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! :)

Little Beds and a Coffee Pot

Ok, so in response to Morgan's comment I figured I would give some details about where I am and who I am with. The organization I am volunteering for is called COSA. Basically, they are all about prevention of  trafficking. They serve as a shelter for girls who are vunerable to becoming victims to the traffickers here in Thailand. There are about 15 girls here. The youngest is 4 and the oldest is 16. There are 4 volunteers. Roger, Chelsey, Tayna, and ME! Then there is Laura, who I think of as a volunteer, but technically she is staff. All 5 of us sleep together in the same room. We have little beds and a coffee pot, which is pretty much all I need! I will be putting up pictures probably in a week or so. We have more than that though, but it's hard to explain, so I will let the pictures do the talking once I'm able to upload them.

 

Roger took me out on the motorcycle today. We rode through the village and it was so beautiful! There are these pretty rice fields and banana trees. My favorite is the mountains. I will have to put up pictures of this too. It is amazing! Also, right now is rainy season. So it has rained at least 5 times today. It is sort of a drag, but you get used to it. There are these local markets, which are similar to our flea markets, but here they happen all the time and everywhere. They are so much fun. They sell everything. From clothes, to fruit you've never heard of, to live fish, and to pig heads (yes, very gross).

So yes, in short, that is what it is like here. I'm sure you will appreciate the pictures more than my description, but I try. Well I must be going! I miss you all!!!

Loveeeee :)

Greetings From Thailand!

Well I am officially at my placement here in Thailand! I feel like so much has happend already! I will go over the major things. Firstly, I spent about 22 hours on planes! From Orlando to LA, from LA to Tokyo, and from Tokyo to Bangkok. In Tokyo I wasn't aware I would have to change planes. So after going to the wrong place and eventually making my waz to security I was still confused. Apparently, the confusion look works for me because a wonderful Japanese woman, dressed in pink, approached me and told me I looked lost, so she would help me. She literally ran me all the way to my plane and I was the last person they let board! It was a miracle.

I got to Bangkok finally, got some sleep, and then spent the next day touring the city. Seeing the Great Temple and the biggest buddah in the world!

I ate some tasty Thai food and had a blast.  Now, I am at my placement in Chiang Mai. There are  other volunteers here. We all sleep in the same room... cozy lol. I talked to the directors about filming a amateur documentary. They are very excited about it. However, i just came across a problem. When I first got my camera I charged it up and found that I was given a bad battery. In Bangkok I was able to get a new battery. I just finished charging it up and put it in. After 4 minutes it came witha sign that said this battery is not compatible, and turned off. Blah. I don't know what I will do about this now. Hmm... problem.

Other than that things are great. I am trying to adjust. This language barrier thing is more difficult than I imagined. Thanks for all the love and support everyone! Until next time!

The Night Before!

My mother and I are sitting here in the hotel right now, only a few hours away from going to the airport. Today did not go exactly as planned. I was supposed to be moved out of my dorm by 4pm and have plenty of time for errands and sleep before my 7:30am flight. However, life is full of twists and turns and we did not get moved out of my dorm until 11 at night! So now we are waiting on Chelsey and Phillip to get here and contemplating just staying up all night. Who knows! 

It had some coffee earlier today and maybe it was the caffeine, but it really started to hit me... I'm going to Thailand! What?!? I am getting on a plane and going to another country by myself. I think I might be crazy! I am ridiculously excited/nervous. I have no idea if I packed the right things or anything, but it is too late for all that now. 

This time tomorrow I will be in Thailand!

Woo hoo!