Wrapping Up

Well I officially have only 9 days left here in Thailand. I am happy to report that the last few days have been extra pleasant. We got two new volunteers. Amanda, technically from California, but came from living in New  York for the past 6 years. She is getting ready to go to law school after this. Then there is another Kelsey, of course! She is from Alabama, of all places. We all went into the city on Tuesday and bonded and now we all get along great! We can laugh and be silly together, but we also have a lot of intelligent conversations. It is wonderful to be surrounded by like-minded people with similar interests and feminist mindsets!

The next few days, and my last few days, we will spend doing activities with the girls and that sort of thing. On Monday I am going to finally live my dream and ride an elephant!!!! It will be wonderful! I was able to find a place that actually treats the elephants right and doesn't abuse or exploit them, or so that is what I was led to believe. There's not much else really. I am working on making a short video for COSA to use on their website or wherever they'd like. So I will be sure to post it so you all can see.

That's about it! Miss you all! Be back in 9 days! :)

Wild Monkeys and Tiny Shorts

Well, I officially have two weeks left here! I can't believe it! Two weeks seems like a lot, but it also seems like a little. I am missing my family and friends incredibly so I will be happy to get back to them. However, I will miss the Thai people and culture ridiculously as well. I've done just about everything I want to do while I'm here. The only thing left is to ride an elephant, and I surely won't leave without that being done!

It's amazing what traveling does to a person. So many things in my life became so clear once I flew a couple thousand miles away. It's definitely an emotional roller coaster. For example:

 The other day when I was still in Krabi I took a walk... a longggg walk. I'm amazed I walked as far as I did actually. I was walking to these huge rock like things that I saw in the distance. then after awhile I found this nature path, which I continued to follow and walk for a longgg time more. At the end of this path I found a river and I decided to sit and just enjoy it. After sitting by myself at this river for about 5-10 minutes out of the corner of my eye I saw something move. Guess what it was?! WILD MONKEYS! It was so incredible. Monkeys with their babies on their backs. It's cool to see monkeys at the zoo, sure, but seeing monkeys in their natural habitat at the most unexpected time is really something I can't explain. I felt so privileged to be there. I felt like that experience told me a lot about my life as well (but that is another subject). Anyways, after that I was on this incredible high. I then took my longggg walk back to the hostel I was staying at. In Thailand many people stare at the Farangs because we are strange to them I guess. But as I was walking down the street they  must have thought me incredibly strange because I was boppin my head and belting out Isreal houghton and Jimmy Needham songs. It was surely a sight to see.

On another note, the next day I had to spend about 7 hours in the airport. My mood, in the best way I can describe it, was "grumpy gills." Yes, that was me. Everyone in the airport seemed to bother me for some reason or another. The Thai couple that chose to sit on opposite sides of me and hold their conversation across me as I was trying to read The children crying over someone eating their chips (and way past the age to be crying over that), or the farangs that had no respect for thai culture and it's modesty walking around the airport in tiny shorts and spaghetti straps. I was very unhappy to say the least.

I say these things with a point. Traveling truly does evoke a wide range of emotions. I go back and forth, but in the end all the highs outweigh the lows. And all the positive experiences outweight the negative ones. In the end, every emotion, experience, hard time, whatever... it's all worth it.

Koh Phi Phi = Not For Me!

So Sunday I flew out to Phuket! Spent a night there and then moved on to Koh Phi Phi the next day. Koh Phi Phi is probably one of the most beautiful places on earth. I spent the first day exploring the island, going to the beach, and seeing a fireshow that night.

The next day I went on an all day snorkeling trip and tour of the islands. It was awesome. I saw such beautiful things and got to swim up and close with the fishes! My kinda thing!

Now, here's the twist! I found myself literally sitting in paradise and thinking GET ME OUTTA HERE!!!

Here's the thing. At night Koh Phi Phi turned into what I would like to describe as a stereotypical frat boy's paradise! All over the island are these little shops to help you set up tours and adventures for the day. At about 8pm on my second night I was walking back from having dinner and I realized that all these tour shops had closed, but instead they set up tables in front selling BUCKETS of alcohol! Oh yeah, did I forget to mention, that was the thing, not drinks of alcohol... buckets. I'm not exaggerating either, that is how they were advertised. "3-4-1 Buckets!" It was all kind of sickening. Plus on top of it all I was staying in a 16 bed dorm room hostel. So all the people in my room just wanted to party and didn't go out until midnight, so it made for sleeping somewhat difficult!

