Various members of the group helped arrange our transport (a spacious 12 passenger van), translating, and site schedules. We were ready to take off the next afternoon after a brief introductory meeting with the Chiang Mai Faculty of Engineering. For the next 4 days we managed to cycle through a pattern of being driven around curvy roads (making some people sick), talking with school administrators, village leaders, and helpful members of the communities, eating too much delicious food, taking hundreds of photos, writing lots of notes, and managing to have some fun along the way.

Sticky rice and coconut milk cooked in bamboo

The communities we were looking at helping are mainly hill tribe people. This sub-section of the Thai population originally emigrated here from Tibet and Myanmar, and many are more direct refugees from Myanmar. The tribespeople now have Thai citizenship, but maintain their heritage and customs. One of the tribes, the Lisu, wear brightly colored outfits all the time. Many people would assume they see this in the tourist spots, but in reality we pass fields with people working and children playing in bright neon colors which would make the 80s proud.

Unfortunately this is the burning season. By day the skies are filled with smoke blocking the spectacular mountain views, and by night lines of fires could be seen on the nearby hills. It is a sad practice to see still happening, and there is little work being done to promote more sustainable farming.

Walking through fields as they were preparing to burn them to a completed project

One of my favorite experiences was waking up very early, skipping the 4-7 am market that Lynn and Dr. Andrew (Arjan Andrew, they don’t use last names in Profesor titles) went to and driving to a monastery near the Myanmar border. When I say near, I mean the next hill over. We happily were taking photos of Burma when one of our translators told us it was actually a military base. Immediately above the monastery was a Thai military outpost. They had drilled a well for the school we were looking at, and were happy to show us around when they learned we were also trying to help them out. The commander allowed us to take as many pictures as we wanted, and said they were on good terms with the Myanmar base right now. He pointed out the volleyball net where they occasionally play friendly matches, as well as the pungee stick studded fields between trenches. The main reason for both bases was to stop illegal immigration, and the road had been closed here between the countries. We were back to the assessment and driving cycle by 830.

After several jam-packed days of traveling we were back in Chiang Mai saying goodbye to our generous hosts. Many thanks go out to the Chiang Mai North Rotary Club, especially to Suprarie, Wonpen, and Sunisa. As we were driving to the airport, Sunisa asked me why if I had a good time here. I responded, “I love it!”

“Why do so many foreigners say they love Thailand so much?”

I pondered the question posed to me for a few moments.

“It’s because you are all so happy. In America we like to moan and groan about all that is wrong. Everything you hear is negative, and especially now with the recession in full swing.”

“But we have a recession in Thailand now too, its not much better.”

“Yeah, but everyone here finds a way to still be happy. Be it making small jokes, or spending time with friends enjoying each others company. Even in the small villages we visited in need of help, people were still happy, life still resounds in the face of all the bad things.”

“Yeah, we are all pretty happy.”

While in transit to Thailand, I talked to one too many old men telling me how fantastic Thailand was, and how they were going there to meet a future wife, or have some fun in Bangkok, or travel to some lush tropical island with a “friend.” I was skeptical hearing how great Thailand was from these old men portraying a little too many nuances to me, but after traveling here, I understand. Why wouldn’t you want to travel to a beautiful country with happy people, cheap food, and gorgeous mountains and beaches?