Teacher or Student?
Friends, The past couple of days have been an interesting exploration in the school for me. We have come to the conclusion that there are very few resources for us to use. As a result, instead of copying or using…
Category Stories
All the Small Things
I’m finding that so much of what I miss in telling the story of the culture and people of Koh Tao is in the small things. There are a couple specific things having nothing to do with what happened today…
School Days and Mountain-Top Experiences
Friends, The weekend brought some interesting adventures, mainly in my own brain. I spent much of the time writing, reading, and researching possible lesson plans for the children. I was excited to begin teaching on Monday, only to go to…
It almost doesn’t seem real
4 1/2 weeks left. It almost doesn’t seem real. I have to keep reminding myself that I’m leaving. This time last year I was leaving to study abroad in Queensland, Australia for four months. A little bit different of an…
Weekend in Thamel
Upon arriving at the RCDP hostel in Kalanki last Tuesday, I was given a dal bhaat lunch, introduced to several new volunteers, and then told that not only was the hostel already full, but five new people were arriving from…
First Impressions
Friends, With almost a week behind me since I left home, there is so much to write about I don’t think I could cover it all. When I arrived in Koh Tao, there were a number of expectations I had…
You think you know…
Friends, I have been preparing for this journey for a very long time. From the beginnings of the proposal to the negotiations of the logistics of the trip itself, I feel like I have known this is what I need…
Happy Day!
I wake up bubbling over with joy today. Life is wonderful. I’m happy to be part of such an amazing community where friends are family. I’m thankful for the hour I got to spend on the phone with my mom…
Luptin, and the Sherpa relationship with food
“Shei, shei, shei!” It’s the national cry of the Sherpani: “Eat, eat, eat!!” Sapana just returned from her farewell breakfast with Luptin, the bearded monk who hosted us at saano gumba during the festival. She walks into our room and…
Third World Packing List
Traveling in a developing country is much different from a sightseeing trip to Paris or even a backpacking trip around Europe. Even plans that are “guaranteed” to work will fall through and you’ll learn to depend on no one but…