God is so awesome! Every time I go to read, I am more and more in awe of His power, more encouraged and excited about what He wants to do in this city and in my life.
Today I learned that the passage I read matters little; God's word is powerful no matter where you look. I'm sad to say I got a bit of a late start. I didn't have so much time this week to practice reading, and I didn't leave as early in the afternoon as I would have liked. I'm still a little worn out from yesterday with the church bazaar. I woke up super early on Sunday to spend a lot of time in prayer, then spent nearly the whole day in prayer and praise upstairs while the bazaar was going on. In spite of some qualms that my friends and I had about the traditions that go along with this particular church's bazaar, which I won't get into now, God blessed us with a strong spirit of praise, God put Gideon New Testaments into the hands of many grateful people, and many other small joys.
This afternoon, I was able to go to three parks: Suido koen, Suwanoki koen, and Shirone soh-goh koen, in that order.
Suido koen is the first one I started going to and the one I always go to. As always, I praise-walked the perimeter and stood under the tree on the little hill to read. No one was there, but perhaps someone went past on a bicycle and heard a little.
Suwanoki koen is one of my newest ones. Today was only my second time to go. It's directly across from a nursery school, Suwanoki hoikuen, and also next to a big baseball field. Today there were lots of kids there with their moms. I smiled and greeted them as I went in, and sang Jesus Loves Me again. At all the other parks, I sing Revelation Song, but for some reason at this one, I always sing Jesus Loves Me instead. Probably because of the kids. I sat on the same bench as before and began to read. I slightly regretted that I only had five bible memory verse cards, three of one kind and two of another. Yet I began. On the bench was something that at first looked like garbage, but I quickly realized that it was someone's "creation" from school. I carefully sat next to it and began to read. Shortly after, one little boy ran up and grabbed it and I said hello. I continued reading. I was about halfway through when the same boy and two little girls came up and asked what I was doing. I told them I was reading from the bible and asked if they knew what that was. Another, quieter little boy lingered nearby. They didn't, so I explained a little, and I showed them the few cards I had. We talked a little bit about the cards, the verse on them, and the picture, and of course I told them they could have a card. The little boy in green also took one. The other little boy ran off to show his mother and the boy in green wandered away a bit too, while I kept talking to the two little girls. I asked them if they could read, how old they were, if they go to that nursery school, what grade they are in. I told them how old I was, too. They told me they were in Himawari-gumi, the sunflower class. We talked a bit more about the stories on the cards. Both boys came back; the one boy brought his back saying "iranai" "I don't need/want it." But the little boy in green came and took another one, then ran and gave it to his baby sister, who was playing with mom. Presently, the girls' moms said "It's 5:00, time to go home." So, they said goodbye and ran off with their cards. Then I noticed that the boy in green was sitting at the top of the slide, studying his card. I praised God for this response, and then resumed reading. Shortly before I finished, the boy in green and his mom and sister headed home. So, when I finished, the park was empty and it was starting to get dark.
Today was my first time to read at Shirone soh-goh koen, but I have praise-walked around there many times, and I recently was convicted by the Spirit that I needed to do Project Ezra there, too. It's the park that's next to the big athletic field, the "culture center" gymnasium, and the Shirone kite museum. There is a good-sized open-air stage that looks out onto a lawn, so that is where I read from. This week there is some big sports festival happening all over Niigata city, and I noticed signs that said there were wrestling matches taking place at the culture center gym. There were all kinds of security guards by the parking entrances, and they asked me if I knew where I should park my bicycle. So I properly parked my bicycle in the designated spot and walked to the park. A mom and her son were playing baseball in the stage area, and about three girls, maybe Jr. High age, were hanging out on the playground. By the time I had prayerwalked the perimeter, the mom and her son were headed home, and it was getting dark. I read, but I struggled more than usual, and by the time I finished it was quite dark and I knew I wouldn't be able to read at any more parks.
I've learned that the first time at any park is never easy; the way must be cleared first. I'm so excited that only in my second time at Suwanoki koen, I had such an opportunity to share God's word with the children! It's such a blessing to be a part of this project!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Project Ezra - Acts 17
It's amazing how much I have changed in just a couple of short months of participating in Project Ezra. When I first went, with fear and trembling, it was largely because of a conviction to bring God's word to anyone in Shirone who would listen. Through prayer, obedience, and perseverance, by God's grace, I have been constantly growing in courage, boldness, and confidence, and have developed a deeper love for the people of Shirone, and experience greater joy and satisfaction from reading God's word in public. Last weekend, I had been confused about the reading for some reason, so I had nothing prepared, so I didn't go read. But I really missed it. I longed to go. I even considered going without preparation, but I couldn't decide on a passage. Absence makes the heart grow fonder? I really longed to go read this weekend.
