For the past couple of weeks, Emily and I have been desperately trying to get back into our normal, daily routine after being off for the holidays. We have both been quite tired each night and haven’t felt like doing much exploring. Last weekend, we spent the better part of the weekend relaxing and watching movies and this past weekend, we did very much the same. We did manage to participate in some of the Children’s Day activities around town, which took place on Saturday.

Children’s Day, in Thailand, is a day literally dedicated to the children of the country. The locals honour them by providing various activities and games for the kids to participate in. They have numerous locations set up around town where families can bring their young ones to enjoy a day of fun. In addition to the festivities, a number of the local businesses provide treats and balloons for any child who enters their establishment. Due to the fact that the special day fell on a Saturday, the schools celebrated the holiday on the Friday before and therefore, children were also able to participate in various activities at each of their respective learning centres.

At one of the schools in the area, where our organization has converted some of the kindergarten classrooms to the Montessori method of teaching, there was a fabulous celebration for Children’s Day in the main courtyard. The children had finished participating in an assortment of activities and then all of a sudden, from out of nowhere, this very large flying contraption, similar to that of a hang glider, graced the sky. As it flew over the busy courtyard, the “pilot” proceeded to throw handfuls of treats or “ka-noms” to the children below. The children scurried about to retrieve the gifts that had dropped from the sky and then screamed and chanted as they anxiously waited for the “bird” to turn around and drop repeated handfuls of treats a second, third and fourth time around. Luckily I had my camera and was able to get a few shots.

On Friday of this past week, I went up into the hills to visit another child care centre, which has just been converted to a Montessori classroom. This child care centre, called "Likhai," is located in the most beautiful setting at the bottom of a waterfall and is surrounded by the Northern hills of Thailand which are covered in the plushest green I have ever seen. After morning classes and lunch, the children literally strip down and swim in the river which is located at the bottom of the falls. I was able to witness these children, ages ranging from 3 – 6, having a wonderful time jumping from the rocks into the cool water below. I understand, when the weather is hot, this is a daily activity for these kids. It is times like this when I realize how far away from home I really am, and how different the Thai culture is to our own.
We ran out of time and therefore, were unable to make the 1 km trek up the hill to see the waterfall but I anticipate I will make it up there before long. I think that may be an adventure that Emily would really enjoy!!!