28th Jan 2015 – Khao Kho

Yesterday we traveled to Khao Kor, a district of Phetchabun Province, northern Thailand. It’s not as far north as Chiang Mai. This is by far the quietest place I’ve been in Thailand for a long time. They are starting to build resorts here, and extending the roads in both directions, so I suppose it won’t be too quiet for much longer. People come here to escape the heat of Bangkok. The country side is renowned for agriculture, tamarind, in particular. I didn’t have the time to take any good pictures while whizzing past the valleys and hills in the van, but it is beautiful. It appears dry, which is even more apparent when you see the ground being chiseled away to make room for more roads. It’s also a dangerous spot for wild fires and I even saw one in the distance, the night we arrived.

This morning was cold again. It’s hard to sleep on beds as hard as the ones they always buy here, so I actually look forward to going back to the orphanage. The hotel was a short drive along the main highway from the closest village. We quickly hopped off at various stalls in search of fruit for me. I know I’m a pain, but it’s almost a non-existent problem here. There is cheap fruit everywhere (10 baht for a pomelo) and if we weren’t looking for me, then we’d be looking for food for them. Saovanee, Wanna and Nuttasorn are always eating. It’s the perfect lifestyle for me, because eating small meals works better than cramming a ton of fruit in all at once. It’s also perfect proof I am Thai. People are often surprised by how much I eat but it is nothing compared to people here. It’s so good to see.

Anyway, the Baan Lao Luu Day Care Centre was not far from the village. This is a school set up so children from hill-tribes who relocate here can be educated Their parents often work in the fields during the day. Many are from the minority group called the Mon. They retain their language but are also taught Thai, as many of them will stay in Thailand. FFAC donate toys and supplies to them. They donated money for a classroom to be built and they also pay the wages of 4 teachers.

When we arrived the children (there are about 90 here) were lined up to wait for the flag of Thailand to be raised. After that, they sang and danced for their morning exercise. I just had to take photos of their stunning traditional clothes. Most of them are handmade by their parents. They use whatever materials they have, including the coins of various currencies. There was a little boy wearing coins from France and the US.

The children with one of their classrooms in the background

Everyone was dancing, except these two.

One of their classrooms

3 of the teachers

More classrooms

 

We were supposed to stay for longer, after Raj and Shoba did their healing session, but because of a misunderstanding with the driver, Saovanee decided it best we return today. So we picked up our bags from the hotel and left for Bangkok at about 12. We stopped for lunch along the way I and this was the first time I genuinely wished I could eat anything again. It all looked delicious, including the crispy chicken. The chicken they use here is free range and free from being fed hormones, so it makes them tastier and their skin crisps up better when roasted.

I don’t eat chicken but I wouldn’t mind eating this one

Do you think we have enough for 6 people?

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!

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