Update from Thailand!

There have already been many highlights of this trip - which does tend cause the mind to boggle when we stop to consider that we have only just finished our third full day of the program. The girls are all displaying very adventurous spirits, getting involved with everything; It has been a joy to watch the students getting down and dirty making mud bricks...

... which quickly became a chance to have a mud fight.

Another highlight has been the chance to wash the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park. All of these elephants had been used in domestic situations and had been abused or damaged through the course of their work, so the students were thrilled to be able to participate in the important rituals of feeding and bathing the elephants. It was a truly exceptional experience for all.

Last night was a chance to experience how some of the local Thai people live in their local communities. We trekked (in the heat of the day) to stay with the Lesu Tribe. There was the chance for some much needed rest and relaxation when we arrived, and many of the girls used this as a chance to play with the local children, who fed us with some local flowers and helped to make bracelets out of the leaves off the trees.

After dinner we were treated to a traditional dance, usually only performed on New Years Eve. The girls were given the chance to participate in this, and had a great time dancing around the bonfire. We then reciprocated by singing "Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree" and, perhaps somewhat unusually, "Someone like you" by Adele. Our guide "X-Man" then taught us all some of the local songs and dances that are sung by the Thai people, with some help from the local children.

Alwyn will be back with us tomorrow night are all looking forward to their contributions to this blog when they return. It will still be a few more days before we see Hancock or Tonkin.

While I am sitting here typing this, I am listening to some of the chatter from the girls that is filling the room. One of the comments that I just overheard was, "This is a life changing experience!"

I couldn't agree more.

Jacqui Cusack