Anyways, after 2 nights of that, despite the beautifulness I  just had to leave. Now, I am in Krabi. Another beach, but this is not an island so I am staying in the city part of town. I was incredibly happy once I arrived. The hostel I am staying at is the same price as the awful one I was at in Phi Phi but it is wonderful! The beds are comfy, there is AC and hot showers and nice hang out spots! I never realized how much a little bit of comfort can change your mood! I explored the city a little bit last night, but not too much cause it was raining. I love it here so much more. I already met lots of people. When I was exploring I met some women Pow, Barbara, and Da. Then getting back to my room I met Laura, Rebecca, and Neddly. I think people are friendlier here... it's nice!

Well I'm off to explore and get some breakfast! I hope everyone is doing wonderfully! Miss you all!

It's a Journey

The past few days have been very interesting. We went up to the Hill Tribes where many of the girls who live at Bann Yuu Suk (the Shelter here at COSA) come from. We ate dinner and stayed with the man who is the leader of the Yao people. We were up in the most beautiful mountains I had ever seen. It was breathtaking and wonderful. It was also ironic that a place so beautiful is the same place where such terrible things begin. As I have said before, the people in the hill tribe are at a high risk for being trafficked due to their not being considered Thai citizens. It is common for people in the Hill tribes to sell their daughters into the sex trade in order to support the family. There was one house that was particularly big and beautiful. Apparently, some girls had gone off to become prostitutes and then returned and built a big house for their family. It's kind of shocking that some girls don't go into the sex trade when this is what they see. What is the result of prostitution? Big houses, fancy cars, nice clothes, etc.

At Bann Yuu Suk, one of the girl's sister works as a prostitute. She comes by to visit with her brand new car, nice clothes, and gifts galore. She brings her sister lots of things and gives her money. This is what the girls are seeing. It's sickening. I really feel for these girls. How do you choose a life outside of prostitution when nothing else can bring in that kind of money? When that is all you've seen since you were a impressionable young girl? When that is what your older sister does?

This trip to Thailand has most definitely been one of the hardest things I have ever willingly done. This whole trip is challenging me in so many ways. I can't even describe all the emotions I've felt throughout this trip. I know at the end of the day that all of this is worth it. I am growing as a person. I am learning so much about myself and the world, but it still is incredibly hard. I am on a journey...physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I am leaving for the beaches tomorrow! Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and who knows where else! I don't know what else is in store for me on this journey, but I'm off to find out!

Pasa Engle?

I just spent the past two hours teaching 17 Thai children English... or attempting to. I only found out yesterday that I was supposed to teach this two hour class and only had an hour this morning to prepare. Surprisingly I think it went pretty well. I am no professional by any means, but I did my best. The first hour we spent learning animals names, which apparently they had learned before. Then we did a bit of pictionary to test them on the names. For the second half we learned different feelings and then practices writing some of the words in sentences.

If I wasn't aware before (which I was) then I definitely am now... I could never be a teacher. Well, strike that, I could be. It would just be MUCHO difficult. Preparing lesson plans, molding minds, keeping their interest... that is some difficult stuff. Kudos to all the teachers out there! And extra kudos to the ones teaching a foreign language when you don't speak your students native language because from my experience that is difficult! Poor kids, every five seconds I had my head in the Thai-English translation book.

Phew. I am glad I made it through. Hopefully I will be more prepared for next time. And I better start preparing now because next time is tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Til next time! :)

Oh Silly Farang!

Firstly, let me say "Farang" means foreigner or westerner here in Thailand. Therefore, I am Farang.

Yesterday, we took the girls to Chiang Mai for a bowling trip and pizza! We all had a great time. One of the volunteers Chelsea just finished up her volunteering with COSA and the bowling was her last big event. Now, she is staying in the city for a week or so more. So I decided to stay the night in the city with her and her friend Kelly after bowling. Myself, Chelsea, and Kelly got a great healthy dinner at this place called Salad concept. Then we went and saw Thor. Which I suprisingly enjoyed. The next day we spent our time in cute coffee shops and things like that. I also got a Thai massage for 120 baht (which is about 4 American dollars!) It was a good time. Now, here's when things went awry.

