School's Out!

What a treat this past Friday to visit all of our NGO's children Learning Centers and the Youth Outreach Center. The kids were so proud and excited to have visitors. The environemt is so nurturing for them as contrasted to many of their home lives. Many of the children will not be back at school next year as their parents will need them to work in the fields or on rubber plantation; many others will move on to another area with their migrant parents. Some of the children are orphans (one little boy's parents both died of AIDS). Many of the children live with teachers. The few teenagers who have moved on to high school, and have the support of their parents to stay in school, hope to keep their educations going.They will be part of the select from the Burmese refugee communmity to get degrees.
We hope to meet up again with many of these kids at summer camp over the next few weeks.

so cute!!!!

I was invited tomorrow to the Women's Center, a safe haven for women who have been exploited, to participate in a jewelry making class.The women at the center produce beautiful artistry, including jewelry, scarves and crafts.  I get to keep what I make!

Remembering the Victims of the Tsunami

Mick took a long bike ride this morinng past Khao Lak. Among the sites he passed was an elephant feeding on some plants, water buffalo lazing, and some spectacular views of the Andaman from higher climbs. I had a less eventful morning, walking the beach. The view of the mountains, the sea, the boats and sand are spectacular. Noneof it can be taken for granted.

We have become very sensitive about how special this place is, especially in the wake of the Tsuanami. Phang Nga Province suffered more casualties than any other province. There are still areas unbuilt.The photographs are hard to view and the locals are very superstitious about the spirits under the sea.. The man who has been driving us everyday, Sud's mother died in the Tsunami.There is not anyone here whose family or friends were not touched by the disaster. 

Phang Nga Province statisitics

This afternoon we visited two siginificant Tsunami "memorials". The first was a police boat that was thrown 2 miles inland from one mile off shore where it was stationed. The boat was here protecting royalty on vacation at one of the hotels in Phang Nga Province. It was reminiscent of the barge that broke through the lower ninth ward levee. We then visited a sculpture that was built to honor the Tsunami victims. It is a metal structure of steel beams reaching up to the sky, intended  to signify strength and stability.  

Sud

The Pink Cadillac Fully Loaded

A day off today so we took our bicycles on a 20 something mile advdenture. First to Pak Weep Waterfall and on to White Sand Beach (the color of which would give Destin some stiff competition)

On our way back we stopped at the "market", which takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. I think EVERY local was there and all the tourists too! I cannot even describe the number of foodstalls, so cheap it would make you cry...fish, shrimp, spring rolls, whole chickens, and someunrecognizable items. It is like Jazz Fest without the music! Makeshift restuarants are strumg along the rows and vendors selling spices and sauces.
We didnt know what to eat first!!!There are hundreds of stalls with jewelry and clothing and rugs and scarves and sundresses...farily overwhelming. You can buy anything there! Well, just about.It is quite the scene.

We found our beach...

and Food Fest in one day!

Tomorrow off to see Khoa Lak, the town that is closest to where we are staying.

The "Outstanding" Student

One of the volunteers, who is Thai/British (19 years old) was kind enough to agree to teach Thai to Mick, me, and several other volunteers from France. Guess which student "stands out" most in that group?  Not necessarily the star, though.We used our Thai tonite, not very impressive, at one of the restaurants.Fortunately the locals are very patient.
Tomorrow we visit some learning centers for the end of the year parties for the kids. Then they start camp.
Last night we visited a rubber plantation, on which a Burmese family lives and works to tap the rubber. They have to work at night when the rubber runs. The rubber will not produce in the sun. It is gruelling, repetitive work in the middle of the jungle, with mosquitos and long hours.

The family lives in a "typcial" Burmese wooden house, extremely simple, with limited electiricityand few niceties. Regardless, they could not have been more hospitable and were thilled to enteratin us with sweet lemon drinks and fresh fried bananas, which the "grandma" cooked in a wok over a single portable gas burner (their sole means of cooking). A group of Japanese students also accompanied our visit and are here for the week.

Tomorrow night we are invited to a party with the students to say farewll.The Burmese will cook a traditional dinner and the Japanese studeents will reciprocate by cooking a traditional meal as well.  

Some Comfort For the Future!

