On December 31 2013 we visited an elder home. Before we arrived I was anticipating a enclosed building similar to what we have in the United States. When we finally arrived I was shocked to see this was not the case. Everything was so open, it looked like a little village. The sleeping areas were separate from the eating areas, and all of the buildings were open. We did get a chance to visit with the elders. They all seemed so happy and appreciative. We learned that many of the elders living in this facility may have been previously homeless or very poor.

As I walked around I thought about how different everything was from the United States. The openness and fresh air seemed to make everyone a little happier. I know in the states it would be impossible to have open facilities, but it wasn’t just the openness that was different it was the freedom. The elders had the freedom to eat where they wanted, nap when they wanted, and even sit where they wanted. This freedom is not the same in the United States, there are schedules that are decided by the staff so unfortunately the residents don’t get much say. 
It would be nice to one day introduce some of these ideas into nursing homes in the United States. I know we can’t have the total openness because of weather and safety, but giving the residents more freedom would probably make the residents feel more at home.

From the day we arrived in Thailand up until now I have been overwhelmed by the emphasis people put on New Years–signs everywhere, and people wishing you a happy New Year days before and after New Years. On New Years Eve in Chiang Mai the entire group went out to Duke’s Pizza.  It was great to come together as a group and have some amazing food that reminded me of home (honestly some of the best pizza I have ever had).  After supper we walked down to the river to buy lanterns–a Thai tradition to let go of the past and start fresh for the new year.  Letting go of my lantern was a very emotional experience, since New Years I have felt very at peace with my life and ready to move forward.  Experiencing Thai culture has provided me with the ambition to start living in the present.  Thailand has allowed me to let go of my control for the future–it has made me realize that planning every detail of my future, worrying about what will come next will only make me unhappy. I have never felt so happy and so free, it is my goal to continue to live in the present.  When I think back to New Years Eve looking up into a sky full of lanterns was so surreal–no picture could capture what I was feeling or seeing. 

Elephant riding was one of the things I was most excited about when coming to Thailand. I was expecting something totally different than what we got to do.  I was in awe that elephants just graze around like horses do in the States.  Getting to ride in a cart pulled by cattle was so funny to me. That’s not something you see or get to do back home.  After about a 15 minute ride on the cart we got to board on top of the elephant. It was a little scary at first because we were only held in by a bar that we had to hang onto.  It just blows my mind that the tour guides ride on top of the elephants necks.  I think elephants are my new favorite animal, I can’t believe how smart they are.  Getting to interact with them was so much fun.

I also really enjoyed getting to raft down the river.  Our guide was hilarious.  I just love how happy people seem to be here.  I didn’t bring my camera on the raft and at first I was upset,  but I’m happy I didn’t because I was able to take everything in.  It was so peaceful floating down the river taking in all the scenery. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to explain that beauty to anyone back home.  My favorite part was floating past the elephant hospital,  where there was music playing.  The elephants were dancing and it just made me so happy. It makes me want to come back and live by an elephant camp so I can learn more about them, but we’ll see what happens ;).

-Samantha Solmonson

From the day we arrived in Thailand up until now I have been overwhelmed by the emphasis people put on New Years–signs everywhere, and people wishing you a happy New Year days before and after New Years. On New Years Eve in Chiang Mai the entire group went out to Duke’s Pizza.  It was great to come together as a group and have some amazing food that reminded me of home (honestly some of the best pizza I have ever had).  After supper we walked down to the river to buy lanterns–a Thai tradition to let go of the past and start fresh for the new year.  Letting go of my lantern was a very emotional experience, since New Years I have felt very at peace with my life and ready to move forward.  Experiencing Thai culture has provided me with the ambition to start living in the present.  Thailand has allowed me to let go of my control for the future–it has made me realize that planning every detail of my future, worrying about what will come next will only make me unhappy. I have never felt so happy and so free, it is my goal to continue to live in the present.  When I think back to New Years Eve looking up into a sky full of lanterns was so surreal–no picture could capture what I was feeling or seeing. 

Jan 3rd- We had two visits today. One was at a psychiatric hospital and the other was at a social security office. The hospital was so interesting. It was very open and the Thai seemed very trust worthy of the patients. The culture is very collective and it seems like such a group effort to make everyone healthy or feel their best. It was also interesting to hear the story about the girl from the hill tribe village that had epilespy. In their culture they were supposed to go to the healer of the village instead of taking medicine. After a while her mom said it was okay to take medicine and she now wants to finish her education.
The social security office and rehabilitation center was really nice. It was nothing like I expected. We were treated very well. They had some power points to show us and they served us a drink and a snack. It was very good hospitality. Their system is similar to ours but has differences. It has the same concept but they add other things to it. This place was not just were the officials met but it was also were people would stay if they got injured while on the job. It was enormous and the facility had so many activities for them.
One thing I’ve really noticed while in Thailand is how nice the people are here. They are always giving even when they have nothing. It truly amazes me. Some examples are: the hotel staff gave all of us little notepads for New Years, a stranger gave us chicken when we were in a taxi on the way home from our night out on New Year’s Eve, and we got a key chain from the social security office. I feel like they just keep giving. It is so nice. The other thing that I have noticed is that they are so humorous and they love practicing their English. Time is flying by here! Only a week and a half left!
Holly

Showing us some of the activities they have at the hospital. 

 Some of the things that they make at the social security office.