Acts 17 is the chapter where Paul and Silas get chased out of Thessalonica, then Paul gets chased out of Berea by the jealous Jews who followed them there from Thessalonica, and finally Paul preaches the Gospel to the Athenian and foreigners in the Areopagus, citing their shrine dedicated "to an unknown god."
Sunday afternoon, after worship, Lindsey came with me again. We went to the same two parks as we went to before, first Suido koen, then Jido koen. At Suido park, there were a couple of families with kids playing on the playground. As we encircled the park with praise, we didn't have any openings to talk to anyone. After I had gotten started reading, as a man and his young kids were headed home, they walked past me quite slowly. I could see them in my peripheral vision; Lindsey told me later that they were obviously listening. They didn't stop, and I have no idea what they were thinking, but I feel that it's huge progress!
On the way back, near Suido park, we stopped to talk to an elderly lady who was standing outside. She asked if we were out for a walk, and I told her that I had just read the bible aloud in the park. She responded with an "oh," and quickly moved on to talk about other things. For the moment, I was glad to have a small opportunity to connect with someone. In this area, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are often going door to door, but I really want to avoid people associating that with Christianity if at all possible. I thanked her for talking with us and we walked on.
At Jido park it was similar to the last time we were there together. There was a group of about 10 people having a barbeque party, and there was a family playing on the playground. I sat down in the same place to read. Somehow, it's less obnoxious if I sit down, but I'm still very easily noticeable and clearly heard. Plus, the thing I sit on I could stand on, but then the tree branches are in my face. I stumbled over words a bit more there, but I'm pretty sure they could hear me, and occasionally the picnic group would get noisy so that I had to raise my voice a little louder. A bit of opposition or annoyance, I'm not sure. I suppose breaking up rocks would necessarily be a messy business!
Acts 17 is the chapter where Paul and Silas get chased out of Thessalonica, then Paul gets chased out of Berea by the jealous Jews who followed them there from Thessalonica, and finally Paul preaches the Gospel to the Athenian and foreigners in the Areopagus, citing their shrine dedicated "to an unknown god."
Sunday afternoon, after worship, Lindsey came with me again. We went to the same two parks as we went to before, first Suido koen, then Jido koen. At Suido park, there were a couple of families with kids playing on the playground. As we encircled the park with praise, we didn't have any openings to talk to anyone. After I had gotten started reading, as a man and his young kids were headed home, they walked past me quite slowly. I could see them in my peripheral vision; Lindsey told me later that they were obviously listening. They didn't stop, and I have no idea what they were thinking, but I feel that it's huge progress!
On the way back, near Suido park, we stopped to talk to an elderly lady who was standing outside. She asked if we were out for a walk, and I told her that I had just read the bible aloud in the park. She responded with an "oh," and quickly moved on to talk about other things. For the moment, I was glad to have a small opportunity to connect with someone. In this area, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are often going door to door, but I really want to avoid people associating that with Christianity if at all possible. I thanked her for talking with us and we walked on.
At Jido park it was similar to the last time we were there together. There was a group of about 10 people having a barbeque party, and there was a family playing on the playground. I sat down in the same place to read. Somehow, it's less obnoxious if I sit down, but I'm still very easily noticeable and clearly heard. Plus, the thing I sit on I could stand on, but then the tree branches are in my face. I stumbled over words a bit more there, but I'm pretty sure they could hear me, and occasionally the picnic group would get noisy so that I had to raise my voice a little louder. A bit of opposition or annoyance, I'm not sure. I suppose breaking up rocks would necessarily be a messy business!
Monday, September 07, 2009
Project Ezra - Joshua 24
Last week, I felt convicted that I need to invest more of myself in the people I meet and the time I spend reading God's word in public. I've been praying that I can love people more and more, as an overflow of the love God has shown me. I was also looking at some maps of the city this week and noticed two more, smaller parks. This weekend, I went out on Monday afternoon, because I had gone to an orchestra concert with some Japanese friends on Sunday evening, and anyway, Sunday and Monday are my days off.
