All Clear and Bpai-Tiiao

I've been in Thailand for over six months now, and for the first time since I've been here, our Safety and Security Status is at "All Clear" which means that all Peace Corps Volunteers can go about their lives with more ease. Due to the recent changes in the government, however controversial, there haven't been any recent riots or incidents of violence. With the all-clear status, Peace Corps Thailand is no longer limiting volunteers' travel to/within Bangkok (as has been the case ever since I've been here), and we are no longer restricted to just staying in our communities. Politics aside, and although I was virtually unaffected by all of the happenings, it feels really good to know that the coast is clear and that I don't have to be on the lookout for riots and bombings if I head down to the capital. Which I did recently.

The Thai word bpai-tiiao ไป-เที่ยว means to take a trip, particularly for pleasure. You can bpai-tiiao to the mall, to the market, to the beach, to other countries, or anywhere you want to go to have fun. My recent travels were more of a medical trip and a conference, but since returning to my community about about a week ago, the constant questions have been - bpai-tiiao nai? (where did you go on your trip?) bpai-tiiao gap kraii? (who did you travel with?) bpai-tiiao sanuuk mai? (was your trip fun?) - actually, yes, my trip was fun, so I guess it was a bpai-tiiao after all :-)

My first time using the Bangkok Transportation System.
I like how people stand so nicely in line to wait for the sky train

And I love how they remain standing nicely in line
until all passengers have exited the train before they get on

Following a slight injury a few weeks ago, I was summoned to the Peace Corps Medical Office in Bangkok. I had endured two separate injuries in the same area in the course of a couple days, and with the combined care of my neighbors, my coworkers (original incident happened at work), my host mom, my "real" mom, and my community health center, I was on the right track, but the trip was necessary just to be on the safe side (and for peace of mind). I must say, this incident made me realize how fortunate I am to be in a country where medicine is advanced, and I also felt a deeper appreciation for the Peace Corps Medical Staff, they are simply the best.

To make the most of my trip, I decided to go to church - this was the only time that I've been out on my own and I hadn't been to church since I've been in this country, so that's what I decided to do with my weekend. There is a Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bangkok, and the church also has an international university campus in a nearby province. Thanks to the wonders of social media, connections were made, I made a new friend, took a van to the nearby province, and had an overall wonderful and refreshing weekend. Not only did I get to go to church, I stayed on campus for the weekend and met people from all over the world - and everyone spoke English! - it was almost like I'd left Thailand for a couple days. I also learned that there is a Seventh-day Adventist  Church in my region, so I won't have to travel for twelve hours next time I want to go to church, but at the same time, I'm sure I'll be back.

Such a beautiful church!

With my new friend. She was a wonderful host! :-)
Oh, true story, once we got to talking, I learned that
she lived in New York for a while and was friends with one of my aunts.
Small world indeed!

The service was bi-lingual, since it's their summer time, usually
Thai and English speaking congregations meet separately.

It was a blessed and beautiful sunny Sabbath day :-)

 That weekend was followed by a ten-day "Reconnect Conference" where all of the members of my volunteer group (now forty-nine) had an opportunity to do just that, reconnect. The whole group hasn't been together since we were dispersed throughout the country a few months ago. Now that we're all (somewhat) settled in, Peace Corps called us to come together to share experiences and learn new stuff. It was a nice change of pace, I got to sleep in an air-conditioned room, have real hot showers, enjoy meaningful conversations in English, eat meals that didn't include rice, have American-style fun, and commiserate with my fellow volunteers. The training itself was very good, our local counterparts and co-teachers joined us for the last few days. I learned a lot about how to be more effective in my service, and they learned about how they can support me in my role. I'm excited to be able to implement all that I've learned, and with their support, I'm looking forward to great impact.

All Youth in Development Volunteers with our Counterparts
also, Peace Corps programming staff and partner agency staff

Bowling with other volunteers :-) Twas fun, I even got a couple strikes!

Seeing some sites with my counterparts :-)

It really is nice to be back in my village. I truly felt like I was coming home after being away for a couple weeks. As much as I enjoyed being away for that period of time, I also felt a deeper connection and appreciation for my site. I live and work with a really great bunch of people. The Peace Corps experience definitely has its ups and downs, I certainly have my fair share on a regular basis, but I'm so thankful for the people around me who make it easier in so many ways. In subsequent posts, I will be highlighting some of these individuals. 

My posts aren't as frequent as I would like them to be, between the internet situation (which is affected by the monsoon) and other uncertainties of life, it's difficult to have a regular schedule. But I'll continue to do what I can. 

A few more pictures from my trip:

We visited Wat Kiriwong - Temple on a Hill

It was magnificent

Yes, we are all Americans. Yes, the question was asked.

Women are not supposed to touch monks or stand above them.

Roosters (and rooster statues) are offered for religious merit

Something about it reminded me of my Little Havana days ;-)

There were many interesting figures

Yet another one.

Here sits the protector of the community

On a tuk-tuk, popular form of transportation with my roommate 'Spook'

Fun at a Mexican restaurant with one of my favorite PCVs

My first time at a hostel. This was our pit stop in Bangkok
on the way back to site. Saphai-Pae means
"backpackers" - we were definitely backpacking!
Best part is Peace Corps Volunteers get discounts!

My first time eating at McDonald's in Thailand. It was actually pretty good, and I had pretty good company.

Don't you love how multicultural Ronald is?
Thais 'wai' to show respect, and also to say
Hello and Goodbye :-)