Karen Homestay

Nikkul is a Karen woman who overcame many challenges to get to where she is today. She hosted us on her family's land, after we visited the elephants.

Nikkul used to work at the elephant sanctuary. When she started working there, she spoke no English. Her language skills increased, her job assignments focused more on tourists, and she became proficient in English. At the same time, her marriage was under strain, and she needed to earn more money to look after her family and kids. She went to the city to earn money, like many rural young people in the region. Nikkul didn't like city life. So, she returned home, borrowed money from Chailai (interest free, I believe), and started a homestay business. So brave!

Nikkul invited us to walk with her around the land. We harvested vegetables for our delicious dinner that night, met her extended family and a waterbuffalo, had a delicious coffee at cafe with gorgeous views, picked flowers, tried our hand at some farming activities, learned about traditional foods, and generally had a great time. Judah said it was the strongest reminder of home he'd had since we left.

After dinner, we sat around the campfire with Nikul's dad and family. He played traditional songs on a traditional instrument. Nikul gifted us with some stories about her life. She grew up in the mountains, in a Karen village. When she was about 10 years old, her family was forced by the government to come to a village where there was a Thai school. She was bullied for being Indigenous, and was a very shy kid. Today, she has a lot of confidence. And is a very cool person.

Our meals in the Karen area of Thailand were delicious and totally different flavours than Thai food. So many vegetables (including those we picked on the farm!). I would love to eat Karen food again.Read more