Why did you decide to enroll with Rustic Pathways in Thailand?
Jessica: To be able to travel is a gift and I truly believe the passion to explore the world runs in my blood.
Rustic Pathways incorporates all that is important to me when I travel: learning the lifestyle of those living there, experiencing and trying things such as, in Thailand, food, cooking the latter, becoming a monk/nun and Muay Thaie.
As well as, helping the locals or the land. I found a Rustic Pathways book in my Life Orientation classroom and fell in love with the organization and what they offer.
I was privileged to receive one of the grants which gave me the opportunity to follow my passion. Thailand was the option given to me and it was the perfect program!
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Jessica: My day to day activities were first and foremost planned, which is something I enjoyed as we were always doing something rather than waiting for the opportunity to arise. In my program, Medical Certification, we were not subjected to the other programs' schedules but rather followed our own.
For the first 3 days we did mostly what the other programs did, from going to the boys school and teaching games or English, to playing Fear Factor and eating all kinds of 'different' foods. I was given the unfortunate task of eating a fruit, Durian and then later crickets.
It was an experience that my taste buds did not enjoy, however, my heart did as my Team pulled together and cheered each other on. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." The enemy = the food. The Ricefields Base was beautiful and we all had the great opportunity of going to the Cafe to chat with the staff from Laos or swimming in the pool, or even, as my room loved to do - UNO.
A swapping of culture was done every day, not just between the locals and the ambassadors, but also between the ambassadors as culture is different between our home country. Therefore, the making of friends was done throughout the whole trip. Food times were a great time to socialize and the food was spectacular.
In my program we woke up at 5:30 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and set up a clinic for those in the village who wanted to, to check their blood type, blood sugar and pressure, as well as, checking their eyesight. It was a heart warming experience. And as torturous as the early morning could have been, it was soon forgotten when helping others.
In our program, our WFA (Wilderness First Aid) and CPR is given if a theory and practical test is passed. Therefore, we had lectures which was nothing like sitting in a cramped classroom at school trying to cram facts into a tired brain. It was FUN! But I guess, how can fake blood and craters on your head ever not be fun?
A stand out for me was the food and temple tour on the Sunday afternoon and the celebration of the 4th of July with fireworks and a barbecue (called a braai in South Africa).
If you could go back and do something different, what would it be?
Jessica: If I could go back and do something different I would have tried to organize a second program to do after Medical Certification as a week is too short.
What was the most interesting cultural difference you encountered?
Jessica: In a life of constant stress and problems, the emotions of it all start to get to any person and cause a general decline in the persons happiness.
In Thailand, everyone is so happy no matter what day to day problem occurs. The Thai people's giving nature never ceased to amaze me.
I specifically wanted Muay Thaie gloves to take home for my brother and me after a class taken, led by Lag Lay Oo.
This buying of gloves was not in the schedule and the Thai staff, Lay Lay and Ched went out of their way to make sure we stopped off and bought me some, and then lent me money when I did not have enough in cash.
I felt connected to the staff and local people in just a week because of their openness which is not something that occurs in a busy and tense city such as Durban.
What was the best moment of the entire trip?
Jessica: The best moment of the entire trip was the Tying of the Ricefield Strings as it truly tied together.
Excuse the pun, our whole Hong as we cried and laughed as we all shared our feelings for one another.
This was all made even more beautiful as the hot air was contrasted with the pouring rain falling around us as sat on the balcony in a circle.
It was beautiful and an experience I won't forget.