Four weeks went by fast. This may be my last post in Thailand, but I plan on doing a couple more when I'm back home in the States and give a more comprehensive look at things.
So with the week over, I'm planning on spending my last remaining days either in Khao Lok or Railay beach before jetting it home on the 20th.
And that's...that.
Your month long stay did go by quickly and all the enduring experiences you've had thus far will have a profound influence on the way you view the world. In spite of all the initial trepidations we had prior to this venture, mostly due to the political instability, you and Janice forged on ahead like no other and did a lot of things you were asked to do and also did a lot more on your own. Both of you acted with a responsibility that would make the UCLA community proud.
ReplyDeleteYou chose to do your research in some of the most impoverished areas of SE Asia and along the way learned some remarkable things about yourself and the people you lived and worked with side-by-side. This turned out to be a unique learning opportunity that you could not even have imagined awhile ago, and you walked into it with an open mind and an open heart, and embraced all the challenges and still emerged from it wanting to do more. Hopefully, this will be an impetus to your life-long journey of cultural and humanitarian discoveries.
In retrospect, you will undoubtedly remember the everlasting generosity of the people there offered to you. It was easily palpable from our phone conversations and it is truly a gift from the heart in any language, and what a beautiful gift it is to appreciate!
We are deeply grateful to Bodhi, Karen, Prof. Silverman, the Burmese children, the ethnic Thais, the Moslems, Sea Gypsies, and the Buddhist monks for sharing their insightful stories and enriching your life. Your mission for now is accomplished and it is time to come home.
Way to go, Bruin!
Love,
Mom
Wow...nice comment. It's actually longer than the post.
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