I am thankful.

This week I taught the kids about Thanksgiving. I thought it would be a good idea to introduce an American holiday to the kids as they have introduced several Thai holidays to us i.e. Sports Day and Loi Krathong.

While they were confused about who the Indians (they thought Indians were individuals from India) and the Pilgrims were, they understood the concept of coming together for a feast, and being thankful (glad). They told me they were thankful for friends, family, the U-Thong school, chocolate, popcorn, good weather, etc… One of the activities I had my students do, after of course teaching them vocabulary (if I didn't it wouldn't really be a lesson), was to make turkeys or "Gai Nguang" with their hands, and to write one thing they are grateful for.

                            

Something I am clearly say with clarity after talking about being thankful besides being thankful for my family and friends for their support and love and for being in Thailand- I am thankful for Tu. She is an amazing person. She didn't have to, but she looked and took us around all Saturday.

Tu took us with her as she went to work with a group of women who needed assistance in learning how to advertise their handcrafted baskets. Of course because we are in Thailand, we left later than the actual time, and we arrived late. We had drove in and out of the countryside roads wandering, and asking for directions from several people who each gave us different instructions for an hour. As we were searching for Tu's group,  we stopped and meet another co-op who weaved baskets. Eventually two of the ladies came to the main road to find us, but it was all fun and "Mai pen rai."  With their help, we got to where we needed to, spoke to them, saw how they produced their crafts, and shared a meal with them. It was a pretty sweet experience. Not only did we see and meet these amazing women, we got a glimpse of the beautiful countryside I didn't expect to see.

Amazing Women

Some of their Crafts

Aroi Noodles!

The BEAUTIFUL countryside

Tu then preceded to take us to the Beungchawak Vegetable Garden. This is right next to the aquarium I went to last with Wattana and the others. The garden was pretty awesome. I saw a couple vegetables I recognized, but with my one track mind, I mainly took pictures of flowers. Though there was this really cool sculpture - a gourd shaped by wire and pots. Innovative and super creative.

By now, it's 4 and we drive to meet her family, and eat at her restaurant. Thai hospitality is seriously living up to its reputation and has far preceded all my expectations. Tu and her family welcomed us with open arms. They make us feel welcome,fed us snacks, and then following that, fed us a large dinner. Endless love and generosity.  Seriously.