Teaching in the Land of Smiles: Thai'd

This past week has been a long, sad, but unforgettable one in Thailand. The time had finally come to say goodbye to my students, teachers, and friends in Pla Pak Village. Goodbyes seemed to be harder than I could have ever imagined. The amount of generosity that the Thai People have shown throughout the year always amazes me. I feel like I have been given and taught so much more by my students and co-teachers then I could ever hope teach or give in a year. My string tying ceremonies, a ceremony that is specially unique to the Issan part of Thailand, at both of my schools were definitely one of those times were I was humbled and put in 'aw' by the amount of kindness that they exude.

For a ceremony a banana leaf 'Kratong' is made and decorated with flowers. The strings that will be tied around the wrist are placed in the kratong and offerings such as chicken, fruits, rice, and whiskey are put around the kratong. The village elder is the one who conducts the ceremony, saying a buddhist chant. Next, each person ties a white string around the recipient wrist that is suppose to preserve good luck and happiness for the person, money can also be tied in as a gift. Many of my student's parents and other village people took the day off of work to come wish me good luck. Both of my string tyings were very touching to see all my students and parents huddled around me wishing me good luck, happiness, and hopefully a return to PlaPak someday. As I looked around I was trying to imprint each of their faces in my memory so I would never forget the day or the people that have given me so much.