The Sights and Smells of Bangkok

Kathleen – or Katy, as she came to be known by her Thai hosts because that name is easier to pronounce – came to Thailand a couple of months ago. She arrived less than a week after I did, and she hit the ground running. She didn’t show any signs of jet lag, other than having a reduced appetite. We did a truncated tour of Bangkok, due to her arriving a bit late. But we made the most of the time, visiting the Jim Thomson House, Grand palace and Wat Pra Gaew, as well as other sites. Kathleen got chance to feel oriented with the various transportation systems in Bangkok, such as the sky train, the subway, riverboat and getting around in taxis.

Reflections from the RJ33 Orphanage in Thailand

Editor’s Note: Lynne G. spent seven weeks in Thailand in the Orphanage Care Program in the Summer of 2006. Lynne stumbled across the GSC Thailand blog and submitted these excerpts from her journal. Thanks a lot Lynne!

6/23/06 – Middle of the trip.

Last night I played Frisbee and Duck, Duck, Goose with my kids. It was so much fun. They are all such good kids. They laughed and laughed and played so well together. Today after class they all asked me to play again after school, but I’m leaving at 2:30 for Bangkok (for a week long vacation to Cambodia). It broke my heart. I really don’t want them to feel abandoned next week when I don’t show up. I literally am on the verge of tears. I don’t want to go. Also, they loved the chocolates yesterday. They’re just unbearably cute. Well, just too unbearably cute to leave. They are already asking when I can come back to Thailand. I want to come back as soon as I get home.

7/21/06 – My final journal entry. (Written on the plane on the way home)

… I’m just terrified that I’m going to forget. Thai… my kids… their names… their laughs… Thai time… mai pen rai… the taste of pad thai in the morning. That you don’t need a flushing toilet or hot water to have a fully functioning bathroom. That a/c is overrated. That a good sharp spoon does more than a knife any day. The kindness in Pi Miu’s eyes. The mischief in Khing’s laugh. The bond of sisterhood with Aaron (my co-volunteer) The bond of family with the others (volunteers). Mangos, ramboutan attacks, whisky and watermelon, kanom of various sorts. Bumpy bus rides. Ipod advertisements. Knowing that saying “mai kaw jai” might speak to words but not emotions. Without a common language, a soul is infinitely easy to understand. Kindreds. The enthusiasm of youth. The hope of a better life. I hope they end up with a better life. I’ve never said “stay in school” more in my life. Nor have I ever felt as much like it might not be a reasonable request. Bangkok is on the corner of the screen. Soon it won’t even be labeled. Honestly I’m afraid that everything will go back to normal when I get back. I’m afraid that this will be reduced to a simple anecdote. But… it’s people and emotions and thoughts and feelings. It’s a burning desire. A discovery. I can try new things. A Thai mindset. Face the world with a smile. Especially when it seems most dismal.