Tag Archives: Nong Khai
20th Jan 2015 – Nong Khai
I’m up nice and early because it’s COLD! I had to pinch another blanket in the middle of the night and I was still cold. Downstairs, it’s always a bit of a challenge having to refuse food and asking for a place to buy fruit because I hate offending anyone, especially those whose culture is to show affection and care by feeding you to the point of no return. Through the language barrier, I am sent on my way to look for fruit on one of the main streets. On a bike.
I’ve never ridden a bike anywhere other than Australia, but if you stay out of other people’s way, it’s not too bad. Early morning was still busy in Nong Khai, motorcycles and cars going everywhere. I think people expect anything, so most people are very aware. I was fine, until I forgot where to go to ride back to FFAC. I had an inkling I’d turned near a motorbike shop and it turns out that instinct was correct! I’d found nothing to eat though, and upon seeing this, Pensri took me again. This time she rode and I sat on the back! I wish I’d been able to take a photo. We rode up the street, further than I’d gone to an early morning market. Plenty of fruit and seafood on display. I wish I’d been able to cook up some prawns.
Back at the Babies Home, a girl from New Zealand was there. She comes most mornings, from 8 to 11 to spend time with the children. One of the girls, Elese received a package from her adoptive parents. They are from Germany and sent over a teddy bear, backpack and book with their photos. She was adorably most interested in the book.
After all the excitement, the girl from New Zealand left, and we walked to the hotel where Raj and Shoba are staying. Just across two busy main highways. When the two Thai ladies were nervous about crossing the road, I know I definitely was!
Pensri, Raj, Shoba and Nuttasorn in the hotel lobby
All of the FFAC crew with Raj and Shoba in the middle
With everyone at the Babies Home, Raj and Shoba started their Pranic Healing session.
Channeling sex energy into your brain. Looks as funny as it sounds, but great fun
Left or right!? Saai/Kwaa?!
Nuttasorn fulfilling her translation duties
It takes 3 people to remove 2 kg of jewelry from 1 person
Listening and learning
After Pranic Healing, the children went down for their nap and Nuttasorn, Shoba and Raj went for lunch. Once they came back, we all went for a little sightseeing along the beautiful Mekong River. Today was very hazy, so the photos aren’t intentionally blurry! We also caught their version of a Tuk Tuk to the Friendship Bridge, between Thailand and Laos.
Friendship Bridge. That sign in the back, says not to pass and I’m being such a rebel with my foot
The train to Laos
Nuttasorn said to stand in front of the thai sign
Along the boadwalk
Beautiful Mekong
Riding high
19th Jan 2015 – Remembering Chiang Mai and onto Nong Khai
It was a day of firsts for me. The morning was spent idly in bed (definitely not a first) until check out at 12. I was waiting confirmation of what was happening today, since Shoba was ill yesterday and unable to do much. With no word at 12, I asked one of the ladies working if I could catch a taxi to the Airport Shopping Centre. She said she’d drop me off on her scooter. I didn’t say no and it turns out it’s really quite close from the hotel. I did have to cross a main road and that was interesting. A far more confident girl walked straight across and cars stopped for her. I doubted they’d do the same, so I took a deep breath and ran across when there was a gap. Suffice to say I survived!
Once I’d done my fruit shopping I walked back to the hotel. This doesn’t seem like a task, but for me, my sense of direction and bearings are awful and I am easily confused, Luckily, from last time in Chiang Mai with Jordan, I had a vague idea of where I was going. Away from the shopping centre, over the bridge, down the right side of the fork in the road with the car dealership, past a clothes shop with dummies out the front. Not too bad, until I didn’t recognize anymore landmarks. Good advice from Mum, ‘if you’re not sure ask.’ I had to ask at a restaurant and luckily, at that same time, a Chinese man had approached for lunch. He gave me the rest of the directions. I find many Thai’s recognise I’m Thai, but other Asians believe I’m from elsewhere. He guessed Filipino.
Basic map still helps!
So I trotted off and then, just as I was at the entrance of the hotel, Wanna, from FFAC called and asked if she could pick me up. I sat for less than a minute and someone was by on their scooter. Another first, she hung the Mickey Mouse bag from the handle, we both hopped on and off we went! They sure don’t waste time, wondering if it’s safe! I had to sneak in a video, while gripping the back tightly with my other hand! Unfortunately I’m able to upload the video, so this will have to do for now!
At the Babies Home, I sat with one little girl. I’m not sure what her back story is, but she has limited motor skills and speech. Her eyesight is incredibly short-sighted, so she often held my hand right near her face to study my nails. Anything she wants to look at she must hold up, and I noticed she tends to focus with one eye first and then the other. They never stop moving around in their sockets. She has a tic, where she opens her mouth widely, like when a fish gasps for air. Physically she is quite big for a 2 year old. She crawls fast but can not stand on her own. She also kept reaching her arms around my neck for a hug. She was absolutely gorgeous, the way she just melted into the hug and giggled when I kissed her cheek. So sweet.
