Ok, having a lot of blogging I want to catch up on, and the internet cafe only having large beer’s, one of which I have drunk quite quickly, my brain is becoming a little fuzzy, but here goes……..

13.08.13

I just have a few highlights from this day. Sarah Co ran a workshop at Wild Flower Home, a protection programme for Mother’s. Hence no photos of faces. Here are the beautiful constructions they made with pride. The balloons will be burst to leave a hanging web.

That evening we needed some comfort and self care, all missing home a little, ok a lot! I have never had home sickness before, it’s a little crazy but 2 weeks here feels like 2 months. However, I am also filled with joy that have a home to feel sick about, a home full of wonderful friends old and new. A few months ago I didn’t know where my home was anymore!!

I have now learned at the not too late age of 37, what the saying ‘home is where the heart is’ really means. It’s not the walls of a house, but something you carry with you, like a snail. Home is the friends and family that surround you.

Self care takes form in the shape of peanut butter on rivita. Having found the most amazing baker’s and everything you could ever wish you had to eat from your home country, store. The mother of this independent establishment chatted away to us, in Thai, but the language didn’t matter, she could have been my mum! The warmth and love for the three of us (me, Mary and Sarah) was oozing from her. Having payed for our shopping she handed us a bag of cream puffs and put her hand to her heart. Whoever you are beautiful lady, I love you!

14.08.13

We begin the day returning to Hope home. The children’s needs here are at a level of sensory communication, some of the children not even enjoying touch. One of the children is very poorly now.

Each day a different volunteer runs a workshop. Today we used an array of sensory materials. For some feathers in the breeze was enough, for others we heard giggles as toes were tickled. For one just someone being there stroking their hand was enough.

(taken from Wat Umond Temple and meditation centre, it just fitted here)

I met Judy today, originally a nurse from the UK,  who set up and manages Hope Home. I begin to discuss my ideas with her as to how I hope to continue to support the children of Hope home on my return to the UK and beyond. She is an inspiration and I am thrilled to know that the ideas can and will begin to become reality, I feel that they already are.

These children have love, nurture, empathy and great care but minimal resources and facilities. A sensory room would bring stimulation and joy to many of them. There is a space for it just waiting to happen. I know from the tip of my toes, to the fluffy wisps of hair on top of my head, that my Community Arts Cafe to be can be a space where this can begin to be supported via creative and inspiring fund raising.

This home is making sense of how my past now joins my future. They have given so much to me already, just in letting me be a small part of their lives. I can only hope to give a little something back. Watch out creators of bubble tubes and sensory lights. I don’t give up easy, I will write to you until you donate just because you want me to shut up! 🙂

(my walk home after the rain)

By listening to and following the life that is right here in front of me, more is happening within hours than in a day where I think I have one hundred things to do, and on those day’s I know I miss so much.

The Evening.

In saying that the working day here is amazing but also exhausting. It is hot, and every day is so different, an unexpected unknown, exhilarating and exhausting all in one. But when you work with life, it just come with the territory!!

We spend many an evening having a form of debrief, be that a chat, a beer, or both. Enabling us to achieve staying in the moment, giving to each day a fresh. The evenings are vital in our winding down and finding a holiday vibe, which we seem to do in spectacular style.

This evening Sarah and I set off on our bikes to reach the temple. The mountain of which I originally got to the bottom of.

But no kidding, the Gods do not want me to reach that Temple!! This was my third attempt, admittedly second attempt was a bit of a non starter. Fourth attempt Sunday.

This time we begin in the sunshine. Having Cycled through the crazy streets, taking our lives and our lungs into our own hands, we stop at the mountains foot for kiwi sodas and chips (carbs, very important start to this mission). . The sun in shining……..and then…….

Ok, we think, We are not going to let monsoon season stop us………

Half way up and causing full amusement to all the locals, we are invited to take shelter with the local dogs. Even they look at us as if we are a little crazy.

We then continue on our way, convinced it is brightening….hehehe….what were we thinking!!

Then the thunder and lightening begins. Hysterical with laughter, madness hysteria, we are not sure which, it seems to perfect moment for Sarah to pause for snickers bar.

It wasn’t just the thunder and lightening, or that the road that was becoming a small stream behind us. Or that it would soon be night fall, or that everyone we asked for directions either shook there head or pointed a different way. Or that the rain actually stung our skin, and the movement of my legs was now constricted due to the wetness of my trousers. Or even that we may as well now enter a wet t-shirt competition and no temple would even let us past the first tree!

The final moment of defeat was the steam coming off the rubber of my shoe as I used it to replace my now failing breaks.

So, as we admitted defeat, still triumphant at having got half way, we turn a bend and see this view across Chaing Mai and into the mountains, stunning. Ever the optimists, it feels worth it just for the laughter and the view!.

Doi Suthep, I will find you, just not today!!

The Evening

The streets here change by day and night, you often think you know where you are going, only be left completely disorientated. Stores and shops appear and disappear as if by magic. Then, in true Chaing Mai style, the back street market of stunning tribal products that we have searched for, we find. So with bike baskets now full of gifts and beers, we return home.

I said I was going to be honest, so, whilst I could tell you about all the amazing curries and pad Thai noodles I eat, you know all that stuffs great already right?

So, the truth and the joy of traveling is sometimes you just don’t care for tradition, you just take what comes as it comes. Tonight, banana and jam sandwiches and chocolate cereal…….it tasted soooooo good!!

I chuckle a little at myself as I write this. I love that I am only gradually making my way up this mountain. Step by step, piece by piece, as whatever I go on to do on my return, whatever shape my hopes take, this is how I aim to continue. Many ideas, but for everything there is time, a life time. The more I am still, the more I listen, the more I see.

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