Back At It

Hi Friends!

It's been a rather long time since my last post. Actually, 3 weeks to a month now.  Is that possible? I have been away from site for the past 2 + weeks at PST 2 ( Pre-Service Training 2) among other places.  Today is my official first day back in the office.  I spent yesterday planting rice in the fields which, was quite an experience! The day before, I spent cleaning the small pond of water that had somehow accumulated in my house when I was away... All minor catastrophes aside,  I can say with certainty that it's great to be back!  I have been enjoying the simple living and calmness of my site much more these past few days since I've been back--pausing every so often to see the rice fields of lime green take shape as they grow and willow in the breeze and listening for the frog and cricket choirs in the evening.  There's nothing like that natural cadence.  

Alas, how to re-cap everything that's happened up to my current state?! I will try to at least touch on the major events (though there are many). It may take more than one post to divulge completely. 

PST II: More Training, Counterpart Conference, 4th of July!

Since I left site, I have been very confined to my surroundings for information (not even as much as an 'Internet lady' to help get connected!). Thus, I have been feeling very disconnected from communication on a large scale.  Even though, I must say, yes, I did hear of Michael Jackson's death. RIP. 

My disconnection can be attributed to Pre-Service Training II (PST II). From June 28-July 10, I was beckoned away to our second round of training sessions. It was held on a college campus hotel in Nakhom Ratchasima (about 5 hours from where I live). Unfortunately, we didn't have all the amenities we enjoyed at PST I with internet and close proximity to the town center.  On the other hand, we did have a swimming pool and I was pretty darn happy to be graced by the presence of my contemporaries.  I have come to appreciate the support network of other Volunteers more now than before. We had sessions Mon-Fri from 8AM to 4 PM and spent the rest of the time sharing stories, going shopping, watching movies, eating foreign foods (ie: pizza!) , etc. 

 

At the PST II Counterpart Conference with my Thai Counterpart

Counterpart Conference

From July 1-4, our Thai counterparts came for a conference during which time we gave a short CAT presentation together (albeit, I was disappointed just how short it was seeing as how we had put so much work into it!) Though, the bulk of the time was spent designing a potential project to do at site through a PDM (Project Design Management) Workshop.  It was good for us to listen and learn together about project visions, goals, objectives, indicators, budgets, and action plans (my personal favorite). The project my counterpart and I designed has to do with teaching recycling practices, composting, and organic fertilizing.  Actually, it was not a new project concept for us since I had been working on an overall environmental project design to fulfill my graduate school requirements. But, this gave us the opportunity to design the project together and add upon the work I had already put into it.  Together we came up with (Among other things) an Action Plan.  I like the Action Plan the best because I feel like it's closer to what will actually happen--and it helps set a timeline.  Darn me and my Western Temporal mindframe!  I can't help it, I do like planning a schedule...sometimes.  Don't get me wrong the other Project Design aspects are necessary, but, it's the Action Plan I feel that gives that final push that says, 'Hey, we can actually do this if we follow the plan!' Our Action Plan is something like this:

1.   Make an Environmental Survey on environmental topics and those interested in being part of Environmental Group

2.   Disperse said surveys

3.   Have a meeting with Village Leaders and any/all villagers interested in joining the Group and being part of activities

4.   Hold an initial information workshop on composting and waste management

5.   Meet again with the Environmental Group

6.   Invite Recyclable Dealers to teach villagers how to sort and where to sell their recyclables

7.   Disperse post-activity surveys to gauge knowledge, participation, and concerns

8.   Monitor and Evaluate.... hopefully followed by more yet-to-be determined activities!

       

  Now back to site, I am waiting with baited breathe to see if this works.  My counterpart is pretty dedicated to working with me and is at least willing to put effort into the Action Plan. So, we'll see what happens!

4th of July

We also had a wonderful 4^th of July celebration in our hotel courtyard.  Peace Corps tried to give us an all-American-esque BBQ with buffet included.  It was a nice attempt at trying to get some ‘home cookin’—pork skewers, hotdogs, mashed potatoes, saurkraut, pasta and marinara, chips, cake, and corn-on the cob...sort of a cosmopolitan of all the foods we miss.  I myself, went on a covert cheese mission with a few others to find the finest 4th of July cheeseburger cheese.  It was well worth the toil and I think everyone appreciated our effort!  We also had a no-talent talent show and I was a part of the ‘interpretive dance’ routine.   Very impromptu and a lot of fun!  Someone in our group had the ‘no talent’ of being able to say any word backwards...which, if you ask me is actually a talent!  

