A lot can happen in a week

So much has happened since I got to Thailand last Saturday. I have already learned and experienced so much. I do not know how to express the events that have happened and what to include. It will be impossible to let others know how amazing the program I am in really is and this is only the beginning, there is so much to come.

I guess this post I will recap some of the events that have happened in the last week but in the future I will probably share small specific stories.

I have lived in a Thai home and become part of the family in the past 6 days. We live in Doi Saket which is actually a ways out of Chiang Mai to the North West so it is more rural. The first two days proved to be quite difficult as my Thai language skills were limited to hello. It was very interesting weekend of being surrounded by people speaking a language you do not understand. My family is made of my Mae and my Paw who are very caring towards and then I have two younger siblings, a little brother Nong Nut who is 18 and a little sister Nong Natt who is 7. In addition to that the majority of the extended family lives all around, so there is always grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins about. It is big family that has shown me much love already. I started school on monday which is actually a lot of fun. We have 4 hours of Thai every morning and then after lunch orientation. Thai is really difficult but I am learning more everyday and am starting to be able to communicate more and more, it is very exciting and rewarding.

I guess I will also share some fun facts with you all

The food is really good, and I have already tried crickets, squid tentacles with the suckers still on(really good), and a variety of other eats that are unknown to me.

My Thai nickname give to me by my family is fittingly Bao Nuah which translates as young man from the North.

The markets are amazing with a great selection of everything. Flowers, fruit, and many things I have never seen.

So much has happened and it still feels like a dream, one that is very challenging and also very rewarding. I suppose it will feel more real as time goes on.

I will do my best to stay in touch but will also not comprimise my time here. Pi Dana who works at ISDSI, says that every minute you spend on email, facebook ect. is a minute you are not in Thailand.
This is wise advice to keep in mind.

I will keep this in mind to check myself, I miss home and many people a lot more than expected even in the midst of the beauty of Thailand. So I will stay in touch but also make sure to take advantage of the time I have here. This oppurtunity is so amazing and will cause me to grow so much.

Much Love from Thailand,

Ben