So I'm leaving for Thailand on Friday, and I'm getting really anxious. I have one more day left in Austin to get everything that I need. I had plenty of days in which I could have gone to get all this, but in true fashion I had to procrastinate.
These pictures are from the project's website, and hopefully there will be plenty more of these to come! They are of (from left to right):
- a group picture of the kids I'll be working with
- the scenery around Kanchanaburi (the town closest to where I'll be)
- the housing accommodations there
The website for the organization I'll be volunteering for is: http://www.ffc.or.th/mbdeng/generalinfo/generalinfo.htm (that is if you're really bored and want to check in to see what I'm up to here in Thailand).
Until then...
15 comments:
Hey, mg!
I hope you have a safe flight over, within Thailand & back home...which is a month away as of right now. I'm really going to miss our (almost) daily chats...
I hope you have a wonderful time & that you meet lots of new friends & make some great memories.
What an adventure!
LYM-
mom
Maggie,
Have a wonderful trip!
If you go along the Cambodian border, you may walk where I once walked.
Love,
Mo Mo Baby
Good luck gal!
I will check your blog from time to time.
Uncle Don
MG's Travel Update
Friday, June 1, 11pm:
Maggie boarded her flight from LA to Bangkok (sob! I won't see her for a month)
Saturday, June 2, 6pm:
She phoned us from the Bangkok airport that she had arrived safely (whew!)
LYM, Maggie! xoxo, mom
Hey, mg!
The weather where you are is alot like here in good old V-town, hot & humid. Thought you'd like to see your forecast...okay...I'm missing you already...
5-Day Forecast for Kanchanaburi
JUN 4 Monday:
91° F | 77° F / Overcast
JUN 5 Tuesday:
89° F | 77° F / Partly Cloudy
JUN 6 Wednesday:
87° F | 78° F / Overcast
JUN 7 Thursday:
93° F | 80° F / Scattered Clouds
JUN 8 Friday:
95° F | 84° F / Overcast
I hope you're having a great time!
LYM-
mom
xoxo
hey looks like your having fun! I have a blog too, but there's not much to look at yet. I'll be adding vacation pics soon. How is Thailand?!
Maggie,Hope you are having a great time. I am sure your Mom is missing you already. Keep us posted on your trip. Love, Aunt Jackie
Mag!! I can't believe you are in Thailand! I am so happy that you are able to do something that you enjoy, and impact others' lives. This trip just goes to show the type of person you are. You make me so proud!!! I love you, and can't wait to see you in Austin (I'm leaving to go there tomorrow!!! yay!) Be safe, Mag, and know that you are loved back home. Muuahhh! xoxo Lacey
Hi Maggie! We miss you already. I spent the whole evening (Tuesdsay night) with your mother packing up stuff. We sat in your room and reminiscing over all yours and Jason's things. I think it made your mom miss you all the more. But Brooke came over and gave her some daughter attention since your gone. We sure did have a nice time visiting with you and your mom prior to your departure. I cannot even imagine all the things that you are experiencing. It takes a very confident and strong person to travel halfway around the world and to go out of the comfort of the US. But, the rewards that you will receive will be endless and forever change your life. Can't wait to see pictures and here about everything. We will try to come to Fred. in July to hang out with you & your mom. Well, love, hugs, and kisses from me and Brooke!
you are so amazing......!!!!!!
stay safe! i love you giiirl!
<3 c'est moi, becky
Hey, mg!
Sittin' here with Tana & Brooke...missing you. I left a voicemail for you...just to hear your voice!! I can't wait for you to get back into "civilization" so I can talk to you.
I hope you're having an awesome time--you deserve it.
I can't wait to see you.
LYM-
mom
xoxo
For the friends/followers/famiy of Maggie:
She called Sunday morning at 1:00am (our time) to say "hi" & that she was at the airport...but mostly to wish her dad a happy father's day. She sounds wonderful & is having a blast! She's in the final 2 weeks & should be able to post on her blog, soon. I'm waiting to see pictures!
I received this email from her yesterday afternoon. She wanted me to post it, but I don't have her password, so I'm leaving it as a comment.
mg wrote:
Hey love,
So I checked my blog and read everyone's messages. The only thing is, everything is in Thai except for what I have written and what other people have written. All the buttons are in Thai, so I can't navigate to type a new post. If you want, feel free to try to figure out how to post a new blog and enter this email on it.
