Thailand Mission and Cultural Trip 2015 - Journal 3

I was excited, to find my camera in working condition when I returned from Chiang Mai. On Friday, on a rafting expedition with the Cabinet, it got totally soaked and went dead. But I tried the rice trick, and placed it in a bag of rice for 5 days, while I travelled to Thailand and while I was in Chiang Mai.

But my excitement was short-lived, when the taxi taking me to the international airport spun out of control and crashed in a wall a few feet from the terminal. Only the rear of the vehicle suffered any damage. That sadness was short-lived when soon after, the entire team arrived. And what a team we have this year! Coming on the trip for the 3^rd time were Fred Troutman, Spring Townsend, and Kalene Harlane-Dittman. Coming all the way from Bermuda is my very special friend and former WIC student, Gwendolyn De la Chevotiere-Creary. And the rest of the wonderful team include, Cassie Mason, Christian Nicholas, Emily Anderson, Emmanuel Perry, Jazmine Sequeira, Sarah Linfoot, and Shaylen Rudyk.

We arrived on campus about 2:40am (after making the traditional stop at the 7-Eleven and experiencing the squat toilet), and got settled in our lovely aircon rooms – some going to sleep, and some listening to their bodies telling them that it is early afternoon in Walla Walla! Most were up for breakfast between 8:00 and 9:00am. I, along with Spring and Gwen ran into Muak Lek to do errands and to the Elementary School to meet with the head of the English Department, Nuny Mooten. She is so fabulous to work with! By noon the entire team was up for lunch and orientation.

Those who have been on the trip in the past know that we kill the jet lag by our excursion to Tesco Lotus (a super Walmart kind of a store), eating at the delightful Pizza Company, and ice cream at Swensen’s – I had Durian ice cream (which sat on my chest and in my breath for quite a while!). On the way there we feasted our eyes and taste buds at the enchanting stretch of fruit stands.

We ended the day at Vespers; though we may have caught only parts of it. As you can imagine, we were mostly like Peter, James, and John in the Garden of Gethsamene!