At 3:30 I prayed, then set out alone on my bicycle. I went to Suido koen first, as usual, praying that this time I would have the courage to invite anyone I should meet to listen to God's word. As I made my "praise lap" around the park, I noticed some garbage in the form of discarded cigarettes and a lighter, so after I completed one lap, I walked through the middle, back to the spot. One had been smoked, there were a few others unlit. Kids experimenting? I wondered at it. Regardless of who had left them there, I picked up all the garbage in the vicinity, prayed blessings of repentance and saving faith over whomever had left them there, put them in a garbage can near the park entrance, and also prayed for whomever the person is who empties the garbage.
As I walked to the spot where I normally stand to read, I saw a lady walking her dog, who very cordially greeted me and asked me if I was out for a walk. I told her, that and to read God's word aloud, would she like to listen? Her pasted-on smile quickly transformed into a glazed over, smile-like expression as she said nothing and walked away. Then I stood up and read as usual. I could hear the TV volume go up a notch in one of the nearby houses.
Next, I rode my bicycle farther south (Suido koen is south of my apartment) to the other new park I had found. I had never gone in there before, and wasn't sure how much I'd be able to do. There is a nursery school right next to it on one side, and on another side there is a baseball field where some elementary school boys were playing or practicing. As I parked my bicycle near the entrance of the little playground, a small boy of about 4 came up to me and asked me where I was from, and why I was parking my bike there. I told him I had just come from Shirone, and asked him if there was a better place to park it. In hindsight, I wish I had told him that I had come to the park to read God's word, because I think that's what he really wanted to know. We chit-chatted briefly, and then I walked around the park, this time singing Jesus Loves Me. Two-thirds of the way around, I sat down on a park bench and began reading Joshua 24 aloud. The little boy, his mother, and his baby brother were playing nearby the majority of the time.
Then I rode around, through the center of town, past the big Suzuki Butsudan, a very famous shop that sells Buddhist home altars and gravestones, all the while singing Revelation Song. I made my way up to Jido park, which I've circled on my bicycle about three times this week, the last time was just after lunch today. On the way, I prayed that I would be able to talk to people. I parked my bike on the far side and began to walk through, praising. Two girls were sitting on the swings and talking, and one of them recognized me as I approached. As I got close enough, I recognized her as one of my former students. We chatted for a while about all kinds of things, in Japanese, and invariably she asked what I was doing at the park. I told her that, because of the incredible amount of peace in my life, I wanted to share it with whomever would listen, so I had come to read the bible. She asked me what the bible was, and I explained that it's a collection of writings of what God has done for mankind over many years, that even though many different people wrote it, it's all the same story of God's love for us, through the nation of Israel. Our conversation didn't get too much deeper than that, and I offered her one of my Gideon New Testaments, but she didn't want to take it. I told them where I was planning to read, that I would be reading from Joshua, where they've arrived in the land of Israel and Joshua is asking them if they will serve the Lord or other gods. We chatted a little while longer, then I said it was good to see her, and we said goodbye. I finished my praise lap, also thanking God for the opportunity to see hearts begin to be stirred. I went to the same spot as last time, and stood up on the thing at first, but then remembered that the tree was hanging in my eyes last time too, so I decided to sit again. As I read, three young boys came in and started playing soccer in the small field there, and every now and then as I read, they would kick the ball near me and come over, so I know they heard a little. After I finished reading, I sat watching them and praying for them a little while before I left.
Although I had a headache throughout, and by this point I needed to use the restroom, I still decided to go on to the fourth park. Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Somethin' Crazy" was in my head: "It's crazy when love gets a hold of you, and it's crazy things that love will make you do. It's crazy but it's true, you really don't know love at all until it's making you do Something Crazy!"
There was no one in the fourth park, but I still completed a praise lap singing Revelation Song quietly, picked up a little bit of garbage, and chose a park bench to sit on. As I read aloud, I could hear someone through their kitchen window in the house behind me, next to the park. After I finished, I biked home, praising a lot, greeting people that I passed, including one young student's dad whom I recognized. When I got home, it was at least 5:30pm.
I'm very tired, but very glad that God has given me this privilege of reading his word in public. I know that it won't return void. Another answer to prayer that I saw today in my own heart, was an increase in mercy. I've been really lacking in the area of mercy lately, but also praying that God would have mercy on these people, as he has had mercy on me, and also to help me display mercy to them. God has been teaching me a lot this year about how it takes time for most of us to come to a place of faith, and then to come to a place of spiritual maturity. For the people of Shirone, it's also going to take time before some of them even come to a place of being able to handle listening to God's word. God, in his mercy, is patient with us all.
