I love these people!

This weekend was by far the most enlightening weekend I have had in Thailand so far. Tyler and I got the opportunity to stay the weekend in a Karen village, thanks to some awesome new friends we have met here. The scenery on the way to the village is breath-taking. Tucked away in the mountains of Thailand and blanketed with banana trees, it honestly felt like I was living in a scene from “Pocohontas”.

'Life isn't measured by how many breaths you take, rather how many moments take your breath away". This would be one of those moments!

When we first arrived at the village we were greeted with warm smiles from all of our hosts. Peter (one of our hosts) loaded us up in a pick-up truck and took us on a tour of the whole village. We were all smiles watching the scenery pass us by. We started with a little hike to an awesome waterfall where we kicked off our shoes and got the chance to unwind. After the waterfall we loaded back up in the back of the truck and we were headed up the mountain. After riding through some amazing fields of cabbage and corn, we made it to the top of a hill and watched the sunset over the mountains. We then headed back to the village where we were welcomed back with rice whiskey. I myself am not a big drinker, but in the Karen culture it is considered rude to not except anything offered to you. So I had to suck it up and pour the whiskey down the hatch. Many more shots followed while we set Indian style on the balcony of Peters house playing the guitar and singing along to “Hotel California” and many other classic songs. A little inebriated and very tired we went to bed on the floor of the house in a row all snuggled up to one another. The next morning we were woke up by Johnny Cash serenading us on the radio and an extemely annoying rooster who seemed to find pleasure in busting our eardrums. When we eventually arose Peter came into our room with coffee…… and you guessed it Rice Whisky. First thought that came to my mind was, “You’ve got to be kidding me, its 7 a.m.” So we drank our coffee and then we each were offered two shots of the whisky, hesitantly I drank the shots and started my morning. The morning was beautiful, as the low clouds created a mist over the mountain. We headed over to Peters house where breakfast was cooking in a kettle on the floor, we again sat Indian style on the floor of Peters house with the family gathered around and we chowed down like no joke.

It was then time to head out and hit the road. Saying our last goodbyes, we loaded up in the pick-up truck once more and rode out of the village with everyone standing in their yard waving goodbye. I must admit that when I got wind that we would be staying in a village I was a little hesitant about going, but once  by the time we left the village I nearly got teary-eyed when we were saying our goodbyes. It is amazing how these people just open their homes and welcome us into their lives. Peter and his family are some of the most friendly people I have met and it was an honor to be able to see their everyday lives and get to be apart of it. This is honestly what I have been waiting for since arriving in Thailand and I really feel like I got the full experience of Thailand being in the Karen village.