Land of smiles

The past week and a half in Thailand has been incredible. The people here are so giving when they have so little and it truly is the land of smiles.

Our time here has been spent working in schools during the mornings, teaching English and generally sharing our cultures with the kids. They are so receptive and excited to see people not from here! For most, if not all, it was the first time in their lives they have interacted with anyone who wasn't Thai. Every afternoon we had a BTS, which is a short version of our show. The kids went wild every time, and I got a taste of how it would be to be a rockstar. After our shows the kids would run up to us, in mobs, screaming and pulling at our hands, I almost got pulled down a couple of times. I signed so many autographs my hand started to cramp.

I'm living alone with my 16 year old host sister and her parents, but really she takes care of me. I'm living very close to five other Uppies who are hosted alone with 16 year olds as well, and they are all friends with each other so every morning and evening we go home together on our motorcycles. I LOVE riding on a motorcycle, SO FUN! These kids are amazing. Tonight they're cooking us a farwell dinner (we're leaving for Kon Khaen tomorrow) and last week they planned a fabulous host family day full of sight seeing, great food and shopping at the night market, where you can buy amazing Thai silk for 3 dollars.

I'm addicted to the Thai pants here. They're very hippie in look and feel so I'm stocking up so I can be a real Bard student this fall.

It's hard to believe there are only two weeks left in our time, but I'm ready to come home. I find myself soaking up every minute even more now that I know it's getting down to the time to leave. I feel like I've grown so much, probably in ways I can't quite describe or see yet. I know I'm more confident speaking in front of people, and I know I've learned to let my feelings be. I'm sure I've learned so much more that I will only recognize in the future looking back on this amazing period of my life.

I hope all is well with everyone, hugs and kisses to all!

-Marina