Confessions of a Jungle Barbie: July 2009

This day will always been known as the day I pushed a Monk in the mud!!... Am I a bad person??

Every day of my life is unique and I wish I could live more ‘normal’ days in my village but luckily Ralph has us running around the country! Bright and early Saturday morning we started the longish journey to the hill tribes. About one hour outside of Chiang Mai is the most amazing waterfall on this planet… okay we will see what happens in Phuket in 2 weeks. Anywooo, Our mode of transportation was a rod-cow, white truck, so I got an amazing view of Thailand’s beauty. We turned on to a remoteish road that was surrounded with red dirt. I have yet to see red dirt in Thailand. As we drove we passed a few local kids, so naturally we motioned for them to keep up with us on their bikes. They did a really good job riding fast. We met them in the parking lot and they toured us around the waterfalls. We walked down a few stairs to the base of the waterfall. We slowly started exploring the magnificent sight in front of us. I was in the heart of the jungle and feeling very at home. I started climbing on the rocks up the waterfall and was shocked at the texture of the rocks. The waterfall almost looked like it had been covered by a white cement. It was not slippery to climb. I easily made my way around in the water and rocks without the fear of falling and breaking my nose. It was the oddest most delightful feeling on my feet. I climbed up steep portions of the waterfall with fairly swift currents. The kids showed us the way to the top. There were several moments when I looked behind me and saw a thick creature filled jungle. It was truly a surreal experience. I ask myself almost every day, what did I do to get here??... I must have had excellent Karma in my pass life. I enjoyed every moment of the cool water running over my feet. At the top of the waterfall is a small pond, so naturally I started a small water fight with my new friends. The park has an amazing overlook of the jungle. I wish I had a camera that could capture just 10% of the beautiful before me. The kids somehow led us away from the overlook and took us down a path. We ran into a really cool vine. I of course was timid about jumping on the thing so naturally my photo shoot was the most memorable for the interns and yield the ‘best’ pictures. We shortly discovered that the kids were taking us to the spring where the waterfall starts. The spring has a lot of spirit house surrounding the area. It also conveniently has two buckets that are attached to poles so one can drink from the pure spring. I was apprehensive about drinking the water but the thought of getting a parasite to eat all of my fat, allowed me to drink more than I probably should have…LOL Thank Buddha I didn’t get the KNOT in the village!! The kids motioned for us to wash our face with the water and make a wish. I naturally wished that I discovered the spring to eternal beauty. After hanging out in the amazing clearing, we hiked our way back to the truck so we continue the next leg of our journey. After riding the white truck an hour longer, we arrived at a hill tribe village for lunch.

The women saw us coming and pushed all of their junky jewelry on us. After escaping the wild herd of Hill tribe women, we from refuge at the lunch table. The women surrounded the exit and watched us eat. I had the strongest tactic, avoid eye contact. We were attacked for 20 minutes until everyone except me purchased for the desperate women. We walked down a remarkable road and I absorbed the jungle and farm land that surround me. It was the most incredible landscape I have ever seen. As we walked through the village many women approached us to purchase their goods. Sondra was a sucker and bought a lot of gifts for her family and friends. We continued trekking down a remote dirt road. I cannot get over the beauty that engulfed my imagination of wanting the exact opposite things out of life that I have been working so hard to achieve.

GUESS WHO???????

I was trapped in Hill tribe hell and wish I was in the ‘luxurious’ home at the Hmong village. I was dreading leaving the hut because waiting outside was money hunger women selling all the items that I didn’t want. Sondra and I braved the women and I found turtles for my American Mom. She is collecting turtle while she is in Thailand. I also found a sling shot for Chasey boy… I hope he still likes me. He has not written me in 10 days and all of my adventures are not distracting me enough to not be heartbroken. I thought the Sgt. MP could use another weapon to annoy all the naughty solider boys.

Sondra and I wondered away from the village. Once again the road and scenery was unbelievable. I was thinking we should turn back when we heard voices in the distance. We followed the road to a school, where we found Monks and local boys playing soccer. We started talking to them but I was afraid of touching them so I was trying to convince Sondra to run away. Sondra invited us to play fotbal with the Monks. I was thinking that it was a really BAD idea; MONKS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TOUCH WOMEN!! The Monks were young teenage boys; they were at home and comfortable enough to alter their robes to reflect some sort of Thai warrior wearing little to cover themselves. The smallest Monk was probably 12 years old and his robe was folded so low I could see the top of his butt crack. One of the older Monks had a ‘love’ tattoo. Another Monk had a keloid scar resembling a heart; I think it was self induced. We played soccer for over an hour and the game got a little competitive. In Mexico, on my Kaiizen adventures I learned that a volunteer has the right to kick a soccer ball in the face of an orphan. Somewhere across the Pacific Ocean, I lost my mind and unconsciously decide that I was capable of pushing a Monk in the mud. June 19, 2009(2553 Thai year) will always been known as the day I pushed a Monk in the mud and kicked soccer balls at their faces. I don’t know what is wrong with me… I would blame my mother but she is pretty much perfect so …. I guess I will blame my brother. The soccer game was so much fun. It could possible me the most enjoyable moment in Thailand thus far.

After the game, we did an extended photo shoot with Sondra and I cameras and the Monks had one cell phone that they snapped more photos then Sondra and I combined. We learned that the Monks are from the village and go home every weekend but live in Chiang Mai during the week. A lot of poor families send their young teen sons into the Monkhood so they can receive an education. Having a Monk in the family is a very prestigious honor. They young Monks are allowed to see their families but the older Monks often times live far away from home. Monks can leave the Monkhood and return about three times but the Buddhism religion does not have rules. I am learning that Buddhism is a eastern philosophy and westerners, like myself try to label it a religion and give it the same characteristics I give western religions. On the mountain across from the school was a deserted apartment looking building. It was a little mysterious and seemed like a place kids would get into trouble; naturally we asked the kids to take us. Upon closer inspection we found an amazing Buddha shrine in a cave. I forgot about the building and was completely consumed by this hidden treasure. I followed the young boys led and bowed to the Buddha three times… Thank Buddha for Monk meditation.

On the way down to the road, we crossed a river so naturally the only logical course of action would be to jump into it!! I love Thailand. After a 10 minute cool down, we walked home but not before a Monk caught a fish with his bare hands! I love my Monk friends. A truck came along and gave us a ride home. Nate and Kimi were waiting for us and I think Alex and Stanley were missing us. We arrived home as dinner was being served. We had a semi delicious potato curry (flight of the gibbons was way better) and a snake that someone caught… I was not even going to pretend to try the snake, GROSS!! I have learned that in America I eat for fun and pleasure. Eating in Thailand is usually unpleasant; the food taste okay just long enough for one’s hungry pains to subside. The tribe girls put on an excellent song n’ dance show. The smallest girl had the most explosive personality. She was very fun to watch. They girls invited us to sing and dance with them. They local boys wanted in on the fun so they did a magic trick. The show ended way to early and we were forced into our hut. I played my own custom Barbie game of intern truth or dare. I was cracking myself up with all the ridiculous dares and truth questions.

Confessions of a Jungle Barbie

Monday, July 6, 2009

4th of JULY BARBIE!!

TREKKIN' BARBIE!!

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