The Karen village

We learned about life in a Karen hill tribe today. The Karens are an ethnic group from Burma and many have fled the country to avoid persecution. This tribe has been in Thailand for many many decades, Czytaj więcej
Just fruit

Students being goofy with fruits. Nothing more to say here.
Girl crushes

IMO, Karen men are very macho...and my girl students agree. They especially liked Tom, seen here.
Jungle trek

The jungle here is dense. We followed our guide, who cut a path with a machete, on an adventure.
Earl eats everything

Earl ate a termite, tree bark used to address diarrhea, a red food like celery, and a bamboo shoot. He wanted to eat a bunch of other things...but they were not safe for humans.
Delicious Karen lunch

The reward for completing out jungle trek was a great lunch of bbq chicken and bamboo steamed sticky rice. Then, a dip in the swimming hole.
Hot springs

Our last stop today was at the hot springs. We were the only non-Thai people there! Some students grabbed a quick massage. Prices are around $7 per hour.
Where is Professor Rosado?

Hmmmmmmm.
Scenic view

On out way to the border, we stopped for a scenic view. You see floating homes held up by bamboo, but there is no water right now.
Three pagodas pass

Our first stop was historic three pagodas pass, commemorating peace between Burma and Thailand. There is an interesting market with Burmese products, but parts were closed off because the princess was Czytaj więcej
Supporting an orphanage

Lunch was at a new restaurant run by a local orphanage. Then, we visited their facility to tour their women’s weaving project and shop. The products they produce are incredible, and money earned Czytaj więcej
Orphanage tour

We visited the orphanage facility today. Interestingly, not all kids are orphans. Some come from families that are too poor to care for them. And there are no adoptions. The place is run by an Italian Czytaj więcej
Toy's restaurant

Lunch at Toy’s...easily the best food in the country. And the prices are ridiculously cheap.
Sangklaburi

We are in an area that is actually two villages...one Thai and one Mon (Burmese hill tribe). They are connected by a long wooden bridge that goes across a lake. The scenery is stunning. The bridge was Czytaj więcej
Concert by the kids

The kids at the orphanage put on a singing show for us. It was truly amazing.
Can't resist the kids

Kids offer face painting, in the traditional Burmese style, as a way of earning money. They are pretty adorable.
Monk processional

We got up very early to participate in the monk processional where they collect food. You see platters of rice and snacks that can be purchased to offer the monks.
Good deeds

Completing good deeds brings you luck in Buddhist culture. This stand sells animals that you can buy and then free. We selected some turtles. Christen is releasing by the water.
Making offerings

Those who wanted were able to make offerings of flowers, candles, and incense at the temple. You purchase a package of items, including hold leaf to apply to the Buddha statue.
Sunken temple

We went by boat to visit the old temple that was used before the lake was created. One section has fallen down in this past year. You see some our ladies wearing traditional Thai skirts.
Beautiful flowers

The colors are so beautiful here.
Scenic look

This dam was built about 37 years ago and the view is incredible. Hydroelectric power is collected, but it sounds like it is also an important source of water for the area, which is heavily Czytaj więcej
Earl eats everything-part 2

Strawberry flavored white bread?
Jackfruit farm

We visited a jackfruit farm that also had a restaurant. You see Sarah next to the jackfruit tree...and the fruits are huge.
Trip to Tesco

Tesco Lotus is owned by Walmart. So, we took a tour to collect prices that we will use for an assignment.