Chiang Mai Adventure: Part 3

It was a last minute decision... But elephant riding is a must do while in Thailand! So what a better place than in Chiang Mai right in the middle of the jungle. Today was one of the best days during our whole trip a full day of adventures!

The tour took us to an outback village right on the side of a mountain. People were living in these make shift houses and dirt floors. It seemed as though the conditions and surroundings are completely unliveable. But for these Thai villagers it was the simple life that made things good. The village was occupied by many farm animals that roamed the paths and sqeaked and crowed as we continued deeper and deeper into their land. We came to our first clearing and came up on a gushing river that made our path come to a makeshift and very unsteady looking bridge. One wrong step and you would be splashing into the river. On the other side were fields and fields of rice and workers poking their heads up to see who their audience was that came walking up on them.

Our trek took us through the scenery that I was expecting to see in Thailand. The countryside. We walked deep into the rice fields and up a mountain and through thick jungle looking areas. We had to be careful with each step trying not to slip on the thick and slippery mud that made the path difficult to walk on. Our tour guide explained the ways of life of the people and what types of irrigation and set up they used for the rice fields. The Thai people are very knowledgeable with their resources and use everything to their advantage. Our tour guide told us about Teak trees and brought a leaf to us and said that when rubbed it turns to a blood red paint like consistency. She said it was used as war paint during war.

Our trekking led us to a beautiful waterfall that was so refreshing to stand beside as the mist came and cooled our faces from the hot hike. It was amazing to see the amount of water flowing out of what looked like rock emcaving the source of the falls. It was amazing to just sit at the bottom and listen to the roar and watch the water fall crashing to the base. Next we were on our way to the final destination of our trek and it led to another village with a magnificent view! You could see the mountains and rice fields for miles that made heaven look as if it was right in front of us.

After eating lunch it was elephant time!! My first elephant ride was going through the thick jungle of Thailand. Our elephant was tied to the one in front making sure not to get led astray as Ashley guided our ride. With each pounding step I was wondering whether or not I would be able to make it without falling off?! The steps of the beast was not insync as you rocked from side to side with a crashing force to the ground. I felt a little unsteady sloshing through the muddy water below and wondering if the elephant would slide and even make it up the steep incline?! The day was very hot but the experience was so rememberable!

To end the day we were driven to a river where we wen bamboo rafting! The rafts were made of long pieces of wood tied together with about ten all in a row that made a sturdy boat. Staying dry was not an option, cause as soon as I got on the raft the guide splashed us with his long bamboo. From then on it was a constant water fight and trying to see who we could knock off next. We stood on the raft and ducked to dodge the low trees and then standing in a surfing pose just trying to keep your balance in the rushing flow of the river. It was a great ending to the day after getting hot and sweaty on the trek and then dirty and sunburnt on the elephant ride.

Chiang Mai Adventure: Part 2

As I wipe the sleepy from my eyes I get an adrenaline rush as Leah comes in to wake everyone up. It was Monday and that meant ZIPLINING!! Although it was my idea to go in the first place I was scared to death of what was waiting for us in the jungle. After all I am so afraid of heights. I knew this was going to be an interesting day...

The trip up the mountain and to our final destination was not a fun ride. The driver seemed to squeal the tires after every turn going up the steep incline and around the narrow road that is supposedly used for two lanes. The scary part was the fact of the driver laying on his horn going around every turn to let oncoming traffic know that there was someone coming?! As we kept getting higher and higher into the thick lush green I knew that we were going to be smack dab in the middle of Chiang Mai's jungle! I wasn't sure how I was going to react to the first swing of the cables and the anticipation and anxiety was killing me as I waited for my turn to finally get all the necessary gear on that was going to be my only safe guard as we are swinging hundreds of feet in the air from tree to tree.

"Ok just sit and keep your legs up." "What?!" "No, No Im not ready!" My heart was pounding as the guide was about to let go of me on the first cable run. I blinked and off I went! Screaming of course as if that will help me from the beginning of the run all the way to the end. "Whew!" I made it through my first run and only 17 more to go?! We had about 9 people in our group that we had a blast laughing at each other going crazy as the excitement was building after each run. The view from these treetops are so indescrible! You are just amongst the most beautiful trees and lush plants you have ever seen. You get this rush everytime the guide lets go of your harness and then you are "flying" from tree to tree with this freedom of height and nothing to stop you.