The way to get in and out of town here is through the Sung Taos. I don't know if I said before but Sung Taos are like buses and you just press a button when you are ready to get off. Chelsea explained to the driver that I was a Farang and didn't speak Thai. She told him exactly where I was going so he would just stop. I have taken the Sung Tao before, but never by myself, so when I got to a familiar place, I thought it was time for me to get off. I got off with a bunch of people and I asked the driver "Wat-See-Chum-Poo?" (which is the name of the market I am supposed to get off at). He nodded his head and smiled at me, so I took that as a "yes". WRONG!

So there I am... Sung Tao driving away... standing in the rain...and I don't know where I am. Oh silly Farang. I started to cross the road and was in the middle waiting to cross the rest when a man starts saying things to me in Thai. He had been on the Sung Tao with me and I guess realized I had gotten off at the wrong stop. He was saying something that I assume, had it been in english, would have been something like, "You wanted to get off at Wat See Chum Poo? That is down the road, about 4 minutes, You need to get on another Sung Tao". So I crossed the road back to where I came from. I started to just walk, cause I figured it couldn't be that far. Then I heard the Thai man yelling again. Apparently, he explained to a woman standing on my side of the street that I was a silly Farang who needed to get to Wat See Chum Poo, because next thing I know she is helping me and explaining to another Sung Tao driver where I need to go.

So I get on this other Sung Tao, ride for about 5 minutes, and then the Thai woman motions for me to get off. This time I get off and it seems right. Now, I call Roger, who was supposed to pick me up. Except he didn't pick up his phone. So here I am... standing in the rain... without a ride or anyone else to call... not exactly sure where I am. Oh silly Farang. I start walking down a side road that looks familiar and I think will lead me back to the COSA shelter. The walk took about 30 to 45 minutes. In the rain. Multiple people offered to give me a ride. That is how it is here, Thai people want to help Farangs, and apparently it is generally safe. However, I was so confused and couldn't explain where I was going so none of them could take me there anyways.

I walked for a long time, past Thai people and wild Thai dogs. They probably saw me walking in the rain and singing and though, "Oh silly Farang." When I finally came upon COSA I felt incredibly victorious! Triumphant even! I survived my first lost Farang experience!

I must say, It's hard out there for a Farang! :)

"Thai Massage" Parlors

So last night we went to the Red Light District. Basically, it is a street where westerners go to buy prostitutes. We went there and it wasn't as blatant as you would think. I'm pretty sure many westerners walk down that street and don't even realize what is going on. It looks like just a bunch of bars and stores. The only thing that might tip you off that something sketchy is happening is the like 20 thai massage places in one small area. Apparently, many of these "Thai massage" places are actually covers for prostitutes and such. You go in, you go behind a curtain where you are getting your supposed "massage" and you get something else instead.

We were sitting in some of the bars and right next to us these fat, gross white men were sitting with their hands on Thai women's thighs. It was thoroughly disgusting Now granted, most of the prostitutes on the Red Light District here in Thailand are not enslaved. They are making lots of money, they "choose" this work, and they are usually not underage. So what I was seeing was simply prostitution rather than slavery. However, I don't know if I think these girls can really "choose" this life.

Most of the girls in our shelter come from the Hill Tribe. The people of the Hill Tribes here in Thailand aren't considered Thai citizens. They are discriminated against and the children cannot go to school past the age of 12. That is why many of the girls from the Hill Tribes are at risk for getting involved in the sex trade. Many of their parents will willingly sell them in order to provide for the family. So, it seems like, most of the girls working on the Red Light District probably started off young, came from the Hill Tribes , or something of that nature. So lets be honest, when you have been a sex worker since you were 12 and have no education, that is all you know. You do not choose prostitution. It is either that or nothing. That is how I see it at least.

All that I have said is based on what I have seen and also learned from Mickey, who is the founder of the organization I am here with. So I am sure things can be different in different areas, or different than what I have said. Just a disclaimer lol.

I hope everyone is doing well. Miss you all! :)