March 13, 2007
Well I finally have a minute to recap my experiences over the last month or so. 
I left the farm to go to a going away party in Chiang Mai. It was sad to leave these kids too, but at least I already said goodbye so it wasn’t as intense. We watched the kids dance and everyone sang and had a great time. We played a few games and had lots of good food.
Next I decided to make all of my decisions for me. I had three weeks to travel before Eric then Beth are with me so now is my chance to be selfish. First I decided to take a cooking course. Luckily Yao and Krit from You Sabai have a cooking course. I love to help friends but it is even better when your friends actually have the best to offer. Three days living in natural buildings and learning to cook Thai food. I learned 23 dishes in all including how to make soy milk and tofu. Plus I got to live at Pun Pun, learn at You Sabai and visit Baan Thai, seeing all of my friends. Of course there were some strange looks when my friends from Baan Thai came over to You Sabai and found me there. I have only stayed at Baan Thai so far so I guess it was a shock. After the cooking course I stayed at the farms until I had to head back to Chiang Mai for my next class.
Next I left for a massage retreat I think I was destined for. After looking for the perfect massage class in Chiang Mai I found this retreat. A much better venue for learning Thai massage I believe. There were 17 plus 3 wonderful teachers in our group. We lived in a Lahu village two hours out of Chiang Mai near Chiang Rai. The village was in the mountains and all on stilts. This seemed strange to me but then I realized the houses are on stilts so all the pigs, chickens and dogs have a place to live. Many folks had a hard time sleeping because of this chorus below, but I was fine. 
We started the day with meditation then yoga. Then breakfast and 3 hours of massage class. Lunch, siesta and 3 more hours of massage before dinner. The food was always sticky rice and veggies, sometimes fruit so I decided to love it and for the most part that worked. 
There were several opportunities to go to the Lahu new years celebrations and watch them dance. I was invited to dance once so I tried my best. It is crazy how a dance can look just like walking forward to the beat and sometimes stopping, but when you try to follow it, the dance seems impossible. I had a lot of fun anyway.
My host family was great. Nafa the 10 year old daughter brought me flowers several times and we talked a lot. I talked a lot with her great grandmother too which is funny because none of us speak the same language. When I left grandma gave me a big root as a present. I later found out it was taro root, probably a normal present for them but I thought it was hilarious.
The class was wonderful and I learned a lot. The pace of learning was great as I was able to remember so much but 10 straight days was intense. We learned the background and theory of Thai massage as well as many poses. I have a lot of practicing to do (aren’t Eric and Beth lucky!). My wrists made it champion style through the first 8 days. Much longer than I expected. Unfortunately the last two days my tendonitis flared up so I am bandaged now. Oh well it just encourages me to practice the feet and elbow moves.
Our group was so great that we all decided to meet up the night we got back for dinner. I lived with one of my classmates Diana for a few days after too. What a great experience.
Now Eric is here and we are beginning our adventure together. We have a lot of great stuff planned so I am exited about the next leg of the journey.
I hope all of you are well and happy. Madalitso
-Alice-Free