At 3:30 I prayed, then set out alone on my bicycle. I went to Suido koen first, as usual, praying that this time I would have the courage to invite anyone I should meet to listen to God's word. As I made my "praise lap" around the park, I noticed some garbage in the form of discarded cigarettes and a lighter, so after I completed one lap, I walked through the middle, back to the spot. One had been smoked, there were a few others unlit. Kids experimenting? I wondered at it. Regardless of who had left them there, I picked up all the garbage in the vicinity, prayed blessings of repentance and saving faith over whomever had left them there, put them in a garbage can near the park entrance, and also prayed for whomever the person is who empties the garbage.
As I walked to the spot where I normally stand to read, I saw a lady walking her dog, who very cordially greeted me and asked me if I was out for a walk. I told her, that and to read God's word aloud, would she like to listen? Her pasted-on smile quickly transformed into a glazed over, smile-like expression as she said nothing and walked away. Then I stood up and read as usual. I could hear the TV volume go up a notch in one of the nearby houses.
Next, I rode my bicycle farther south (Suido koen is south of my apartment) to the other new park I had found. I had never gone in there before, and wasn't sure how much I'd be able to do. There is a nursery school right next to it on one side, and on another side there is a baseball field where some elementary school boys were playing or practicing. As I parked my bicycle near the entrance of the little playground, a small boy of about 4 came up to me and asked me where I was from, and why I was parking my bike there. I told him I had just come from Shirone, and asked him if there was a better place to park it. In hindsight, I wish I had told him that I had come to the park to read God's word, because I think that's what he really wanted to know. We chit-chatted briefly, and then I walked around the park, this time singing Jesus Loves Me. Two-thirds of the way around, I sat down on a park bench and began reading Joshua 24 aloud. The little boy, his mother, and his baby brother were playing nearby the majority of the time.
Then I rode around, through the center of town, past the big Suzuki Butsudan, a very famous shop that sells Buddhist home altars and gravestones, all the while singing Revelation Song. I made my way up to Jido park, which I've circled on my bicycle about three times this week, the last time was just after lunch today. On the way, I prayed that I would be able to talk to people. I parked my bike on the far side and began to walk through, praising. Two girls were sitting on the swings and talking, and one of them recognized me as I approached. As I got close enough, I recognized her as one of my former students. We chatted for a while about all kinds of things, in Japanese, and invariably she asked what I was doing at the park. I told her that, because of the incredible amount of peace in my life, I wanted to share it with whomever would listen, so I had come to read the bible. She asked me what the bible was, and I explained that it's a collection of writings of what God has done for mankind over many years, that even though many different people wrote it, it's all the same story of God's love for us, through the nation of Israel. Our conversation didn't get too much deeper than that, and I offered her one of my Gideon New Testaments, but she didn't want to take it. I told them where I was planning to read, that I would be reading from Joshua, where they've arrived in the land of Israel and Joshua is asking them if they will serve the Lord or other gods. We chatted a little while longer, then I said it was good to see her, and we said goodbye. I finished my praise lap, also thanking God for the opportunity to see hearts begin to be stirred. I went to the same spot as last time, and stood up on the thing at first, but then remembered that the tree was hanging in my eyes last time too, so I decided to sit again. As I read, three young boys came in and started playing soccer in the small field there, and every now and then as I read, they would kick the ball near me and come over, so I know they heard a little. After I finished reading, I sat watching them and praying for them a little while before I left.
Although I had a headache throughout, and by this point I needed to use the restroom, I still decided to go on to the fourth park. Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Somethin' Crazy" was in my head: "It's crazy when love gets a hold of you, and it's crazy things that love will make you do. It's crazy but it's true, you really don't know love at all until it's making you do Something Crazy!"
There was no one in the fourth park, but I still completed a praise lap singing Revelation Song quietly, picked up a little bit of garbage, and chose a park bench to sit on. As I read aloud, I could hear someone through their kitchen window in the house behind me, next to the park. After I finished, I biked home, praising a lot, greeting people that I passed, including one young student's dad whom I recognized. When I got home, it was at least 5:30pm.
I'm very tired, but very glad that God has given me this privilege of reading his word in public. I know that it won't return void. Another answer to prayer that I saw today in my own heart, was an increase in mercy. I've been really lacking in the area of mercy lately, but also praying that God would have mercy on these people, as he has had mercy on me, and also to help me display mercy to them. God has been teaching me a lot this year about how it takes time for most of us to come to a place of faith, and then to come to a place of spiritual maturity. For the people of Shirone, it's also going to take time before some of them even come to a place of being able to handle listening to God's word. God, in his mercy, is patient with us all.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Week in Chiang Mai: Part 2-E Sunday
August 9, 2009
As promised, when I called Saturday night, my bus/taxi driver came on Sunday morning to pick me up for church. He introduced his daughter, and as it was still pretty early, we chatted a little, then she showed me the bulletin, which was all in Thai, and explained what everything was, which scripture verses they would be reading, and which were the hymn numbers. She had more things to do to get ready, so she went off and I sat and worshiped God.
