more unique way of celebrating this holiday than many other places in Thailand. The main celebration day included quantities of fireworks that would rival any American 4th of July celebration, rockets, and more fireworks....and the thing that makes them all the more exciting (dangerous), Thai whiskey. It was really cool to be in another volunteers community and see a celebration like this, plus it was just awesome and fun. I was even able to do some of my own fireworks (little ones like sparklers and stuff, but still - I'm more excitable than a child when it comes to these things). We also combined our efforts to make two exceptionally delicious dinners (tacos! and fried chicken with mashed potatoes - real ones). It's amazing how delicious these things can be when you seldom get to eat them anymore. </div>
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Transporting the fireworks</div>
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Dancing in the fireworks</div>
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After a very brief visit to the northernmost point of Thailand and a glance at Burma, Joel and I took a 2 day slow boat trip from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang, Laos. The first day we traveled for about 6 hours on the boat before stopping in Pak Beng, a riverside village to sleep for the night. The scenery the first day was amazing, even with a few downpours. We found a place to stay for the night and went out for dinner, where we ate some seriously delicious Thai/Laos food and enjoyed one of the many Beer Lao that would be had over the next two weeks (Beer Lao is so much better than any beer you'll find in Thailand, and the dark Beer Lao is even better). The next morning we set out for another 6-7 hours on the boat. The scenery was even more amazing and despite having several entertainment options for passing the time, I was completely content to enjoy the increasingly beautiful scenery while devouring my sandwiches (oh the sandwiches...to which I could - and probably should - dedicate an entire blog post...but instead I'll show you some pictures of my sandwiches and a few of the places where I ate them a little later). Each little village we passed or stopped at was small, remote, beautiful, and had a bunch of naked little kids playing in the water and staring at our boat full of farangs (foreigners).<br />
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Myanmar - so close, yet so far. You can see the flags change halfway over the bridge</div>
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Boat scenery</div>
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Pak Beng - where we stopped overnight on the boat trip </div>
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Setting out for day 2 on the boat </div>
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A man and his elephant...Laos is the 'land of a million elephants' and this was the first of 3 I saw on the trip (I probably saw a million cows, water buffalo, and goats though)</div>
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More boat scenery...every so often we'd stop at these villages to pick up local passengers and their cargo as the river is their main source of transportation</div>
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Luang Prabang included more amazing scenery, a hike to the top of a small 'mountain' in town to watch the sunset, a super early wake-up to observe the morning monk 'tak bat' procession, a day trip to an incredibly amazing waterfall, a rainy day with lots of coffee and people watching, shopping at the night market, and of course many sandwiches. Interesting fact about Laos: they have a government curfew of midnight. All business (including bars) close at 11:30 in order to allow employees to make it home before midnight. Of course every rule has its exceptions, and each of these towns had (at least) one establishment that stayed open later in order to cater to the party-loving foreigners. Each morning starting at sunrise in Luang Prabang all the local monks and villagers participate in the 'tak bat' ceremony where the monks travel by foot around town collecting food from people seated along the streets. It's part of Buddhist culture and has become somewhat of a spectacle for tourists, so much so that signs are everywhere informing people how to respect the ceremony and the monks. I got up early one morning to see it, and while it was cool to see all the monks lined up in their orange robes walking silently through the streets of this gorgeous little town, it was sad to see all the tourists that seemed more concerned about getting great pictures than being respectful of the monks, the local people, and the ceremony.<br />
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View of LP from the top of Mount Phousi </div>
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Night market street</div>
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Morning monk procession</div>
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Signs like this are all over LP and clearly not always followed</div>
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Procession of monks and the disrespectful (in so many ways) tourists</div>
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Kuang Si Falls </div>
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Swimming area: off to the left was a tree with a rope to swing into this. Also it had a bunch of those crazy fish that suck on your toes. </div>
