Photo: Tyler Batson

Here’s what I learned today: The Red Shirts are a political movement made up of mostly marginalized blue collar laborers. Seated right up against the stage at the rally, a man informed me that they seek democracy and justice for those they claim have been murdered and imprisoned under the reign of the King and military-lead government as they seek the simple right to vote. At this point I can take no side. I still have much to learn about this movement and I will never fully understand their plight, and I know this is just one side of the argument, but it dawned on me: these are the people of Thailand. This, in part, is what we came to learn.

Our presence there was probably one of the warmest I have ever received. People bought us food, drinks, sat and talked with us, and just wanted their story to be heard. (That, and I got to go up on stage in front of thousands of protesters. Phenomenal!) But today’s adventure was not about me or Jet Set Zero, it was about the people of Thailand, and what we don’t see unless we take a leap.

This is why I do this.

The Genzano tutors unwind at the lake.

After a day of miming English words to children, ACLE tutors rely on de-stressing in Italy’s natural havens.  Last week Courtney, Lynne and I were together in Genzano — about 40 minutes from Rome — and  the beautiful Lake Nemi was a short walk away from the school.  In our visits after camp our curly grey-haired director Claudia reminded us that you can swim in an bra and underwear at any age while fellow tutor Josh sent us all (except Patrick, who was frantically searching for his lost 57 euro hat) on a rescue hunt after he decided to swim across the 2km lake without mentioning his intention to anyone.  Claudia led the search in her white undergarments until we found the him striding along the road, shirtless and shoeless in true Profit-style.

Five of the six tutors -- Matt, Perrin, Fiona, Melissa and me -- covered in whipped cream goo.

Perrin and I survived our first two weeks of camp and the kids made sure we had a crazed last day. We chased them through a series of “messy games”, such as shaving cream hair style and egg toss competitions.  At the end we  followed camp tradition and let them smother us in whip cream.  We  are sad to leave our fellow tutors and this great camp location but Perrin and I will be reunited with Courtney and Lynn tomorrow in Lanuvio, about 40 minutes away from Rome!