3rd update from Peg and Ted

Greetings

And apologies for the lag time since the last group update. As you will see, both John and I have been either quite busy or not able to access email for some time. He, Jared, Alex and the college group will be returning to Mae Sot tonight from their week in E Wi Jo working on the micro-hydro project, so I imagine you will hear from him in the next few days. I am excited to hear about their experiences on the project as well. From talking to Ted, who re-joined me and the high school group after two days in E Wi Jo, I know that where they have been is about as remote as one can get -- several hours by jeep on first roads and then something more like cow paths until the last few kilometers with multiple river crossings that all have to be made on foot. And I know that our college students are working hard, and doing great service to the village, while learning about Karen culture and challenges.

Now the rest of this may get a bit confusing, since what I can report on at this point is the sequence of events for the high school group, from bringing them up to Chiang Mai after their time already spent at Wan Pen's (and covered nicely in Colin's note), until yesterday -- and since that sequence is quite similar to the one our college group went through before heading to Mae Sot, I'll try not to repeat things John or Colin have already covered.

One thing Colin didn't mention about our group's night train to Chiang Mai was that it was an AIRCON ride, something that was actually not intentional (and for which I as ticket purchaser received a little grief from the big boss budget man). But something which made the ride quite lovely and relaxing. Which was a good thing, since we had only the one day and night in Chiang Mai before leaving for this group's time at Malee's in Chiang Dao. We gave the group a scavenger hunt oriented around the 7 elements of culture (language, religion, economy, politics, arts, etc) to inquire and learn about as they wandered around the city during the day -- and assigned a response paper to be written about their experiences in the night market that night, after reading a short ethnography about the market and its culture.

The next morning we were packed and headed to Chiang Dao by late morning, arriving in time for some relaxing, a meeting, and a reunion with Ted, who filled them in on some of the history of the place, including the monastery on the mountain referred to below. I'll close with a piece Ted wrote about taking the high school group up for sunrise the next morning - but just to finish up first with the time I shared with the group: Later in the day that started at sunrise, the students visited Ban Mitratorn, the same orphanage we had been to with the college group - and all reports of their time with the same kindergarten class are terrific. I think Colin has posted a picture of our group with the kids on the Institute Facebook page (did everyone know we have one?), at least I hope so, as it was really precious. Yesterday they hiked, and again, reports were that the experience was "epic" for several, with Alex and Marta earning "seriously sturdy" points for their hiking. And today the group is in transit, having left Chiang Dao and the relaxation of Malee's to visit both the Panya Project (a perma-culture farm which we first visited last year) and Pun Pun (a sustainable living center) to learn about their efforts and undertaking, and with a plan to move on and into their homestays by late afternoon. I'll be joining them tomorrow, and should have another update about how that goes by the next day.

And now, the piece Ted wrote about the monastery, certainly one of our most favorites places in the world:

Remote, little-visited, and wondrous, Luang Poosim's monastery is tucked into a steep ravine on the side of Thailand's third tallest mountain. It's a bit over a kilometer from our forest bungalows outside Chiang Dao. At first light we arrive at the entrance and climb the 510 steps between jagged limestone boulders that loom like guardians over the stairs. At the top the monastery emerges suddenly from the dense foliage. The temple's golden spires rise from the hillside. Carved stone dragons with colored inlaid glass form the railings of the last flight of stairs, leading to the cave which the great spiritual teacher used as his seasonal meditation retreat. Now the floor of the cave is marble. At its back are gold and translucent green jadite statues of Buddha and Luang Poosim. The elegant art, like the monastery itself, was created by gifts from his devotees, who included many of Thailand's most wealthy and powerful. It's a stunning combination of refined civilization and natural beauty.

From a walkway atop the cave we watch the daylight ripple softly over the surrounding mountains. Gradually the forest becomes green, the bouganvilla and orchids take on color, the day begins as the students watch in silent awe. The change is subtle and constant; it always looks a little different. Each time the students glance in a different direction, they see a slightly different beauty; Luang Poosim chose his spot well.

Watching them, I'm reminded of a Buddhist fable in which the master asks his student, "What color is a leaf?" The student replies that it depends. At night black, in daylight green, in dry season brown. "Yes," the master says, "it depends on you the perceiver. The mind creates the color." The students create their colors in silence. As full light comes we float back down the steps. The walk back is quiet, reflective, and joyous.

"Sit and listen, do not even listen; simply wait. Do not even wait, be still and solitary. The world will offer itself to you unmasked. It has no choice; it will roll in ecstasy at your feet." - Franz Kafka

For Peg and me, sharing Luang Poosim's monastery with your children is one of our great privileges in life. We thank you for the trust and support that affords us such an opportunity.

Blessings from both of us,
Ted and Peg