Manual Flushes & The Big Change over
4 Jun, halfway mark of the expedition, and time to test the comfort zone for the girls, they were being told to swap bungalows (one with squatting toilets, no showerheads, more lizards/cockroaches sightings, sinks-less vs the other one-who-had-it-all), well...as usual 15 yrs old , some did it with grumblings & tears amidst mirth & good attitude. Some of the gals were complaining constantly on the food 'too spicy!', 'eggs again?''i dun eat veges', scream at the sights of lizards/roaches/cat/dog/each other.Their screams were all high pitched & so long.... But at times, they surprised us with some unexpected leadership attitude, cooperative & exhibit grit esp by some frail-looking members!! We let them loose in Ao Nang town for an hr, they were over the moon....5 - 7 Jun
OMG..you mean its alrdy Day 6 of the expedition, so fast..OMG OMG..some of us are getting it...influenced by the girls. I'm enjoying their company & their chatterings all day, esp the singings on the truck..could just listen to them & feel the wind blowing, feels thereupetic!! haha/
Thai students joined them at the worksite, got along fine & communicate in halting english tho the girls picked up some thai phrases..esp Regina who seems to have a flair for languages. One of the little nong-nong (boy) got dislocated arm when he was trekking up the trail and he was carried down by a BPP and rushed to a clinic,(Bernice & Zhuoxuan did a bandage for him, they regretted not paying more attention in class!) We got invited to a graduation ceremony for scouts at a local village in the evening, colourful & totally unexpected,...they were serious abt their skits, sang songs, danced... we were being fed by the villagers, old ladies got up from their seats to allow us to sit!! such nice gesture!
Day 8 last day at the worksite, those who want to trek up one last time went, this time, Boonietay, SW & me followed the gals up..i stayed at the benches with Michelle as she strained her calf...one of the cuter thai police was there at the bench and helped us take a photo..we came down and waited for the rest to descend from the summit, the police were making fun of us all the way down the trek...but were tremendously helpful, helped us to carry trashbag and picked rattan fruits for us to taste (v sour)
Took plenty photos with everyone, at the completed signs, maps and all..sigh..the end of the expedition...the police grew fond of the gals, even the park ranger and family also said 'that's it?they not coming back already?' the gals also grew fond of their idols..mr teddy bear aka red ranger, mr cameraman (Boonlert), mr sunglasses (Supachai), Si dek, black ranger...some of the gals got so teary.. I will miss the bumpy rides at the back of the lorry, flying out of our seats going over the big potholes, passing thru stone quarry, the orange dust masking our faces, passing Tubkaak - boutique resort, sighting the 'sala' & stream at the base of the trail..the little clearing of space where our worksite is...
Intended to have a crispy chicken sandwich before the night party proves to be impossible, Boonitay & me went back earlier to get the gals & hang up the lite sticks at the hall. simple but colourful, the hall seems so cheery..the girls put up performance each..Bananas did 'Nan Zhong Quan' & Elephant song, Chikus did 'Tong Hua' but changed their lyrics to reflect the 10 days experience, added thai words too! Apples did a medley of 11 songs..and actions too! Group item, When you Believe - Prince of Egypt..and ahhem..WE (teachers & Raleigh) did a song item! Thai song about children happy going to school & fitted in chinese & english lyrics too..hehe...Rong Rien Kong Na Yu/Krun Kru Jai Dee Tuk Kon/Dek Dek Ko Mai Sok Sun/Prao Rao Tuk Kon Chop ai Rong Rien/Chop Pai Chop Pai Rong Rien
The girls were let loose again, this time for longer duration, they nearly bought the whole of Ao Nang and they were showing off in their rooms when i went to check on them..Cheryl with her many tshirts,Cherry with cute bags, many gals with the open-leg pants and I was their fashion consultant!! hah... I was also the nanny in the expedition, each girl came to me when they have sore throats, fevers, sore leg, got poked by branch, limp foot, achy stomach, all kinds.. busy attending to their needs.. and the gals were so impressionable, wonder am i like that? everyday without fail, i was constantly reflecting whether was i like them ..guess one thing never change, 15 yrs old still as gullible & innocent.
Girls asked me & Boonietay to stay at their bungalow & chat til 5am, we cannot!! too tired but the girls still did bring out their sleeping bags, slept in the open & chatted/watched stars. Cant bear to see them leave :(
Early next morning, we took our last ride at 5am to the airport and checked out of the bungalows...bid a teary farewell to the girls & we left in search for our own accommodation in Ao Nang for the weekend with Michelle. Got a 600baht per night hotel, good value! for all 3 of us. first thing, SW was pretty attracted to the TV and World Cup started on the day. we all went for a thai massage for 2 hrs including michelle..so good & relaxed...ate like pigs again..and basically just wandered around in Ao Nang.
Missed the gals already..guess this expedition din only change their life :)
posted by Ling @ 1:35 pm
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