It really didn't matter that I didn't understand any of the language, it was enough to be there worshiping God together. They had a special ceremony and a prayer for the Queen's birthday later that week, at the beginning of the service.
Afterwards there was a lunch, and I talked with Fon (her nickname) and another young man nicknamed Bank, who is the youth leader. We chatted about our spiritual histories and our families. Fon reluctantly admitted that she has 8 brothers and 2 sisters because her father has 4 wives! Bank light-heartedly joked that her father is a little like Jacob in the bible, who had two wives and two concubines. I guess polygamy is still legal in Thailand, even if perhaps somewhat old-fashioned. Or, it could be that it used to be legal, and then when they made it illegal, they still permitted polygamous families to remain together. I didn't ask, because it was obvious she was really embarrassed.
Not too long after lunch, I watched Fon teach three children for Sunday School. They were reviewing the Exodus. She told me ahead of time what they were doing, and during it, the only word I could recognize was "Pharaoh." After Sunday School, the kids went home and she brought me into her house and introduced the young adults. They couldn't speak too much English, but we sang a few praise songs, they sang in Thai and I recognized the melody of some really old-school songs, so I sang in English. We had a short prayer and then headed out to a coffee shop to chat some more. I sat by Fon, and we shared notes about the spiritual climate of the respective countries where we live. That is where I learned how similar Japan and Thailand are spiritually. Very Buddhist, and less than 1% Christian, but even the Buddhists are mainly cultural followers.
Fon and Bank were going to an evangelism meeting later that evening, and I debated whether I should go with them or not. If I had known more Thai, I think I would have gone to encourage them. Instead, I decided I should go to the international church. After we were done chatting at the coffee shop, she and Bank took me over there and searched for their friend to ask him to make sure I had a ride back afterwards.
The international service was wonderful! I felt complete freedom to worship without worrying about what others thought. I knew some of the hymns and praise songs, but a few were new to me. The sermon was very powerful, and it made me want to go home and study the book of Zechariah more. After the service, I had some good fellowship with a few people, adding a few names to my prayer list. Two of the ladies invited me to join them for dinner, so I first went and found Fon's friend to let him know I didn't need a ride. It was a lovely, encouraging meal, and the first meal on the trip where I experienced real fellowship. Both ladies worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Chiang Mai. We shared all kinds of stories.
Afterwards, they gave me a ride back to the neighborhood of my guesthouse. I didn't go back right away, but went to a cheaper internet cafe and caught up on my blog first. (Actually, that was the last time I posted to my blog while I was traveling, and I didn't post any more about the trip until this weekend, with Part 2-D) It was a truly blessed Sabbath.
Story continued here or under "October" in the links at the left.
As promised, when I called Saturday night, my bus/taxi driver came on Sunday morning to pick me up for church. He introduced his daughter, and as it was still pretty early, we chatted a little, then she showed me the bulletin, which was all in Thai, and explained what everything was, which scripture verses they would be reading, and which were the hymn numbers. She had more things to do to get ready, so she went off and I sat and worshiped God.
It really didn't matter that I didn't understand any of the language, it was enough to be there worshiping God together. They had a special ceremony and a prayer for the Queen's birthday later that week, at the beginning of the service.
Afterwards there was a lunch, and I talked with Fon (her nickname) and another young man nicknamed Bank, who is the youth leader. We chatted about our spiritual histories and our families. Fon reluctantly admitted that she has 8 brothers and 2 sisters because her father has 4 wives! Bank light-heartedly joked that her father is a little like Jacob in the bible, who had two wives and two concubines. I guess polygamy is still legal in Thailand, even if perhaps somewhat old-fashioned. Or, it could be that it used to be legal, and then when they made it illegal, they still permitted polygamous families to remain together. I didn't ask, because it was obvious she was really embarrassed.
Not too long after lunch, I watched Fon teach three children for Sunday School. They were reviewing the Exodus. She told me ahead of time what they were doing, and during it, the only word I could recognize was "Pharaoh." After Sunday School, the kids went home and she brought me into her house and introduced the young adults. They couldn't speak too much English, but we sang a few praise songs, they sang in Thai and I recognized the melody of some really old-school songs, so I sang in English. We had a short prayer and then headed out to a coffee shop to chat some more. I sat by Fon, and we shared notes about the spiritual climate of the respective countries where we live. That is where I learned how similar Japan and Thailand are spiritually. Very Buddhist, and less than 1% Christian, but even the Buddhists are mainly cultural followers.