The worst part of the tour was when we were desceded and dropped from an upper level tree post to a lower level. It was so thrilling as our guide Sam would play with us and drop you really quick then hold it so you come to a quick stop in the middle of the air?! I quickly got over my fear of heights and began to enjoy the excitement of the ride! On our last cable run I looked ahead and saw the frightful sight of the end. The tallest tree I have ever seen was at the end and the only way down was to be dropped hundreds of feet to the bottom. I was so nervous. I thought by this point I would have defeated my phobia of heights. So like a pro I forgot about my fear and in an instant I sat and was lifted off the platform and was descended to the bottom. "Was that it?" It was over in a flash. I wanted to do it again!

The day was cool being high in the mountains. And afterwards we were fed a delicious lunch and then made our way to the final destination of a waterfall. It was a beautiful sight! The falls were on the side of a mountain and seemed to go on for miles! We hiked all the way to the top of this rushing flow of water. The climb was steep and wet, trying to be careful of every step. But we were all determined to make it to the top! Totally worth it! Thailands landscape and beauty never seems to disappoint.

Chiang Mai Adventure: Part 1

Our journey began last Friday night about 9pm, our train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was due to leave at 10pm. Mike, Ashley, Tatiana, and I were sitting right in the middle of the crowds waiting anxiously for the call of our train. The hour seemed to go by slowly as the heat of outside was pouring in and every second waiting was like an hour dragging on forever in the heat of the night. Our final boarding call was made and we got into the train looking for the seats that we were about to park on for the next 15 hours. Surprisingly the train is very comfortable and it was nice to be able to stretch out and sleep for the night. The train is very comfortable with the rocking of the cars that act as a cradle rocking a baby to sleep. So I just plugged in my ear plugs, placed a bandana accross my eyes and fell into a nice sleep.... Until I woke a few hours later.... And then a few hours later awoke again... I didn't get much sleep because my window kept falling down and the smells of the bathroom that was right next to us and the exhaust from outisde kept creeping in through the window and up my nose. I awoke in the morning to many insects in my bed that had come in through the night. And then it was pointed out to us on a flyer "Attention foreigners keep windows rolled up when sleeping." Ugh! A little too late...

As we stopped at a station along the way I was just sitting and looking out the window and feeling like I needed a shower at this point. The word grungy was across all of our minds, but I just decided to embrace it. Next thing I know a cute little old man came up my window and asked in his short broken English where I was from. I replied "America!?" And he gave me the nicest little smile he could and said "you are very beautiful. Americans are beautiful." I was surprised and just got a warm heart and thought that that little old man just made my day even through the traveling grimyness of the train.

After getting off the long ride and finally making it into Chiang Mai my anxiety of the trip was tingling through my whole body! I was so excited when we finally made it to our home for the next five days. The pastor of the SDA church had lent his house to the 6 of us for the week. We were reacquainted with our friends who moved to Ubon Erin and Leah and from then on the week was filled with nonstop laughter.

Chiang Mai is much different that Bangkok. First it is surrounded by glorious mountains and lush green trees and plants that make the air smell fresh. The city is smaller and caters to many "farrangs" that come to its dwelling. It has a huge variety of western restaurants and many coffee and food vendors that will meet any craving and meet what your taste buds are wanting.

On Sunday we went to the Doi Suithep Temple which is described as the "temple in the sky." We had to travel up a steep mountain to get to it, then once we got there we had to travel up the couple hundred steps to get to see this famous temple of Chiang Mai. Unfortunately for "farrangs" we had to pay to see this place but in the end it was completely worth it. The view from the top was so beautiful as you look over the edge and onto the majestic scenery. To walk into the main temple one has to wear long pants to go in. Unfortunately I did not remember this nor get the memo so I got to dress up in a Thai skirt (rented for 10 baht) just to see the comotion. Inside there were many gold Buddhas waiting for the people to adorn them with incense, candles and flowers. As I peeked inside one of the temples there was a monk flicking water on the bowing people below and speaking in an unidentifyable language. Then after the prayer of some sort he would strap a white string onto the followers and then they went on there way. After inquiring what these people were all waiting in line for I found out that the monk was blessing them with a lifetime of luck and that you keep the white string band on your arm until it falls off. It was amazing and humbling to see the dedication and the devotion of the people. Every follower has such respect for what they have to do and are very diligent in their ways. It was interesting to see the devotion first hand. It makes me wonder how and if in Christianity we show our diligence to our God? Publicly? Everyday? Something to ponder...