We are surrounded by young adults, College students from Japan who have coordinated "pen pals" in their country with Burmese kids here, College and Masters degree students, who have come to Thailand from all over the world (France, Germany, London) to learn and teach and assist  the NGO, and many others who have stayed on for the longterm becasue they are passionate abuot social justice,  anthropology or farming, and/or just fell in love with this part of the world.
While we had become so frustrated and weighted down with politics and climate issues and many other global and local problems before we left, it is encouraging to know that there is a new generation which  is optimistic, want to know and learn from everyone in the world (several of the students have plans to study outside their countries or already have) and beleive they can truly make a difference in the future.
I thanked them for this. I am in awe.... and have several new facebook friends to boot!.
We officially start our Thai lessons in just a few minutes from a young volunteer who was born and raised in  Thailand. Her Mother is from Chiang Mai and her father is British.

Our work shoes....

Settling In?

Miss y'all. We are settling in to our new surroundings. I missed the first two days because of wicked stomach issues...how humiliating. Mick went as our sole ambassador and is surrounded by cute, young, smart, and motivated women...he is used to that. Not to worry, he loves being spoiled. The director and several staff are males.
We got our initial assignments and I think we should stay fairly busy.
We will get into a pretty simple routine after I am feeling better. Not eating for three days can really take it out of you!
Work is from 9 to 5. (flexible, like everything)we can ride bikes the short distance to the office. The Ayara Villas where we are living (they have all different kinds of accommodations)has breakfast every morning.
We can swim before or after work in on of two pools..not too shabby. I plan to get back into that and the beach is a stones throw away. The sunsets are fairly lovely at around 6 or so.
Evenings will be early and fairly uneventful. There is a combination of eating places, from street side vendors, to modest open air restaurants (mostly are outside) and then some more upscale ones who seem to cater to the Westerners.
We will go out to eat, read and relax. Can mick meet that challenge? The weekends we can go adventure. Given our location, several volunteers in other parts of southeast Asia have promised to visit us. One of Hallie and Marissa's friends may come this week and Marissa arrives just after my birthday! Erin is seriously considering the possibility of a visit.
I have a phone, and skype. The phone usage doesn't cost much but skype is free. It is also sooooo fun to see faces so send your skype accounts. Marissa put Beckham and Tiggy on skype today. It was probably cruel as they were looking all over for me. :(
Will finally go to the office tomorrow and we are being taken to the jungle tomorrow evening. 
Starting to learn a few words of Thai from locals and a volunteer in the office who is Thai/Brit is going to teach us. It is difficult as the sounds are so different. We will try...

“Our Pink Cadillac”

Since we have made a commitment not to drive, either a car or motorbike, (probably a good thing given Mickey’s driving and the fact the Thais drive on the left side of the road), we have purchased a 27” pink bicycle, no gears with red handles and a bell. We didn’t realize until riding it that the red dye bleeds onto your hands in the heat. Gloves will be a must.

The bicycle drives great and Mick took it yesterday to scope out how long it will take us to get to our “work” location. It is just 4 km. away from the hotel. We hope to ride to work and Mick is waiting on a bike of his own as the pink Cadillac is only a one seat affair. It is cooler in the mornings, but temperatures drive up into the high 90s in the afternoon. Rain is not unexpected at some time each afternoon (sound familiar?).

Today was the first day for our volunteer assignment, to meet everyone at the office and see various project sites, but I couldn’t go given the “revenge” on my stomach from something I ate or drank…it was bound to happen sooner of later, but the very first day of work???!!!  Mick went on his own, a good ambassador.

Called Dr. Brucey in Chicago at 2:30 a.m. here for advice and hope to be on the mend in a few days. Seems like we need to check in with him for all Allweiss family vacations.

We switched locations of our living quarters at the Ayara Villas, from a beach view, (which included the sight every morning of dozens of European tourists in tiny bathing suits) to a larger apartment-like space towards the back of this resort. It is very nice and quiet and less expensive. The folks here have been amazing. They will give us a key to the conference room for computer usage, and, if needed, the driver will take us to and from work for a little less than $3 each way (drivers are pretty typically used here) if we need him. Today, the hotel was kind enough to send someone out to get me Gatorades and delivered them directly, as I dare not yet leave the room. 

Mick had an interesting first day, meeting the CEO, the staff, volunteers, visitors and local high school students. We get our assignments tomorrow.

Woke up in Chiang Mai...

