Happy Christmas Eve everyone!!
Hope you're all well and finished work for Christmas now.
This week has been full of various Christmas celebrations, despite most Thai people being buddist, i'm working with a Christian organisation, hence Christmas is celebrated!
On monday 2 other English volunteers arrived and we've spent the week attending Christmas parties. One at the babies home, then the same day we were invited to a canadian lady's house for carols and cookies. On wednesday night we took about 30 children to see Happy feet 2, in Thai so wasn't quite sure what was going on but the kids loved it!!
Yesterday it was staff sports day in the morning, this involved a parade down the street to declare sports day open. i was asked to lead the green team so was dressed up in traditional thai style clothes to march down the street. Then it was sports day, nothing like any sports day i've experienced before! One of the competitions was volley ball with water balloons and another one involved hiding behind a blanket and jumping up to shout the name of whoever else was hiding the other side! whoever shouted first won!
then last night it was the staff christmas party, basically a variety show, with lots of different acts including 3 lady boys!! there were presentations and presents. I can't begin to describe what an amazing place this is for the children and everyone involved. Seeing all the staff last night, over 60 people work within the projects. What really touched me was that even i was presented with a gift and card, and thanked for being here, especially over Christmas, all very humbling.
So today we're going to pop into Bangkok and then there's a Christmas eve service at the local "little america" community. Tomorrow myself and the other 2 new volunteers have been invited to an american lady's house for christmas day. we havent met her yet, but have been told she takes in all the stray volunteers!! We've been told to arrive for 11am tomorrow!
So wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!
Lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Friday 23 December 2011
Saturday 17 December 2011
Thailand
hello all!
i arrived back in Bangkok this morning after a night on the overnight train, with a bed i may add. This was after a late dash to the train station on thursday night after i'd accidently booked a seat, not a bed!! Thankfully i was able to change it so i slept reasonably well.
Arrived and met up with some of the English staff who took me to the volunteer house. It sleeps 12, but there's only 3 of us here so i have a room to myself for a while. There are 2 more english volunteers arriving monday. This afternoon i hoped on my thai style bike (this is a bike that functions completely fine, although sounds and feels like it may fall apart at any moment!) to the local market. Sadly yellow mangos are not in season down here, so its green ones all the way. The worst experience of the day however, was trying some durian fruit. This is the thai fruit that smells so strong its not allowed in taxi or the underground and in many hotels. However i had been told that it tasted like custard. Well, if this is what custard tastes like, i'm not keen!!! So that was quickly disposed of in the outside bin, away from the house.
So currently not sure what my role will be here, there are a few projects running so hope to get involved in as much as possible. This is amongst all the Christmas parties and random staff sports day this week.
We have a Christmas tree up in our house and decorations so starting to feel a bit Christmassy, I even heard some festive music earlier. And a shop assistant in tesco had a santa hat on! Can't believe its only a week until Christmas, i've totally lost track of dates!
Now we're watching The Holiday!
lots of love to everyone xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
i arrived back in Bangkok this morning after a night on the overnight train, with a bed i may add. This was after a late dash to the train station on thursday night after i'd accidently booked a seat, not a bed!! Thankfully i was able to change it so i slept reasonably well.
Arrived and met up with some of the English staff who took me to the volunteer house. It sleeps 12, but there's only 3 of us here so i have a room to myself for a while. There are 2 more english volunteers arriving monday. This afternoon i hoped on my thai style bike (this is a bike that functions completely fine, although sounds and feels like it may fall apart at any moment!) to the local market. Sadly yellow mangos are not in season down here, so its green ones all the way. The worst experience of the day however, was trying some durian fruit. This is the thai fruit that smells so strong its not allowed in taxi or the underground and in many hotels. However i had been told that it tasted like custard. Well, if this is what custard tastes like, i'm not keen!!! So that was quickly disposed of in the outside bin, away from the house.
So currently not sure what my role will be here, there are a few projects running so hope to get involved in as much as possible. This is amongst all the Christmas parties and random staff sports day this week.
We have a Christmas tree up in our house and decorations so starting to feel a bit Christmassy, I even heard some festive music earlier. And a shop assistant in tesco had a santa hat on! Can't believe its only a week until Christmas, i've totally lost track of dates!
Now we're watching The Holiday!
lots of love to everyone xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tuesday 6 December 2011
December in Chiang Mai
Hello!!
I've spent the last few weeks just being here in Chiang Mai. The lifestyle here is great!
I've been out with the CM hiking club quite a few weeks now, walking up to waterfalls, viewpoints or round lakes. Its really nice as you get to see a bit more than i would doing tourist trails. I also visited the some of the hot springs last week, very sulphury though!
