Winter 2008 [click on photos to enlarge]
We are back!! Visit the M2T4 Gallery for pictures and reflections from our AMAZING TRIP ! ! ! !
What Montpelier High School students did/were scheduled to do in Thailand:
M2T4 Itinerary
Friday, Feb 22 to Saturday, Feb 23
Left Burlington Vermont EARLY in the morning. Flew through Chicago and on to Tokyo. We arrived in Bangkok Saturday midnight (having lost 12 hours to the time change), and then slept for a few hours at the training center.
Sunday, Feb 24
After fried rice breakfast, we went by van to Bangkok. We visited the Grand Palace and then Wat Phra Kaew, home of the Emerald Buddha and We’ll explore Bangkok in the afternoon by foot, boat and tuk-tuk – and see the Grand Palace, and the temples Wat Po and Wat Phra Kaew. Dinner is at the train station before we take the overnight sleeper train to Ubon.
Monday, Feb 25
Arrive early in Ubon Ratchathani (500 kms directly east of Bangkok, near Lao border)
We’ll have breakfast at the Asoke Community’s Restaurant natural foods breakfast and then settle into INMU field station where we’ll stay the night. We’ll be joined by seven other Central Vermonters who are living and working over there as part of the “gap years.” We’ll wander around the busy Ubon Provincial Field in the evening and have dinner in the night market.
Tuesday, Feb 26
This morning we go to Wat Pah Nanachat, a serious Buddhist Temple in the forest where the monks come from all around the world. We’ll chat with the Australian Abbott. In the afternoon, we’ll travel to our village – Ban Pha Chan. After a big welcome lunch, we’ll get distributed, in pairs, to our host families. The next time we see each other is dinner – when we’ll share stories.
Wednesday, Feb 27
In the morning, we give alms (food) to the monks as they walk by our homes. Every day in the village, we’ll have meals together. After breakfast today, there’s a full day of village activities offered. We might hike up Mount Samu and to Pillar Rocks, or go boating to the nearby cave. We might try bamboo weaving, learning about natural dyes &/or local remedies…
Thursday, Feb 28
Early morning alms for the monks and then breakfast. Another day of getting to know our village through exploration and field trips.
Friday, Feb 29
After feeding the monks and having our own breakfast, we’ll be joined by our English Camp trainers – our own friends from Vermont! Later that day, the campers arrive from nearby villages – to join our own “brothers and sisters” for the camp starting tomorrow. We’ll make name tags for all 80+ of them and chill…
Saturday, March 1
Today is the first day of the English Camp. We divide the campers into groups, and us into teams to lead various “rotations.” Each rotation has a theme (food, clothes, travel, etc). The camper groups rotate through the themes – learning basic English words and phrases while having a blast! The camp goes ALL day – from 8:00 am until 8:00 at night! We all sleep really well.
Sunday, March 2
English Camp Day 2…more rotations, English games and laughter. This evening we’ll hold a camp closing ceremony – with music, dancing, a bonfire. There will probably be lots of hugs and smiles, too.
Monday, March 3
This morning we’ll say good-bye to our student visitors and then do a community project of some sort – in the past M2T visitors have cleared a forest fire protection pathway and done a village clean-up. This year we may do something with our “carbon offset donation” like planting trees. In the afternoon, we’ll have a community football (Soccer) game, and tonight is our farewell ceremony.
Tuesday, March 4
There will likely be teary farewells after breakfast as we load the truck and leave our hosts. On the way back to Ubon, we’ll visit the Lao border market and have lunch at Phiboon town. This night we’ll spend at Kang Tana national park on the Mun and Mekong Rivers.
Wednesday, March 5
After breakfast in the park, we’ll return to INMU where we’ll get organized and pack up…
We’ll take the overnight train again back to Bangkok, and enjoy our driver, Seenin’s famous fried chicken, chili paste & sticky rice for dinner.
Thursday, March 6
We arrive early in Bangkok and board vans to travel to Hua Hin, a beach town west of the city. We’ll arrive for lunch at the “friendship school” and then visit the area’s beaches and museum. We’ll stay overnight at the National Park on the beach.
Friday, March 7
After breakfast we’ll hike to the local cave and explore the beach with the local villagers. Another night in the National Park.
Saturday, March 8
This morning we travel back to Bangkok in time to visit Chinatown by river taxi. We’ll have dinner at nearby Suam Luang – a popular hangout for city folk.
Sunday, March 9
Our last day, we explore Bangkok through day trips. We’ll also pack up, organize, do last minute shopping, email home, etc. We’ll do some kind of farewell dinner – together…
Monday, March 10
We’re off to the airport at, like, 4:00 am! We arrive in Burlington that night, having gained our 12 hours back.