Village Home Stay

Friday, September 28, 2012
Mae Sot, Thailand
It's beautiful out here. The first day was interesting and a little nerve wracking meeting our home stay families. We all met up at a community center and sat in a circle while the Thai mothers discussed who would stay where. We had absolutely no idea what was being said. Pop (a local Pun Pun resident and translator) gave us a rough idea what was going on. He said, "They're talking about where you will stay". But there were so many more words than that.

The families turned out to be phenomenal .  They are so welcoming and accepting, not to mention the cooks of a lifetime.

On my first morning I went to a temple with a couple others from the group. It was confusing but spiritual. The monks really struggled putting bracelets on us. I don't think they are ever coming off. We went through a ceremony and it was cool to see how people worship here.

The first day we took a tour of Pun Pun farm and learned about seed saving, natural building methods, and their general mission here. It was so hot. They made lunch for us at the farm in the communal kitchen.

The days following we helped out around the village and on the farm. We did all kinds of activities including; swimming in the reservoir with some local kids, bonding with the families, taking some classes on Thai cooking and Thai massage, making t-shirts with local children, and making adobe bricks. (Making them was quite the process . We stomped in the mud!)  There were a few casualties along the way......a little stomach discomfort for some. But that is to be expected. 

On the last day we hiked to this gorgeous waterfall where we encountered a monk who lives up there in a cave.

Later we had a huge going away dinner, and it was quite the party. Pictures, good food, a little music, and good people, made the night spectacular.

Man, these people really have the life.  They truly live day by day and enjoy the little things. Their way of life is so simplistic and so joyful.  We really learned a lot from them. It is going to be so sad to leave this beautiful place tomorrow morning.  This has been the homestay of a lifetime. 

I hope everything is good at home, Joel 

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