day 15-sept 15

This home stay experience was so unreal. We woke up this morning around 530 to watch the sunrise. We went out to the view point spot and sat with friends as we watched the sun rise in the east. Wow it was gorgeous. We were able to just be still, not needing to be anywhere. For breakfast we ate boiled rice with carrots, ginger, and some other vegis and seasonings, it was delicious. We sat and talked with P-Akong about Thai citizenship, the Thai government, his family, working hard and volunteering often and connection. It is awesome to hear his perspective. He never knew his father and his mother passed when he was 8 years old. He has a father figure who took him in at that time. His father figure was with us all week. P started living on his own and taking care of himself at about age 15. He is very humble and genuine. You can tell he learned some of that from his father figure. 

We headed in the truck around 9am. We drove to the Golden Triangle look out spot. At this location it is easier to see where the countries are. And China is not far from it either. It was a really neat time. P jokes around often with us and if we ask him a question or favor, he responds "5 baht." Like he is charging us for it all. So our group gathered multiple 5 baht pieces and gave them to him at the same time. We said we wanted him to have it, but there was a donation box and he put it straight in it. That's the type of man he is. Didn't think twice about it. We had time to explore a bit before driving more to lunch. Lots of shops! We stopped and ate and mom and I shared fried rice and chicken. We put lime juice on it and ooooooooo, so good! We got back to Mirror soon thereafter and did laundry. It takes a bit to do the process. Fill the washer over the clothes, put the soap in, turn it to 15 min wash, drain water, refill water for rinse, another 5 or so min, then ring them out one by one and put them in the spinner to start the drying process, about 5 min. Then go hang them up on bamboo lines to dry. Repeat however many loads. It's neat to not have everything at the fingertips and take time to do it. 

Dinner was....... SPRING ROLLS!! So yummy! Papaya, honey dew, spicy spaghetti, and potatoes. Such an incredible meal! I braided a couple of people's hair today, then we were going to go to a local market, but we realized it didn't have what we thought it did so we stayed at Mirror while others went into Chiang Rai. It was peaceful and quiet. We tried to use wifi but it has been down all week. We were able to use Nikki's computer to look up some places to go for next week. And talked to her about ideas. She has been so amazing and always has time to help with whatever we need and share parts of her story with us. Mom gave her and the kitchen ladies one of the hand crocheted kitchen towels and P the pin of the Salt Lake Temple. Everyone has been so kind and genuine. We played some games with Tina, then with each other, then called it a night. We would recommend the Mirror Foundation to anyone. It is such a good program with good people and genuine hearts. It's amazing. They don't care about money here, they have an honor box for the snack shack. They give time and everyone is important and family. We are very blessed and honored to be able to know these people, especially P-Akong. He has an amazing story.