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After one more day in Luang Prabang than I originally intended, I headed out solo to Phonsavan which, on the map looks relatively close, but given the terrain of the roads of Laos, took about 6 hours. Phonsavan is a town located near the Plain of Jars sites and includes a lot of history about the Secret War with America. Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita. Much of Laos is still littered with UXO's (unexploded ordinances) from the Secret War and people still get injured/killed by them. An organization called the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) is working daily to locate and remove/explode the UXO's. Many people in the surrounding areas have limited the amount of land usage, development and cultivation due to UXO accidents or fear of continued injury from them, which contributes to the existing poverty in Laos. Many of the victims of accidental UXO detonations are kids, due to exploring, digging, playing, or just going to school. The first day I was able to explore some of the Plain of Jars sites. The 'jars' are associated with prehistoric burial practices and have been found in clusters throughout the areas around Phonsavan (for more info <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_of_Jars">check this out </a>). The first site I went to was the largest site that had the most number of jars. It also had a small cave nearby and several craters from bombings during the war. I explored one other jar site (which was a lot more secluded than the first, but smaller), some small villages in the area that use the metal scraps to make spoons and jewelry, and a cave that served as a refuge for almost 300 people but was then subsequently bombed and all the people died. It's a pretty somber place, and being the only visitor there at the time (or anytime recently, from what it looked like) was a little unsettling/creepy/weird/scary. Interested in learning more about the Secret War in Laos (you should be)? Check out these links I included to give you a start (or you could just, you know, google it because there's a lot to learn): <a href="http://legaciesofwar.org/about-laos/secret-war-laos/">Legacies of War: Secret War in Laos</a> and <a href="http://www.vice.com/read/laos-is-still-under-attack-from-its-secret-war">Laos still under attack from Secret War</a>.<br />
The entire experience in Phonsavan was pretty sad, from seeing the bomb craters and broken jars to reading personal accounts of UXO injuries and learning how much Laos people are still suffering casualties and hardships because of what happened. The Plain of Jars are being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status, considering their historic value and also the damage that has been and continues to be caused by nature, development, disrespectful tourists, etc. MAG is in the process of clearing these areas of UXO's and the signs for areas that have been cleared/areas that should be avoided are marked all over the area. <br />
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Jar Site 1</div>
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MAG marker - these were everywhere, marking boundaries where they've cleared UXOs</div>
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Signs at each jar site indicating dates of clearance, how many UXOs cleared, and warning people to stay on marked paths </div>
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Jar Site 3</div>
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The next morning I headed to Vang Vieng which, up until a few years ago, used to be known as the 'backpackers meet spring break in a small town in Laos - with tubing and lots of booze'. It's been known for tubing and the bars and party scene that existed along the river. There were several injuries/deaths that resulted from too much booze and poor judgment when using rope swings and jumping into the river, so they shut down all the bars and actually tore most of them down. Tubing as it was know was halted for awhile, and travel blogs warned that Vang Vieng wasn't what it used to be and probably wasn't worth a stop. I was hesitant to spend much time here, partly due to the above and partly because of recommendations/stories I had heard from other travelers while I'd been in Laos. But I knew I'd regret it if I didn't go, so I went with the intention of spending two nights and one full day there. Upon arrival I was pleasantly surprised to find that I actually liked it - and I found a cheap little bungalow (5 USD, private room and bathroom AND hot water shower - amazeballs) with a fantastic view of the small river, limestone cliffs and sunsets, and also sandwiches. Vang Vieng seemed like a backpacker ghost town - all the remnants of what it used to be, but with a fraction of the people. There's a couple main streets that are filled with guest houses, restaurants, bars, and tour companies and most of them were just empty. It seemed a little sad, honestly. I was happy to find and settle into a riverside restaurant that played Friends on all the tv's and had deliciously average pizza and cold Beer Lao. <br />
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Room with a view </div>
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The first full day I did the tubing. You rent a tube, put down a deposit, and they drive you a few kilometers away and drop you off by the river - then you tube. A few bars are now open along the river, the first one being close enough I could see it before I put my tube in the water (apparently all the bars were closed for a few months. If they wanted to reopen they could pay a fee - 2 million Lao kip or about $2500 USD - and reopen). I and the few people I had joined with for tubing stopped at the second bar, still not far from where we started. It had everything you could want - volleyball, basketball in a sprinkler, beer pong, cabanas, crappy American pop music, and even a pretty cool cave you could explore if you walked far enough (I was the only one that did - it was a little scary). The tubing was awesome - beautiful scenery and perfect weather, with enough people to keep it entertaining but not so many that it became annoying. I made one more stop at the 4th and last bar (although everyone says there's only 3 - it's a little wooden structure on a hill with no signs, no people, and an old Laotian woman yelling out 'beer lao' to the passing tubers), which included an amazing cave that started with a swim-in entrance and a man I befriended with my Thai skills who then generously shared with me his homemade whiskey (which was terrible, but appreciated). I watched the sunset over the mountains as I effortlessly tubed to the end and made it back just in time to get my full deposit back (the later you come back the more of your deposit they keep). I ended up staying an extra day in VV because I wasn't quite ready to leave and I had met some awesome people with whom I was really enjoying spending my time.<br />