Last week i met up with Nhoi who was the tour guide when i came to thailand last time. It was really great to see him.
I've been volunteering usually 3 mornings a week at the orphanage. Its still great fun, especially washing time with room 2. They recognise me now so from when i arrive until i leave i have my hands full! If i sit down there's usually a minimum of 4 wanting to sit on my knee, legs, shoulders...! Then i go to room 1 with the younger ones.
On friday 4 new babies arrived, they're currently in a separate room from the rest, i think for infection control. I got to meet 3 of them yesterday. One is only 4 months old and with this beautiful baby girl sat on my knee beaming away, it was by far the most emotional its been just feeling so overwhelmed by sadness for this poor innocent baby girl. I can't even comprehend how this gorgeous being has been abandoned.
On saturday i went with another english volunteer to an orphanage in a local village. The children here have been brought down from the hilltribes, some are orphans but a lot have been abandoned. The children here are all school age and some speak really good english. they were a joy to meet, full of high energy and laughter. We went and bought them ice-creams from the local shop - I think the owner thought she'd won the lottery as we cleared the entire cornetto collection! the children were so grateful as well.
Next week i will leaving CM and heading back to Bangkok to Pakkred where the main orphanages are. My train is booked, normally it takes about 14 hours but i've heard reports of 20 hours, so i'm preparing for a long journey! for 12 pounds including my bed for the night i'm not complaining!
I imagine its very christmassy at home!! I really can't imagine it, they are a few christmas trees but they all look a bit malnorished! It is "cold season" here and the weather reports always show a picture of someone wearing a scarf for this area - this has not been my experience!! although i am now using my thin bed spread at night, when it does get a little cooler - however i am only sleeping in vest and shorts with the window open!
So now its later afternoon, i'm going to a friend's for dinner later but first time for a coconut!
There are now some pictures on my facebook too.
Sending you all lots of sunshine from Chiang Mai xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I've spent the last few weeks just being here in Chiang Mai. The lifestyle here is great!
I've been out with the CM hiking club quite a few weeks now, walking up to waterfalls, viewpoints or round lakes. Its really nice as you get to see a bit more than i would doing tourist trails. I also visited the some of the hot springs last week, very sulphury though!
Last week i met up with Nhoi who was the tour guide when i came to thailand last time. It was really great to see him.
I've been volunteering usually 3 mornings a week at the orphanage. Its still great fun, especially washing time with room 2. They recognise me now so from when i arrive until i leave i have my hands full! If i sit down there's usually a minimum of 4 wanting to sit on my knee, legs, shoulders...! Then i go to room 1 with the younger ones.
On friday 4 new babies arrived, they're currently in a separate room from the rest, i think for infection control. I got to meet 3 of them yesterday. One is only 4 months old and with this beautiful baby girl sat on my knee beaming away, it was by far the most emotional its been just feeling so overwhelmed by sadness for this poor innocent baby girl. I can't even comprehend how this gorgeous being has been abandoned.
On saturday i went with another english volunteer to an orphanage in a local village. The children here have been brought down from the hilltribes, some are orphans but a lot have been abandoned. The children here are all school age and some speak really good english. they were a joy to meet, full of high energy and laughter. We went and bought them ice-creams from the local shop - I think the owner thought she'd won the lottery as we cleared the entire cornetto collection! the children were so grateful as well.
Next week i will leaving CM and heading back to Bangkok to Pakkred where the main orphanages are. My train is booked, normally it takes about 14 hours but i've heard reports of 20 hours, so i'm preparing for a long journey! for 12 pounds including my bed for the night i'm not complaining!
I imagine its very christmassy at home!! I really can't imagine it, they are a few christmas trees but they all look a bit malnorished! It is "cold season" here and the weather reports always show a picture of someone wearing a scarf for this area - this has not been my experience!! although i am now using my thin bed spread at night, when it does get a little cooler - however i am only sleeping in vest and shorts with the window open!
So now its later afternoon, i'm going to a friend's for dinner later but first time for a coconut!
There are now some pictures on my facebook too.
Sending you all lots of sunshine from Chiang Mai xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thursday 17 November 2011
this week's update
hi everyone,
i'm back in Chiang Mai, having popped down to Bangkok to collect the rest of my stuff i'd left at my friend's.
