Thai Journal #3

It was a full day. Allan Eubank picked me up at 6:30am and we headed for the Wa village, almost 3 hours north of Chiang Mai. What beautiful and lush country! They had a big breakfast waiting for us; and it was interesting to see them cooking – especially to see how they cook the massive amount of rice! (You see, when I cook rice, I measure, (eg.) 3 cups of water, add a pinch of salt, and bring it to boil. Then add 3 cups of rice, cover the pot, and turn the stove down to “low” for 15 minutes, and then on “simmer” for another 15 minutes, and Walla!!, it comes out perfect! But their method is not mine – no sire bob! But it comes out perfect! -- See photos.)

The director and pastor of the LaWa hostel came over from Burma with about 4 families about 20 years ago and established that little settlement which has grown into a wonderful agricultural community. With help from the king their water supply has improved, and crops like passion fruit, corn and peanuts have increased. Today they had a Harvest Festival and Thanksgiving Service for the peanut (groundnut) harvest. It was a wonderful event with many different tribes and languages worshiping and eating together.

Before we returned to Chiang Mai, we drove 3 kilometers to the well-secured border between Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. Even while we were there the Myanmar soldiers were securing their border even more with barb wire, in response to Thailand’s barb wired extra security. I made sure that I found the bunker and stayed close by, in case shooting broke outJ. One never knows what will happen when there is a Jamaican around with a camera!

Back in Chiang Mai I stopped by the Hostel to see the latest development and to take photos for my Rotary report. (WW Rotarians reading this might be interested to note that last year’s $500.00 scholarship went to a brother and sister team. You can see them in photo “038 Rotary (18)” – he is the boy playing the guitar, and she is in the middle of the front row in a black blouse.) What a transformation! Our joint effort with the Rotary Club of Tempe produced a Matching Grant of $14,000.00 that was able to purchase and install a water filter system and tower, a sanitation system, bathrooms, closets for the dorm rooms, etc. When I give my Rotary report, I’ll show the contrast with the early living, very inadequate quarters, to this very modern facility. We all can be very proud that Rotary funds are well spent.

And now I’m sitting by the river at the guesthouse, eating Thai green curry, and having a serious conversation with the friendly mosquitoes!