Christmas in Thailand December 2010

Christmas Day at Baan Unrak, enjoying some homemade coconut icecream.

This is one of my favorites from the trip. Pyar and mimisan enjoyed a lot of time together. These smiles are what Christmas is all about.

I fell in love with this sweet girl. We are on the roof of the home for Christmas morning enjoying time and gifts together.

We stayed at P Guest House in rooms most of the week. This was our view from the restaurant, right above our room. Gorgeous!

Pyar and Enau, a very special youngster.

Christmas in Thailand December 2010

Sweet water buffalos, there are two females and two babies. They are fairly new to the Baan Unrak home. They help with farming and give milk for yogurt. No eating these sweet animals, thank God Baan Unrak's philosophy is no cruelty to animals for our pleasure - so only veggies here to eat! They have a beautiful garden that starts just below the buffaloes house.

A typical home in Thailand. This gentleman is a farmer at Baan Unrak.

These are two houseboats that all the volunteers stayed on the last night of our week trip.

Pyar and his sweet friend enjoying class together.

My titi on the left. Most of the children liked their photos to be taken, they have great smiles.

Christmas in Thailand December 2010

Teaching and learning with some of the first graders. Pyar and I were lucky to have an amazing group of students. There about thirty in this class, ranging in age from 5 - 7 years.

At the front of the school taking a break with new friends. The tall blonde is Tonja, she was there volunteering from Germany. The girls are too cute.

Pyar and friend enjoying some free playtime.

Our sweet first graders showing their fine work and great smiles.

We were trying to get together for a group photo after class one day.
We had a blast. The teachers and students are incredibly kind and inviting!!

Christmas in Thailand December 2010

Sewing Center at Baan Unrak
We were lucky to have a tour of the facilities at both the school and home of Baan Unrak. Here, women are sewing while a baby sleeps in a kind of hammock.

Baan Unrak School
The school has about 150 students. Here, the students and faculty are having photos taken for thank you notes. We got to help paint some of the signs with the amazing children at Baan Unrak.

We just had lunch at a stop after riding the elephants. What a wonderful and beautiful experience along the river. Next we will walk a bit and go river rafting, standing up on bamboo boats - trying our very best to not fall off, or down.

Our sweet elephant seemed to love the water crossings. Some of them would hold up their tails and trunks, maybe for balance or something more. I especially loved meeting all of the beautiful elephants. Elephants are very gentle.

Fun with Friends! Tim and Lindsays visit

Dotonbori Hotel in Osaka
Photo by Tim Lisko

Fun hiding behind the big heads of the Hotel Dotonbori. We stayed here after fun at Sumo.

Kiyomizu dera (temple) with Japanese students leading us on a tour in English.

Osaka Castle
Photo by Tim Lisko

It started to rain shortly after this photo was taken. We toured the grounds of the Castle and ate Sakura icecream.

Fukwari Cafe

We tried on clothes at the suggestion of the owner. Lindsay bought the one she is wearing. Mine is just for show, it is for a wedding. The pattern is of cranes which symbolize fidelity, it was beautiful! Pyar looking regal.

Visiting the Shop CORE

Pyar, Yuki and Cynthia at CORE

Pyar is holding the largest fude I have ever seen. It belongs to the Kushi family who owns the shop CORE. Yuki is holding some beautiful artwork of her own. I have a regular size fude and a fan made by Michiyo. Michiyo is a great artist and friend of Sawabe's.

Pyar, Yuki and Michiyo in the garden at the shop CORE

Children's Day in Japan

Children's Day is May 5th

We are seeing many of these carp flags around Tanabe. This group is in front of our favorite restaurant, Akihei. It also happens to be the oldest in town, 130 years to be exact. It has been in her husband's family for five generations.