Here's what's up:
The past two weeks I was at Moo Baan Dek ("The Children's Village" in Thai) along the Kwae Noi River near Burma. The scenery was spectacular, and I will most definitely provide pictures later. While there we visited Erawan Waterfall that has 7 tiers and some amazing swimming. The fish were biting our toes though, so we had to constantly keep swimming! We also went to an archeaological dig where the first homo erectus was found in Thailand, and that was really cool. My favorite field trip with the kids though was when we went to Hellfire Pass. It's a part of the railroad the Japanese army made POWs and Asians build during WWII. The purpose was the create a more accessible supply route to India via Burma and Thailand. The entire railroad was supposed to be completed in 5 years, but the Japanese made these men finish in only 20 months. We walked through Hellfire Pass that was named such because the men worked 18 hours a day, so at night they lit fires to continue working. They had to manually chip through rock to create this railroad, and there were still pieces of drills and tools broken inside the rock. It was an extremely emotional experience for me. I don't think it was until that day that I realized the true impact of World War II.
Other than the field trips we took with the kids, our normal days consisted of waking up to teach class in the morning and then crafts in the afternoon. I taught 2nd grade. I have plenty of pictures of our amazing class! We were able to make bracelets. The ladies there make their own clothes, bags, etc that they sell in a gift store on site. They are some truly talented ladies. This village is a place of alternative education. The kids don't have to come to class if they don't want to, and there's a student government that meets every Friday to give out punishments to fellow students who misbehaved that week. All the kids come from truely troubled backgrounds. Most don't have parents, and if they do they are too poor to support them. Leaving yesterday was really hard. Everyone was crying. But they had a closing ceremony for us where they gave us bracelets that were previously blessed by a monk that symbolized good luck in our travels and to let us know we always have a home in Moo Baan Dek.
Now I'm starting on the "Adventure Tour" for two weeks. Yesterday was a full day of travelling, but now we're in Khao Sok National Park. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! My camera memory card filled up mid-hike, so I'll have to bum pictures off other girls. This morning we tubed down the Khao Sok river and watched monkeys play. Our guide pointed out a few snakes in the trees. Lucky for us, it was raining today so the snakes were out of the water and in the trees sleeping!
We just got finished hiking in the tropical rainforest here. It was truly stunning, but most of the time I was looking at my feet. Two reasons for that: 1) it was really slippery from the rain and 2) there were leeches. I know they're harmless, but it's not very pleasant to walk around while things are sucking blood out of your feet. The guide gave us this plant halfway through to rub on our feet that smelled really bad to repel the leeches. It worked for me, others were not so lucky.
We have one more night here and then we're off the Railay Beach. There we will rock climb and then rappel into the ocean. The next day we'll go out snorkeling around small islands. Then we'll start out on a two day sea canoeing spree to another remote island and spend the night with some locals. Then we're off to Chiang Mai. From there the schedule gets a little hazy. Internet will definitely be more accessible in Chiang Mai.
It's been an amazing time. But I won't lie, I am a bit ready for a hot shower and to be able to really wash my clothes. I'm a bit smelly, but everyone tries to do the best they can. Love you all!
End.
I love you much, but I think I should head back to the accomodations. It's getting dark quick here. (the rainforest covers up quite a bit of sunlight you know?) I'll try to get back on the next few days, but supposedly the rates here are better than in Railay, so I might not talk to you until Chiang Mai.
Love you much,
Maggie
Maggie dear,
Just read all of the comments and want to add my good wishes to you on this fantastic trip. Way tooooo
adventuresome for me...but sounds just right for you! I hope all goes well and so glad the leeches didn't get you! Love you and hope to see you when you come back home.
Love, Grandma Clara
Maggie, You are one tough girl. I would not have been able to stand the leeches. I am so proud of you! I am sure the 2nd graders loved you. Love, Aunt Jackie
hey maggie! i hope you can read this. Your trip sounds amazing. I can't wait to here all about it and see pictures when you get back! I left a message before but didn't leave my name so just so you know this is your cousin Michelle =). I hope you continue to have an awesome summer! i'm praying for your safety. and man! it sounds like God is truly blessing your time there (I'm jealous!)
Post a Comment