Last days as a volunteer

Dear journal,

Today’s date is Friday, February 21 2014. My gap year is coming to an end.

I can’t explain how amazing this experience was.

   First of all, I was able to teach to little boys and girls how to speak Spanish, but at the same time, they tried to help me to learn their native language, Thai, which is really difficult by the way. They stayed after-classes to help me with my Thai, they taught me how to count, and the letters of the abecedary. I’ll really miss them!

   Then, my family: at first, It was difficult for me to live with another family, I really missed mine, and my habits, but I got used to theirs really quickly. The last months, Kan’s parents called me “do dek” which means “daughter”. I got really close with the family; they’re already planning on visiting me at the end of the year!

   The best part of the trip was the friendship I established with Kan and her brother Suchart. Kan was planning to get married with her boyfriend Khalan this June in Phuket, however, she had to change it to January because she wanted me to be her bridesmaid!! That was very sweet of her! The wedding was amazing; it was at the beach during twilight. Everybody dreams with a wedding like that!

Suchart took me to the other cities I wanted to go. (Kan couldn’t go because she was really busy organizing her wedding) we became very close, and he reminds me of my brother a lot, which makes me miss him even more!

During this trip I became Kan and Suchart’s sister.

   I tasted lots of new dishes which I hope to be able to cook once I’m back in the U.S. For example Pad Thai that is Chicken noodles with lemon, Phat phak ruam: stir fried combination of vegetables, Tom yam goom that is a hot & sour soup with meat and shrimps, Kaeng Phanaeng that is a mild creamy coconut curry with beef, chicken, or pork with some roasted dried spices and my favourite dish: Khanom thuai talai- steamed sweet coconut jelly and cream.
   I was very lucky to be in Thailand during Thai’s new year named: The Songkran festival that goes from April 13 to April 15 where people use to walk down the streets throwing water and chalk to each other (in a good way, of course) and at night every street is crowded with people playing music, dancing, eating, throwing fireworks etc. And hundreds of parades have place within those two days. It was really fun.

   I can’t believe I’m about to come back to the U.S, I’m happy because I’ll see my family and friends again, it’s been a long long time! But I don’t want to leave Thailand! It was such an amazing experience, I’m looking forward to coming back and visit Kan’s family, maybe not a year next time, but at least two weeks. And I really want them to visit me in the U.S, I would be delighted in hosting them!

   A Gap year as a volunteer is an unforgettable and uplifting experience. I recommend it to everyone!