Welcome to Nong Bua

Right now I am lying on my bed, listening to the chirping cicadas outside and reflecting on the amazing day I had. I had the pleasure of walking throughout almost all of the 163 houses in the village today and hand out pamphlets explaining who we foreigners are, why we are here, and how we cleaned the water. We also invited them to a meeting tomorrow morning to show them the slide show of how the water is cleaned. I am really excited for this meeting. PJ was so helpful all day with translating and talking with all of the villagers. Many of the people were not home because they were out in the fields picking rice or on their longon farms. In the afternoon Mr Sawat the head of village heads came around with us and I had so much fun. The people welcomed me and Jess into their homes and offered us fruit and water. They all thanked us for cleaning the water and told us that once the government installs new pipes they will for sure drink it. As we left each house they customarily wished us good luck and thanked us which I thought was so sweet. Before talking to us today everyone was surprised to find clean water in their taps and didn’t know why. They believed the government paid for it and even paid us to be here. Most people, however, didn’t even know we were here which surprised me. We have been living and working for them for 3 weeks and today was the first day they knew anything about us.
My favorite part of the day, by far was when Mr. Sawat drove us by the rice pattys to visit with the villagers who were not at their homes because they were out working. While PJ(our translator) explained to the women sorting the rice about the work we have done, Jess and I got to go out into the field and the men showed us how to pick the rice so that it can then be replanted. I had so much fun with this! Ever since we got here I have wanted to learn how people actually grow and farm the rice. The villagers were more then happy to show me and seemed excited to have us come out and see how they work. After a long day of walking in the heat we were driven back to Warm Heart and then Aomdoi for a relaxing evening. I am really psyched to see the response at the meeting tomorrow. Hopefully a lot of people will show up to put some pressure on the government (who is trying to get re-elected since it is election season) to replace the pipes so that the people can drink the newly cleaned water. They all seemed very excited to be able to drink it and I am glad that they will have clean water.

I’m sitting on my bed in my room at Aomdoi and I have never experienced a moment of bliss quite like this one. It’s raining outside and aside from being a huge fan of lightening, thunderstorms and quiet rainfall, the light rain is only adding to the magnificence of Thailand. All of the windows are open beyond the screen and all I hear is the rain in rhythm with the cicadas and crickets.

The people are so different here, everyone is so kind and their warm eyes greet you long before they bow down to a wai. As we left the Sripoom Guesthouse in Chiang Mai this afternoon, the cute couple that owned it was sitting around a table watching TV and eating longon. They remembered us from before and asked about our day and how our shopping went. They asked Jess if she found the wood carvings she had been searching for and when she responded no, the older gentleman immediately said that he would inquire about and let her know next weekend if she comes by. We chatted a little longer and they offered me some fruit with the biggest smile on their faces. As we got ready to leave they said thank you and take care and come back soon. The culture is so beautiful here, they are generous and kind and so giving even when they have so little. After we got back into town at Phrao, we rode home on motorbikes and the sun had just set; twilight in its entire splendor followed me home. I thought of Pau-Dang and Pau-Twan, the two gentlemen that work with us at the system and how they tirelessly stay with us helping all day even though they are just volunteers. I wonder what they are doing tonight, if they are spending time with their families or drinking with their friends in town. It’s timeless here, you don’t recognize where the time goes, although that might be because I don’t live here.

I feel cleaner when I’m surrounded by nature and so close to the mountains and the clouds. I love it. How simple, but hard their lives must be. I’ll always remember Thailand this way, rice patties illuminated by the sky and the rice farmers in the water toiling until the late hours of the day. I feel rejuvenated and hope I can take this feeling home with me for a little while.