Fon and Bank were going to an evangelism meeting later that evening, and I debated whether I should go with them or not. If I had known more Thai, I think I would have gone to encourage them. Instead, I decided I should go to the international church. After we were done chatting at the coffee shop, she and Bank took me over there and searched for their friend to ask him to make sure I had a ride back afterwards.
The international service was wonderful! I felt complete freedom to worship without worrying about what others thought. I knew some of the hymns and praise songs, but a few were new to me. The sermon was very powerful, and it made me want to go home and study the book of Zechariah more. After the service, I had some good fellowship with a few people, adding a few names to my prayer list. Two of the ladies invited me to join them for dinner, so I first went and found Fon's friend to let him know I didn't need a ride. It was a lovely, encouraging meal, and the first meal on the trip where I experienced real fellowship. Both ladies worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Chiang Mai. We shared all kinds of stories.
Afterwards, they gave me a ride back to the neighborhood of my guesthouse. I didn't go back right away, but went to a cheaper internet cafe and caught up on my blog first. (Actually, that was the last time I posted to my blog while I was traveling, and I didn't post any more about the trip until this weekend, with Part 2-D) It was a truly blessed Sabbath.
Story continued here or under "October" in the links at the left.
Week in Chiang Mai: Part 2-D Saturday
August 8, 2009
Volunteering was not an option on Saturday or Sunday, so on Saturday I decided to do one of the things that I had wanted to do in Thailand when I was here six years ago, but didn't have the opportunity. I took a day-trip to an elephant camp so that I could ride an elephant!
A van picked me up from my guesthouse at about 8:30am, and then drove around picking up the other members of the tour. There were 11 people in the van altogether: 2 Thai men (the staff leading the tour, our driver and our tour guide), a lady from China and her 10-year-old daughter, a young married couple from Paris, France, two young women from the Czech Republic, two young men from Canada, and me (an American living in Japan).
The trip was only about an hour, but I nearly fell asleep by the time we arrived. I literally woke up and opened my eyes to see someone riding an elephant just outside our van! We parked and got out, having a few minutes to stretch and look around before going over to the platform where we would mount our elephants. Each elephant had a bench seat strapped to its back which would seat two, and a Thai man working as the handler, sitting on the elephant's neck. Since I was on the tour alone, I had one elephant all to myself.
As we set out, one of the first things we did was cross the river. The water came up to the elephant's belly, and we crossed at an angle so that it took about 5 minutes or so to cross. At one spot along the river there were some rocks, where a photographer was taking photos of each elephant with its riders, which made it feel just a bit like a theme park. After crossing through the river, we climbed up a bit of a slope, which made for a bumpy ride. Not too long after going back down again, we crossed back through the river at another place.
After crossing the river the second time, there were some small treehouses with people selling bananas or sugar cane. I didn't buy any at the first one, but I did at the second one. Then my handler got off and offered to take a picture using my camera. That is, through non-verbal communication, as he didn't speak English and I don't speak Thai. Then he told me I should get down on the elephant's neck, and showed me how to unlatch the seat I was in so that I could climb down, and then re-latch the bar.
Astride the elephant's neck, it felt a bit like riding a horse bareback, only a bit wider and more steady, but also higher off the ground! Her skin was thick and rough and dotted with coarse black hairs. After one picture, the handler told me I should give her a banana. But then he couldn't figure out how to take a second picture! I was using a disposable camera I had brought from Japan. Finally one of the other handlers nearby told him how to wind it and then he took a few pictures of me feeding bananas, as shown. It was really fun! I would just hold the banana out, and she would reach up with her trunk and take it.
We walked along that way for a while, the handler walking in front, coaxing her along. He showed me how to bump her neck with my heels to get her to go forward. I also had a strange habit of patting her head, which after a few times I figured out that that made her stop. There wasn't much need to hang on to anything, but I could hold on to her ears like the handlers do.
Then, I think when we were getting close to a slope, the handler instructed me to get back in the seat, and then he climbed on to a low tree branch that was in a perfect position for him to mount the elephant again. Overall, the elephant ride was about 40 minutes long.
When we dismounted in a different place, we walked through a "village" where they were
selling all kinds of colorful, handcrafted items, but for some reason I didn't want to buy anything. Then we boarded an ox cart to ride back to the original camp. The ox cart seated four, so I rode with the couple from Paris.
