Monkey Cakes
Trip Start
Jun 15, 2010
1
69
70
Trip End
Dec 15, 2010
Mae Sot, Thailand
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wednesday morning I woke up early with Emily so that we could go to Lucky tea shop for probably my last time. The bus then picked me up at 8am for BHSOH school where I had planned to stay for the rest of the week. When thinking about what made me the most happy during my time being here, it was definitely the times I spent with the students and sleeping over at the school, so it was an easy decision to make to stay there until the last moment possible. I had already packed everything I possibly could and organized all papers and things before leaving. I even prepared the clothes I would wear for when we left Mae Sot on Monday so that when I get home Sunday night I can just throw my clothes from the week in one of my bags and head off with nothing else left to do. (My dad taught me so well :p)
Wednesday at BH was like most others; with the exception of a few people tying bracelets on my wrists as gifts (so sweet!). This was actually my first time spending the night at BH on a school night, so it was kind of interesting to see how what an average day there was like. When all the non-boarding students had left, we all gathered together to sing Burmese Christmas songs with some of the teachers as they played guitar. It was a blast and I couldn't wait to learn how to sing along with them. Later, had I known that the girls played football (soccer) at 5, I would have joined before taking my shower. Something to note for the next day anyways. At night when all the girls settled in to do their homework, the student who had taught me the Burmese dance (and danced with me) also took the time to allow me to learn my favourite Burmese Christmas songs phenetically (as she read and I wrote), followed by Cho Nwe (one of my GED students) explaining what it meant in English so that I could explain when I sang this for my family back home (which you all know I WILL do :) ). I then copied them out in Burmese as well, so that I could not only remember but test out the words that I can read :P. Overall, the night was a blast. I slept well as always, though apparently there was a stranger wandering around at night near our dorm. Though I slept right through it, some of my girls were unable to sleep (which sucks) and there were a bunch of sleepy people walking around in the morning.
For some reason, the mornings at BHSOH are my favourite. It's quiet, I love watching how excited the students are as they pour off of the bus and onto the school field or into the classes, and the headmaster and his wife always give me something special to eat. This morning I was given a hot MILO (really sweet hot chocolate) with cookies, and then U Khai Oo Maung gave me "Monkey cakes" which was basically a form of Palata. (It's like chickpeas in a deep fried bread. It's sweet and delicious and definitely one of my favourite treats to eat any morning in Thailand. If only I knew how to make it for when I got home...) As many things were going on that day (a training for grade 9 and 10 from Help Without Frontiers all day and a meeting with everybody at 3pm), U Khai Oo Maung decided to change the day of my goodbye ceremony. I couldn't have been more pleased with this actually, because it would have been very difficult to say goodbye to some, cry and be upset, only to be followed by the meeting which ended up being very stressful and over 2 and a half hours long... and then spend the night again, only to say goodbye AGAIN to the rest on Sunday before I went back to Mae Sot. The meeting actually ended up being at a good time because I didn`t WANT to say goodbye to anybody. At lunch, one of my grade 9 girls came to the GED class where I eat and just started crying as she hugged me. Luckily, I was able to hold back all of my tears and consol her, but I wasn`t prepared for something like this on a larger level. So as all the students who don`t board at the school left, I was busy in the school meeting and unable to say goodbye. I know this may SOUND cold hearted, and perhaps they wouldn`t prefered the tears than no goodbye, but in my opinion, I`d rather my students remember our laughing together than my crying on the last day. I want our memories to be only of the good times we shared and of how fortunate we were to have had this chance to get to know each other.
The rest of the week went by way too quickly. It was buisness as usual, but with a lingering feeling of my departure coming ever nearer. The one thing that has really struck me during my time here, is that I often forget that many of these students either have no parents, don`t know where they are, or if they do, can`t see them and have no contact with them. But somehow, out of this horrible situation, they`ve found a home and quite a large family to be a part of. They all take care of each other and look out for each other. They tease each other kindly as brothers and sisters and of course, have fights that need to be broken up by the headmaster and his wife. And even more incredible yet: they allow an outsider like me to also be included in this family, and they truly do make me feel welcome. (Except that I`m not allowed to do the dishes or any chores).
The closing ceremony was tough. I started to cry before they even began. It was too much, and having just spent so much time there, I really didn`t want to leave. Many of my students cried as well and we all found it tough to say goodbye. In my little speech, as many of them also did, I told them that I wouldn`t say goodbye, but rather see you later; in hopes that one day we could see each other again some how. That they will always be living in my heart and so they will be with me everywhere I go. U Khai Oo Maung and his wife presented me with the most gorgeous Karen shirt I`ve ever seen, some students gave me beautiful paintings, and my boarding students gave me a giant container of the dried, small fried fish that I love so much; made especially for me! :) Then we all climbed in the school car, sang christmas songs the entire way home and had a warm and happy farewell; the best kind.
Emily, Adrian and I just had our last meal at the night market, lit candles all over the balcony and said a few words to each other about our experience. Today has truly been one of the best possible ways I could have ever imagined to spend my last day here. Now with all our things packed, the house cleaned and our bus tickets bought, we venture onto our next voyage: going home.
Comments
I've been reading all of your posts from your journey and I have to say that I'm inspired by your amazing experience!