Follow the Journey

After a long and cramped van ride, we arived at Pliek Wewiek Dharma Center. We spent the next four days learning the dharma from the novice monks and our new favorite Australian, Laurie. Besides waking up at 5 am, our time here was very relaxing and contemplative. We walked down to the sala in the morning and sat/slept while the monks recited their prayers in thai and Pali (the origional… Read More

Hey everyone! Indy here. I haven’t posted on the blog in a while so I’ve decided it’s about time. Wednesday was crazy because of the plans changing unexpectedly. We woke up in Chiang Rai, then took a 4-hour bus ride to Chiang Mai, where we got our bags from storage and then had lunch. I also managed to find time to buy myself a new headlamp at the Rock Climbing… Read More

The last two weeks have been a teeter totter, we were in hill tribes again learning about the Lahu and Akha tribes and working on a support wall for a road to one of the Akha villages. The week was strenuous, working in the mornings and afternoons and spending the rest of the time buried in our rooms sleeping when the roosters weren’t continuing their tirade of calling at all… Read More

Last week we began our tumultuous adventure into the Lahu and Akha villages. Due to some communication breakdowns and language barriers, when we arrived at the Mirror Art Foundation’s base camp, we didn’t know exactly what to expect, but our host Pi Moo quickly filled us in. While we were here, this Thai organization was working with the local hill tribe villages (Akha and Lahu) on a retaining wall project… Read More

We’ve received word that the group has returned from their volunteer project doing flood reparation work with the Akha and Lahu villagers.  They have moved on to the Pleek Wiwek Dhamma Centre near Wieng Haeng.  We’ll look forward to their next updates as they learn about Theravadan Buddhism and border issues involving the Shan people along the Burmese border.… Read More

This last week we have been staying on an organic farm, and I have been reaffirming my hippie lifestyle. The farms name was Pun Pun, and was started by a smiley thai man by the name of Pi Jo. People quickly fell in love with the laid back atmosphere, smiles were flowin and arm pit hair was showin. We gardened , cooked, and had dance parties in mud pits. They… Read More

Since the last time I’ve posted we have been at home stays in villages outside Mae Rim and most recently we have finished trekking into the Hill tribes of northern Thailand. Home stay for me was an incredible experience, although Chiang Mai was great i was ready to get out of the big city. I stayed with the family of a rice farmer by the name of Por Duang. He… Read More

Hi all! Rachel here. Since you last heard from us we have left our home stays on gone on a three day trek. On the last night of our home stays we had a closing ceremony with our families where we gave speeches in Thai and said good bye to our hosts. The evening ended with us floating lotus flowers we made from banana stalks and leaves in a pond… Read More

  Sa-wat-dee-kha! Indy here. It’s kinda hard to speak for the group this week, since we’re all at separate homestays in a village outside Mae Rim, but I’ll do the best I can! Each morning, we meet up at the Ajun Petchara’s eco lodge, where we take Thai language lessons! I personally am doing alright with the language, but it’s pretty difficult. Still, the lessons are fun. Our homework one… Read More

It’s been an amazing experience so far, my expectation of Asia are better than before, everything: people, food, weather, language …are amazing! I like the group with our leaders Topher and Lindsay, it is okay because I’m coming for the first time but definately I have to come back! It reminds me a lot of Ecuador and I feel that knowing some stuff from the city and prices make it… Read More

Hello friends and family, We’ve been in Chaing Mai for about 4 days now, but without any technology and with the time change, we aren’t really sure how long its been. It’s so refeshing– the people, the culture, the lack of connection with our past. It’s a rebirth of the mind and soul; I’ve never felt so free, yet so at home. The unknowns have become the teachers of our… Read More

Hi this is Cole! Finally I’ve found my way to an internet cafe, the only issue is if i can find my way back… this is our third full day in Chiang Mai, i think? It has been hard keeping track when my head is buried in bowls of food. To the annoyance of my group I’ve been waking up around six in the morning, which never would have been… Read More

After travelling for almost two days, we finally arrived in Chiang Mai and got settled in our air conditioned hostel. The past few days have been full of getting to know each other and stumbling through this foreign culture. Everyone’s excited about the abundance of food and the girls (and Dillon) are even more excited about the Thai pants being sold on every street corner for the equivalent of 5… Read More

Hi all! The last few days in Chiang Mai have been a true adventure! From visiting water falls to getting a full body massage (and I mean FULL body!) this journey has been go go go. Our group dynamics are forming from strangers to family everyday and I feel so lucky to grow with like minded adults. When first landing in Chiang Mai I knew I was in for a… Read More

Hi everyone! I arrived in Chiang Mai four days ago and have spent my first few days in Thailand adventuring, eating lots of noodles and bonding with the incredible other nine people in my group. After almost 24 hours of travel, I had the best sleep of my life at the Diva 3 Hostel. The woman who runs Diva 3, Na, is the sweetest woman and made sure to get… Read More

S̄wạs̄dī ka, It’s our fourth day in Chiang Mai, and it feels like we’ve been here for weeks. We have learned, seen, and experienced so much already! Yesterday was one of our favorite days so far; we stumbled our way through a waterfall hike and then visited a beautiful temple called Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Although we were soaked from swimming in the rain, we all enjoyed exploring the… Read More

We’ve received word that the Southeast Asia group has safely landed in Chiang Mai.  The entire group is together and they’re getting some well-deserved rest after flying halfway around the world.  Keep an eye out for future blog posts from the students themselves!… Read More

The Sabai group has arrived in San Francisco and is catching a quick rest before heading through security to begin their journey together to Thailand! Be sure to stay tuned to the blog as we will post again when the group arrives safely in country! We wish you all the best team Sabai!… Read More

A big ‘Sawasdee’ from your leaders Topher and Lindsay! In one short week, we’ll be meeting your smiling faces in San Francisco and we couldn’t be more thrilled about it! Perhaps you’re all wondering what we’ve been doing to pass the time until then. We’ve spent the last week in Portland, getting to know each other, and basking in the stellar company of our fellow group leaders and the Portland… Read More