Day 3: Invisible Elephants? "No Problem"

There's a saying here in Thailand, in fact it is the unofficial motto of this island of paradise; "mai pen lai" meaning "no problem" or "no worries". They obviously swallow what they chew with this one, as their personalities always reflect. Slow-paced and 'lax are how these folks roll. And every turn I take, I am greeted with a "sawadeeca" and a smile. However, the living conditions they endure has you wondering why they even have a smile on their face at all. Well, here's the dish; here, life is not about material possessions (which it shouldn't be anyway, but people get so wrapped up with unimportant business and things of which should have no right of being held above another human-being that they become blindfolded from the things that should really matter). Friendship is far more valued than any tangible object, and they would do absolutely anything thing to help a buddy out (even a stranger for that matter). A complete 180 is what I have experienced, coming from a fast-paced lifestyle which what i've always known. Even living out it the country of the NorthWest cannot shield you from the hustle and bustle. No, more will I be ungrateful for a hot shower, a roof over my head, a car to drive, numerous numerous etc's... I have taken advantage and not realized EVERYTHING, absolutely everything that I've got going for me. I challenge anyone to just take a look at all that they have and count your blessings, your many, many blessings. Mine are infinite! Thank you Jesus

Today was spent learning the Thai language by writing an 8-line dialogue in English, and then going into town trying to get a translation. The people I was with, including myself, would have just gone to the few locals that we knew spoke English, but decided we were up for a challenge and ventured to the pier where we hadn't gone before. After many try/fail attempts we finally found a woman patient enough with us, between stick-figure drawings and hand gestures, to gives the interpretations of our sentences. After class the school took us on a complementary trip to the Rayong mall and night markets. Not much to be said about the mall other than it was really like any other mall. But the market would be much like you'd imagine a street market to be. White tents lined a lot near the mall, and made for much like a maze; in which I was the mouse. I would be so entranced in the uniqueness of the Thai clothing that I would lose track of the group and have to skuttle my way around searching for them. I finally met up with them back at the bus where we were to meet. APPARENTLY they had all gotten to see an elephant that had walked right through the middle of the tents in the market! Amazing. I missed him. How??! "mai pen lai" right? Im sure ill be seeing one in the very near future.