Family! Oh I don’t know where to begin, but here I go. First of all, Chris I am SO sad but this internet won’t open the video. I’ll try other cafes, but if it doesn’t work it’ll be the first thing I see at home. By the way – returning home, I will be back in Anacortes Monday morning/afternoon, August the 4th! I know it is close but it still seems far for me. So the last week or so…
The 20th was the last time I had internet access. I was in Nong Khai. For the Thai Holiday weekend I traveled with this girl from Sweden for a couple days. Then I returned, not to my host family, but to Chaiyaphum where I wrapped up volunteering as quickly as possible. Volunteering is a minimum of 3 weeks, so after long days and extra hours on the weekends I finished Monday the 22nd. Saturday through Thursday I stayed alone in a Guesthouse(thai motel) in Chaiyaphum. The first two nights were Bangkok all over again. Needless to say it was difficult and I kept repeating “One day I will be back home…” It didn’t help that there was this stalker guy who kept cornering me asking for my ‘info’. Tuesday morning I decided to do and pay whatever I needed to in order to call home. Bad luck after bad luck, I finally found this internet shop that I was about to leave (internet was down) when this couple (brother and sister) tried so difficult to communicate with me. They kept insisting I come with them they could help. With no other promising options I did, they helped me get a call to home, and an hour later Liz called my room. Thank goodness.
The next few days grew increasingly better. They alternated showing me around and introduced me to the entire village (somewhere in Bankwao district). On Wednesday we got up super early, brought food to the temple, prayed, then ate after the monks with the other residents. Everyone was so kind. Apparently in this area, woman can not touch OR speak to the monks, but the monk ’director’ of the temple spoke to me for half a second, saying, “Please share breakfast with the rest this morning,” It was exciting. The next day was apparently Buddha Day, everyone has to wear all white and bring food and water where you then have a 2 hour ritual of prayers and practices. It was very interesting. By Friday it had been two packed days of meeting nearly everyone in the village and surrounding villages. On Thursay night it was sad, the brother’s neighbor died, but I must admit very interesting to see the ceremonies and respects paid. Anyways, I will jump forward to Friday when I traveled back to Korat.
In Korat I picked up the daughter of the family I stayed with. She didn’t live with them but she was the one that took me to the Thai wedding before. She was 23 and SO sweet. Couldn’t speak much English but tried very hard and between both of our dictionaries we were able to communicate. Her mother was so mean to her, saying “You are too old, you will never get a husband and you are too fat and etc etc etc.” So I had told her before I would take her to Chiang Mai with me if she wanted. She showed up with her friend I had met earlier, and I figured, “Oh well!” Neither of them have any money and will never have this opportunity so we can all go, no problem.
Chiang Mai – Granted it may have been more expensive but it was SO worth having them. For one, they can speak Thai and so it is easy to get around – Secondly, they already knew EXACTLY what they wanted to do and it was perfect, — And finally, they made everything more enjoyable because they were actually as excitable as myself!
Saturday and Sunday were two of the longest days ever starting at 7:30am and ending at 10:30-pm, but with three moments I will never forget for my entire life!
First – We visited the elephants. Not only did we watch the most incredible elephant show (they painted, and not just squiggles, but pictures of elephants and trees) but we rode them through the jungle and then paid extra for 20 min of interaction. I stood in the middle of 5 or 6 elephants with their trainers standing around while they played with me. They picked me up with their trunks and knelt down to let me on their head. It was incredible I can’t begin to convey it!
Second – After bamboo rafting down the river we visited a snake camp. Their we watched the craziest snake show. We sat so close with no walls or anything while a man that was dressed like Aladdin, manuvered cobras (that were still very poisonous) and other deadly snakes. I have some great pictures. But then, they asked if anyone would dare come into the middle. I did!! There is an adrenaline rush if you want one. Then they picked up the python, wrapped it around me and told me to kiss it. I did!!! Then it started to wrap too tight around my neck and three guys had to pull it off. !!!!!!!
Third – Yesterday, after tours and before the Night Safari (where you drive around with the animals just walking up next to you) we went to the Tiger Camp. Again, worth every single penny – you can pay to have 20 minutes with tiger cubs or grown tigers. I paid for the grown tigers. These four guys from England were ahead of me and were like, “Hell no, we’ll take the cubs,” hehe!! I have several pictures of me sitting between 4 tigers, petting them and everything. There are three trainers that stand by and occaisonally have to hit one of them on the snout or yell “be still” or “stand up and back away”. It was CRAZY!!!!! There’s another adrenaline rush – petting a tiger or laying down by it and then suddenly it flinches and it’s head whips around too close. Luckily the trainers were always faster.
Ok, well this has turned into a VERY long post, but it has been awhile since I’ve spoken to anyone, and now that things are going well I am just overly excited to share the great news!!!!!! I will post again before I leave and no worries! The girls went back to Korat, but being alone isn’t scary anymore, there are so many foreigners and english is everywhere. Things are still different, but good! I love you all so much and thank you for emails and the prayers sent! They worked!!!
P.S. Of course, now I want a pet elephant and a pet tiger. Apparently to buy and elepant is about $15,000 -$20,000. Doable, right?