So Far So Good

Reflecting on my time so far I realize that it's been very smooth sailing. I guess it depends on what you call rough waters, but really I've had a very relaxing time. I had a fever for one day and diarrhea for one day, separate events. I've never been seriously ripped off so far and haven't had any accidents so far. That probably means I have something in store heading into Cambodia and Vietnam. Or maybe the good karma that has been gracing my entire life is especially potent in these buddhist countries, where it is more of a hard currency than an abstract concept. My stay at Pun Pun had to draw to an end, even though I couldn't see the building go up all the way. I got to participate in finishing the walls to their final height as well as putting a layer of plaster on all the walls, a very satisfying step. I was shocked by the bustle upon my return to Chiang Mai, and especially shocked to see how expensive Bangkok is and how different it is from the rest of Thailand. Here are some pictures from Pun Pun:

The solar hot water showers, so simple, yet very effective. The water is heated in the two black 55 gallon barrels.

The beginning of our building. The wall shot up on our first building day. This was after only an hour of brick laying.

My facial spa treatment extended to my whole head, apparently the clay sucks out toxins and sickness. It felt great

The final height of our building. We are covering the bricks in another layer of mud to create smooth walls that can then be painted. The tree painting is done with a paint based on tapioca flour, clay and natural pigments.

My Daily Routine at Pun Pun,

I have developed a somewhat regular and yet always new routine here at Pun Pun. Breakfast is at 8 am, and is usually something I would never think to eat for breakfast, but am now used to and enjoy. Examples would be rice soup, barley and mung beans with soy milk, fried rice, last night's dinner and so on. At 9 am the community work starts. Everyone is expected to help out in some way. I have alternated between building with adobe and working in the garden planting and weeding. I have also helped prepare lunch, which is between noon and 12:30 pm. Before lunch I usually jump in the pond with all my clothes on, to wash off my muddy, sweaty stuff and self. Lunch is always delicious and the buffet table always starts with a big pot of brown rice. After lunch is siestaand then the afternoon is unstructured, so I have time to read, or help my buddy Pop with seed saving, anything that doesn't involve being in the sun too much, since the afternoons are extremely hot (between 30 and 40 celcius). 4:30 is watering time, so whoever isn't doing anything important grabs a watering can and we douse all the beds. Recently we have started installing a watering system similar to driplines, but it will take some time before everyhing is set up. I have often used that time to get some more building done instead, since the temperature is pleasant again by that time of day. Another jump in the pond is necessary after building with mud, followed by a solar hot shower before dinner. At 6:30 the bell rings for the last time of the day to announce another wonderful meal of brown rice and tasty soups and salads. In the evenings I either just read, or hang out some and then read. I dream about building an earthen house and wonder what life has in store for me. I use the internet briefly at the neighboring hippie farm run by a group of non-thai volunteers following permaculture principles.

Today was a special day. Even though yesterday was my birthday it felt like it was today. I weeded and jumped in the pond, so far on track for a normal day. Then after lunch we got into serious baking mode. I made bread dough, Justin made pizza dough and the baker, Yao, made chocolate cake, bread and pumpkin pie. I also harvested tomatoes and squeezed out the seeds to save them. I fixed the wobbly table that has been bothering me since I got here and we fired up the home made pizza oven. Glorious pizza kept sliding in and out of the ovens mouth and at the end I got to bake my bread the way bread was always meant to be baked. After dinner the lights went out and the chocolate cake made its appearance briefly before being distributed among 20 politely eager adults and a pair of surprisingly restrained kids. This was not just any chocolate cake. The cocoa mass came fom Nate, one of the community members from the states who also owns some land in bolivia where he grew, harvested and processed the cocoa. Talk about fair trade, I help him build a coffee shop, he gives me the best cocoa I have ever tasted to use in an oozing rich cake. The wonder of the moment was enhanced by it's rarity in Thailand.

Now I'm wondering how I can find a way to build a sod roof on my nonexistent earthen home built on land I can't even conceive of in a country yet to be determined with money that I don't yet have. So if you want to give me a birthday present, find me a plot of beautiful land that your buddy wouldn't mind me building on without a permit.

Love to all

P.S: I think the hot season is officially starting.