Playing in the Mud and Family Bike Rides

So today Jordan and I (with the help of Go-ED student Bianca!), worked much of the day building our rocket stove - a stove that has numerous health and environmental benefits, as well as being more efficient. It's built entirely out of local materials, so that it will be easy for villagers to use. We still have some work to do, but this is what it looks like so far!

That means I got to play in the mud.

For some reason I'm not wearing my awesome Thai farmer hat, but you can see that in the story picture series below! (sorry for the harsh sunlight and shadows in the pictures)

So last week, Jordan and I were working on the stove, digging up clay and sifting it into finer pieces. It was a very hot day, and the heat was zapping our energy, as you can see in our defeated faces under the blazing sun in this picture.

However, Boss Kenny, and Fellow Intern Anna soon showed up with Thai farmer hats and delicious iced coffee!

Our spirits were rejuvenated, our bodies replenished and we were able to continue our work, unimpeded by the physical hardships of the midday Thai sun.



So at the end of the day, we were greeted with a pickup truck of our new stylish bicycles for all the interns and students! Yes, that's a Playboy bunny on the basket. There's an apparent fascination with it, and I'm sure nobody knows what it actually means, because EVERYONE has it on their vehicles, bikes, etc.

Shortly before dinner, we all went on a peaceful, enjoyable "family bike ride." Every Thai we passed looked at us with funny looks and clearly thought, "What is up with that whole group of farang riding ridiculous bicycles?" (as seen below)

This said bike ride consisted of riding through the local villages with vistas like these:

Actually, these two pictures are a view from my room, because I didn't take any pictures of the view on my bike ride today. But our view was quite similar.

Absolutely beautiful.