June 17
Woohooo I finally got to hang out with my roommate, Anna! Although I do get to see her in our room and we talk a lot, it was nice to go and do something together. Caitlin, Anna, and I went to a beautiful park today called the Buak Hat Public Park. There was a meditation area for people to do yoga or meditate near the koi fish pond. There was a wide open area for people to walk, jog, or relax. It also had a cute little playground for children to be entertained. The flowers and the bridges were my favorite to look at. We took a tuk tuk back home and got ready for our group dinner. I seriously don’t know what I am going to do when I come back to America because I LOVE this food out here! We had a nice buffet style dinner at this lovely little hideaway! It was so nice to finally be together as a group and socialize with one another.
After dinner we walked to the Tha Phae Gate to meet Professor Brooks friend. This man plays music at the gate every night with his guitar and a drum set he made out of paint buckets and trash can lids. This night by far was my favorite night with the group! When we got to the gate we were listening to him play guitar and Kayelani jumped on the drums and began to play along with him. As a group we started singing and dancing to the songs. We had such free spirits and were dancing like no one was watching- except people were watching. Our energy was so positive and inviting that people from all over the area came to watch us or join in on the fun. We would go up to people and take their hands while we invited them to dance around with us. As a group, we sang along to “Let It Be” and “Hey Mickey.” Kayelani and I also performed a duet singing “Maria, Maria” by Carlos Santana. When she got tired, a backpacker that was listening as he passed by jumped in on the drums to continue the music.
This saying is true-“your vibe attracts your tribe.” We had such a large crowd come together and give money to this artist we befriended. Then, the most marvelous thing happened! He began to play “singing in the rain” while some held hands and danced together. We were all singing then it suddenly began to rain! Oh my gosh, just thinking about it gives me chills. We were dancing and singing to the song enjoying the music, enjoying ourselves, and enjoying one another. It was a completely harmonious and exciting experience. We eventually got rained out by the pouring rain. As we ran for shelter we were all so pumped with energy that we were making our own music banging on closed garage doors singing “na na na no music” hahahaha. People probably thought we were crazy!! It was in these moments that I felt so free! Free to sing, dance, embrace the simple things in life. Something as simple as relaxing at a park under the stars, a drum set made of paint buckets, and a fun group of girls embracing the best parts of Thailand.
myadventures93 