Saying goodbye
We had a going away parties last night in our different neighborhoods. I live, with 15 other volunteers in Mai Dat. The Thais set up an area on the river with tables and chairs, a stage, an MC, a karoke machine. All the families brought food and drinks.
It was so much fun. I didn’t understand half of what the MC said because it was mostly in Thai, but he was obviously funny and having a very good time. There was enough food to feed the entire village and we all started with ice cream. Kanya made pa-lo. It is delicious, made with pork, tofu, boiled eggs, soy sauce, brown sugar and I don’t know what else because I can’t read all the labels. I did get to help make it and know for a fact that it included 50, yes 50 hard boiled eggs. There was a wide variety of Thai food and eating pot luck is a diversion for the way Thais usually eat, which is taking a little of this and a little of that from the table. The Americans were comfortable going through the line and loading a plate.
The Country Director, David Claussenius, came to each tambon and gave each host family a framed “certificate” thanking them for hosting us. We each went up as a family to receive it. David then made a point of taking to each volunteer for a few minutes individually. He was a volunteer in the Philippines in the 1980’s (I think). He told me the party made him think of his time of service and getting ready to go to site alone.
We had planned to sing Row, Row, Row Your Boat and had made many newspaper hats. We had to forgo in the interest of time, but some of the hats made it into the pictures.
It was a very touching evening. Sutin and Kanya’s oldest daughter Pong, her husband Tan and their son Palm came to to party. He took lots of pictures, so I may have more later. We all went home together. Sutin and Kanya gave me a medal with the King’s image on it. The King of Thailand is very loved and it is a treasure for me. Pong gave me a beautiful Thai silk scarf and her sister Pim sent a shawl from Dubai, beautiful. I gave them a new orchid, several pictures and the Peace Corp group 124 shirts. This morning before we came to the hotel they made me take the coffee cup I have been using for 3 months. It really was hard to say good bye and I am hopeful we can stay in touch. They call me their sister and I felt very honored to have been hosted by such warm, generous, fun, happy people.
Now on to Issan this Wednesday after a 21/2 conference with co-teachers.
Sutin, Kanya, Pong, Tan and Palm in front
A volunteer and his host family with the hats and the river
Kanya and Sutin relaxing
The Karoke stage
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