Time Flies in Chiang Mai

Blogging is very difficult because so much happens here. So many experiances, all amazing, some very confusing, but ultimately you learn a lot pretty fast, and time flies here.

After three weeks of Thai class four hours a day and living in a Thai family my Thai has improved. This is something that is so rewarding as you begin to understand reading and writing more and more, and your speaking and comprehension of the language expands. This knowledge can be used immediately and enables you to communicate with your Thai family better and also understand the culture you are living in better. It is a great feeling to make progress especially against the challenges of the Tonal language with an alphabet that borrows from Sanskrit. I have a long way to go, but I am sure to get better with the 44 consonants, 32 vowels, and the 5 tones.

After Thai in the mornings we have class focusesing on sustainable development, Thai history, and society. Taught by Ajaan (Teacher/Professor) Mark and Ajaan Christina. Christina focusing on society, governmental topics and development, and Ajaan Mark focusing more on Sustainable Development and other topics.This week we will start learning research methods.

For our afternoon classes we have a good amount of readings to do considering the ammount of time spent with the host family and also commuting from home to school. One of the readings was written by Yvon Chouinard, who founded the company Patagonia. The article was very interesting as he struggled to manage a large and profitable company that was responsible to the environment and to the human race. One excerpt from the reading that really stuck out to me was:

"I have a little different definition of evil than most people. When you have the oppurtunity and ability to do good and you do nothing, that's evil. Evil doesn't always have to be an overt act, it can be merely the absence of good."

I do not know Chouinard's beliefs but this immediately made me think of sins of commision and ommision and challenged me to not live a life where I know about evil and do nothing about them.

One thing that amazes me is the love of my host family.
I am given so much and actually start to feel at home here. It is really cool to not only learn a lot about the language and culture but also give me family English lessons and sharing things from my own culture. I am especially blessed my young sister who spoils me with laughs and sweets.



The food is here is amazing!
I eat rice at everymeal (for the most part)
I have already encountered some favorites like Rotee, which can only be described as amazing, its like a flat crepe-ish thing that is sugar/sweet and you can have it plain or filled with things like chocolate and bannana really awesome.
I also have me krob, sweet noodles, multiple times a week which is really good.
and also cocnut pancakes called Kanom Krok

It also weird to fall in love with Thailand but missing home!

Peace,

Ben