Going Home!

Well guys, this is pretty much it. My last week here has flown by. A Buddhist monk came and spoke on Tuesday and today we had a Thai dance lesson. This morning I got up early (about 5:45) to give a monk a bag of food. They only have one meal a day, which is before noon, so monks walk around all morning collecting food. One of the CCS staff helped me- it was a really awesome experience. The women from the clinic took me out for dinner. There were lots of tears when we said goodbye (they were mostly mine since it's not entirely acceptable to show upset emotions for Thai people). Now I'm just packing up and preparing to spend a day in Bangkok. The women from the clinic suggested a temple for me to go visit and I think there's a show that I would like to see as well. Beyond that I'm going to live it up in my hotel room, rent movies, order room service, and hopefully find some divine spa treatments. I got really homesick these last few days- I miss you all so much! But at the same time it's really hard to leave all of these fantastic people. I got everyone's address, so I hope I can stay in touch with them and maybe even come back sometime to visit. Anyway, I'll be back in the U.S. on Saturday, so give me a call!

Lots of love,
Jen

Almost Over

I can't believe my time here is almost over! I feel like there are still tons of things I need to do. But I'm definitely ready to come home. I finished my HIV pamphlet yesterday and the director is translating it into Thai for me. Yesterday, we went to a Thai boxing place. The family there takes care of orphans and after school they train for boxing. It was really intense. All of them were super strong and so little and allll muscle! Today a monk is coming to the house to speak to us about Buddhism. I'm really excited for it, it should be really interesting. I have 2 more days at the clinic and then head to Bangkok! The last activity before I leave is traditional Southern Thai dance. I've been looking forward to it the whole time! I feel very tired and the heat is starting to get to me... I'm sick of being sweaty!! My skin wants to be dry for a while... I'm really looking forward to spending a day in Bangkok. The family here has been and is recommending things I should see. Anyway, I'll see you all soon!!

Lots of love,
Jen

Weekend Recap

Friday I went to the Hot Springs with the CCS staff and the other volunteer that stayed behind for the weekend. It was great. We both got private rooms with a hot tub that had been filled with water from the spring. After we got done there they drove us to a beach and we saw a HUGE lizard thing! We spent a litte time there and then headed back to town to get massages... just the right way to end the day :) Saturday I didn't end up getting to Nakhon Si Thammarat, which was kind of a bummer. But I was still feeling a little under the weather so I didn't want to push too hard this weekend. Instead the other volunteer and I biked over to the temple that sponsors the school he teaches for. They're building a new temple, so we checked out the construction. There's a shop there and half of the proceeds goes to the temple and half goes to the school. After lunch we went into town and did a little shopping and exploring the town. I'm bummed because this area isn't a tourist spot so I haven't been able to find any postcards to send everyone... I hope I can find some soon so that I can at least send them from Bangkok before I leave!! Today we got up early and headed to Krabi to an elephant camp. We went on a short trek, fed the elephants, and watched one take a bath. I really loved spending time with them. The place seems to accomodate the elephants well- they seem happy. I was sad that when they're not taking a walk or bathing they have to be chained up to eat. Otherwise they run off and destroy plantations. I want to come live there so I can take the elephants for walks all the time and they won't have to be chained!! I got some great pictures of the jungle and of the elephants. It was a fairly short day, but I'm exhausted!! I got lots of sun and I'm feeling ready to come home I think. I only have a few more days at my placement and then I fly to Bangkok on Friday. I'll be sad to leave all the great people here. The women at my placement have been so amazing. They're showing us around and I think they're taking us to a waterfall sometime this week. So, it's back to work for one more week! What's going on back there? Send me some messages!!