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Tubing!</div>
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Riverside bar </div>
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Swim in cave entrance </div>
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I was amazed at how much my time as a PCV in Thailand had influenced my traveling attitude and my general outlook. I felt an internal struggle between my PCV self and my 20-something American self and found that I was much more aware of cultural nuances and views than I think I ever would have been before. I appreciated this change, despite the fact that it made me more aware of the misgivings of others and just how rude/inappropriate/insensitive people can be when traveling to countries with different attitudes and customs than their own. Laos people, like Thai people, dress more conservatively and don't wear revealing clothing in public. Everywhere I went were signs asking tourists to respect the local culture and dress and act appropriately, and everywhere I went I saw a lot of the extreme opposite.<br />
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I really, really loved the country and am already anxious for another visit as I still have things on my list that I want to see/do in Laos. And now, a few of the sandwiches.<br />
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Sandwich over Luang Prabang (this might have been the most delicious)</div>
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Sandwich on a walk next to the Mekong River</div>
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Sandwich at the waterfall </div>
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Sandwich on the street before tubing </div>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-39210571305183958762013-10-10T11:17:00.000+07:002013-10-10T11:22:55.858+07:00Bpai Tiao Thai people love to bpai tiao. I love to bpai tiao. I've loved bpai tiao-ing even before I knew what it was. A couple weekends ago I took a bpai tiao to Bangkok and finally saw some of the amazing sights and temples frequented by tourists. Last weekend I bpai tiao-ed with a lot of the people from my office to Nong Khai, a province just northeast of me bordering Laos, to see an exhibit about the new/improved train system proposed for Thailand within the next 7 years - or starting in 7 years...I couldn't read anything but everything said 2020, so something is happening in 7 years. And then we bpai tiao-ed. <br />
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Are you frustrated yet because you don't know what bpai tiao means? Or did you figure it out relatively easy from context clues? If you did, well then good for you, because it took me a while to figure out what it meant. In our language classes in PST we were immersed into Thai language for 4 hours every morning. We weren't allowed to speak English during class, and we used what we were learning to converse back and forth with the few people in our class and our ajaan (teacher). Our ajaans used a variety of props, pictures, and stick figures to illustrate and act out what we were learning to help us expand our understanding of Thai language. I was beyond frustrated a lot of days, because I didn't know Thai, and I just wanted to learn what each word was in English - and of course the ajaans wouldn't tell me, because they weren't supposed to because I'd learn faster if I stopped asking and just accepted things in Thai. This made me all the more frustrated and continued to prompt the question of, 'but what does this meeeaaann?'. I remember the day we learned 'bpai tiao' because I remember being frustrated because I couldn't figure out the exact meaning of it - the clues of my ajaan told me that it wasn't really a vacation, but that's what I wanted it to be (also, looking back now I'm not sure why I was so perplexed by this, but it just didn't work in my brain). I've since learned, from Thai people, that bpai tiao can be a verb or a noun - bpai tiao can be anything it wants to be, really. When I'm invited along or taken somewhere that I'm not sure of the destination, and I ask where we're going, a lot of times the answer is just 'bpai tiao'. I was having a conversation with one of the staff members at the local health station about her family's recent trip to the beach down south. When I asked her what they did, she answered with 'bpai tiao' in a way that suggested I had asked a rhetorical question with an obvious answer, because what else would you do on a bpai tiao other than bpai tiao?<br />
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I associate Thai bpai tiaos with fun, snacks, lots of pictures and a perpetual state of confusion. To bpai tiao means to go somewhere, take some pictures, eat some food, buy some things, and nap on the bus while listening to obnoxiously loud music. It could be a trip to the next town over for a special meal (yes, pictures are still necessary and they will be taken) or a vacation to the beach for a week. Bpai tiaos are one of my favorite things about Thailand and Thai people, mostly because I love how much they love them and how many hundreds of pictures they take of everything and everyone.<br />
