Written By Emma, Latitudes Year ’22 Thailand
Hey! My name is Emma Neuman, and I have been living in an ecovillage in Udon Thani, Thailand, for about a month and a half now, and it has arguably been one of, if not the, most incredible and purposeful experiences in my 18 years of life. I was initially very nervous at the prospect of traveling to a country as well as a continent that I had never been to all on my own. I have traveled internationally before with my family, and practiced a more hands-on approach in my fall semester with Carpe Diem this year, however, it is still a completely different experience when you set out on an unknown world all alone. I would argue this is a highly effective way to get to know yourself that much better, as well as, convince yourself that you are in fact capable of more than you would have thought.
When I set off on my first ‘lone-wolf’ flight across the world, I soon came to understand how empowering it was to fly and travel with only myself, especially as a young woman. I think my first realization was how small interactions and chance encounters make all the difference; starting up a conversation or sharing a moment of travel mishaps with a complete stranger who in all likelihood you will never cross paths with again, carries its own kind of beauty and value. I think it gives me that much more faith in humanity to know that we can all have an effect on each other’s lives and who we are, without needing to be repetitively or permanently in said lives.
After landing in Thailand, I spent my first week down south in Phuket for quarantine purposes. However, during that time, I was still able to enjoy the mesmerizingly clear blue waters and vivid skies along the beach where I was staying. This buffer of time, though it was forced by a global pandemic, gave me the ability to find comfort in solitude and differentiate it from loneliness; learning what I enjoy about myself through my thoughts, hobbies, and perspectives (ex. I quickly learned the value of journaling said thoughts and questions). Not only that, but it also allowed me to get that much more excited about the prospect of community living once I would arrive at the Gaia Ashram Ecovillage, where I would spend my next two months learning about Permaculture and Regenerative Living as an intern.
Humidity is usually not my strong suit, especially because I grew up in Vermont, USA, where I am used to colder temperate weather, so it was partially a relief when I traveled up to North East Thailand to start my education and volunteer journey at Gaia Ashram. Therefore, when I first landed up north, I was greeted by a beautifully calm and spectacularly dry sunset through the rainforest trees of Udon Thani, followed by Tom, one of the founders of Gaia, as well as another Gaia volunteer who had just spent the weekend in Udon Thani. In the forty-five minute drive back to the village, I took in my surroundings, marveling at the highly common use of motorbikes, noticing how the hazy sky bled the sun’s colors further towards the edges of the horizon, and learning that in our truck of three, three different countries were already represented.
In my first week at Gaia, I fell into its energy flow easily and comfortably, because the daily structures are designed to embrace newcomers whilst simultaneously easily phasing out those who are leaving. Our days begin with optional meditation and yoga at the crack of dawn from 5:30am to 7:00am, followed by breakfast at 7:30am, and then our morning meeting at 8:45am, which leads into our morning session until lunch at half past noon. After lunch, we have time for ourselves; a perfect opportunity to read, journal, explore, or go for a swim, until our afternoon sessions start again from 2:30pm to 5 o’clock in the evening. We eventually end our day with optional dance and meditation, and finally dinner at 7:00pm. All of our meals and chores are community based and easily versatile based on our needs, as well as each meal is led with a blessing and practice of gratitude. Each morning we set our intentions for the day and evaluate energy levels, as well as give the opportunity to address any concerns or questions.
What first struck me about Gaia was how easily vulnerable and open anyone could be because there are no expectations to be anyone else other than who you are in this experience; since it is just that, a learning experience. Our days are guided by the wonderful Om and Tom, who facilitate a space of laughter and comfort, as well as perspective, purpose, and honesty through their teachings. I knew going into my internship that I would have the opportunity to explore permaculture and the idea of deep ecology. What I did not expect was the potent amount of self discovery and life perspective I would find and undergo. As a freshly new adult, who is still figuring out who I am, what I want, and how I want to live my life, Gaia coincidentally ended up being precisely what I needed and could benefit from at this time in my life. It has allowed me to discover what I value, how much I genuinely like myself, and soak in incredible experience, which honestly is all I could possibly ask for out of a gap year. Not only have I learned about myself and my natural world, I have also had the opportunity to meet the most extraordinary people, who carry wildly different stories, perspectives, goals, and journeys, yet still bond with you so quickly because of our shared Gaia Experience.
As an intern, I am currently applying myself by creating a promotional booklet/brochure for Gaia Ashram to hand out at their café in order to explain and present in depth all of the practices and mindsets explored here at Gaia, giving me the chance to fully understand multiple different regenerative practices, that range from vermicomposting to agroforestry to water harvesting, as well as apply my artistic value in the diagrams and drawings needed. Additionally, during my research process, I have been able to present my findings and facilitate group understandings of how ecovillage and permaculture principles and ethics are directly applied into the things we volunteers interact with daily.
Outside of my daily routine and internship, I have explored the vibrant markets of Nong Khai, as well as breathtaking national parks alongside fellow Gaia members.
All in all, it is surreal to think I have already been here at Gaia Ashram for six weeks and am leaving in only four. It brilliantly became my own oasis, with people I have grown to love and an environment that will be heartbreaking to leave. Consequently, I highly recommend Gaia Ashram, especially to those who want to learn, self-discover, and rediscover what they want for themselves. Additionally, I would argue it is that much more valuable to come with only you. I hope my snapshots of my life can give you a better understanding of this semester of my life and that you can embark on an adventure similar to mine.
Until next time!
Emma
