On my 'empty' day...

So this last Friday (on my only real day off), Erin and I accepted the invitation by this Thai family to go somewhere with them. The description is vague, because that is exactly what it was: unclear. Erin teaches the children and their mother during the week, and we have often gone to eat dinner with them after class. So interacting with them wasn't unfamiliar. 

They picked us up around nine or so, and we headed to eat 'breakfast.' Thai food has no distinction between meals, in other words there is no one breakfast category. We went and ate something that is called, "Cow Mung Gai." I have had this once before and I don't remember it being this good. I really enjoyed it. The meal consists of rice, boiled chicken and a broth-like soup. The environment of the restaurant was like Thailand's version of breakfast diner, except there was nothing close to pancakes on the menu. lol. I have really never been out to eat for breakfast here, so experiencing that was very interesting. 

At this point, we still have no idea what exactly is on the day's agenda. The only thing we know is that we're going to the Parmoat's work (the father). We drive aways out of the city and into the country. He works at a dam and when we got there we found out we were also at their home. I could sense this was going to be a long day of nothing and was already dreading the long hours before I would be able to lay down in my bed. We hung out down by the river, on this wooden raft like structure. The kids and their very loving dog; Brownie went swimming. It was so hot and I have to admit the water looked refreshing. 

After lunch, Parmoat and his wife took us to the Thai temple. It was little awkward, because they went to worship and obvious we weren't there to do that. I've been to Thai temples and seen monks before, but never before this had I spoke to a monk; and in English none-the-less! He gave us a tour around the temple, explaining certain things; it was very interesting. At one point, he asked us if we wanted to worship; I politely declined. It's a good feeling when I can respect someones religion and they can do the same. I don't think I would have liked it, if the monk or the family would have pushed worshiping the Buddha on us. Seeing this culture and this religion up close, has made me so comforted and grateful for my relationship with God. I don't have to bow to a golden statue to talk to my God, He's always there! The monk told us, "oh if you worship this one, you'll be successful and this one...something else" All I could think about was I'm so glad it's not really like that. God is with us no matter what!

After the temple outing, we went back to the house and hung out some more. The kids went swimming again and Erin and I just relaxed. All I really wanted was to be back home in the comfort of my own house. Another thing about this whole day is; it's so exhausting talking to a non-English speaker! It takes so much effort to try and understand and then process what is being said. By the end of the day I was so dead, and we hadn't really done anything! I'll admit, the whole was all about patience. I was trying so hard to be patient, and by the end of it was losing the battle. I have to say, a whole day outing will not be happening ever again. 

But looking on the 'bright side' of things; I learned a lot about Thai culture and difference between our beliefs. It made me appreciate my God more and for that I'm so thankful.