Hello again from the Carpe Diem crew! It’s hard to believe that we’re already back in Chiang Mai, after our five day long stay at Sam Fan orphanage in Samoeng. The 2 and a 1/2 hour ride north to the orphanage was a long and windy one, but well worth the car sickness. We quickly settled in after the fist day, helping the kids out with many of their daily chores and activities, which included cooking, feeding the animals, and de-husking rice. In the evenings, our skills we’re tested in games of takraw and soccer. We also helped build a small fish pond from start to finnish, which required a lot of hard work. On our last full day, we were able to take part in butchering and cooking a pig, which was then followed by a big feast. That night, we cellebrated with the mixing of cultural song and dance, and a blessing cerimony.
After five days at the Orphanage, we really were able to get to know each and every one of the kids there. When we first walked into the orphanage, we wern’t quite sure what to expect, but by the end of those five days we were laughing and having a good time with everyone, happy to be apart of something so special. All in all, becides being a great learning experience, it was a blast. Just when we were starting to get comfortable, it was time to pack our packs and say goodbye. We’ll spend the night here in Chiang Mai. But tomorrow, we’ll leave the city once again. Destination – Chiang Rai.
FUN FACT – Did you know?
In 2009 the population of Thailand was 65 million
Thailands main exported goods are diamonds, shrimp, and tin
Until 1939, Thailand was called Siam