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Bpai Tiao Essentials:<br />
<ul>
<li>Pictures (probably the most important part of any bpai tiao. Sometimes its the only thing that really happens on a bpai tiao)</li>
<li>Food (snacks are always necessary)</li>
<li>Obnoxiously loud music (whether it's karaoke or outdated music videos, it's always at an uncomfortably high volume and always, always playing - even through microphone announcements and especially when you're trying to nap)</li>
<li>Tacky Thai tour bus (so many colors and full of speakers)</li>
<li>Shopping (it's necessary to buy treats and/or tacky souvenirs to give people upon your return)</li>
</ul>
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Pictures from the above mentioned recent bpai tiaos:<br />
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Bangkok river taxi: cheapest and fastest way through the city</div>
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Wat Arun: Temple of the Dawn </div>
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Scarily steep and narrow steps to the top</div>
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View from the top of Wat Arun </div>
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Wat Po and the Reclining Buddha </div>
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In and around Wat Pho </div>
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Did you know that the real name for Bangkok is <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Tahoma, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit? Thai people refer to it as 'Krung Thep' (not Bangkok) which roughly translates to the city of angels. </span></div>
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Bpai Tiao Nong Khai:<br />
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Nong Khai: waiting to get in to the train exhibit </div>
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On the beach...the digital one.</div>
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"It's not a train, it's the future" </div>
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Waiting in the 'shade' </div>
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After lunch by the Mekong River </div>
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And shopping of course </div>
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It's mid-October, which means schools are out for break, and it's time for more bpai tiaos! I'll be heading to northern Thailand next week for a couple days before taking a 2 day boat trip into Loas and spending a week and a half bpai tiao-ing around Laos. I'm looking forward to all of the bpai tiaoing I'll be doing in the next few weeks!<br />
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<br />mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993658292101160576.post-57168676825643129652013-10-02T20:38:00.001+07:002013-10-02T20:38:34.501+07:00Thai talkI've never been much for small talk. I'm not good at it, it's usually not interesting and I just find it full of silly, obvious statements that would be better left unsaid (I'm also just not good with words in general, but that's something for another time). Of course I've always participated in it with everyone, because that's what you're supposed to do, and it'd be weird if I didn't. The thing about small talk in Thailand is that there's always three or four questions I know I'm going to be asked by almost everyone I encounter during the day.<div>
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<i>Bpai nai - or in Issan dialect: bpai sai or bpai iiyang (where are you going)? </i>Most of the time I get this question when I'm riding my bike somewhere, so I've perfected my short responses that usually indicate I'm going to a school, the market, home, or just riding for fun/exercise. Once I arrive somewhere it leads to the obvious following question...</div>
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<i>Bpai nai maa (where are you coming from)?</i> This can sometimes spur questions about what I did at this place I'm coming from, but instead is usually just followed with another one of the standard questions...</div>
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<i>Gin laao ru yang (did you eat already)?</i> Regardless of the answer, I'm usually offered fruit, kanomes, or full meals and everyone insists I eat more. Or if I did eat already, they'll follow up with the other question...</div>
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<i>Gin cow gap arai (what did you eat with your rice)? </i> It's not a meal unless it's rice, so if you've just eaten a meal then you've eaten something with rice and they want to know what that something was. In the past month I've stopped eating rice for breakfast and have replaced it with yogurt and oatmeal, so my answer becomes much more confusing to most people and I'm pretty sure they're concerned that I'm not getting sufficient nutrients for my first meal of the day because I'm not eating rice. </div>
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If I said I didn't get a little annoyed sometimes answering these questions over and over and over again every single day, I would be lying. But instead I've realized that this is part of my life here - like talking about the weather in America - not something that's intellectually stimulating or something I necessarily enjoy, but something that can help cultivate growing relationships and can lead to discussions about things other than what I've already eaten each day. So if I come back to America and ask you what you ate for breakfast/lunch/dinner, indulge me...then we can move on to the weather. </div>
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mamiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01700636629591597576noreply@blogger.com0