Back at the camp, we watched "the elephant show." It began with watching the elephants have a bath in the river. Then the elephants first did some simple things, like tugging, pushing, or lifting logs or other things to show their strength. The elephants in the show were smaller than the ones we had been riding, and we were told that they were between the ages of 2 1/2- 6 years old. They showed the inside of their mouth: they have one big flat tooth that they crush things against when they eat, which I never knew. One elephant could not only kick a soccer ball, he could drop kick it with his front leg, and he could throw it back to kick it with his back leg! Another elephant painted a picture with her trunk. Her trainer just gave her a brush with paint on it, and she very slowly painted a simple rendering of an elephant, a tree, and a flower, and then wrote her name.
After the show we had lunch, an all-you-can-eat buffet of mostly Thai food. Our tour group all sat at one table, and there were other tour groups sitting at other tables. The food was very good, the most interesting and memorable was the deep-fried bananas. No, the oil was probably not good for me, but I decided to allow myself one small indulgence.
After lunch, we gave our bags to our tour guide who was going to drive on ahead, and we boarded bamboo rafts to ride down the river. These seated 6, and I rode with the Canadians and the Chinese lady and her daughter. They were just very simple rafts, several long bamboo logs tied together, and then three simple wooden benches for us to sit on so we wouldn't get wet. There was a bit of water at our feet, as the rafts were completely flat, not raised on the sides. There were two Thai men steering the boat, one in front and one in back, using a long thin bamboo pole against the bottom of the river, and they let anyone who wanted have a try, so I did. Overall, the ride was peaceful, and a beautiful look at Thai jungle greenery.
When we got off the rafts, our tour van was waiting for us, and we drove off to the orchid farm, the last event on our tour. Upon arrival, a lady came out and pinned an orchid to each one of us. We went in and our tour guide gave us a demonstration of how they cultivate orchids. After that we had freedom to wander around. There was a lot of orchid jewelery for sale, but I wasn't interested in that. I went around looking at all the orchids, and had my picture taken with the bluest orchids I could find. That was a picture exchange with the Czech women: I took a picture of the two of them with their camera, and then one of them took a picture of me with my camera. I also really liked some of the brigher orchids, bright yellow with a red spot, or a rich peachy color. There were so many, and all gorgeous. There were also some butterflies flitting about.
I was still wandering when I overheard something about "the American-Japanese" and thought, that must mean me, I wonder if the people in the tour are looking for me. They were. I was the only one who hadn't wandered back yet. They didn't want to rush me, but I could see that everyone was tired. Soon after I found them, we headed out. As we drove back, I replayed the memories in my mind: the flowers, the river, the elephants.
I was the last person dropped off, and I noticed that as each person left, I said goodbye to them, but they didn't seem to be saying goodbye to the other people. I suppose it was easier for me to connect with everyone because I was on my own.
After I was dropped off, it was only about 5pm, so I went for a walk, dropped off my film for developing, changed more money, and tried a new place for dinner. All in all, it was a lovely day off.
Volunteering was not an option on Saturday or Sunday, so on Saturday I decided to do one of the things that I had wanted to do in Thailand when I was here six years ago, but didn't have the opportunity. I took a day-trip to an elephant camp so that I could ride an elephant!
A van picked me up from my guesthouse at about 8:30am, and then drove around picking up the other members of the tour. There were 11 people in the van altogether: 2 Thai men (the staff leading the tour, our driver and our tour guide), a lady from China and her 10-year-old daughter, a young married couple from Paris, France, two young women from the Czech Republic, two young men from Canada, and me (an American living in Japan).
The trip was only about an hour, but I nearly fell asleep by the time we arrived. I literally woke up and opened my eyes to see someone riding an elephant just outside our van! We parked and got out, having a few minutes to stretch and look around before going over to the platform where we would mount our elephants. Each elephant had a bench seat strapped to its back which would seat two, and a Thai man working as the handler, sitting on the elephant's neck. Since I was on the tour alone, I had one elephant all to myself.
As we set out, one of the first things we did was cross the river. The water came up to the elephant's belly, and we crossed at an angle so that it took about 5 minutes or so to cross. At one spot along the river there were some rocks, where a photographer was taking photos of each elephant with its riders, which made it feel just a bit like a theme park. After crossing through the river, we climbed up a bit of a slope, which made for a bumpy ride. Not too long after going back down again, we crossed back through the river at another place.
