KatieHart

We don’t actually have to do any more chores, we can just drift in and out, they have just sort of let us free and groupless but always get pulled over when the fruit trucks come in. The scale of fruit and vegetables that we shift every day is ridiculous but my throwing and catching is vastly improving. I had a moment where I walked up to the truck, backed up against the platform, but there was a gap. Yes, I stepped and fell straight down. I’m just one disaster after another, more embarrassing than injuring. After fruit we walked to the forest around the part and found bare trees. By bare I mean trees that haven’t been protected by an orange cloth, tied to protect them from deforestation, a Buddhist tradition. I climbed up to ... read more

Today we left first thing and drove all day. At one point we got very lost and this meant getting back to the park after 11pm. The journey was pretty good down time as we had movies and I had my kindle and the music I’ve been given along the way onto my laptop. It was good reflection time. We had many stops which meant lots of treats along with many unfortunate meal options. I appreciated the time being in a smaller group and having a shared experience, makes you feel like you are returning as part of something. Lucy really appreciated my arriving back at stupid o’clock, Lots of love to everyone in the uk, love Katie xx... read more

Today we had our final chores and then got ready to leave early afternoon. We journied to Chaing Mai city to the main office to collect t-shirts, medical supplies and some of the soda and sweets were missing at the park. It took a long time to get everybody in one place and ready to leave. Even then we made a long stop at a huge mall to get blankets and m&m’s for the road so it was a slow start. Finally, we left and were made as comfortable as you can be when we are in a minivan all night. When we stopped for dinner, we got free cake because we are going to help the dogs, which was delightful. That dinner was the first time in a long time that I’ve said I’m a ... read more

Unfortunately, I slept terribly - typical, because I’m having an allergic reaction to something. I have a rash that goes from my cheeks to my knees, it is very sad. Achey muscles, headache, temperature and quite poorly too. Chinese balm, paracetamol and the strongest anti-histamines and I’m fine but it’s making me want to itch like I have chicken pocks, it’s slightly maddening. We had our chores today and having fun with all the volunteers, trying to keep my mind off the baby. Something that helped with that was visiting the school. I went straight for the four and five year olds and had an amazing time. Children are so much fun and you don’t need language, they just want to interact and love you. We played with our cameras and sung nursery rhymes and they ... read more

Today I was with the baby early again and he was hardly eating or drinking anything. The milk is going straight through him, he can hardly be absorbing a thing. He was lethargic and much more clingy that usual, pushing to lean against me and hanging his trunk concerningly limply. It was a horror to see. I left feeling considerable drained and deflated. That day during my chores, I was noticeably sleep deprived, mixing up the names for fruit and struggling to form whole sentences. I’d definitely left my heart and mind back with the baby. The vets came to see him today and have decided that he is able to have more independence now he is more settled emotionally and that their primary concern in the number of people coming in and out. Therefore, all ... read more