The day was getting hotter and hotter so we made our way back to the city to get ready for the Sunday market shopping! Chiang Mai's Sunday market is filled with all walks of life. People from every different country thousands of handicrafts and of all styles made from all over Thailand. Foods that you have never seen before or experienced all in front of you. The colors and lights blind you and you don't even know where to begin as with every minute the streets are becoming more crowded. It seemed to go on for a couple miles with the many street alleys filled with all te excitement. I am getting pretty good at haggling and batering with the locals. I am able to identify if it is a good sale and then tell them "Mai!?" when it is too expensive. I bat my eyes a little bit and use my gentle charm to soften the expense. The others laugh at me and say that I am so gentle and sweet when I ask. But I just use my incredible wit and charm and ask and tell them how it is in confidence hoping they will buy it?!

We finally made our way back to our beds and awaited until our next adventure that was to begin at 6:45am the next morning...

What's Up in Bangkok

So there are exactly two seasons here... Rainy season and hot season. We are definately in the rainy season. Everyday it seems to begin pouring right in the late afternoon and then in the early evening through the night. A few nights ago I was awakened from my REM cycle from a flash of light then followed by what Ashley and I describe the thunder as Satan's crack of a whip! It is indescribable on how intense the storms are. When you see a bright flash of light you know to run to safety and plug your ears from the immense crack that will make you deaf for the quick moment it happens.

Teaching is becoming a more easier process to handle. Everyday it seems that there is some quick change in schedule and that you will have a new student or a new class that you have to just smile and move on. That's Thai time for you. Anything goes at pretty much anytime without any warning. It was about a week and a half ago that Thursday at noon I got the news that "hey you have to go out of the country like now!" Apparently we were going to become illegal aliens on the Sunday if we did not go to renew our visa. So Ashley and I were told to leave at 430 in the morning to make our day journey to the "no man's land" between Cambodia and Thailand. To say the least, it was a very long day and it ended with a 12 hour sleep beginning at 7 pm that night.

I have truly have come to enjoy Karaoke! It's the new thing to do!

It is one of my favorite things to to here in Thailand. And just to clue you in, Thursday night is the new Saturday night! Just FYI... Thursday night is the main night that we all go out and do something special to end the week. Since we all have class on Sunday, it makes it hard to go out and enjoy the evening.

On Sunday I have two classes: one at 9-11 and then a class from 11-1. I am always a little apprehensive when it comes to Sunday. First I have to put on my "A" game to entertain the 7 young students for two hours where I am fighting for their attention and feedback. Then there's my Adult Bible class. Honestly, I have pray to God everyday before that class that He will just speak through me. It is a challenging class to get points across to the adults because they are all learning English at comepletely different levels. I have one student who is very good and she has to translate to the other 3-4 students of what I am trying to say. Its also a challenge when I am trying to teach them a little English as well as trying to explain God to Buddhists. I mean where do you even begin?!

This past Sunday, God was really working. We first just began with a comment that a person from the US was coming to Thailand to tell about a dream or vision that he had about Ellen White and then from there the conversation just blossomed. There were tears, laughter, and excited faces. One of the ladies who hadn't really said much before just completely opened up to me and the rest of the class. God is really working through her because she is asking alot of questions and wants to just find some peace in her life. I was able to share a little of my testimony and began to explain why things happen the way they do and what to do about it. I showed them two promises in the Bible: Philippians 4:13 and Romans 15:13. The time went by so fast! It seemed that we could have sat and talked and shared all through the night. But after the bell rang I prayed with them and told them to "Let go and Let God" to take a deep breath and continue their day. I could see the appreciation on their faces and burdens lifted off some as they were leaving my classroom.

Then my two students invited me over for lunch that afternoon. So I gathered my things and got Ashley and we went to my student Arriya with my other student Thaew to eat some homemade Khao Pat Gai (Fried Rice with Chicken). It was so nice to have some home cooked food. Then after talking for awhile and watching a short movie. We decided we were ready to do some shopping!

Markets in Bangkok are another indescribable experiences that you just have to be here to believe it. miles and miles of vendors and thousands of people gather and come together onto one street to sell their goods and to find good deals. There are always many Ferrangs (foreigners) that come to the Patunam markets and malls. Being clausterphobic is not an option as you walk through the lines of tents or aisles in the mall with other people pushing their way around you if you happen to stop. Soon you just get in a flow of crowds and you dare not stop or begin to linger and slow down or else you will be trampled by the many shoppers that are wondering why aren't moving. There are so many things to see and by running from clothing, to luggage, and many many accessories! I was in heaven! And was able to buy some good deals!

After the whole afternoon and evening of shopping we were all hot, hungry and running ragged by the end of the excursion. So all five of us hopped in a taxi and made our way back to Soi 37 which is our home street and grab some food at 7/11 then get ready for a good night's sleep.