I spent the morning in the orphanage today, it was all a bit hectic as all these girl guides came to visit. There were also lots of tears today as some of the children changed rooms. There are 3 rooms (room 1 for the babies, room 2 for 1-3 years and room 3 for 4-6). Today 2 boys came from room 1 and they were so upset, they really are still babies and look a lot younger than the others. The only way to soothe them was to have one on each knee and cuddle them. Although it was then washing time so i was needed to help dry and dress the other 15 children.
The children are just beautiful, its heartbreaking if i think about the situation that they're in.
After my "day's work" I've found a lovely little cafe that sells great thai tea, perfect.
i'm back in Chiang Mai, having popped down to Bangkok to collect the rest of my stuff i'd left at my friend's.
I spent the morning in the orphanage today, it was all a bit hectic as all these girl guides came to visit. There were also lots of tears today as some of the children changed rooms. There are 3 rooms (room 1 for the babies, room 2 for 1-3 years and room 3 for 4-6). Today 2 boys came from room 1 and they were so upset, they really are still babies and look a lot younger than the others. The only way to soothe them was to have one on each knee and cuddle them. Although it was then washing time so i was needed to help dry and dress the other 15 children.
The children are just beautiful, its heartbreaking if i think about the situation that they're in.
After my "day's work" I've found a lovely little cafe that sells great thai tea, perfect.
Tuesday 8 November 2011
Chiang Mai time
Hi everyone,
I'm still here in Chiang Mai and have booked in to the guesthouse for another month. The floods in Bangkok remain the same and i'm going on the FCO travel advice which is to not go the Bangkok.
Its lovely here, i've been volunteering at the local orphanage which is fun and i'm exhausted after 2 hours of playing, cuddles and being climbed on by children aged a few months to 2 years. They really are just beautiful, i can't even being to imagine how no-one wants them. But i'm just having fun with them, when its shower time and trying to get them dressed when they're jumping up and down and then i realise another one is climbing on me or playing with my hair!
So i'm just going with the flow and yesterday randomly bumped into some friends from home which was great!
I hope this finds everyone well and i'll be in touch soon,
lots of love xxxx
I'm still here in Chiang Mai and have booked in to the guesthouse for another month. The floods in Bangkok remain the same and i'm going on the FCO travel advice which is to not go the Bangkok.
Its lovely here, i've been volunteering at the local orphanage which is fun and i'm exhausted after 2 hours of playing, cuddles and being climbed on by children aged a few months to 2 years. They really are just beautiful, i can't even being to imagine how no-one wants them. But i'm just having fun with them, when its shower time and trying to get them dressed when they're jumping up and down and then i realise another one is climbing on me or playing with my hair!
So i'm just going with the flow and yesterday randomly bumped into some friends from home which was great!
I hope this finds everyone well and i'll be in touch soon,
lots of love xxxx
Wednesday 2 November 2011
greetings from chiang mai
hi everyone,
hope you're all well. So the latest with me is that the floods remain in Bangkok. So am thinking i'll probably be here for a while.
It's really lovely up here, everyone's really friendly and there's a few people here who i met at the Sanctuary - some who live here and some who are travelling.
I've just come back from a 2 day meditation retreat (in silence - i know it's hard to imagine but i didn't speak for almost 2 days!!) Apart from this morning after getting up at 5am to chant and meditate, the monk then said at 6am we should do some group exercise and one person in our group should lead it, so i ended doing a mini pilates/yoga class! all quite funny!
Tomorrow i will go to visit the Chiang Mai orphanage where i'm told i can play with the babies all day!! So i'll be hopping on my bike and cycling down as its at the bottom of the town.
I'm doing yoga most days (and now meditation of course!) and tomorrow night i'm off to salsa with some of the sanctuary girls. I've not been taking full advantage of the thai massage but intend to start tomorrow!!
thank u everyone for the lovely emails, i'll be in touch soon, lots of love xxxx
hope you're all well. So the latest with me is that the floods remain in Bangkok. So am thinking i'll probably be here for a while.
It's really lovely up here, everyone's really friendly and there's a few people here who i met at the Sanctuary - some who live here and some who are travelling.
I've just come back from a 2 day meditation retreat (in silence - i know it's hard to imagine but i didn't speak for almost 2 days!!) Apart from this morning after getting up at 5am to chant and meditate, the monk then said at 6am we should do some group exercise and one person in our group should lead it, so i ended doing a mini pilates/yoga class! all quite funny!
Tomorrow i will go to visit the Chiang Mai orphanage where i'm told i can play with the babies all day!! So i'll be hopping on my bike and cycling down as its at the bottom of the town.