Arrived in Khaolak, Bang Naing Beach; Khukkak, Takuapa, Phang-nga Province this afternoon. We have already found a place to live for the next three months on the beach. We watched the sun set tonite over the Andaman Sea.
We will do some exploring tomorrow and Sunday, and start work on Monday.
We will travel to several learning centers and work projects on our first day of work, which will take us into some pretty remote areas, some in the jungle, and meet with the director of the organization with whom we will work. Will bring plenty of bug repellent and long sleeves.
We plan to ride bikes to and from work every day which will  result in our showering about three times a day(there is a shower at the office)
It is even hotter here than in Chiang Mai and will only get hotter over the next few months. We will have to get used to it and probably no air conditioning at the offices or schools.
New Orleans will feel comfortable by the time we get home!
Great dinner tonite for $15...will have to take some cooking classes for sure!

Feels Like Home to Me?

After only a few days, we already feel so welcome and prepared for our endeavor. We have had dozens of cross cultural conversations and excercises with our hosts. We even learned some Thai today (focused on "food" for the most part),
Warm and sunny, everyone so friendly, food delicious (the Thais love good food, lots of seafood, all different flavors and spices too); and a party or festival every night. The country naturally lends familiarity to us!
Our hosts will be traveling with us Friday to Phang Nga Province where we will settle for three months. We are all excited to get started and confident we will be in good hands. First step, rent bikes (to ride to work) and find a place to live.
   

"Farangs" (Foreigners)

Farang: the slang term for foreigners, but not degrading, endearing...a lot of tolerance here for Westerners. We met our hosts tonite. Very welcoming.
We are learning more each day so that we can integrate better. We were told by our hosts that we should be able to swim in the ocean every day before breakfast; that's how close we will be to the beach . The town of Khuk Khak, where we will be staying, was the hardest hit by the Tsumani. 5000 dead and even more unaccounted for. Many fishermen and farmers lost their livlihoods.  Hundreds of homes destroyed. Sound familiar? Hope we can provide some consolation and share some insights, especially with the kids.

"Ben Zoma teaches: Who is wise?One who learns from everyone"
(Pirkei Avot 4:1)

It's not easy being "Green"

Spent the past few days meeting fascinating and exceptional people from all over the USA, here for the same purpose. Several extraordinary speakers, who are committed to social justice in Southeast Asia, educated us on local history and culture to prepare us for our adventure.More to come the next few days and we have a lot to learn.
We have found a local laundry who washed our clothes for 57 Baht (under $2); yummy food everywhere and cheap (dinner tonite was about $17 for two overlooking the river). We have had great companionship and wonderful hosts as we learn the area.
It will be difficult to say goodbye to our new found friends as we all part ways the end of the week to different parts of Thailand and other countries. But, we look forward to adding on to our list of future visitors for Jazz Fest!  
We are in Chiang Mai until Friday morning, when we take off to Phang Nga Province on the Andaman Sea.
Hope we can find a great place to live....
The weather is hot and sunny. It will get warmer as the days go on. We visited an organic farm today that is starting to sell its vegetables to small local restaurants. One of the volunteers will be working there. 
Spoke to Hallie today, who called AFTER her skydiving adventure in Australia...she knew I might talk her out of it.
Erin will be in New Orleans this weekend with Marissa. We miss all three girls, but skype is great. We (or I should say "I") miss the pups too. I hear Beckham has been supplemening his "diet" with pizza and kingcake. Oh well, a little indulgence is always good.
Keeping a journal because so much to write about.
12 hour time difference....email or call.
  

Have arrived in Chiang Mai!

We are tired, but happy to be out of airplanes. We start orientation tomorrow so we got a chance today to roam the city. Bought a cell phone, had a great lunch for two (at a cost of $7 total!)
Met three of our hosts and one volunteer, Mark from Iowa, who accompanied us to purchase cell phones.
Hot and humid....just like home!
The next five days we will be learning the culture, the do's and dont's, and meeting others who are participating in the program.
We hope to prove ourselves worthy "diplomats".

Woke up in New Orleans this morning...

Made it to L.A. Three flights to go! Talked with Quint Davis at New Orleans airport. we told him we were missing Jazz Fest tis year for our first time. he said they may be streamlining it on You Tube! looks like we can sway along with y'all while in Thailand...just a different time zone.

Beckham leaving his comfort zone...sorry little buddy

Getting close to leaving. We have been reading and preparing. Looking forard to going, but will miss my friends, family and puppies.