Fwd: Photos from Jun 20, 2011

Thai and Todd's

Last night I was invited over for a last minute goodbye dinner. I got to say goodbye and chat one last time. We had grilled chicken wings, pork and mashed potatoes. It was a great time and I will miss that family. Tonight I'm having dinner with my host family and after that I leave early in the morning tomorrow for the big city/airport. All is well, see you all soon!

Saying Goodbye

My host mom is getting a family picture printed and framed as a going away present to me. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. She also told me that on Saturday she's having a big going away party for me. I actually shed my first tear as I heard this. This family really does care about me and I will miss them a lot. As for today I am going over to Tai and Todd's for dinner tonight. I don't know what were having but I'm sure it will be delicious. Saturday I'll say goodbye to Joe and Nui and go the bank to exchange my money and then go home for my party. After my party I will spend my last night in my house and get up and head to Chiang Mai. I will be going out for Italian food and then hitting the airport. It's all ending so fast. My host mom was so cute she took me to the market and bought me everything all at once, to eat for dinner. It was delicious and I am sad to be leaving it. She has told me that she loves me like her own daughter and only now am I beginning to realize that she means it.

Until Later, Dacotah Smith

Host family joys

My host mom knocked on my door at 5:30 am to give me money for lunch. I got up and showed her the certificate I got last night at the meeting and then she asked if she could bring it to school to show all her friends. Normally getting woken up at the crack of dawn would annoy me, but I have learned to deal with it and I simply woke up enough to talk to her and then went back to bed.

Rotary

Last night I got picked up by my first host mom and she was really really nice to me. She assured me that I will have someone to bring to the Airport and even took me to get my favorite dessert after the meeting. We showed up on time but as I have come to learn 7 really means 7:30. Once we were all fed the meeting started. They were celebrating four things including my goodbye. So after two hours I was given my certificate and asked last minute to give a little speech in Thai. After that they celebrated the birthdays for the month and then ended singing karaoke. It took almost 4 hours but I finally was able to go home. Now I am on the homestretch. I have both suitcases packed except for some last minute stuff and today I went grocery shopping. I got some stuff to make at home and enjoyed my last walk through the grocery store. I am so excited to be back in a place where people don't stare all the time. I will miss Thailand and my hosts, and friends. I know that I will come back someday. For now I'm just enjoying my last days...taking it all in.

Until Later, Dacotah Smith

A beginning to an end

Sunday Night Walking Street in Chiang Mai

Custom Pancakes

We Love Thailand

Chiang Mai City

 The Overpass with the Queens Pic

Old Architecture

The Canals that border the city

Thapae Gate where all the foreigner hang and where Sunday night walking street is held

Starbucks!

Inside the Rot Dang (Taxi)

Rot Dang (Taxis)

Inside of the Taxi

The Mall

More Southern Trip

Michelle and Britany and I

Charlotte, Michelle and Caro

Movie Theaters

When you go to a movie in Thailand. The previews don't start until the time they say the movie starts. Before the motion picture everyone has to stand and there is a song played and a video of all the things the King and Queen have done for the country. Every time I see it, it gives me chills it actually very touching. Just thought I'd share a piece of culture. 

Until Later, Dacotah Smith

Coming back to Chiang Kham

I took the bus from Chiang Mai back to my city last night. I got home around eight and my host mom picked me up on the back of her motorcycle and we went and got Roti and a giant mango. I was once again reminded of how cute my host family is and how much I will miss them. My host sister climbed of her grandpa's lap and off the bench and came to me and asked me to hold her. I thought it was the cutest thing ever, I'm really going to miss my host family.


Dacotah Smith

Food Market

Fish

Custard Apple

Fruit

Fresh Coconut Milk

Guava!!

Spices

Fresh Fruit

Eggs

Rice

Toys and snacks

Garlic

Mackeral

Pork

Hair stuff

Kanome (snacks)

Veggies

Grilled Fish

Saying goodbye to my buddy Charlotte!

Hosts, Knaiyana (in the blue) and the girls!

Left to right- Jocelyn (Canada) Charlotte(Germany) Michelle(Texas) Britany(Alaska)

My going away party!

Joe and I

All the teachers