Their outdoor play area
All the children currently in care. Jeejy is second from the left
Pronounced Seinemi, she is 2 years and 8 months old.
The next girl to wake was Jeejy. This is the one who must sit in a special chair, because of the injuries sustained from falling out of her crib. Once I started talking to her, she didn’t stop. Just noises, moans and groans, but she was so talkative! She also loved touching and holding hands. When all the children were awake, they all came out to play. They have a contraption that helps one with plaster of both feet to stand. Jeejy has a mold to develop the muscles in her left hand, that is constantly curled over into a fist. Seinemi has special shoes to help her stand.
The bus arrived and Shoba, Raj, Wanna, Guan, two carers and three children all piled in to send us off to the airport. This is the first time I have flown with Nok Air, and they are actually quite good. The bird’s beak logo seems a little odd, but the chairs were comfortable and they gave everyone water and cookies. So no complaints. I only wish the flight had been longer so I could sleep!
When we arrived in Udon Thani, we had to catch a taxi to Nong Khai, which is about an hour away. By the time we arrived at the Grand Paradise Hotel, I was exhausted. Pensri, the Manager at FFAC Nong Khai and another carer picked me up on their scooter. I guess I couldn’t come to Thailand, and ride with my little suitcase on a scooter. Someone had to top it and so, three of us squeezed on the scooter, with me in the middle and Pensri holding my suitcase on the back. Luckily the ride was very short!
Even though it was only about 8, i promptly went to bed in a room they prepared for me upstairs.
18th Jan 2015 – Making Friends in Chiang Mai
I barely slept last night on the night train. The mattress was rock hard and I was freezing the entire time. The air-con makes the room feel like a refrigerator. Once I was awake I stayed up and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. The mountains and greenery of country Thailand, shrouded in fog, while the sun is still streaming through is gorgeous.
Goodnight!
At 10, we arrived at Chiang Mai train station, where Jane, a volunteer and foster parent at FFAC was waiting for us. She drove us to breakfast and onto the Babies Home.
I felt rude taking photos, so none for everyone else unfortunately. Many of the children here have severe disabilities. They often come from Nong Khai or Bangkok and then moved here. While the carers do as much for them as possible, it’s still quite hard to see them and hear their stories. The building is very make do, quite run down and small. One girl’s birth mum tried to abort her with drugs they suspect and by consequence she has severe developmental issues. Another was about to be adopted when she climbed out of her crib and fell. Her injuries caused severe brain damage, and now she is confined to a chair, unable to sit or stand on her own. It’s a good reminder that although the children hate being tethered and they scream and cry when you do it, it could save them. Most of the children I am with are awaiting families now. The paperwork just needs to be approved. These children, their only chance for adoption is if a couple specifically ask for a special needs child.
After we were introduced to the children and carers, Raj and Shoba took us outside to demonstrate Pranic healing. It works with people’s individual energy and clearing out the stress energy before healing the damage. We sat and meditated for 15 minutes and they showed us an exercise to help channel sex energy. I hope it will help the carers and the children. We were supposed to do some work with the children today but Shoba was feeling unwell so we took them to the hotel.
When arrived we found out there was no vacancy for me, so they went to another hotel to find room for me. They found one eventually at Noble Homestay (Chiang Mai), about 10 minutes walk away from the main gates of the old city.
I was starving by now so I went straight out to find some fruit. While waiting for the shuttle van to come, a Thai girl, Ying befriended me. Thais have an aversion to being alone apparently, and as this was my first time alone in Chiang Mai, I didn’t mind the company. First we ate at a little restaurant. She had some yummy looking soup and I had mango. Afterwards we walked down the street for a while, until she hailed a tuk tuk and we caught that to the Art in Paradise Museum. It’s a museum filled with illusion paintings. A good way to waste a couple of hours, taking silly pictures out of the heat. Many of the paintings are actually really life like and there’s a huge array. It helps to know a Thai, because foreigners pay 300 baht and locals only pay 180 baht. My job was to stand silently and smile, otherwise my accent would certainly give it away!
Starving again, we caught a bus (which is really an open van) to the Sunday walking markets. These markets are sprawling, set on the streets of Chiang Mai, blocked to traffic. Much of the products on sale aren’t just touristy garb either. There are vintage shoes, clothes, leather goods, paintings, home made skin care, lots of food and beautiful decorations. It never ceases to amaze me how clever people are. It’s almost impossible to keep track of which street you turned down, which intersection is which or when the markets will end, so if you want to buy something, do it while you can. You might not find it again.
Streets and streets of shopping
Don’t forget the amazing number of Wats or temples in Chiang Mai. It seems there’s on every few metres. I adore how intricate the designs are. They are well worth a look, but remember to remove your shoes and don’t act like paparazzi when taking photos. Also, the closer you approach, be mindful it’s really disrespectful to be taller than Buddha and to point your feet at him.
By the time we walked back, my feet were aching, I was constantly swatting mosquitoes and I just wanted to relax on my own. Tomorrow we are flying to Nong Kai, though I’m pretty sure Ying would love it if I went with her to Phuket!
Beneath The Hair 