Ban Soi and Buddhist Temple - July 13-14

Ban Soi - July 13

Today we did more planting along the riverbanks, but this time we also brought some young plants from the nursery. This time I feel like I put in my fair share. I dug and planted until I blistered and peeled skin off. It’s nothing major but my right hand is a little tender now.

I was able to see what exactly we are working against. After the dredging project, the water changed direction and the force of the water was more focused. Instead of using the entire flood plain, they dug the river deeper and channeled the water. This brilliant idea only caused more problems than the flooding did. Now the steeper banks are eroding away and bringing down trees. The old bridge to Kuraburi was washed out as well.

Our guide here (I wish I could remember his name) is my hero. He works with the community, the youth, the IUCN and is very conservation minded. He knows all about the plants of the land and much of its fauna as well. If her wants to eat something, he grows or raises it. He has a vegetable garden, 66 mangosteen trees (the oldest one about 30 years old), rambutan trees, herbs, a catfish farm, another edible fish (didn’t catch the name) nursery, chickens, and I don’t know what all. This is him “carrying” the reeds we cut downstream. He made cutting the reeds look easy, but I tried it and it took a bit of hand strength. I started to get the hang of it, though, even with my womanly handicap.

Yesterday they were not even half way in building the new bridge, but today we were able to drive across it and take a shorter route back. As it turns out, this was hugely to my benefit, though it was not planned that way. We drove past a tree that had three hornbills sitting in it: a large male, his mate and their offspring. Amazing! Wonderful! I was so hoping to catch a decent sighting of these fabulous birds. I was smiling hugely, stupidly for hours afterward.

Who is going to rescue all the little critters that get trapped inside the apartment building when I am gone? The geckos find their way in and out on their own, but the insects aren’t so wily. Tonight I helped a huge green grasshopper out. First I was taking pictures of it, this one was just before it jumped on me and startled me. Then I had it crawl onto my washbowl and carried it outside and put it on a plant. Another successful rescue! Mostly I have rescued butterflies. Andrew helped a big frog find its way out of the bathroom in Ban Talae Nok.

Buddhist Temple – July 14 16:00

Today we went to a Buddhist temple in the jungle. A monk who had walked all the way here in Southern Thailand from Central Thailand started it. When he arrived at this area, the people were feuding. None of the people were deed holders and were fighting over land use. We would call them squatters. The monk saw this and decided he needed to stay to settle the disputes and bring peace to the area. He did just that. He also got everyone to live in harmony in a community that now centers around the temple.

There are now six monks here and they bring in students to learn under the head monk, the abbot. The villagers all get together now to help build the temple and outer buildings for community/ temple use. That is what was going on today. They were building on to a meeting room-type thing, so that all of the extra stuff in the middle of it could be stored there and protected from the rain, while opening up the floor for use tomorrow to teach the students. Andrew worked his ass off today! He pitched right in and worked really well with the villagers. I started out helping moving the roof tile, but I simply do not have the strength for that kind of thing. I have got to give him credit. That had to be hard in this heat! After the roof was in place, Tui and I pitched in moving the stuff to the storage area and cleaning the main floor for tomorrow.

One hundred students are coming and we get to sit in on their teachings tomorrow. This should be really interesting. I really hope to hear them in prayer, because I heard a recording of the monks in prayer and it sounded really intriguing. I have no idea what to expect, but I did learn some things from Tui today. There is a string tied around the Buddha’s wrist and then around the building. This is done to protect the building from evil spirits or demons. The abbot looked at me, but I felt none of the other monks did. I asked if it was my imagination or if the monks were avoiding making eye contact with me. Tui explained that just as I cannot touch them or them me, they cannot look at me or think about me. Being a woman here definitely gives me a different experience than Andrew has. When it came time to sweep. I waited until the head monk put the broom down on the floor and then I could pick it up to use it.

The abbot has an easy smile and a friendly way about him, even with monkeys. There is a wild monkey, a rare langur species, that comes around the temple. He feeds it, talks to it, pets it, and hugs it. I was amazed at how tame the langur was. I took advantage of having it nearby to take photos. I guess I took advantage for too long. The langur decided it didn’t like me after a while and tried to tell me. Stupid me, I thought it was asking for food from me. It kept coming closer and closer and then started grabbing at me. It was time to walk away. Then the head monk explained that sticking out its tongue repeatedly means that it is not appreciating your company. Back off. Haha! So I did. Poor Tui, I think I gave her a heart attack for staying too close. I am not used to animals not liking me, so I was rather surprised. I think I made too much eye contact and then also kept my camera going at it. I would get tired of that too. Anyway, I got some freaking awesome photos! I have had some very good luck with rare species sightings.

I am looking forward to tomorrow! I hope Andrew feels alright tomorrow after working so hard today. I don’t think tomorrow will be so hard, but I will better prepare for it just in case.

20:00

Well, I got my assignment turned in, but I didn’t have time to get my blog posted. I tried to get to the office earlier but it was raining too hard and I didn’t want to risk getting my computer wet, especially after yesterday’s computer episode. I only have two more volunteer days left and they are both at the temple. It is pouring again, so I am glad I didn’t risk going to the internet café.