This picture was from the waterfall that we hiked to during our home stay.  When I think things are at their best here in Thailand, we do something else that is more amazing then the activity prior.  At first, I was dreading the home stay, I won’t lie to anyone.  I was uneasy going into someone else’s home and being their guest when I couldn’t even communicate with them.  We arrived at this little village early in the morning and the first thing I did was get an iced coffee.  This was the best coffee I have ever tasted!  (I did purchase 3 lbs of it to bring back home…)  When I got to the village I didn’t feel like an outsider like I thought I would.  I felt so welcomed and the people in the village almost seemed excited to have us come and stay with them.  That lunch and evening we ate in a different household because the lady who owned our home was at the hospital because of knee pain.  A little before dinner we met our home owner and she was the sweetest old lady.  The feeling of being so welcomed had never been so comforting for me while I stayed in her home.  She cooked for us and I felt like she treated us like we were her own kin.

After dinner we were fortunate enough to be able to meet with the village leader.  He was so inspiring the way he has created a village for his people and been able to preserve it and make his vision come to life.  His persistence and love for his people and the land was remarkable.  Everything that he did was for his people and he made us feel so welcomed to open up and talk about the things he had.  I felt a connection to him and his willpower to want to keep the “roots” of his village in tact.  I wanted the same for him and the village.  To walk through the 134 home village and feel like time was stopped made me feel at peace and forget what day it was and what thing we were going to rush off to next.  My emotions went from dreading the home stay to wishing we could have stayed another night!

We  stayed at a home stay in a village in  northern  Thailand.  The  village was located in the mountain jungle.  The home stay gave us a deeper look into a  different kind of  Thai culture. We got to see first-hand how important families are in Thailand. The family I stayed with consisted of the grandparents, their daughters, and their grandchildren. Each family member had their own part.  The  grandparents  cooked and their daughters took care of the children.

Most of the members of the family could not speak English very well. We had to use hand gestures and body movements to communicate. I learned one form of non verbal  communication which is universal no matter what language: a smile.  I  did a  lot of  laughing with the family I stayed with. The house was very fascinating.

 It was very interesting talking to the leader of the village.  We got to learn about how the village works and  the history of the village.  One interesting thing I learned which really stands out is how the the economy works. The village pools all their money together, so working benefits every person. One of the main products the village produces is coffee, which was delicious!

When I first learned that we would be staying with a family in a small village I was a little worried. I imagined a little house in the middle of the jungle with no doors or windows, and we would be sleeping on the floor surrounded by mosquito nets. Thankfully this was not the case. Instead when we arrived at the home stay I was surprised to see nice houses with electricity and western toilets. The house I stayed at had a nice little outside eating area which overlooked the village, and the people we stayed with were so friendly. They made sure we had enough blankets for the night, since it got a little chilly, and in the morning we had a great breakfast!

     One of the first realizations the group concluded upon when arriving in Thailand was the genuine sincere niceness of the residents.  Everywhere we have toured thus far has greeted us with such kindnesss and you know it is not just a front put on for the good of their business.  Everyone in Thailand has been helpful and kind to us in a manner I never considered would occur.  I’ve heard of Minnesota nice, but the Thai people are more than nice, they are so welcoming and hospitable.  It is difficult to feel out of place or down when you are welcomed with a smile everyday.  
     We have received a small gift from nearly every place we have visited thus far.  These gifts have been nothing expensive but they are meaningful and a way to connect and remember people and visits by.  Such is the culture that bases itself off making  personal relationships and collectivism.  It is great fun to be in a place that is happy you are around.  It opens up and eases the learning environment tremendously. 

On January 4 I did the most amazing thing I have ever done, I touched a Tiger!!!! On the morning of January 4 we headed to an elephant camp where I got to ride an elephant, feed elephants, and float down the river on a bamboo raft. Once we were done with the elephant camp we went to Tiger Kingdom for lunch. At Tiger Kingdom I decided I really wanted to touch a tiger especially a baby tiger. Unfortunately, it would have been a 2 hour wait to touch a baby tiger so I had to touch a medium tiger instead. At first I was a little nervous, but once I got into the cage I was super excited! I was actually in a cage with real tigers!!!! I decided to get professional pictures taken since my phone had died, so once the whole thing was over I got a CD with 70 pictures on it. I hope to one day go back to Tiger Kingdom and hold a baby tiger.

Me at the top of the Mountain

Yesterday, I was able to visit Thailand’s highest mountain. The experience was like no other! Being able to breath in the mountain’s crisp air and feel the sun’s glowing warmth was incredible! Thailand is definitely a land filled with nature from its green jungles to its refreshing mountains. The best part is seeing how the Thai people incorporate nature into their everyday lives. It’s not often that we see outside activities such as gardening infused at psychiatric hospitals in America. It’s also not often that we see fresh produce being offered year round in Minnesota. For the Thai people to be able to experience nature at its best makes me envious. I guess in a way, I am starting to understand why my mother loves gardening so much.

DAY #7 in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Yesterday by far was my favorite day in Thailand! We woke up early and had another delicious breakfast in the courtyard of our hotel. The women who work at the hotel we are staying at are so sweet! We then all loaded up the bus and headed towards one of the elephant camps here in Thailand. There are several camps located in Thailand, as a way to help protect the elephant population from poachers. Each trainer has an elephant they have bonded with and trained. Every night the trainer will take the elephant up to the mountains to sleep in their natural environment, then in the morning they will go get the elephants and bring them to the camps. The teamwork and bond that each trainer has with their elephant just amazes me! When we first arrived to the camp we all hopped on a wooden cart that was being pulled by two ox and rode around the camp. This place is so beautiful with the mountains, bright green trees, steams and colorful flowers. Its no wonder why everyone here seems so happy, nature does wonders for the soul.

Then we got to go on an elephant ride!!! Oh was that FUN! The elephant Lindsay and I rode on was named Boo. I was so impressed by how well he listened to his trainer! The guy even got off at one point and was following from behind calling out commands! We walked around the camp, went into the water, stopped for pictures and got to feed him bananas! It was so much fun! The trainer was also very friendly, he was very curious about what we do and why we where in Chiang Mai. I love the kindness everyone shows and how open they are to ask about our lives. This has totally changed my perspective on how I may approach visitors in America when I am back home. I can say that before I was more reluctant to say anything, but now I think I will be just as open and curious to talk travelers who come to America as the Thai people we have met have been towards us. After the ride we got to feed some elephants, take pictures with them and I even got a kiss from one on the cheek. That was the juiciest kiss I have ever gotten! 🙂 We also got to see an elephant show where they danced, played soccer, and painted picture. Guess who got to buy the painting! ME!! Definitely the best souvenir!

After the elephant park we went to the Tiger Kingdom and had a very yummy lunch buffet! It is going to be difficult to try to adjust to the food back at home everything here is so tasty and made from the freshest ingredients! Then I got to do one of the craziest things I ever done, hang out with a tiger in his cage for 15 minutes! It was so amazing how well they were trained and how they just allowed us to lay on them, take pictures and rub their bellies. I am sure there were some meds given to them to relax them, which is something I definitely do not agree with, but just for the experience I had to do it! When in Thailand 🙂

I am excited to have a relaxing day in Chiang Mai, I just love this city!!! Already planning a way to come back! Although I think I will have to stay at the resort at the elephant park so I can ride one everyday!!

Sawadee Ka!!