Lean on Me, Leech on Me

My departure from Bangkok was timely as I was ready to experience something outside of the backpacking district of the capital. The drive to the “resort” where we stayed this past week was about 7 hours from Bangkok in Khon Kaen, Provence. We left our computers to be brought to Khon Kaen University, so the week was entirely wireless and open for bonding.  Through many group meetings and activities we really started to work together as a group, finding our way each moment.  Whether we were transferring people through a web of string or discussing oppression, we leaned on each other through rougher moments and celebrated the positives together.  It seems like were are really forming a strong community, which is a main focus of the program both internally and within the villages we stay in.

On our way to the resort we stopped about half way through for a nature walk. By nature walk of course I mean sludging through mud in gaters (which are cloth coverings for your legs and feet because apparently there are leeches in the national park).  The scenery was absolutely gorgeous and followed by a delicious plate of kauw pad (fried rice).  As we went to get in the van though I noticed I was bleeding on my foot and so the med kit was grabbed so I could bandage my apparent leech wound. It wasn’t until we were ten minutes on to the road that I noticed I was bleeding on my thigh as well and friends from the back of the van simultaneously found a huge leech on the ground. I suppose I too am delicious. All is fine, the leech was killed and cleaned up and I was bandaged. Needless to say, mai pen rai (its all good/ no problem—and a popular Thai phrase at that).

We started Thai class this week, and wow is it a difficult language. Sure, they don’t have verb conjugations but they have tones for each word. Use the wrong tone, and it’s a different word. So although I will throw in some random Thai in these posts, it is not really helpful without audible dictation.

The final stop before coming to Khon Kaen University, and our apartments was a homestay in a weaving village. I was with one other girl, and together we MAYBE understood 10%. Communication was not easy, and all our Meh (mom) wanted to do was feed us and have us take an abb naam (shower). However, in the course of 24 hours we has a fresh coconut and grapefruit picked off a tree for us, ate fresh peanuts, I was attacked by my host mom with baby powder (which has the affect of icy-hot here), and helped farm rice, pulling up the plants in the paddy. Before we left, a few of us spent a few hours playing with the kids at school. My favorite game was their version of duck duck goose that involves a shirt instead of patting heads and a very catchy song. We were running around, slipping on the dirt, and finally “communicating” with Thais.

It has been a long week, filled with surprises and adventure. I finally have met my roommate and moved in, and she is so cool. She is an English major, so communication is fairly simple. We were welcomed last night through a traditional Thai welcoming ceremony and we have a short weekend break before heading off to the Railroad community on Sunday.