Later on the 4^th,  many of us (around 30) went to a bar called “Hank Overs” ( I think it was a Thai person trying to spell “Hangover” but it ended up being “Hank Over” because they sometimes confuse the ‘g’ with ‘k’) Hilarious.  I believe our group definitely provided Hank Overs with a plethora of business and amusement as well! They also had a live band that sang “Happy Birthday to America”   which, was the icing on the cake. 

 

After PST II (July 10-12)

Lop Buri

On June 10, I went to Lop Buri (where we had training) to visit my old host family there.  They were so happy and excited to see us (I went with my friend whose host family and mine are related).  It was really nice to see them and visit the house again.  In a way, Lop Buri feels like my home in Thailand since it was the first place we lived and where we begun our journeys.  They were very impressed with our language and we could reminisce much more than we used to.  It’s hard to believe we arrived in their homes without even knowing how to ask where the bathroom is!  They fed us so much too!  My host father is a corn and tobacco farmer and right now the corn there is as tall as it is in Iowa.  It really reminded me of my home in Iowa.  We had some amazingly fresh and tasty corn-on-the-cob.  Minus the butter, salt & pepper. Upon leaving, I definitely felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude  for my host family in Lop Buri--realizing I appreciate them more now that I am on my own.  

Corn Field in front of my old host family's house

Bangkok

On July 11-12, we spent a day in Bangkok, shopping, eating, and walking around. I went with two other Volunteers to the South Asia/Mediterranean district and we had authentic Greek Gyros! I lived in Thessaloniki Greece for a summer and I could tell you a good gyro from a bad one!  These passed the test. They as good as they are in Thessaloniki—with the French fries and all the fixn's.    It made me very happy and nostalgic--missing the Galvanizacious Greek Summertime. =)

Bangkok is such a big, diverse city.  You can literally find anything there.  It’s quite a shock after living in the country.  We often say that Bangkok is a different country than the rest of Thailand.  You can literally get anything in BKK—I could get a season of any TV Show for $6!  It’s so busy, populated, and industrious.   It’s also pretty polluted and there are many negative things about it too (prostitution and homelessness, for instance).  My friend and I saw a prostitute sleeping in a phone booth who appeared to be in bad shape.  Very sad.  Kind of the opposite of the countryside where people take care of one-another so much and you couldn’t imagine someone not being fed or without a home in the village community.  It's more of a dog-eat-dog world in Bangkok, I gather. Though, I must investigate more... 

In all, it’s nice to go to Bangkok for a couple days if you want a different atmosphere but I don’t think I could live there.  

 

Recent Planting Rice Experience

Pre-Planted Rice Field

It was nice to get back to my site after all the training and travel adventures.  I took the overnight bus and got back at 6AM on Monday morning.  I was exhausted.

I haven’t really skipped a beat since I’ve been back.  I decided while I was away I wanted to get out into the community more and spend more time with villagers in their homes and at work.  I spent yesterday out in the rice field for the first time.  I went with my neighbors and let me tell you it is hard work!  They are so amazing out there with how fast and precise they can plant. It still takes time though. The fields are knee high in dirty water and you have to sort of dig through the mud to get the rice plants in—and do it quickly. There is an art to it and being there with them made me really empathize and appreciate the work they do.  It’s just amazing how it’s the same work, the same act of planting rice that their ancestors did.  It did make me wonder, though, couldn’t there be an easier way to plant rice? I mean, it’s pretty hard and time-consuming.  But, it really is a part of their heritage and culture so it’s not so easy to change.  And, it's the sort of thing that runs through their veins, very much a part of their identity. Beginning from a young age Villagers are taught the techniques and importance of rice in their lives.  While I was out in the field, I met a pregnant woman and a man caring for a 3-year-old girl working just the same as everyone else.  As if, the changes in their lives could not shake their dedication and devotion to the crops. Very awe-inspiring. 

 

That's all for now, more later!