I'm doing yoga most days (and now meditation of course!) and tomorrow night i'm off to salsa with some of the sanctuary girls. I've not been taking full advantage of the thai massage but intend to start tomorrow!!
thank u everyone for the lovely emails, i'll be in touch soon, lots of love xxxx
Thursday 27 October 2011
latest update
Hi everyone!
Just to let you all know i've just arrived in Chiang Mai after a 15 hour bus journey from Bangkok. I think it would normally take about 9 hours but it took a while to get out of Bangkok as we had to drive through water with seemingly the rest of Bangkok.
The flooding has been getting worse and especially the area around the orphanage, so I won't be starting there for another few weeks. I tried to visit the other day but couldn't actually get there without wading through muddy water.
So I'm here in Chiang Mai I haven't booked a bus back yet, i'll just see what happens with the floods. In the meantime i'll travel around a bit here.
Hope everyone's well and I'll be in touch soon! xxx
Just to let you all know i've just arrived in Chiang Mai after a 15 hour bus journey from Bangkok. I think it would normally take about 9 hours but it took a while to get out of Bangkok as we had to drive through water with seemingly the rest of Bangkok.
The flooding has been getting worse and especially the area around the orphanage, so I won't be starting there for another few weeks. I tried to visit the other day but couldn't actually get there without wading through muddy water.
So I'm here in Chiang Mai I haven't booked a bus back yet, i'll just see what happens with the floods. In the meantime i'll travel around a bit here.
Hope everyone's well and I'll be in touch soon! xxx
Sunday 23 October 2011
i'm back in bangkok
hi all, just to update i arrived back in Bangkok this morning after a lovely week of relaxing at the sanctuary. i'm hoping to visit the orphanage during the week am going to attempt getting the bus there, which involves identifying the correct bus for a start. i've learnt a little thai this week but probably not enough to tackle public transport!!
hope all is well with everyone reading this, i'll be in touch soon xxx
hope all is well with everyone reading this, i'll be in touch soon xxx
Saturday 15 October 2011
I've arrived!!
Hi to everyone reading this!!
I arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday, however decided yesterday to leave and come south, as there's been lots of flooding in the north, which potentially may hit Bangkok this weekend. As i got at the train station last night, one of the exits was closed due to flood risk so i had to negotiate trying to cross the road carrying my stuff whilst trying to dodge cars, trucks, tuk-tuks, mopeds, puddles and avoiding being struck by lightening!
So after an overnight train, bus, boat, slightly hair-raising moped ride and long tail boat i have arrived at this amazing place called "the Sanctuary" on Koh Phangan (google it if you want to see a little bit of heaven!! Thank you Eleanor!)
I've booked a Yoga holiday where i get daily yoga classes, spa treatments and steam rooms sessions. I'm here for 1 week to relax before starting work in a couple of weeks time.
Hope everyone's ok, i'll be in touch soon xxxx
I arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday, however decided yesterday to leave and come south, as there's been lots of flooding in the north, which potentially may hit Bangkok this weekend. As i got at the train station last night, one of the exits was closed due to flood risk so i had to negotiate trying to cross the road carrying my stuff whilst trying to dodge cars, trucks, tuk-tuks, mopeds, puddles and avoiding being struck by lightening!
So after an overnight train, bus, boat, slightly hair-raising moped ride and long tail boat i have arrived at this amazing place called "the Sanctuary" on Koh Phangan (google it if you want to see a little bit of heaven!! Thank you Eleanor!)
I've booked a Yoga holiday where i get daily yoga classes, spa treatments and steam rooms sessions. I'm here for 1 week to relax before starting work in a couple of weeks time.
Hope everyone's ok, i'll be in touch soon xxxx
Monday 10 October 2011
less than 24 hours to departure!!
hello all!!
I've just checked in online, bags are almost packed and my car's been taken to my mum and dad's for a little holiday!
Can't quite believe i'm actually going tomorrow!
I'm due to start at the orphanage on 31st Oct, not quite sure of my plans until then - probably a bit of Bangkok life and then maybe down to one of the islands for a little beach time.
I'll be in touch soon via this or facebook xxx
Wednesday 31 August 2011
Less than 6 weeks to departure!
I'm in the last few weeks at work now, so just getting things organised to go. This is my first experience of using a blog so i'm sure it'll become prettier as we go on!
I'm going to an area in Thailand just north of Bangkok, where all the government orphanages are, the charity have purpose built houses there, including a volunteer house. Lots of people have been asking how to get involved with the charity i'm going to work for, so I've added their home page as a link. This provides a lot more info and detail about what goes on so its definitely worth a look if you're interested: http://4lifethailand.org/.
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