Today I'll be headed to Thailand, and then Laos, for a summer internship with Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia, www.babsea.org. BABSEA promotes legal eduction and empowering marginalized communities in Southeast Asia. I'm still learning what I'll be doing this summer, and cannot wait to get there and find out more.
I fly out May 18, and after a few days of traveling will reach Chiang Mai, Thailand on May 21. Chiang Mai, where BABSEA is headquartered, will be my home for a few weeks while the summer interns go through orientation. I visited Chiang Mai a few years ago and am looking forward to returning. Chiang Mai is one of the larger cities in Thailand, but pales in comparison to Bangkok. The city is situated in mountainous northern Thailand and has a quiet, laid back nature. There are temples galore, a wonderful night market and some great hikes in the surrounding mountains. It should be a great place to have our orientation and get acquainted with my colleagues for the summer. And a great place to indulge in some tasty Thai cuisine and Chang beer.
After training I'll be headed to Vientiane, Laos, where I'll be for most of the summer. I've never been there, but have heard good things about Southeast Asia's largest village. The overland journey there leaves much to be desired, but it will be a great opportunity to see the countryside of Thailand and Laos, and hopefully do some recreational reading.
With friends spread all over this summer, I wanted a way to share my experiences with y'all before I return back to states in August. So, follow the posts to find out what I'm up to and let me know what you're doing as well.
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Have so much fun Davis! Can't wait to hear (more) about Thailand :) We'll be blogging in Spain so we can keep in touch!!
ReplyDeleteSounds fantastic - look forward to stories and photos. Have a safe journey.
ReplyDeleteEmma
Boy have I got a good one for you. (From the top as the story was told to an outside observer).
ReplyDeleteWe are waiting and waiting as finals approach and as we are getting through them hoping that we will find someone to board charlie. One of dads nurses knows a vet who recommended this girl who boards and trains them. Eureka, right? Not so much. I take Charlie out there yesterday after Davis left. When we get there he is fine with their dog (a plus). But then here comes the cat. The cat, clearly opposed to Charlie, hisses at Charlie most definitely getting his attention. Charlie jumps back unsure of where to go. The cat, meanwhile, decides that anything in Charlie's proximity is fair game and decides to take on an easier target and latching onto my right calf. Before I knew what was going on, I had cat embedded in my leg. So i jump and pull charlie with me trying to get away from the cat while at the same time trying not to be too frantic. After all, I don't want him or this girl to react adversely to the situation and escalate it. So I move about six or eight feet from my car under which this puffed up feline is hiding, hissing, and growling. When i turn my back to the cat to take charlie inside his summer home, the indignant cat lunges at me a second time, and ike a gray lighting bolt this cat is once again attached to my leg and going for blood.
While the girl subdues the cat, mild panic sets in that I will have to endure this a third time, so I rush Charlie inside. This is all fine for a little while until Charlie realizes there are deer heads on the wall and a stuffed turkey within reach. Needless to say, he climbed on anything and everything to get to them to the point that the girl had to put the turkey in a closet to keep him from eating it or mating with it. All seemed well at this point and Charlie finally seemed to be calming down when I heard the worst part. The girl says, "Man, my daddy's gonna kill me! He still dudn't know I'm keepin this dawg for the summer." That's when it hits me. Not only is she certainly no dog trainer, but she is just as certainly not a dog boarder. So Charlie and I both start to hesitate about whether he will be summering in Thomson, GA or not. I am trying to claim him some territory by telling her that he is normally calm, well mannered, and truly a pleasure to have around.. He, on the other hand, tries to claim some territory by lifting his leg in salute to not one but two of their sofas. The house of cards fell at that point. Charlie was going to spend no more time in Thomson than I was at that point. Charlie's evil plan worked. So as we drove away, the entire half hour ride back, Charlie sat in the back seat, his back turned to me facing out the rear wincow, barking the whole way home. He could not have been more pleased, and it was hard to stay mad at him seeing him that happy.