These Boots Were Made for Traveling: New Years Eve

Part of the view and part of the resort

A lot has happened over the past month. Don’t worry, it’s all been good/amazing things. Yet since a lot has happened, that means there is so much I haven’t written about. However, I figured it would be easier to start at the end and work my way up. Plus, I still can’t believe where I spent my New Years, so I’ll start with that.

New Years Eve was f---ing fantastic. I’m not trying to build it up or make anyone jealous. I’m telling the absolute honest truth when I say it was wonderful, beautiful, glorious, fantastic, and exceptional. It was also the classiest party I’ve been to for New Years since my sophomore year of high school. Okay, here are the details.

I was fortunate enough to spend NYE with my wonderful Fulbright Fam courtesy of P’Ngae, a Thai Fulbright alum. P’Ngae knows everyone in Thailand, so it was of no surprise when she invited us to spend NYE at her friend’s resort in Chiang Rai. Her friend owns Puchchaisai, a resort on Doi Mae Salong (a mountain, “doi” means “mountain” in Thai). This resort was literally on top of a mountain, overlooking all of Chiang Rai. Can you say, ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS?! We stayed in the owner’s house, which is made entirely of clay/mud, adobe-style. Beautiful. The house was all open-air with endless views of the mountains. Seriously, while you showered you looked out at the mountains, same with the bedrooms, and the kitchen. It was just stunning.

For NYE we attended a party at the resort, which was filled with drinks, a large buffet, live music, and of course dancing (although it should me noted that we, the Americans, were the only ones dancing. Well, us and two drunk Thai girls that we befriended). So I rang in the New Year at an outdoor party, on the top of a mountain, in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

We spent New Years Day bamboo rafting down the river that runs through the mountains. Our guides were members of the Akha hill tribe. I had done some bamboo rafting in Kanchanburi, but that was crap compared to this. This was legit bamboo rafting. Like, long pieces of bamboo stalks tied together that I sat on while we floated down the river (the oars were also just long bamboo stalks). It was beautiful, peaceful, and serene. Lunch, was also amazing. Fitting with the theme of this resort, which I would describe as outdoorsy-but-classy, we had a traditional Akha hill tribe lunch, which used all natural elements to cook and eat the food. Everything was cooked and eaten using some part of bamboo. The food was cooked in bamboo/banana leaves, our place mats were bamboo/banana leaves, the food was served either in carved-wood trays or in leaves, and our utensils were our hands! Oh and the cups and serving spoon were both carved out of bamboo. Did I mention we ate in an open-air “hut”? Just glorious. I kept having to ask myself “is this REAL?”

It should be mentioned that I have never, EVER considered myself an outdoorsy person, but being in Chiang Rai where I am surrounded by beautiful mountains and lush rice fields, it’s such a nice change from the city life. And being on top of that mountain was even better. I felt calm and peaceful this weekend. I did my senior thesis on the use of play and natural as learning tools in early childhood education. Some of the articles on the use of nature in education discussed how just having a view of nature instantly made children feel calm, relaxed, at ease, and more focused. Such emotions and behaviors were enhanced when children had the opportunity to play outside in nature. I have definitely felt “nature’s effect” here in Thailand. Just getting on my scooter and riding down the highway that’s completely surrounded by rice fields and mountains instantly makes me feel calm, peaceful, and just happy. So, I’m enjoying the greenery; at least for the time being.

Once again, I feel like I’ve been on a lucky streak lately. I’m meeting so many wonderful people here, and having great experiences. 2010 was a fabulous year, here’s to 2011 being even better!

Health and Happiness to all in the New Year! xo