After crossing the river the second time, there were some small treehouses with people selling bananas or sugar cane. I didn't buy any at the first one, but I did at the second one. Then my handler got off and offered to take a picture using my camera. That is, through non-verbal communication, as he didn't speak English and I don't speak Thai. Then he told me I should get down on the elephant's neck, and showed me how to unlatch the seat I was in so that I could climb down, and then re-latch the bar.
Astride the elephant's neck, it felt a bit like riding a horse bareback, only a bit wider and more steady, but also higher off the ground! Her skin was thick and rough and dotted with coarse black hairs. After one picture, the handler told me I should give her a banana. But then he couldn't figure out how to take a second picture! I was using a disposable camera I had brought from Japan. Finally one of the other handlers nearby told him how to wind it and then he took a few pictures of me feeding bananas, as shown. It was really fun! I would just hold the banana out, and she would reach up with her trunk and take it.
We walked along that way for a while, the handler walking in front, coaxing her along. He showed me how to bump her neck with my heels to get her to go forward. I also had a strange habit of patting her head, which after a few times I figured out that that made her stop. There wasn't much need to hang on to anything, but I could hold on to her ears like the handlers do.
Then, I think when we were getting close to a slope, the handler instructed me to get back in the seat, and then he climbed on to a low tree branch that was in a perfect position for him to mount the elephant again. Overall, the elephant ride was about 40 minutes long.
When we dismounted in a different place, we walked through a "village" where they were
selling all kinds of colorful, handcrafted items, but for some reason I didn't want to buy anything. Then we boarded an ox cart to ride back to the original camp. The ox cart seated four, so I rode with the couple from Paris.
Back at the camp, we watched "the elephant show." It began with watching the elephants have a bath in the river. Then the elephants first did some simple things, like tugging, pushing, or lifting logs or other things to show their strength. The elephants in the show were smaller than the ones we had been riding, and we were told that they were between the ages of 2 1/2- 6 years old. They showed the inside of their mouth: they have one big flat tooth that they crush things against when they eat, which I never knew. One elephant could not only kick a soccer ball, he could drop kick it with his front leg, and he could throw it back to kick it with his back leg! Another elephant painted a picture with her trunk. Her trainer just gave her a brush with paint on it, and she very slowly painted a simple rendering of an elephant, a tree, and a flower, and then wrote her name.
After the show we had lunch, an all-you-can-eat buffet of mostly Thai food. Our tour group all sat at one table, and there were other tour groups sitting at other tables. The food was very good, the most interesting and memorable was the deep-fried bananas. No, the oil was probably not good for me, but I decided to allow myself one small indulgence.
After lunch, we gave our bags to our tour guide who was going to drive on ahead, and we boarded bamboo rafts to ride down the river. These seated 6, and I rode with the Canadians and the Chinese lady and her daughter. They were just very simple rafts, several long bamboo logs tied together, and then three simple wooden benches for us to sit on so we wouldn't get wet. There was a bit of water at our feet, as the rafts were completely flat, not raised on the sides. There were two Thai men steering the boat, one in front and one in back, using a long thin bamboo pole against the bottom of the river, and they let anyone who wanted have a try, so I did. Overall, the ride was peaceful, and a beautiful look at Thai jungle greenery.
When we got off the rafts, our tour van was waiting for us, and we drove off to the orchid farm, the last event on our tour. Upon arrival, a lady came out and pinned an orchid to each one of us. We went in and our tour guide gave us a demonstration of how they cultivate orchids. After that we had freedom to wander around. There was a lot of orchid jewelery for sale, but I wasn't interested in that. I went around looking at all the orchids, and had my picture taken with the bluest orchids I could find. That was a picture exchange with the Czech women: I took a picture of the two of them with their camera, and then one of them took a picture of me with my camera. I also really liked some of the brigher orchids, bright yellow with a red spot, or a rich peachy color. There were so many, and all gorgeous. There were also some butterflies flitting about.
I was still wandering when I overheard something about "the American-Japanese" and thought, that must mean me, I wonder if the people in the tour are looking for me. They were. I was the only one who hadn't wandered back yet. They didn't want to rush me, but I could see that everyone was tired. Soon after I found them, we headed out. As we drove back, I replayed the memories in my mind: the flowers, the river, the elephants.
I was the last person dropped off, and I noticed that as each person left, I said goodbye to them, but they didn't seem to be saying goodbye to the other people. I suppose it was easier for me to connect with everyone because I was on my own.
After I was dropped off, it was only about 5pm, so I went for a walk, dropped off my film for developing, changed more money, and tried a new place for dinner. All in all, it was a lovely day off.
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