The next morning orientation began at 9AM. We talked about Thai Culture, learned a few phrases in Thai, talked about our individual programs, then went out to lunch and to see a few Temples. That night we went to a Traditional Thai dinner and Cultural Show. It was an experience, that's for sure. Some of the dances were really cool, but others we all found a bit strange. I tried Sugar Cane for the first time that night. It was interesting. Sunday morning involved more Thai lessons and a bit more talk about our programs. That afternoon we went one of the largest markets in Chiang Mai. It was crazy. They sold anything and everything you could want. They had any kind of fish...raw fish, live fish, dried fish. Many different fruits and vegetables. They even had clothes and shoes. At the end of the tour of the market, two of the new volunteers ate a fried cricket! I was going to give it a try, but I wasn't feeling well at the market and decided I better not. Sunday night we went to Sunday Street, which is a night market. They close down the streets for it. It's so crowded and packed with people and booths. There were lots of different street foods to try, but we picked a small restaurant on our way home. While there, a cat literally jumped on a table and no one made it get down. I, of course, didn't eat anything there. It was not very sanitary. After dinner, we took a Tuk Tuk home. It's a three wheeled motorbike with a covered seat in the back. Pretty cool form of transportation, but probably not the safest. Although, nothing is really safe in Chiang Mai. The streets are so crowded with people and motorbikes! I've seen an entire family on a motorbike...baby in front, mom in the middle and the father in the back. None wearing helmets. I've also seen 12 year olds riding them by theirself. There are so many cultural differences between Thailand and America, but that will be saved for another blog.
Monday morning, I left to go to the Elephant Camp with a volunteer named Melissa, who is from Florida. Monday was a pretty chill day. I got to pick out my elephant! I chose Suk Chai, who is the third smallest elephant and nine years old. He's the sweetest.
My daily schedule at the camp is:
6:30AM- Meet my Mahout, Tiet (Thee); Pick up the elephant poop, sweep the stall, then climb on Suk Chai to go to the river for bathing
Tiet will say a command and Suk Chai knows to lay down with his back leg propped up like a step for me. I climb up and sit on his neck holding onto his head. The hair on his head is kind of rough and my palms are sore from it. When we get close to the river, Tiet will climb up too and in the water we go. Once in the water, Tiet commands Suk Chai to lay down so we can climb off and begin washing him. Once back into the stall, I sadly have to chain his front right leg. That's definitely not my favorite part. I still have mixed feelings about this camp. Anyway, after that I feed him some grass and Suk Chai tells me "Thank you" by bowing down and making a noise.
7:30AM- Shower, eat breakfast
8:30AM- Help at the show
I really enjoy helping at the show because I get to spend so much time with the elephants. Before the show starts the mahouts bring their elephants out and just sit around with them. This is the most time I get to spend with Suk Chai during the day. I stand there and just pet his face and trunk. He almost always closes his eyes, so relaxed. During the show, I help sell bananas and sugarcane that the tourists can feed the elephants. It's 30 Baht (roughly $1) for a bunch of bananas and sugarcane. The elephants do different things during the show. They either paint a picture, play soccer, play the harmonica and dance, lift logs (elephants were used for logging back in the day), or do some sort of trick. My elephant does the best one. He can do a handstand using only his front legs and trunk. He can also stand up on his hind legs. After the show, we stand around with the elephants again.
11AM- Make vitamins
After the show, we go to the vet to package vitamins for the elephants. We fill paper bags with a bucketful of vitamins and fold the bag twice. When the elephants come for their turn, they lift their trunk, open their mouth and you shove the bag in. My first time I was a little scared, but it's actually really cool.
12PM- Lunch
We eat a buffet style lunch with the tourists. It's not the greatest food, but they do have plain white rice, which I can handle.
1PM- Free Time
We have a few options during this time, but we have mainly just been helping some guys improve their English. People here have such a desire to learn English. I also take a nap during this time.
4PM-Meet my Mahout, Tiet (Thee); Pick up the elephant poop, sweep the stall, then climb on Suk Chai to go to the river for bathing
5PM- Shower, get ready for dinner
One evening we played Badminton. Our coordinator here is in a badminton tournament soon and wanted some practice. Unfortunately, Melissa and I suck at that game.
6:30PM- Dinner
We go to the restaurant and order something from the menu. I've only tried the macaroni with chicken in tomato sauce. It's not the best, but not the worst. The tomato sauce is really sweet here.
8/9PM- Bed time
The evenings here are really quiet and peaceful, except for the occasional elephant. During the day though, there are many tourists and the camp can be pretty busy.
Friday afternoons, I return to the city and rejoin the other volunteers in the guesthouse. This weekend we have decided to go to Pai to celebrate birthdays! Mine is on Sunday and another volunteer's was on Thursday. Pai is only a few hours away and is a cool, little hippie town apparently. You can get transportation there and back, plus hotel and food for like $30.
Next weekend we plan to check out Tiger Kingdom, Thai Boxing, and a Monk Chat.
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