The Lahu Village

We were in a Lahu village for the past for days in the Chiang Rai province of Thailand. Its about 3 hours away and we drove up dirty dirt roads that were extremely dusty but really did add to the beauty of the area. All the students split up[ into groups of five to stay with families in the village. Myself and 4 other girls got to stay in our own bamboo hut. It was cold and you could hear everything including people talking down the street but I really loved it. When we arrived the villagers had just killed a pig for us, we had dinner, and then headed to bed.

On Sunday we had church. The women had to go to a women's service early and then the regular service. The men only had to go to the regular service and when I asked why we had the differences in gender requirements the Lahu women said it was because the women were closer to God.

That afternoon we went to visit a youth hostel in a very poor village and were able to play games with the kids and eat noodles with them. My friend dominique let the face paint her arms and face so that she looked like abstract art. The thing she didn't realize is that the paint stains so her face was red and green for a few days.

On Monday we did a service project and built a really awesome garden with steps and a watering system. I only lifted for about 20 minutes before my knee was a grapefruit and I had to sit down. Prof Ann made me the photographer.

We drove back today and its been nuts because the Chiang Mai University graduation happened this morning. The students graduate and tyhen save up money for a year and then have their ceremony. Its a really big deal here.

So tonight Christina and I went to Tesco Lotus to get shelves and stuff for our apartment. Class starts again tomorrow and I study again tonight...yuck.

PS I keep trying to load pictures and it keeps telling me errors. Sorry I'll try to post them at my kodak gallery sight.

Amy