Journey North

A, Yai, Mai, Nai and Jay

We participated in a three day, two night, trip to northwestern Thailand. Our group of 23 consisted of 13 students, 5 SSU leaders including Kathleen and myself, and 5 CMU guides. Our guides included the leader Yai and his assistant Mai, Jay, an ex peace corp volunteer, and two interpreters, A and Nai, who spoke both Thai and Karen.  Names that end in ai seem to be very popular. The guides were all very knowledgeable and we felt well looked after. It took a while to get the right name attached to the right face but we did and we became friends with each of them.  A kept telling me how strong I was as I completed both walks at Huay Hin Lad Nai - I think she thought that such an old person would have had trouble with the hills. I was flattered.

Lunch in Ban Sansali

Organic fertilizer mixing

Our first stop was at Ban Sansali village where we were treated to a wonderful lunch and demonstrations of the local farming practices.  The emphasis of the village is on sustainable organic agriculture. They are growing several organic crops including rice, fish, fruit and coffee.  The coffee they served us was the best we have had since Equator and we bought a bag of beans to take home.  Craig and Amber - any interest in a Thailand contact?  They showed us how they make fertilizer and bio-diesel.   This place was considered lowland agriculture and our next stop was a Karen village, Huay Hin Lad Nai, specializing in highland sustainable farming. I have talked about our two days there in a separate entry.

Songthaew in the village

We left the Karen village early on Friday morning  travelling in a modern SUV and two songthaews.  Because of our seniority we got to ride in the SUV - very comfortable with A/C.  The songthaews were not so comfortable, especially on the twisty mountain road we followed after leaving the village.  Within an hour several members of the group had left their breakfast beside the road.  The back of a songthaew is open so this does not pose too much of a logistical problem as long as one can climb over the other occupants quickly enough.

Someone commented that they were envious of us having all this fun and getting paid for it.  That is a misconception - we are having fun but paying our own way.  We are both agreed that the experience has been worth every penny we have invested in it.