So this time we brought ICE CREAM we were welcomed with open arms again but when they saw what we had well you can imagine. We did not get there until after dark so not everyone was around and we were worried that we would have too much ice cream and no one to eat it. We bought a bit more ice to put around it before we started up the mountain and since we were on the mountain and it gets pretty cold at night we were able to save it and soon as everyone finished breakfast we gave out the rest. After everyone had a brain freeze we then gave out the clothes that were donated which was mostly larger sized things but since I have gotten a lot more things for the kids for the next trip.
No this trip was very different since only Greig and I went so there was no one with us to speak Thai and all of our contacts in the Village had left the village. Some for holiday which would be 3 weeks but luckily the main contacts would be back in a few days. This wound up being great, it gave up time to connect a little more personally with the people and figure out some other things about how we could help and how to approach these things. We brought a bunch of food and after cooking Greig and I went on a hike to see where their water source comes from and why we had no water for the past 2 days…Holes in some of the pipes, OK we can raise some money to get new one’s, check. We then got to hang out with an older kid named Bus, he is blind but spoke really good English. He speaks Thai Musar and English as well as writes all 3 in braille. He goes to school in Chiang Mai at the Northern School of the Blind but was home on holiday and we were lucky to meet him and hang out for the afternoon. Then we got to play with all of the little kids in the creek, which we wound up doing this once a day with them, it was really hot and not having much water, it was our shower.
This day began with a delicious breakfast of fresh picked jungle veggies and a few eggs (we brought them) then we went on a hike with some of the parent and kids, we ended up in a cave and we thought we could hear water and it was cool (it was so dark) but we were wrong it was the sound of the thousands of Bats flying all around us. The kids were happy as this Tribe is really big into hunting so Bats would be on the menu if they got any and they did 15 of them. I told them I would probably not be eating them and I did not. I am up for most things but looking at them in the bag was enough. Also the cave had some really beautiful Limestone and no wonder that stuff is so expensive, if they have to get it from places like this it is not easy and then to have to hike it down…WOW, it was really great to see. We then eat some kind of tree which I still can’t remember what they called it, it was not the best thing I have ever eaten but fun anyway. The whole way down we would pick anything we could to cook for dinner and then came to a creek where the kids got a few little fish, crabs and a frog. Now we ended up at a cabbage patch as well there were tons of other veggies and the guys working there let us take a bunch of things and they were also added to our dinner, the lunch I cooked when we got back and for the next few days. I tell you it is really great being a Chef when I can go into the field, pick veggies then go back and cook for a bunch of people in the village.
The first thing we did the next morning after eating breakfast was watched 3 baby boy pigs get castrated, no pictures for you, it’s all in my brain and that’s enough. I can’t believe I was able to see something like that…We wanted to connect with some of the villagers that we have not had time to meet yet so we just went for a walk and did just that met some new folks. We had a nice time and then we were invited to lunch in NaPers house, she is a very good cook and really sweet. She is the mother of Bus, and we got to meet her other 2 kids also, 1 little boy about 9 and a 13 year old girl. Two of the people that are our main connections to the village came back, Sak and his wife, on of the teachers Na Lah so we had time to catch up with them. The first thing they did was pulled a papaya of of a tree and we had Som Tom (spicy papaya salad, very spicy). We figured out a few things for a plan of action for the next few trips, rooves, a bathroom, new pipes for the water system, etc. One more swim with the kids in the creek, this time about 15 joined us so the water fight was on.
We were invited to a special dinner being put on by a few families, they were serving pig. You see they kill chickens to eat all of the time but only for very special occasion’s will they kill a big so this was big. I was sad for the pig but this is life and they have to eat. They had the leader of the village come and do some prayers, they put bracelets on all of us and then we ate, to be honest it was not the best meal we ate while there but it was an honer to be part of this. After we just hung out with the kids playing games and laughing. It was much like any holiday dinner you would have with any family and minus the language barriers it was a blast. We then spent the remainder of the evening with several villagers, learning their language, joking and laughing, truly a memorable night. See even when you can’t speak the same we were still able to spend hours together just bonding, AMAZING…
This was going to be our last day and we woke to a fresh breakfast of beef, for me I do not eat much beef but since this was really fresh (only 2 hours) I was game to try it. They made us a dish called Larb, very spicy and topped with rice powder, for them they ate the same but with raw beef. Since it was just that fresh it was ok to eat but I had to pass, sorry. We then got some banana stalks which is part of the plant to chop and mix with water for the pigs to eat, fun. Time to make a list of what to bring next time, do some final measurement’s for the lining of the fish pond and water the garden. The past 3 days we had no water so we were now able to do this and let me tell you it was so needed. A bit more fun with the kids and on we went. We are always wanting to stay longer and I am sad to go.
There is what looks like a Temple about half way between the village and the main road and you can see a beautiful Pagoda from the road. This time we planned to check ot out on the way home. It was so beautiful and peaceful and we found out it is a place for Monk’s to go and get some rest, for their mind and body, I can see why they would pick such a place. Check out the pictures and you will see…Until next time, thanks for checking out my blog
