Bye bye Chiang Mai

Sooo, about that plan to go volunteer at the orphanage in the Karen/Burmese refugee village up north...things changed.

I guess that's what I get for writing something down before actually doing it! Long story short, I couldn't get in touch with the Karen woman who runs the orphanage (the cell number she gave me connected me to the airport - wait, what?!), and I felt a little hesitant about just hopping on a random, 6 hr. bus to a place that I'd never been without talking to her first. SO, I stayed in Chiang Mai.

BUT, I found a great orphanage to volunteer at here, called Baan Kingkaew Orphanage. The kids are really cute (like I want to take them home with me), and I'm so glad things worked out the way they did after all!

The orphanage opened in 1966, and it was the first charitable foundation (as opposed to government run orphanage) to house orphaned children in the city. Now, there are about 60 children between the ages of 3 months to 6 years who live there. They have been orphaned for many reasons, like poverty and disease, but also including things you might not think of, i.e. because their parents are in prison. Besides being very welcoming to volunteers and visitors, this orphanage is also very proactive in helping to arrange adoptions for the kids. I wish I could adopt them all myself (okay, well maybe just a few of my favorites...but they're really all so cute).

While there, I've been working (aka playing and cuddling with) mostly with the toddler group, but the "older" kids have been in the mix as well. There is a great staff of nannies, teachers, and nuns who work with the kids all day, and there is such a warm, loving atmosphere at this place. While it doesn't take away the sad reality that these kids face and will face in the future, it's really good to see such a great place that is nothing like the gloomy, scary Annie-style orphanage we sometimes think about. Here is their website in case you want to check it out:

http://www.baan-kingkaew-orphanage.org/

Other than playing with my new little friends, I've tried to do some more "Thai" stuff before I leave the country, such as:

I made sure to eat some more of the typical delicacies: pork dumplings, chicken in a curry puff, pad Thai, roti with whatever you want inside (well it's not Thai, but it's everywhere here!) and a few kebabs on the street - so yummy!

I took a local bus to Chiangdao Cave, where a guide took me around in the dark with a lantern and pointed out various shaped stalagtites and stalagmites (my favorites were the rooster and hippo...the turtle left a little something to be desired).

I saw my first temple made entirely out of silver - unfortunately women couldn't go inside.

I went to the Art and Culture Hall and read ALL about how the city was founded, the different hill tribes and how they live, the specifics about Buddhism, etc. My favorite parts were definitely the life-sized characters/models who were acting out "city life" vs. "agricultural life" - not too bad for a little museum! I also really liked this one display of painted umbrellas that were really gorgeous and colorful. There's a picture on the right at the top!

And finally, I went to a yoga class today. Many of you know how much I've tried to like yoga, but I keep failing (I just get antsy and bored!).

So, I tried a yoga class in Thailand.
Verdict?
Still hate it.
Sorry yoga lovers.
And they really do say "Ohmmmm" and ring a gong at the end. I didn't know that ACTUALLY happened. Oh man, I had the giggles, thank goodness no one else was laughing, or I might have lost it.
Again, I'm really sorry for those of you who love yoga.
I have no doubts that it does great things for your body and mind, and maybe I've just had bad experiences...maybe. That said, I'm still open to it...but my confidence that I'll be converted into a bonafide yoga-lover is dwindling.
Namaste?

On that note, tomorrow I'm going to say good-bye to Chiang Mai, my cute little friends at Baan Kingkaew, Thai noodles and dumplings, monks, temples, more monks, and yoga (at least in this country!). I've been here for such a long time it seems, actually LIVING here a little bit rather than just passing through, and it has definitely grown on me a little more than I anticipated.

As for "what's next?" - I'm flying to Bangkok and then to Manila, where I should be landing bright and early Friday morning. PHILIPPINES, here I come! However, I will not give you any more insight to my "plans" since that seems to jinx them from coming to fruition.

Oh, guess what? I heard Christmas carols today in Thai. Awesome.