Project Orientation

Saturday I started my project orientation with Friends For Asia. They are low key but efficient.

Following language lessons – Hello, How are you, My name is… We had safety lessons which focused on don’t ride motor bikes, let us know if you get sick, women travel in groups at night, and don’t get drunk to much.  Then we were off on our city tour.

Friends For Asia Volunteers November 2011

In the above photo our orientation team is standing in front of an old Chedi near the heart of the city. Back row left to right Julia (Germany), John (UC Santa Clara), Lauren (Chicago), Maureen (S. Africa/Toronto), Corina (Swiss), Jerry (US). Front row Andrea, Ana, and Kathrin (Germany), Rebekka (Swiss). Maureen is a retired school teacher from South Africa via Toronto where her husband is a geophysicist. Our projects range from the Elephant camp, the orphanage, the ‘Young Girls at Risk’, and teaching monks.

Loaded in the Commando Volunteer Van

Chedi at Oldest Temple in Chiang Mai

Beautiful Buddha

In the evening we went to a “traditional” Thai dinner. It was held in a restored teak mountain home where we sat on the floor, had incredibly wonderful Thai dishes. Dancers performed a floor show of traditional hill tribe ceremonies. I took a zillion pictures but will spare you all but two.

Peacock Dancers

Wow, a lot of color and beautiful too!