Thailand Journal 1 – Aug. 21, 2018

Sustainability is a most important concept in both Rotary International Service projects (which I spear-head for Walla Walla Rotary), and the University’s short term mission and cultural trips which I have led since 1998. Thus I make audit visits to places like Chiangmai, Thailand, every other year or so. Today the Rotary Club of Chiangmai Central, not only took me out to eat at some delectable restaurants, but we toured two amazing school drinking water projects. The first school has 80 immigrants from neighboring Myanmar (Burma); the second is for deaf. A second project at the latter school is a lab for the students, in which they learn to speak and make sounds. They also have a coffee shop. I had to order my Thai iced tea using sign language! Another highlight of the day was riding the Trishaw to the restaurant, and the Songthaew back, with fellow rotarians. I’m 14 hours ahead of the west coast USA. My Thailand cell # is 66-62-524-9712.